You’re one of the lucky ones if you have the good fortune of spending Christmas in Tucson, Arizona. With plenty of sunshine and daytime temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees, you’ll quickly discover why families travel from all over the country to experience the peaceful serenity of Christmas in southern Arizona.
Here are some suggestions for family-friendly Christmas Tucson events, updated for 2025!
Tuscon Christmas Events for 2025
Dazzling Light Displays
Stroll through Tohono Chul Park during the annual Holiday Nights event. Be dazzled by nearly a million twinkling lights, sip hot mocha, enjoy tasty holiday treats. You’ll also be joyfully entertained by music and dance performances throughout the evening. General public admission is open Thursday through Sunday beginning December 7th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.
For a wild good time, get your tickets for Zoo Lights at Reid Park Zoo December 5 – January 5, 2026. The holiday festivities offer jingle bells, falling snow, Santa Claus, animal-theme light sculptures, hot cocoa, and free cookies in addition to thousands of sparkling bulbs.
Similarly, the Tucson Botanical Garden hosts Lights Up! A Festival of Illumination. Luminarias, twinkling lights, and decorated trees adorn the property. You can also expect a visits from Santa, along with festive live entertainment throughout the evening. This year’s event takes place November 29 – January 12, 2026.
Looking for a festive neighborhood? The Winterhaven Festival of Lights is one of the longest-running Tucson Christmas Events. This neighborhood of lights is free to visit, but they ask that families bring some food or money to donate to the local food bank. It takes place December 15 through 29 from 6 – 10pm daily.
Each evening, the lights dance in time with holiday music broadcast over a special radio station. On select Vendor Nights, families can stop by the event plaza to enjoy local food trucks, cocoa stands, artisan crafts, and carolers under the stars.
Are you visiting Tucson for the holidays? These are our picks for the best Tucson resorts for families.
Christmas Parades in Tucson
Bask in the glow of lighted floats, performers, and holiday music during the annual Downtown Parade of Lights. This one-night event usually takes place in Downtown Tucson around mid-December. This year it will take place on December 16, 2025 at 6:30pm.
Tucson Christmas Events & Festivals
Every year, Oro Valley hosts the Holiday Festival of the Arts & Tree Lighting Celebration. This two-day event brings holiday cheer through live performances, family art activities, and artisan vendors. But the main is event is the lighting of the glorious 35-foot tall Christmas tree.
This year’s event takes place December 6th & 7th, from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM.
Want to experience a Tucson snowfall? Head to the courtyard at La Encantada mall Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays in late November throught the end of December. Enchanted Snowfall begins each evening starting at 6 PM and features live entertainment, complimentary hot chocolate, and falling snow.
Looking for more to do? Here are our favorite things to do in Tucson with kids.
Tucson Christmas Concerts & Plays
Enjoy good food and comedic performances at Tucson’s dinner theater, The Gaslight Theatre. The theater offers complimentary popcorn with the ticket price. After you’re seated, you can choose to purchase dinner or dessert from a provided menu.
Gaslight Theatre’s holiday shows often sell out. Be sure to get your tickets fast for their latest holiday comedy. This year’s show will be Race to the North Pole and it runs November 6 – January 4, 2026.
At Fox Tucson Theater, families can choose from a variety of holiday shows presented throughout the seasons including holiday classic films, a Nutcracker performance, and festive concerts.
Experience the magic of the season at the Tucson Symphony Orchestra on December 20th & 21st where you can listen to the classic strains of Handel’s Messiah.
Another classical experience can be found at the Christmas at San Xavier Annual Concert. Here you’ll enjoy Bach, Schubert & Fauré, along with some holiday season favorites. This season’s show is December 9 – 10, 2025.
Check for deals on family-friendly hotels in Tucson.
See the Nutcracker
For many families, December wouldn’t feel like December without tickets to the famous ballet about Clara and her Nutcracker. Traditionalists will appreciate the professional elegance of Ballet Rincon‘s production as it presents its annual Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Ballet.
The Ballet Tucson and Tucson Symphony Orchestra will also be performing the Nutcracker in the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, December 19 – 21, 2025.
Christmas Races for Kids
Sign up for the Vail Jingle Trail 5K (December 13) and Santa’s Little Helper 1K . Once there, you’ll be greeted with jingle bells for your shoelaces at the registration tables. Afterward, enjoy complimentary refreshments.
Live Nativity Christmas Events in Tucson
Sunrise Chapel Luminaria Desert Walk invites community members to wander through lighted paths while listening to a narration of the Christmas story. This event is free but monetary donations and food items for the local food bank are welcome
Redeemer Lutheran also offers a live nativity. This annual drive through nativity leads visitor on a journey through the Christmas story. See scenes depicting the foretelling of Christ’s birth, shepherds, and Jesus in the manger. At the end, listen to, or participate in singing carols and hymns.
Is there a Tucson Christmas event we missed? Does your business have updated information to share? Email [email protected] and tell us about it!
Find more Christmas events near you! Trekaroo has guides for dozens of cities across the country.
Pin this to bookmark all the holiday fun; we update it yearly:
Special thanks to Stephanie Sheaffer who wrote the original version of this post.
Featured photo by: Shutterstock
My love for storytelling led me to earn a bachelor's degree in Communications from Brigham Young University-Idaho in 2003. In 2008, when my husband’s job required frequent travel, I refused to be left behind. With my toddlers in tow, we set off on adventures, discovering family-friendly attractions and activities along the way. Trekaroo became an invaluable resource for us, helping me navigate travel with young children. Once I gained experience, I felt compelled to share my insights with other families embarking on similar journeys.
As a mother of five, I’ve embraced the joys and challenges of traveling with children of all ages and consider myself an expert in multigenerational travel, large family adventures, and finding the best travel deals.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with numerous tourism organizations, hotels, and travel brands, helping to highlight incredible family-friendly destinations. I’ve worked with local tourism bureaus in Phoenix, New Orleans & Baton Rouge, Denver, Greater Zion, Portland, Oakland, Salt Lake City and many more cities, as well as major travel brands like Margaritaville, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Dark Rome, LEGOLAND California, Walt Disney World, and Great Wolf Lodge. Through these partnerships, I provide firsthand insights and expert recommendations to help families make the most of their travel experiences.
I currently live in Phoenix, Arizona, with my husband and our five kids (ages 10–19). When I’m not traveling, I love hiking, reading, and substitute teaching at my kids’ schools.
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