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33 historic photos of Christmas in Tucson
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Editor's Pick Web Only

33 historic photos of Christmas in Tucson

  • Dec 26, 2021
  • Dec 26, 2021 Updated Dec 26, 2021

From busy new malls to decorated Saguaros, here's what Christmastime was like in Tucson years ago. 🎄

P.S.— See more historic Tucson photos like these each week by signing up for the Tucson Time Machine newsletter and having them sent directly to your inbox: http://tucne.ws/time

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Winterhaven Festival of Lights in Tucson in December, 1964. Time exposure at Christmas Ave. and McKenzie St.

Jon Kamman / Tucson Citizen

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

A single vehicle drives through the Winterhaven neighborhood in Tucson on Christmas Eve, 1956.

Tucson Citizen

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Christmas 1964.

Jack Shaeffer

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Christmas 1970.

Jack Sheaffer

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Christmas 1964

Jack Shaeffer

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Christmas parade Dec. 5, 1981.

Jim Davis / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

1955 photo of downtown Tucson near Stone and Congress next to the Lerner shops on the Friday after Thanksgiving as crowds come to see Santa Claus (at left). Photo by Jack Sheaffer

JACK SHEAFFER

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Angela Adams takes a rest from shopping with her granddaughter during one of the final shopping days of the season. Dec. 22, 1987

Elizabeth Mangelsdorf / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Officer Bill Schneider of the Tucson Police Department shops with one of 17 children that were at Target for a Christmas shopping spree sponsored by the Pima County Sheriff's Lodge #20 and TPD Lodge #1, both of the Fraternal Order of Police. Dec. 22, 1989.

Mari A. Schaefer / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

A three-year-old girl used her balloon to brace herself for the last minute shopping her parents had to do to prepare for the holidays at El Con Mall. Photo taken Dec. 23, 1989.

A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Officer Bill Schneider of the Tucson Police Department shops with one of 17 children that were at Target for a Christmas shopping spree sponsored by the Pima County Sheriff's Lodge #20 and TPD Lodge #1, both of the Fraternal Order of Police. Dec. 22, 1989.

Mari A. Schaefer / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

A woman stops to look at a necklace and outfit at Stuarts in Park Mall as she shops with her mother and son. Nov. 25, 1988.

Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Holiday shoppers hit the malls early for bargains. Nov. 26, 1982.

Jim Davis / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Holiday sale at Music Land at El Con Mall. Nov. 29, 1982.

Art Grasberger / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Christmas shoppers at Tucson Mall for the first day of Christmas shopping. Nov. 25, 1988.

A. E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

After school workers Julio Morales and Frank Montano playfully wrestle and jump onto Christmas trees that will be unwrapped and sold at Dave Bond's Tree lot. The trees are from Oregon. Dec. 15, 1987.

David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Christmas tree at the Tucson airport. Dec. 13, 1982.

D. Reingold

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

A toddler gazes at the Christmas tree at J.C. Penneys at El Con Mall. Nov. 30, 1982.

Art Grasberger / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

The city of Tucson presents its fourth annual "Holiday of Lights," beginning with the tree lighting. Nov. 30, 1989.

Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Christmas 1971.

Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Eric Edhelm works in the Christmas tree lot for the Lohse YMCA Mens Club. Dec. 13, 1987

Jackie Bell / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Fred Knight of Carl Mellberg's Oregon Fresh, waters some of the 400 Christmas trees that are ready for sale. Dec. 5, 1991.

David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Roger Wright, right, moves with a Christmas tree during the unloading process. The lot is that of the Tucson Boys Chorus. Nov. 27, 1990.

Bruce McClelland / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Maxine Parson straightens some of the decorations on one of the many Christmas trees she has set up at the Christmas Tradition.

Jim Davis / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Christmas 1981.

Jack Sheaffer / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

A Christmas celebration at the Tucson Police Department with students from local schools. Dec. 16, 1985.

Bruce McClelland / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Don Bigler climbs the nearly 50-foot-tall Christmas tree at the Tucson Mall to get ready to put up poinsettias. Nov. 15, 1986.

Jackie Bell / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

The Gift Market Christmas tree. Oct. 2, 1985.

Bruce McClelland / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Christmas 1965.

Jack Shaeffer

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

An eight-story Christmas tree of lights adorns the "new" Tucson City Hall on Dec. 7, 1967. Tucson Citizen

Tucson Citizen

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Christmas carolers on horseback and in wagon on Sorrel Lane near Tucson on Dec. 21, 1980. Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star

Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Christmas 1960

JACK SHEAFFER

Tucson Christmas past

Tucson Christmas past

Christmas 1958.

Jack Shaeffer

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