We found five Christmas parades and tree lightings in and around Tucson with 2026 dates: one parade and four tree lightings and lighting nights, four free to watch. Each one has the date, start time, price and a link to the organizer’s page.
By date
Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.
Tree lighting · 5:45–6:30 p.m.27NovFriTree Lighting at The Westin La PalomaTree lighting · 6–8 p.m.5DecSatDowntown Parade of Lights & Festival
Parade · Festival 3 p.m.5DecSatMarana Holiday Festival & Tree LightingTree lighting · 2–9 p.m.12DecSatSahuarita WinterfestLighting festival · 3–8 p.m.Nothing matches that filter yet.
Christmas parades
Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.
Jácome Plaza and El Presidio · Downtown Tucson
For kids: Free downtown garages and lots are within walking distance.
Good to know: A holiday market and photo stations before the parade, with emcees in English and Spanish.
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check the date and add it.Suggest a parade
Tree lightings
Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.
Jácome Plaza · 101 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ
The Westin La Paloma, Murphey & La Luz Patio · 3800 E Sunrise Dr, Tucson, AZ 85718
Good to know: The day after Thanksgiving the resort lights its patio tree, with hot cocoa, cookies and candy canes and a group countdown. It's also the night the pastry team unveils this year's gingerbread display.
Ed Honea Marana Municipal Complex · 11555 W Civic Center Dr, Marana, AZ 85653
Good to know: Marana bills its 45-foot tree as the largest municipal tree in Arizona, and it puts on a light show at 6 with an encore at 8:30 for anyone who misses the first. Before dark there are free Santa photos, holiday train rides and bounce houses.
Sahuarita Town Hall · Sahuarita
Good to know: Holiday parade, tree lighting and vendors.
Before you go
SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.Every year
Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in Tucson
Keep planning
November: things to do in TucsonEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in TucsonEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in TucsonFree days, free events and places that never charge
Free museum days in TucsonFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in TucsonIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in TucsonBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Thanksgiving weekend in TucsonParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayThe Nutcracker in TucsonBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in TucsonChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in TucsonWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in TucsonDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Downtown Parade of Lights & Festival: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, Festival 3 p.m.; parade 6:30 p.m. (Downtown Tucson).
Downtown Tucson Holiday Tree Lighting at Jácome Plaza: Fri, Nov 20, 2026, 5:45–6:30 p.m. Tree Lighting at The Westin La Paloma at The Westin La Paloma, Murphey & La Luz Patio: Fri, Nov 27, 2026, 6–8 p.m. Marana Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting at Ed Honea Marana Municipal Complex: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 2–9 p.m.; tree shows at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Sahuarita Winterfest at Sahuarita Town Hall: Sat, Dec 12, 2026, 3–8 p.m.
Four of the five we list are free to watch: Downtown Tucson Holiday Tree Lighting, Tree Lighting at The Westin La Paloma, Downtown Parade of Lights & Festival and Marana Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.
Daytime ones are easiest with toddlers: Downtown Parade of Lights & Festival, Marana Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting and Sahuarita Winterfest. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 28, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Tucson that weekend, parades included.
Downtown Tucson Holiday Tree Lighting