There’s nothing like the thrill of a live performance, or a special outing shared with family or close friends. The excitement before a show or event is electric! You might dress up in your holiday finery to go to the theater, pull on boots or sneakers to walk through a winter wonderland, or gather together to check out a fancy light show. However you choose to celebrate the season, attending a special event will make it even more memorable!
Holiday Nights 2022 at Tohono Chul
Sip hot chocolate as you stroll through the illuminated garden pathways. Families will enjoy the twinkling, colorful lights, holiday music and kids will get to visit Santa. Dec. 9 & 10 and Dec. 16 & 17. See website for specific ticket information. www.tohonochul.org/holiday-nights/
Holidays at the Fox Theatre
Make the season musical with a show at the Fox Theatre. “In The Christmas Mood: A Holiday Music Spectacular.” Enjoy singing, comedy, dancing and memories. Dec. 9. “World Ballet Series: Nutcracker.” Live performance by a multinational cast of 50 professional ballet dancers. Dec. 14. “Merry–Achi Christmas.” Presented by Mariachi Sol De Mexico with Jose Hernandez audiences will enjoy this Tucson annual holiday tradition, part of the romance of Mariachi songs is that all things are possible. Dec. 16. “All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914.” A German soldier steps into No Man’s Land singing “Stille Nacht.” Thus begins an extraordinary night of camaraderie, music and peace. A remarkable true story, told in the words and songs of the men who lived it. Dec. 18. For more information about these and other shows visit www.foxtucson.com/events/
Shamrock Farms
Shamrock Farms wishes you and your family a dairy merry Christmas! Celebrate the holidays with the moo-vers and shakers—10,000 cows that produce the milk for your shakes—at the “Joy to the Herd” event. Meet the herd on a guided tram tour through the farm. Then visit with Santa and Roxie the spokescow, make some holiday crafts, get your face painted and more. The tram tour starts at the big red Welcome Barn, then visits the milking barn, the feed zone, the cow lounge and an interactive play area. “Joy to the Herd” happens Dec. 3 and 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations and prepayment are required. To join the herd for the holidays, visit www.shamrockfarms.net.
Oro Valley Festival of the Arts & Holiday Tree Lighting
Live music, crafts, activities for kids, cookie decorating holiday caroling and photos with Santa and the Golden Ranch Fire Truck. Ceremonial lighting of the holiday tree with the Mayor and Santa. Dec. 3–4. www.orovalleyaz.gov
Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus
For over 80 years, the Tucson Boys Chorus has been entertaining families in Arizona and around the world. Celebrate at the annual Holiday Concert with traditional songs. Dec. 10 at UA Crowder Hall. www.boyschorus.org
Zoo Lights at the Reid Park Zoo
It’s the most wonderful time of the year at ZooLights: Holiday Magic, presented by Tucson Electric Power will be back at Reid Park Zoo this year throughout December! Sip hot chocolate as you stroll through the twinkling lights of Tucson’s favorite holiday tradition. Thousands of glittering lights illuminate the beautiful Zoo grounds with sounds of the season flowing throughout the Zoo. www.reidparkzoo.org
Old Tucson
Experience holidays the Old West Way at Old Tucson during Yuletide! Bring the whole family to enjoy fun holiday-themed shows like “A Yuletide Christmas Carol,” old-fashioned craft-making in Town Hall, and the nightly Tree Lighting Ceremony. In 1882, electricity is the new wave of the future. On the East Coast, gas lights are being replaced for safer electric lamps. In Tucson, however, electricity is still an experiment. But a new company is bringing electricity to Tucson, and this momentous occasion will be celebrated in Town Square where the main Christmas Tree will be lit with electrical power for the first-time nightly, Thursdays through Sundays at 6:10 p.m.
Take a ride on the Christmas Fantasy Train and enjoy traditional snacks and beverages while listening to Yuletide Carolers. In the Town Hall, children can write a letter for Santa and place it directly into the mailbox in town. If you’ve been naughty you may want to steer clear of the Krampus Koal Mine the Krampus is never willing to let Santa have all the fun. If you’ve been nice, Santa and his elves are waiting to greet you in Christmas Cove! Watch the beautiful Sonoran sunset in the desert, take a walk lit by luminaries at the Mission, and end the night with a hayride. For tickets and more information, visit www.oldtucson.com.
Winter Wonderland at International Wildlife Museum Kids can play reindeer games, make crafts, explore the museum and get their picture taken with Santa. Dec. 10. www.thewildlifemuseum.org
Arts Express Presents ELF
Buddy the elf is on a mission to find out his true identity. This comedy show will have everyone smiling and enjoying the holiday season. Dec. 2–18. www.arts-express.org/elf/
17th Annual Holiday Express
Celebrate the holidays at the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum. Visit Santa and get your picture taken with Santa in front of Locomotive 1673, the train from the movie Oklahoma. Listen to a reading of The Polar Express, sing holiday songs and see the new model train exhibits. Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. www.tucsonhistoricdepot.com
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
Presented by the Saguaro City Music Theatre, audiences will be transported through time as they see George, Mary, Clarence, and the entire town of Bedford Falls come to life in this staged radio broadcast of Frank Capra’s holiday classic.
Dec. 9–24. www.saguarocity.org/tickets
Winterhaven Festival of Lights
See the 73rd annual festival of lights. You can walk-through, ride the trolley or hayride to see the lights. There are no drive-through nights for 2022. Dec. 10–26 from 6–1o p.m. Bring donations for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. www.winterhavenfestival.org
Broadway in Tucson Presents Annie
Little Orphan Annie will sing her way into your heart, just like she sang her way into Daddy Warbuck’s heart. Based on Harold Gray’s comic strip, Annie tells the story of an orphan who goes from rags to riches. Audiences will cheer on Annie and her dog Sandy and boo the often tipsy Miss Hannigan. Jan. 3–8, 2023 at Centennial Hall. • www.broadwayintucson.com/shows/
Broadway in Tucson Presents Bluey’s Big Play
See the theatrical adaption of the Emmy Award winning children’s television show. Enjoy Bluey and Bingo as they pull out all the games at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag on a Sunday so they can have some family fun. Jan. 24–25, 2023. • www.broadwayintucson.com/shws/
Wee Winter Wonderland
at the Mini Time Machine of Miniatures features more than a dozen miniatures representing holiday celebrations from all over the world. You can see a Christmas village display and peer through a snow globe–like window on the floor in the Enchanted Realm. Nov. 22–Jan. 8 • www.theminitimemachine.org
