Celebrate the Holidays in Marana!

From holiday shopping to festivals, to magical light displays, to fun family events, there are many ways for you and your family to make holiday memories in Marana!

The holiday season has its own special feel in Marana.

Here, December mornings are cool enough for a comforting cup of coffee but mild enough to skip the heavy layers.

By afternoon, the sun warms the desert air, perfect for enjoying the outdoors.

As evening falls, cozy up under a blanket and gaze up at the stars.

Winter here isn’t about hibernating until spring—it’s an invitation to get out and experience Marana’s seasonal happenings!

CreditJD Fitzgerald Photography

Check Off Your Holiday Shopping List on Black Friday and Beyond!

Get started on your holiday shopping with sweet deals on your favorite brands all over town! Start at Southern Arizona's premier outlet shopping destination, the Tucson Premium Outlets at Marana Center! Score discounts on your favorite premium brands at this beautifully-designed and landscaped outdoor mall.

Santa will also be visiting on select Saturdays in December! Head to our event calendar for details.

Or, head down to the Arizona Pavilions Marketplace at Cortaro & I-10, with everything you need, from home furnishings, to electronics, to fashion, and more!

After a long day of shopping, wind down with a bite to eat and a quick drink at one of the area's restaurants!

Marana Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting – December 6th, 2025

Marana is known across Arizona as a family-friendly community and we go all out to make sure everyone can celebrate the holidays in a big way. So big in fact, Marana’s Christmas tree is 45 feet tall with 18,000 lights! This is the largest municipal tree in the state of Arizona! Additionally, there are over 100,000 Christmas lights wrapped in our landscape trees that dance to holiday music along with the Christmas Tree!

Holiday light shows, with over 100,000 lights synchronized to music will continue every evening in Downtown Marana after the event! Shows run from 6-9 PM, every half-hour starting at the top of the hour.

Learn more and plan your visit here.

CreditJD Fitzgerald

The Morales Family Christmas Light Show

The ability to shine bright – to gain attention, stand out, or lift the spirit of a special season – is a gift that brings joy and warmth to every family and home during the holidays.

For Frank Morales and his family in Marana’s San Lucas neighborhood, this idea comes to life each year with a spectacular Christmas light show that has become a community favorite.

The Morales Family Christmas Show starts on the first of December every year. The displays feature Santa, reindeer, characters from Disney and the Nightmare Before Christmas as well as free hot chocolate and full-size candy canes. While it doesn’t cost anything to see the show, the Morales family is always collecting donations for families in need.

And just like Frank likes to say, if you are having a hard time finding the home, just follow the lights.

CreditBrandon Mejia

When and Where to Experience the Morales Family Christmas Light Show

Best time to visit: Weekdays from 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Address: 14379 N Arrowpoint Ash Avenue, Marana, AZ 85658 (Exit I-10 & Marana Rd., and head East into the San Lucas Neighborhood.)
Parking Suggestions: Homeowners encourage that you park you vehicle down the street and walk to the home so traffic isn’t congested and people can walk safely.
What to expect: More than 250,000 lights, Christmas music, hot chocolate, candy cane handouts, donation bins, and other families walking and watching.
How much does it cost: FREE! (Any donations for those in need are welcomed)

A Magical Disney Display only in Marana!

A Wild West Holiday Spectacular

Celebrate the holidays the old Western way, with Yuletide at Old Tucson! Yuletide is a fully-immersive experience that blends the magic of the holidays with the historic look and feel of Old Tucson. The park will be full of stunning décor, period costumes, live shows, interactive experiences, and the magic of the holidays! Yuletide opens Tuesday, November 26, and is open select days through January 4th, 2025.

Timed-entry reservations are on sale now! Entries run from 5-7 PM each night, and all guests can stay until closing at 10PM.

Click here for more information and to buy tickets

CreditOld Tucson

Burn Off Those Holiday Calories!

Stay in shape during the holidays with #RunMarana races in December!

For the trail-running type, there's Dirt Dash at the Wild Burro Trail in the Tortolita Mountains on December 14th! If features 6-mile and half-marathon distances on a course along the trails and washes of the Tortolita Preserve and trails.

Wrap up the year with the Egg Nog Jog, held the morning of New Year's Eve! It starts at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park, runs along the scenic Santa Cruz River Path, and has 5K and 10K distances, plus a free Kids' Fun Run!

You can also sign up for the Hot Cocoa 5K in the nearby town of Oro Valley which is held on New Year's Day. This race starts later in the morning, just in case you like to sleep in!