Christmas lights in Tucson, Arizona

We track 5 displays in Tucson. 3 of them are free to visit.

When to go

Displays here switch on around sunset. In Tucson that means about 5:19 PM in early December and 5:21 PM by mid-month — the earliest sunsets of the year fall right in the middle of lights season. It is properly dark by about 5:48 PM, which is when the displays look their best. December nights in Tucson typically drop to around 41°F.

DateSunsetFully dark
Dec 15:19 PM5:45 PM
Dec 155:21 PM5:48 PM
Dec 255:25 PM5:52 PM

The Tucson lights loop — 5 stops

We ordered every display in Tucson into the shortest sensible driving loop: roughly 7.2 miles and 37 minutes of driving, before you count time spent parked and looking. Start wherever is closest to you and follow it round.

  1. Tohono Chul Holiday Nights — 7366 N Paseo Del Norte
  2. Winterhaven Festival of Lights — North Pole to Fort Lowell area
  3. ZooLights at Reid Park Zoo — 3400 E Zoo Court
  4. Tucson Botanical Gardens Lights — 2150 N Alvernon Way
  5. Glenn Street Christmas — 4818 E Glenn St

Driving estimate assumes a 25 mph average on residential streets plus four minutes stopped per display. Straight-line distances with a road-network allowance — treat it as a planning figure, not a satnav route.

All 5 displays in Tucson

Tohono Chul Holiday Nights

7366 N Paseo Del Norte · Tucson, Arizona

Dec 1-16, Fri-Sat · 5:30-8:30pm

Freeattractionlive entertainmenthot cocoa

Tohono Chul's Holiday Nights light up the botanical park on select Friday and Saturday evenings in December, with live entertainment and hot cocoa. A Tucson desert-garden take on the season.

3 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

ZooLights at Reid Park Zoo

3400 E Zoo Court · Tucson, Arizona

Dec 4-23, Dec 26-30, Jan 1-4 · 6-8:30pm

$14.50 adults; $12.50 seniors; $9.50 childrenattraction1,000,000+ lights33-foot treegingerbread house

Tucson's Reid Park Zoo hosts over a million lights, a 33-foot tree and a walk-in gingerbread house after dark. Evening sessions run from early December into the first days of January.

3 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

Tucson Botanical Gardens Lights

2150 N Alvernon Way · Tucson, Arizona

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeattraction1,000,000+ lights6 themed zones

Tucson Botanical Gardens illuminates its grounds with more than a million lights arranged into six themed zones. Check the gardens for tickets and dates.

4 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

Winterhaven Festival of Lights

North Pole to Fort Lowell area · Tucson, Arizona

Dec 9-25 · 6-10pm

donationsneighborhoodwalkable neighborhood festival

Tucson's beloved Winterhaven neighborhood turns into a walkable festival of lights each December. Entry is free with donations encouraged for local charity.

3 other displays within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

Glenn Street Christmas

4818 E Glenn St · Tucson, Arizona

typically late Nov – early Jan (check before visiting) · typically dusk – 10 PM

Freeneighborhoodcommunity display

A community-driven light display on East Glenn Street in Tucson. A worthwhile stop when touring Tucson-area lights.

1 other display within 5 miles

✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season

Know a display we're missing in Tucson?Add it to the guide.