A bunch of holiday events in Tucson: light shows, crafts, snow and visits with Santa

DIY ornaments, tree-lighting ceremonies and all the holiday cheer

December 1, 2025

by Gloria Knott

Tucson's pop-up ice rink is back for the holidays. 📸: City of Tucson

’Tis the season for fake snow, visits with Santa, DIY ornaments and all the twinkling lights.

The holiday season is HERE and there’s A LOT going on. The good news: we have a searchable event calendar on our website — and holiday events have their own category.

🎄 See our long list of holiday events here! 🎅

🛍 For upcoming markets, click here. 👀

Here’s a lil sneak peek:

Yuleti de, select dates through Dec. 31 — carolers, holiday stunt shows, horse-drawn carriages and more at Old Tucson.
Festive Fridays, Fridays from Nov. 28 through Dec. 26 — snow, hot cocoa, discounted ride wristbands, Christmas stunt show and more at Trail Dust Town.
LightsUp! A Festival of Illumination, select days Nov. 28 through Jan. 11 — walk through twinkling lights of the Tucson Botanical Gardens.
Enchanted Snowfall, Thursdays-Saturdays, Nov. 28-Dec. 20 — snow, hot chocolate, live entertainment and visits with Santa at La Encantada.
Tucson Holiday Ice, Dec. 1-Jan. 4, closed Christmas — pop-up ice skating rink outside of the Tucson Convention Center.
ZooLights, select days Dec. 4-Jan. 4 — festive displays, visits with Santa and live music at Reid Park Zoo.
Holiday Nights, Fridays-Saturdays, Dec. 5-21 — illuminated pathways, vendors and live entertainment at Tohono Chul.
Downtown Parade of Lights, Dec. 6 — parade with lights, inflatables and floats in the Armory Park area.
Marana Holiday Festival, Dec. 6 — tree lighting, photos with Santa, food drive, vendors, performances and more at the Marana Municipal Complex.
Oro Valley Holiday Festival of the Arts with Art State Arizona, Dec. 6-7 — tree lighting, performances, 150-plus vendors, photos with Santa and more at the Oro Valley Marketplace.
Winterhaven Festival of Lights, Dec. 13-27 — holiday lights and displays in a midtown neighborhood.
Chanukah @ Downtown Tucson with Chabad Tucson, Dec. 14 — lighting of Tucson’s tallest Menora, plus treats, crafts and personal Menorahs to take home at El Presidio Plaza.