Discover the magic every night in December

A Marana Holiday Tradition: Your Guide to the Nightly Holiday Tree Show

Discover the fun you can have any night in December!

The show takes place in Downtown Marana on Marana Main Street, right by the Ed Honea Marana Municipal Complex.

What Makes the Marana Holiday Tree Show Special

Ways to Enjoy the Nightly Holiday Tree Show

Where to Eat or Grab Hot Chocolate Nearby

Our Insider Tips for the Best Experience

In Marana, we’re known for being family-friendly — and that’s exactly why we go big every December. We don't just have a single holiday tree lighting night -- you can enjoy more than 20 nights of festive lights, music, and community. Our massive tree lights up nightly in a synchronized musical show, giving you and your family the flexibility to visit whenever it works for you.

The show has quickly become a favorite spot for family photos, a way to gather with friends, and one of the best free things to do in the area during the holidays. The paved paths around the tree make it accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

Read on for what makes the show special, plus insider tips to help you make the most of your visit.

CreditKelvin M. Garcia/kelvinaz_photo

What Makes the Marana Holiday Tree Show Special

Standing at 45 feet tall, the Marana Holiday Tree is the tallest municipal holiday tree in Arizona. It’s wrapped in more than 100,000 lights, with another 150,000 lights illuminating the surrounding landscape. The tree dazzles nightly throughout December with a musical light show featuring 12 rotating songs, running every half-hour each evening.

This year we also have a new song in the playlist: Golden from the movie K-Pop Demon Hunters!

New this year: Discover Marana’s 30-foot light tunnel, a bright, colorful photo spot that’s quickly becoming a visitor favorite.

It’s a true winter wonderland — minus the snow. (Although Marana does get lucky on occasion!) It’s one of the easiest winter traditions to add to your holiday season in Northwest Tucson.

For show schedules and details, see our Holiday Light Show event page.

Ways to Enjoy the Nightly Holiday Tree Show

Date night in Downtown Marana: Grab dinner, bring chairs, cozy up, and enjoy the show. Don’t forget a photo at the light tunnel!

Family night out: Pick up hot chocolate, bundle up, and enjoy the free show with visiting relatives or friends.

Walk a festive mile: You can walk a full mile through the area along Marana Main Street. You'll pass the brand-new Marana Aquatic and Recreation Center (the MARC). You can walk in for a tour most days too!

Dog-friendly holiday photos: Marana is pet-friendly, and the tree makes a charming backdrop for a holiday card.

Christmas Eve tradition: Many locals like to stop by on Christmas Eve for one more family outing before settling in at home.

Post-hike stop: Coming back from Saguaro National Park or Ironwood Forest National Monument? Add a stop at the tree on your way home!

Wrap up an art tour: Explore public art throughout Northern Marana on our art tour and finish with the glow of the holiday tree.

Where to Eat or Grab Hot Chocolate Nearby

Here are some quick, close-by options open in the evenings to eat before you visit the tree, or grab food to hang out at the tree and eat.

Pizza:
R&R Pizza Express at 13905 N. Sandario Rd. (note they are closed on Sunday)

Domino’s Pizza at Fry's Marketplace, Tangerine Farms Rd.

Fast Casual:
Thai Chili 2Go (just opened!) at Fry's Marketplace, Tangerine Farms Rd.

Luna Cafe at 14075 W Kirby Hughes (open until 6pm on Wednesdays)

Grab-and-Go:
Fry’s grocery store, Tangerine Farms Rd. (sushi, fried chicken, deli options, roasted chicken)

Hot Chocolate:
Black Rock Coffee at Fry's Marketplace, Tangerine Farms Rd.

Dutch Bros, Starbucks or Dunkin at Marana Main Street and Sandario Dr. just off Interstate 10.

Food Trucks:

E l Bebo’s Street Tacos and Hot Dogs at Family Dollar on Sandario Rd. and Grier Rd.
Taqueria Plaza’s (weekdays only until 6pm) at 13865 N. Sandario Rd.
Sophia's Mexican Food (parked at Chevron just off of Interstate 10) at 13960 N. Sandario Rd.
Mona’s Frybread (Fri–Sun, look for the yellow signs to indicate they are open) at 11755 W Camino Pinos in the Yoem Pueblo

Ice Cream & Desserts:
Snow Mountain Creamery (inside R&R Pizza)

Peachwave of Marana at Fry's Marketplace, Tangerine Farms Rd.

Dairy Queen at Marana Main Street, 13828 N Sandario Rd.

Baskin Robbins (inside Dunkin at Marana Main Street)

Explore even more options on our full dining list.

Our Insider Tips for the Best Experience

Layer up: Even desert nights get chilly after sunset.

Bring a camera or smartphone: Low-light mode works best. Try tapping to adjust focus on the lights on your screen. Clean your lens before shooting for brighter images. For the best view of the tree stand 20 to 30 feet back. To avoid blurry photos bring a tripod if you can or just rest your phone on a chair.

Sound-sensitive visitors: Headphones can help dampen the music so you can still enjoy the show.

Bring chairs and blankets: It makes the show feel like a cozy experience!

Visit any night from December 7th to the 28th

CreditJD Fitzgerald

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the show? The nightly tree show is less than 15 minutes. Feel free to stay longer to watch the show twice--it won't be the same as the last one!

Do I need tickets? No! This experience is 100% free and open to all, courtesy of the Town of Marana.

Are pets allowed? Yes, if well-behaved on a leash.

Can I take photos? Absolutely!! Be sure to tag @DiscoverMarana in your photos so we can share them!

This itinerary/blog post showcases local businesses in our community. We feature partners that serve food and drink, offer recreational opportunities, places to stay, and shopping. We value accuracy, fairness and balance in our advertising and marketing. We would love to showcase your business to our visitors. These advertising and marketing opportunities (social media, articles, website, and ads) are open to all businesses within Marana and the designated two-mile “Pima County Tourism Partner Zone” around the town limits that meet this criteria. If you want to be featured on our website or in social media, please contact us at MaranaInfo@Maranaaz.gov.

Author

Stefanie Boe

Tourism and Marketing Manager, Discover Marana/Town of Marana

Stefanie Boe is not just the Tourism and Marketing Manager for Discover Marana, she is also a passionate storyteller and a proud resident of the town. She has deep roots in the Marana area, going back to the 1970s when her family moved here from Chicago. She loves to share the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Marana with visitors and locals alike.

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