Oro Valley Holiday Festival of the Arts & Tree Lighting Celebration
December 5 & 6, 2026
Kick off the holiday season in style at the 15th Annual Oro Valley Festival of the Arts & Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration, returning December 5 & 6, 2026
This beloved two-day event transforms the Marketplace into a winter wonderland filled with over 150 juried artists and exhibitors, 500+ student and community performers, festive food, and holiday cheer. Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts, savor seasonal flavors, enjoy hands-on arts activities, and take in live performances from local talent. Families can snap free photos with Santa, decorate cookies, and experience the magic of TUBACHRISTMAS.
On Saturday evening, the festivities reach their peak with the lighting of the towering 35-foot Holiday Tree, complete with caroling, a Santa parade, and joyful community spirit. With free admission and activities for all ages, this is Southern Arizona’s signature holiday celebration—where art, culture, and holiday traditions come together to make memories that last all season long.
Dates & Times
December 5 & 6, 2026
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM*
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
*Festival artisan vendors are open until 5:00 PM. The Winter Wonderland Experience, select food vendors, and evening holiday activities continue until 6:30 PM on Saturday. The 35-foot Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony begins at 6:00 PM on Saturday evening.
Location & Parking
Oro Valley Marketplace
Oro Valley Marketplace
12155 North Oracle Road, Oro Valley, AZ 85737
SW corner of Oracle and Tangerine Road
Oro Valley Marketplace is your go-to for a full-day experience: shop, dine, catch a movie, listen to live music—all against the backdrop of Oro Valley’s beautiful mountain views. Whether you’re planning a laid-back outing or looking for a community event, this is the spot.
The festival is located off of Oracle Road, in the Oro Valley Marketplace between Fork and Fire and the former Red Lobster onsite.
Parking is free throughout the shopping center. Oro Valley Marketplace offers around 4,352 regular car parking spaces plus additional ADA and motorcycle spots.
Sponsors
2025 Featured Artisans & Exhibitors
2025 Live Music & Entertainment
Festival of the Arts & Oro Valley Tree Lighting Ceremony
Oro Valley Marketplace
Saturday & Sunday, December 6–7, 2025
Presented by Art State Arizona & the Town of Oro Valley
Saturday & Sunday, December 6–7, 2025
Presented by Art State Arizona & the Town of Oro Valley
Over 400 performers will take the Main Stage and Winter Wonderland Tree Lighting Stage throughout the two-day festival, featuring a diverse lineup of holiday dance, choral music, student band performances, and special presentations.
Saturday December 6, 2025
MAINSTAGE — Saturday, December 6
10:00 AM — Casas Christian School Middle School Praise Team (School Chorus)
10:20 AM — Cross Middle School & Canyon del Oro High School Advanced Choirs (School Chorus)
11:00 AM — Cross Middle School Jazz Band (Student Jazz Ensemble)
12:00 PM — Kids Unlimited (Youth Choir & Dance)
12:40 PM — Saguaro City Music Theatre (Musical Theater Performance)
1:00 PM — Oro Valley Team Dance (Youth Dance Ensemble)
1:15 PM — Omkara School of Dance (Indian Classical Dance)
2:00 PM — Tuba Christmas (Tuba & Euphonium Ensemble)
3:00 PM — Santa Arrival Parade (IRHS Nighthawk Vanguard Marching Band)
3:10 PM — Opening Welcome & Presentation of Colors
3:12 PM — Star-Spangled Banner — Performed by Jessiah
3:15 PM — Town Welcome & Remarks
3:20 PM — Mayor & Santa on Stage
3:30 PM — Elite Theater Academy (Youth Choir & Dance)
4:00 PM — Wilson Elementary & Middle School Choir (Youth Choir)
4:30 PM — City Psalms Choir (Community Choir)
10:20 AM — Cross Middle School & Canyon del Oro High School Advanced Choirs (School Chorus)
11:00 AM — Cross Middle School Jazz Band (Student Jazz Ensemble)
12:00 PM — Kids Unlimited (Youth Choir & Dance)
12:40 PM — Saguaro City Music Theatre (Musical Theater Performance)
1:00 PM — Oro Valley Team Dance (Youth Dance Ensemble)
1:15 PM — Omkara School of Dance (Indian Classical Dance)
2:00 PM — Tuba Christmas (Tuba & Euphonium Ensemble)
3:00 PM — Santa Arrival Parade (IRHS Nighthawk Vanguard Marching Band)
3:10 PM — Opening Welcome & Presentation of Colors
3:12 PM — Star-Spangled Banner — Performed by Jessiah
3:15 PM — Town Welcome & Remarks
3:20 PM — Mayor & Santa on Stage
3:30 PM — Elite Theater Academy (Youth Choir & Dance)
4:00 PM — Wilson Elementary & Middle School Choir (Youth Choir)
4:30 PM — City Psalms Choir (Community Choir)
TREE LIGHTING STAGE — Saturday, December 6
10:00 AM — Sheryl Ann McKinley Quartet (Holiday Jazz)
12:30 PM — Oro Valley Jazz Band (Big Band Holiday Jazz)
1:45 PM — Saddlebrooke Barbershop Quartet (Barbershop Quartet)
2:30 PM — Jessiah (Jazz & Soul Vocalist)
3:30 PM — Wally Lawder and the Desert Sky (Holiday Folk/Pop Band)
5:15 PM — The Polar Express Reading (with OVPD & GRFD Leadership)
5:30 PM — Tucson Girls Chorus (Caroling Sing-Along)
6:00 PM — Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Featuring Art State Arizona, Santa, Event Partners, and Mayor Winfield
6:15 PM — Lighting of the Oro Valley Holiday Tree & Snowfall
12:30 PM — Oro Valley Jazz Band (Big Band Holiday Jazz)
1:45 PM — Saddlebrooke Barbershop Quartet (Barbershop Quartet)
2:30 PM — Jessiah (Jazz & Soul Vocalist)
3:30 PM — Wally Lawder and the Desert Sky (Holiday Folk/Pop Band)
5:15 PM — The Polar Express Reading (with OVPD & GRFD Leadership)
5:30 PM — Tucson Girls Chorus (Caroling Sing-Along)
6:00 PM — Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Featuring Art State Arizona, Santa, Event Partners, and Mayor Winfield
6:15 PM — Lighting of the Oro Valley Holiday Tree & Snowfall
KIDSZONE & STROLLING PERFORMERS — Saturday, December 6
11 AM – 2:00 PM – Zach the Juggling Elf
12:00–2:00 PM — Kindred Chorus (Strolling Carolers)
2:00–4:00 PM — U of A Carolers Ensemble (Strolling Carolers)
3:00–6:00 PM — What the Dickens (Strolling Carolers)
12:30–2:30 PM / 3:30–5:30 PM — Photos with Santa at the Golder Ranch Firetruck
10:00 AM–6:00 PM — Sparkled Wings Facepainting (Facepainting & Glitter Art)
2:00–4:00 PM — U of A Carolers Ensemble (Strolling Carolers)
3:00–6:00 PM — What the Dickens (Strolling Carolers)
12:30–2:30 PM / 3:30–5:30 PM — Photos with Santa at the Golder Ranch Firetruck
10:00 AM–6:00 PM — Sparkled Wings Facepainting (Facepainting & Glitter Art)
Sunday December 7, 2025
MAINSTAGE — Sunday, December 7
10:00 AM — BASIS Oro Valley Primary Choir (Youth Choir)
10:40 AM — Derdog (Acoustic Guitar & Vocals)
11:10 AM — Saguaro Stompers & Sonoran Sol Cloggers (Folk Dance Ensemble)
11:40 AM — Tucson Desert Harmony Chorus (Women’s Chorus)
12:20 PM — Kids Unlimited (Youth Choir & Dance)
1:00 PM — What the Dickens (Caroling)
1:30 PM — Rezonators Brass Band (Brass Ensemble)
2:30 PM — Arizona Women’s Chorus (Choral)
3:30 PM — Centre Stage Dance Studio (Contemporary Dance)
10:40 AM — Derdog (Acoustic Guitar & Vocals)
11:10 AM — Saguaro Stompers & Sonoran Sol Cloggers (Folk Dance Ensemble)
11:40 AM — Tucson Desert Harmony Chorus (Women’s Chorus)
12:20 PM — Kids Unlimited (Youth Choir & Dance)
1:00 PM — What the Dickens (Caroling)
1:30 PM — Rezonators Brass Band (Brass Ensemble)
2:30 PM — Arizona Women’s Chorus (Choral)
3:30 PM — Centre Stage Dance Studio (Contemporary Dance)
TREE LIGHTING STAGE — Sunday, December 7
10:00 AM — Retro Swing Xmas Quartet (Holiday Swing & Jazz)
12:15 PM — Ben Tully (Holiday Folk)
1:00 PM — Mariachi Innovación (Traditional Mariachi Ensemble)
2:00 PM — Compañía de Danza Folklórica Arizona (Ballet Folklórico)
3:00 PM — T.E.A.M. City Choir (Community Gospel Choir)
3:40 PM — Chris Baron (Folk Rock Holiday Performance)
12:15 PM — Ben Tully (Holiday Folk)
1:00 PM — Mariachi Innovación (Traditional Mariachi Ensemble)
2:00 PM — Compañía de Danza Folklórica Arizona (Ballet Folklórico)
3:00 PM — T.E.A.M. City Choir (Community Gospel Choir)
3:40 PM — Chris Baron (Folk Rock Holiday Performance)
KIDSZONE & STROLLING PERFORMERS — Sunday, December 7
11 AM – 2:00 PM – Zach the Juggling Elf
11:30 AM–2:30 PM — What the Dickens (Strolling Carolers)
2:00–4:00 PM — Tucson Desert Harmony Chorus (Strolling Carolers)
10:00 AM–4:00 PM — Comic Bookmobile (Interactive Arts & Literary Activities)
2:00–4:00 PM — Tucson Desert Harmony Chorus (Strolling Carolers)
10:00 AM–4:00 PM — Comic Bookmobile (Interactive Arts & Literary Activities)
2025 Santa & Tree Lighting Celebration
HOLIDAY TREE & WINTER WONDERLAND EXPERIENCE
Sponsored by the Town of Oro Valley and Town West Located near the northern end of the festival near the Holiday Tree. Golden Glow: The Oro Valley Holiday TreeThe Oro Valley tree shines as a radiant centerpiece of the season, adorned with more than 1,000 handcrafted gold and red ornaments. Inspired by the warmth of the desert and the shimmer of Arizona’s night skies, it reflects the spirit of community celebration and the magic of the holidays in Oro Valley. The official lighting, accompanied by a live music presentation and snow show, will take place at 6:15 pm on Saturday, December 6. Santa’s Workshop Tent A hands-on workshop for families to make festive decor and holiday gifts. Activities include:
- Mini Wood Toy Building
- Ornament Decorating
- Personalized Snowflake Ornaments
- Holiday Cookie Decorating with the Oro Valley Youth Advisory Committee
- 3D Snowman Building
- Coloring Books & Friendship Bracelets
- Mini Car & Nutcracker Painting
- Face Painting
- Piggy Bank Painting presented by Pima Federal Credit Union
AROUND THE FESTIVAL
Holiday Scavenger Hunt Follow a scavenger hunt through festival, collect stamps on your card, and claim a prize at the Art State Arizona Information Booth. Strolling Carolers Enjoy carols from groups like the Tucson Desert Harmony Chorus, What the Dickens, and Arizona Women’s Chorus. Santa Parade Join Santa’s Parade starting at 3 pm on Saturday, led by the Ironwood Ridge High School Marching Band, culminating at the main stage. Free Family Photos with Santa Get a festive family photo with Santa and the iconic Golder Ranch Fire District Truck, set against Pusch Ridge. Available from 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm and 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm at the north end of the festival near Fork and Fire.
2025 Culinary Vendors
Participate as an Artist or Exhibitor at the Festival
Showcase your creativity at one of Southern Arizona’s most vibrant celebrations. The festival welcomes visual artists and exhibitors working in all mediums—from painting, sculpture, and photography to jewelry, ceramics, and wearable art. This juried, two-day outdoor festival draws thousands of attendees eager to discover and purchase unique, handcrafted works while enjoying live music, regional cuisine, and Arizona wines. As an artist or exhibitor, you’ll connect directly with enthusiastic buyers, gain exposure in a dynamic marketplace, and be part of a signature event that celebrates art, flavor, and community.
Questions? Contact Festivals@artstateaz.org
