Southern Arizona's Special Holiday Events Calendar
Let's see who can assemble the most unique Tucson live events this month! From tamales to opera, here are a few things to fill your days and nights with the spirit of the holidays.
ZooLights at Reid Park Zoo (December 1-31)
Location: 3400 E. Zoo Court at Reid Park
- Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Description: Millions of twinkling lights, animal-themed light sculptures, live entertainment, hot cocoa stations, and more.
- Cost: $12 adults, $8 children
- Notes: Closed December 24-25
Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul Park (December 1-23)
- Location: 7366 N. Paseo del Norte
- Time: 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
- Description: Thousands of twinkling lights, live music, desert garden displays, and more.
- Cost: $15 adults, $5 children
- Special dates: December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 23
Tucson Symphony Holiday Pops Concert (December 3, 4, 5)
- Location: Tucson Music Hall, 260 S Church Ave
- Times: 7:30 PM (Tue-Thu)
- Description: Classical holiday favorites and contemporary arrangements
- Cost: $25-75
- Parking: TCC Garage, $8
Tucson Tamale Festival (December 6-8)
- Location: Carrillo Gardens, 810 S. Main Ave
- Times:
- Friday, Dec 6: 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Saturday, Dec 7: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Sunday, Dec 8: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Description: Over 30 tamale vendors, live music, cooking demonstrations, and more.
- Cost: $10 entry, tamales priced individually
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair (December 7-8)
- Location: 4th Avenue between 9th St. and University Blvd
- Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM both days
- Description: Over 400 arts/crafts vendors, food trucks, street performers
- Cost: Free admission
- Transportation: Free streetcar rides during the event
Hanukkah Celebration Week (December 7-15)
- Location: Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E. River Rd.
- Daily Events:
- Dec 7: Opening Ceremony (5:30 PM - 8:30 PM)
- Dec 8: Community Menorah Lighting at La Encantada (6:00 PM)
- Dec 14: Family Festival (11:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
- Dec 15: Closing Celebration (4:00 PM - 7:00 PM)
Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day (December 12)
- Location: San Xavier Mission, 1950 W. San Xavier Rd.
- Times: Masses at 5:30 AM, 8:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 5:00 PM
- Description: Traditional celebrations, mariachi performances, and food vendors.
- Cost: Free
Arizona Opera Holiday Concert (December 14)
- Location: Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St.
- Time: 7:30 PM
- Description: Holiday classics and operatic favorites.
- Cost: $25-75
- Parking: Pennington Street Garage
Christmas at the Empire Ranch (Dec. 14)
- Location: Empire Ranch on Highway 83 between I-10 and Sonoita
- Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- Description: Local artisans, visits from the Grinch, line dancing, live music
- Cost: Donations accepted
- Parking: Free onsite
Mercado San Agustin Holiday Bazaar (December 14-15)
- Location: 100 S Avenida del Convento
- Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Description: Local artisans, food vendors, live music
- Cost: Free admission
- Parking: Free onsite
Tucson Ballet's "The Nutcracker" (December 20-24)
- Location: Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave.
- Performance Times:
- Dec 20: 7:00 PM
- Dec 21: 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
- Dec 22: 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM
- Dec 23: 3:00 PM
- Dec 24: 1:00 PM matinee
- Cost: $35-95
Traditional Deer Dance Performances (December 26-30)
- Location: Pascua Yaqui Pueblo, 7474 S. Camino De Oeste
- Times: Sunset performances daily
- Description: Traditional Yaqui deer dancers and ceremonies
- Note: Photography restrictions apply
- Visitor registration required
Year-end Bird Count (December 28)
- Location: Sweetwater Wetlands, 2511 W. Sweetwater Dr.
- Time: 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Description: Annual bird count contributing to a national database of our winged neighbors.
- Cost: Free
- Registration required: 520-791-4331
Family New Year's Eve at Children's Museum Tucson (December 31)
- Location: 200 S. 6th Ave.
- Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- Description: A "Noon Year's Eve" celebration for families.
- Cost: Regular museum admission ($9)
Downtown Tucson New Year's Eve Celebration (December 31)
- Location: Congress Street & 5th Avenue
- Time: 8:00 PM - 12:30 AM
- Description: Live bands, food vendors, midnight tequila toast.
- Cost: Free admission, VIP packages $75
Casino del Sol New Year's Gala (December 31)
- Location: 5655 W. Valencia Rd.
- Time: 7:00 PM - 1:00 AM
- Description: Formal dinner, live entertainment, champagne toast
- Cost: $150 per person, including dinner and champagne.
- Room packages available
Note: All events are subject to change. Please verify details with organizers closer to the dates. For information on accessibility or special accommodations, contact venues directly.