Twinkling lights, saguaros wearing Santa hats, full parking lots near the Winterhaven neighborhood — it must be the holiday season in Tucson.
Here’s where to see the sparkling lights this year.
Sightseers line up to get photos with the Christmas tree lighting up Jacome Plaza in 2023.
Desert Nights Downtown Lights
If you’ve taken a stroll through downtown Tucson recently, you may have noticed the whopping 105 trees wrapped in twinkling lights. Over 60 downtown buildings are also sporting LED lights. Head to Jácome Plaza and you’ll find a 36-foot Christmas tree glittering against the Main Library. Downtown Tucson Partnership is also running a contest to see who can snap the prettiest photo of the tree!
When: The tree will remain lit through Jan. 5; the photo contest closes Jan. 2
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Where: Christmas tree is at Jácome Plaza, 101 N. Stone Ave.
Cost: Free
More info: downtowntucson.org
Santa heads for his station through a series of lighted arches just before the gates open for ZooLights in 2022.
ZooLights Holiday Magic 2024
Reid Park Zoo’s annual ZooLights is here! Find colorful light displays, falling snow, festive music, a giant gingerbread house and visits from Santa Claus.
When: 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5-23; encore nights are Dec. 26-30 and Jan. 2-5
Where: Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court
Cost: $14 for general admission; $9 for kids ages 2-14. Bring a donation of two cans of food, a pet toy, an unwrapped children’s toy or non-functioning holiday lights to recycle and receive $1 off admission.
More info: reidparkzoo.org
Pictured here was part of the Tucson Botanical Gardens’ light show, dubbed Wanderland, in 2021.
LightsUp! A Festival of Illumination
Stroll through the Tucson Botanical Gardens where there will be luminaria displays and 1 million twinkling lights.
When: 6-9:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday through Jan. 12; closed Christmas
Where: Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way
Cost: $23 and up, depending on the day
More info: tucsonbotanical.org
Hundreds gather to get up close to the lighted Christmas tree during the Marana Holiday Festival in 2021.
Marana’s Christmas Tree & Musical Light Show
Marana will have nightly light shows at its 45-foot Christmas tree that include 13 minutes of holiday music synchronized to 200,000 twinkling lights. You can walk up to the tree or listen to the show from your car by tuning into the radio station listed on signage.
When: 6-9 p.m. on the half-hour nightly through Dec. 28
Where: Marana Municipal Complex, 11555 W. Civic Center Dr.
Cost: Free
More info: maranaaz.gov
Cheyenne and Erin Roberts take a selfie as they walk through one of three colorful light tunnels during Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul in 2023.
Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul
Walk through a wonderland of lights at Tohono Chul all while enjoying live entertainment, vendors, crafts and visits with Santa.
When: 6-9 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays until Dec. 22
Where: Tohono Chul, 7366 N. Paseo del Norte
Cost: $25 for adults, $10 for kids ages 4-12
More info: tohonochul.org
Visitors stroll along Christmas Avenue on the opening night of the 73rd annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights in 2022.
Winterhaven Festival of Lights
A holiday tradition for 75 years, the Winterhaven Festival of Lights makes its return on Dec. 14. Walk through this charming neighborhood decorated in holiday lights and displays.
When: 6-10 p.m. Dec. 14-28. There are no drive-thru nights.
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; bring a donation for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
More info: winterhavenfestival.org
A decorated ATV makes the turn onto Ochoa Street in front of the crowd closing off Stone Avenue for the 39th Downtown Parade of Lights in 2023.
Downtown Parade of Lights
Tucsonans line the streets to watch the annual Downtown Parade of Lights as it snakes through the Armory Park area with its hundreds of participants, floats and colorful lights.
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14
Where: Armory Park area, 222 S. Fifth Ave. See the full route on the parade’s website
Cost: Free
More info: downtownparadeoflights.com
Gloria was born and raised in Tucson and is a 2018 University of Arizona grad. From wildflowers to wildlife, she loves all things Tucson and hopes to share her love of the city with readers ✨
Gloria Knott
#ThisIsTucson Editor
