Holidays
Holiday lights in Tucson: Winterhaven, LightsUP!, ZooLights and more
A neighborhood that's lit up for the holidays for 77 years, a million lights at the botanical gardens, and luminaria nights in the desert. Where to see Tucson's holiday lights this season.
By Eric & David · October 31, 2026 · 1 min read
- When
- November 27, 2026 to January 10, 2027, depending on the event
- Where
- Central Tucson neighborhoods, gardens and Reid Park Zoo
- Cost
- From free (Winterhaven) to about $25
- Good for
- Families and evening strolls
Holiday lights look different in the desert: saguaros wrapped in lights, luminarias lining garden paths, and evenings cool enough for a sweater. Here are the ones we'd point friends to this season.
Winterhaven Festival of Lights
For its 77th year, the Winterhaven neighborhood in central Tucson lights up every night from December 12 to 26, 2026, 6–10 PM. It's free and best seen on foot. Bring non-perishable food or a donation for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona; this year's goal is $60,000.
- Don't park in the neighborhood or on the surrounding streets; cars there may be ticketed or towed. Use the business, school and church lots along Fort Lowell, Country Club and Prince roads.
- Rideshare drop-off is at 2718 E. Prince Rd.
- Leashed dogs are welcome. No smoking or vaping.
LightsUP! at Tucson Botanical Gardens
More than a million lights and luminarias fill the gardens for LightsUP! A Festival of Illumination, from November 27, 2026, to January 10, 2027. It's open Tuesday to Sunday, 6–9:30 PM. Tickets are timed, so book ahead on the gardens' site.
Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul
Tohono Chul's desert garden glows for Holiday Nights on December 5–6, 11–13 and 18–20, 6–9 PM. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for members and $10 for youth.
ZooLights at Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo's ZooLights has run on select December and January evenings, with tickets sold separately from daytime admission. The 2026 dates hadn't been announced when we wrote this, so watch the zoo's website.
