Twinkling lights, saguaros wearing Santa hats, full parking lots near the Winterhaven neighborhood — it must be the holiday season in Tucson. 💖
Here are all the places to see the sparkling lights this year, from tree lighting ceremonies to monthlong holiday experiences. (P.S. — while not an event necessarily, Tucson's tree is also up and shining!)
LightsUp! A Festival of Illumination
Stroll through 3,000 luminarias at the Tucson Botanical Gardens with "artfully sequenced series of illuminated experiences" featuring more than 1 million twinkling lights, plus art pieces and installations.
When: 5:30-9:30 p.m. most Tuesdays-Sundays through Jan. 15
Where: Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way
Cost: $20-$50 for adults and $18-$45 for kids, depending on the day.
Visit the event page for more information.
ZooLights 2022
Reid Park Zoo's annual ZooLights is back! Find colorful light displays, falling snow, festive music and visits from Santa.
When: 6-9 p.m. through Dec. 23; plus encore nights Dec. 26-30
Where: Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court
Cost: $12 for general admission, $8 for kids ages 2-14
Visit the event page for more information.
Marana Christmas Tree Lighting
Every night, Marana will be putting on a 20-minute-long holiday show, featuring its 30-foot tree and 75,000 lights in the area. The music can be heard in the plaza or through your car's radio.
When: 5-9 p.m. nightly on the hour through Dec. 28
Where: Marana Municipal Complex, 11555 W. Civic Center Dr.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Visitors take in live music with lights strung all overhead during the 2018 Holiday Nights, Dec. 1 2018, at Tohono Chul Park, 7366 N. Paseo Del Norte, in Oro Valley, Ariz.
Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul
Walk through a wonderland of lights at Tohono Chul, set to also include live entertainment from musicians and artists.
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Dec. 9-10 and Dec. 16-17
Where: Tohono Chul, 7366 Paseo del Norte
Cost: $20 for adults, $6 for kids
Visit the event page for more information.
Christmas Express at Marana Farm
The Marana Pumpkin Patch will be transformed for the holidays and turned into the family-friendly Christmas Express. Check out train rides, farm animals, jumping pillows, a super slide and more. Santa will be there too!
When: 5-9 p.m. Dec. 9-11 and Dec. 16-23
Where: Marana Pumpkin Patch, 14950 N. Trico Road
Cost: $20 for general admission, or $25 with a Santa visit
Visit the event page for more information.
Winterhaven Festival of Lights
A holiday tradition for more than 70 years, the Winterhaven Festival of Lights makes its return on Dec. 10. Walk through this charming neighborhood decorated in holiday lights and displays.
When: 6-10 p.m. Dec. 10-26
Where: Winterhaven neighborhood; north of Fort Lowell Road and south of Prince Road, west of Country Club Road and east of Tucson Boulevard
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
The 25th annual Parade of Lights in downtown Tucson on Nov. 30, 2019.
Downtown Parade of Lights
Back after a hiatus due to the pandemic, the Downtown Parade of Lights will snake through the Armory Park area with more than 30 floats and nearly 1,000 participants.
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17
Where: Armory Park area, see the route here
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Winterfest in Sahuarita
Shop from a vendor market, watch a light parade and ice sculpting, order a bite to eat from food trucks, and more at Winterfest in Sahuarita. A tree lighting ceremony will end the night.
When: Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17
Where: Sahuarita Town Hall, 375 W. Sahuarita Center Way
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event page for more information.
