DECEMBER 7 & 8, 2024
Embrace the holiday magic at the Oro Valley Holiday Festival of the Arts & Tree Lighting Celebration, where the Oro Valley Marketplace transforms into a vibrant hub of creativity, community, and festive wonder. This cherished event is a cornerstone of the season, inviting people of all ages to experience stunning holiday décor, live performances, and Santa Claus’s much-anticipated arrival.
The highlight of the festival will be the lighting of the newly revamped Golden Glow Oro Valley 50th Celebration Tree, a dazzling display of golden lights, and over 1,000 handmade ornaments. Visitors can enjoy a true winter wonderland experience, holiday entertainment, and a magical atmosphere for everyone.
This festival not only enhances the local economy and supports surrounding businesses but also offers a platform for local artists to shine, making it a must-attend event that truly embodies the heart and soul of Oro Valley.
The highlight of the festival will be the lighting of the newly revamped Golden Glow Oro Valley 50th Celebration Tree, a dazzling display of golden lights, and over 1,000 handmade ornaments. Visitors can enjoy a true winter wonderland experience, holiday entertainment, and a magical atmosphere for everyone.
This festival not only enhances the local economy and supports surrounding businesses but also offers a platform for local artists to shine, making it a must-attend event that truly embodies the heart and soul of Oro Valley.
EVENT TIMESSaturday 10AM-6:30PM*
Sunday 10AM-4PM Festival Artisan Vendors will stay open until 5 pm, while the festival Winter Wonderland Experience and some food vendors will continue through 6:30 pm. |
EVENT LOCATIONOro Valley Marketplace
12155 N Oracle Rd Oro Valley, AZ 85737 |
ADMISSIONFree Admission
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EVENT PARTNERS
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EVENT LOCATION
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Oro Valley Marketplace
12155 N Oracle Rd, Oro Valley, AZ 85737 We are Oro Valley’s open-air shopping, dining, and entertainment destination, located at the corner of Oracle and Tangerine Roads. Visit us for a variety of specialty shops and national brands, popular restaurants to suit every appetite, and a Century Theatres Movie Theatre, all surrounded by exquisite mountain views. |
GET INVOLVED
EVENT GALLERY
ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS EXPERIENCES
EVENT MAINSTAGE
Over 300 performers will take the main stage throughout the two-day festival at the center of the event layout, featuring a diverse lineup of holiday dance, choral music, student band performances, and special presentations.
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Over 300 performers will take the main stage throughout the two-day festival at the center of the event layout, featuring a diverse lineup of holiday dance, choral music, student band performances, and special presentations.
Saturday, December 7, 2024
- 10:00 am - 10:45 am Holiday DJ Music
- 10:45 am - 10:55 am Oro Valley Team Dance
- 11:00 am - 11:45 am Cross Middle School Jazz Band
- 12:00 pm - 12:25 pm – Wilson Elementary & Middle School Choir
- 12:30 pm - 12:50 pm Maguire Academy of Irish Dance
- 1:00 pm - 1:15 pm Saguaro City Music Theatre
- 1:20 pm - 1:30 pm Desert Dance Collective
- 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm Holiday DJ Music
- 2:00 pm - 2:45 pm Tuba Christmas: Over 50 tuba players from the University of Arizona and local community members are invited to present holiday favorites. Celebrating 51 years of TUBACHRISTMAS®, a tradition that began in NYC’s Rockefeller Plaza in 1974.
- 3:00 pm - 3:10 pm Arrival of Santa Parade
- 3:10 pm - 3:15 pm Opening Ceremony with Welcome Speech, Color Guard by American Legion Post 132, and the National Anthem.
- 3:15 pm - 3:20 pm Town Council & Sponsor Remarks
- 3:20 pm - 3:30 pm Mayor and Santa on Stage
- 3:30 pm - 4:15 pm Ironwood Ridge High School Jazz Band
- 4:25 pm - 4:40 pm Elite Theater Academy Performance
- 4:45 pm - 5:30 pm School of Rock Performance
Sunday, December 8, 2024
- 10:00 am - 10:45 am Holiday DJ Music
- 10:45 am - 11:00 am Saguaro City Music Theatre
- 11:00 am - 11:30 am Saguaro Stompers Clog Dance & Sonoran Sol Cloggers
- 11:30 am - 12:00 pm Centre Stage Dance Studio
- 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm BASIS Oro Valley Primary School Choir
- 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm Holiday DJ Music
- 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm Totally Exalting the Anointed Messiah (T.E.A.M.) City Choir
- 1:45 pm - 2:00 pm Holiday DJ Music
- 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm NoethenButJazz
HOLIDAY TREE & WINTER WONDERLAND EXPERIENCE
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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 50th Anniversary Tree The new "Golden Glow" tree is an all-gold marvel celebrating Oro Valley’s golden anniversary. It features over 1,000 handcrafted gold ornaments, echoing the Southwest's golden sands and starry skies. The official lighting, accompanied by a live music presentation and snow show, will take place at 6:15 pm on Saturday, December 7. Santa’s Workshop Tent A hands-on workshop for families to make festive decor and holiday gifts. Activities include:
Giant Snow Globe Experience Step inside a giant snow globe for "snowfall" effects, photo ops, and a winter scene in the desert. Letters to Santa Station Drop a letter to Santa at the Winter Wonderland Post Office for delivery to the North Pole. Storytelling Igloo Inside this cozy igloo, local authors and artists will share holiday stories and folktales with visitors. The Friends of the Oro Valley Public Library will be on hand with a book sale, and reading holiday favorites in the cozy igloo throughout the weekend. Lucky Cat Social Engage in arts and crafts activities with Lucky Cat Social, and $5 holiday gift wrapping. |
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WINTER WONDERLAND STAGE PERFORMANCES
Saturday, December 7
Sunday, December 8
Saturday, December 7
- 10:00 am - 12:00 pm – Sheryl Ann McKinley: Live Holiday Jazz Music
- 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm – Red Herring Puppets Shows – Adventures in Folklore
- 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm - Kids Unlimited
- 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm – Silk and Soul Holiday Jazz
- 4:15 pm - 5:00 pm - Retro Swing XMAS Quartet: Live Holiday Jazz Music
- 5:15 pm – Reading of The Polar Express with OVPD Chief Riley & GRFD Assistant Chief Chris Grissom
- 5:30 pm – "Light the Night" Community Caroling and Sing-Along with LED Candles, led by the Tucson Girls Chorus.
- 6:15 pm – Official Tree Lighting with Live Snow Fall Show
Sunday, December 8
- 10:00 am - 11:00am - Holiday DJ Music
- 11:00am - 11:40 am - Tucson Chinese Cultural Center
- 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm - Ballet Folklorico Alexa Zozaya
- 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm - Mariachi Innovación
- 2:00 pm - 2:45 pm - Compañía de Danza Folklórica Arizona
- 3:00 pm - 3:45 pm - Lajkonik Polish Dance
AROUND THE FESTIVAL
Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Follow a scabvenger hunt through festival, collect stamps on your card, and claim a prize at the SAACA 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 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.
Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Follow a scabvenger hunt through festival, collect stamps on your card, and claim a prize at the SAACA 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 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.
HOLIDAY RAFFLE TO SUPPORT SAACA
Support SAACA’s work by purchasing raffle tickets at the Central Information Booth. Raffle tickets are priced at 2 for $10 and 5 for $20. Prizes include:
Support SAACA’s work by purchasing raffle tickets at the Central Information Booth. Raffle tickets are priced at 2 for $10 and 5 for $20. Prizes include:
- All-Inclusive Foodie Season Pass: VIP Tickets to multiple culinary events and a Tucson Foodie Club membership (Value $1,000+)
- Shop Oro Valley Basket: Curated by the Chamber of Commerce (Value $500)
- Art Lover’s Prize: 30 winners will receive handmade art pieces valued at $50-$500 each
- Hotel Lover Package: Hotel Stays at Hilton El Conquistador and Westward Look Resort (Value $800)
FOOD VENDORS
- Col Mustard's Hot Dogs / Mr. Ice Guy Italian Ice American Food, Hot Dogs, Frozen Desserts
A mobile hot dog cart specializing in New York-style hot dogs with toppings like chili, cheese, and sauerkraut. Also serving bratwurst, Polish sausages, and a variety of sodas and chips. Mr. Ice Guy offers Italian Ice made with real fruit for dessert.
- Eatgypt Egyptian, Health Food, Vegan, Gluten-Free
Serving traditional Egyptian dishes such as Koshary, Ta'ameya (Egyptian falafel), Bamia (okra stew), and Sweet Goulash (similar to baklava). Drinks include Karkade, a hibiscus lemonade. - Gus's Gyros Greek and Fair Food
Menu items include gyros, Philly cheesesteaks, hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, pretzels, funnel cakes, and French fries. Beverages include lemonade, bottled water, and sodas. - Lovin' Spoonfuls Vegan Restaurant Vegetarian and Vegan Comfort Food
Offers Sonoran hot dogs, mac and cheese, BBQ "beef" nachos, walking tacos, and gluten-free chili. Baked goods include cookies, brownies, cinnamon rolls, and gluten-free crème pies. - Oh Wow Mini Donuts Donuts and Beverages
Serving mini donuts, hot coffee, flavored cold brew, limeades, hot chocolate, and apple cider (weather permitting). - Mafia Kitchen
Italian Desserts and Beverages
Specializing in Sicilian cannolis, Italian sodas, fruit lemonades, and customizable non-alcoholic mocktails. Other seasonal offerings include hot cocoa, hot coffee, cider, and chai. - Cooks Kettle Corn Kettle Corn and Beverages
Kettle corn options include regular, caramel, cheddar cheese, and Chicago style. Also serving lemonade and ice cream bars.
- Hector's South of the Border Mexican Food Fusion
- Good Eats American, BBQ, Fair Food, Vegetarian Options
Offers American BBQ with fair food and vegetarian options. Enjoy a BBQ Rib Plate with two sides or ribs on their own. Try the BBQ Rib Sundae or Pulled Pork Sundae, layered with baked beans, meat, cole slaw, and potato salad. Pulled Pork Plates are available with a choice of two sides, including Cowboy Caviar, Cole Slaw, and Homemade Baked Beans. Nachos are available plain, with Pulled Pork, or with BBQ Rib Meat, topped with cheese and jalapeños. Dasani Water is also available.
- Pupuseria Rositas Authentic Mexican and Salvadorian Food
Serving Lemonade, Health Food and Gluten Free options, as well as authentic Pupusas, Pupusada, Pupubirria, Tacos and Quesadillas
- Cafe Sant Rosa Bar and Banquet Native American / Indian Fry Bread
Offering homemade authentic Native American cuisine and Tucson's Best Indian Fry Bread! They also specialize in savory tacos and sweet popovers.
FESTIVAL TIPS & DETAILS
Parking is available free of charge at the Oro Valley Marketplace. The Oro Valley Marketplace is a large shopping center located in North Oro Valley. Parking is available within the large shopping center, surrounding the festival.
Please keep the weather in mind when you attend outdoor events and plan accordingly (bring water bottles, sunscreen, umbrellas, jackets, etc). Dogs are allowed at the event on leashes. A SAACA Information booth will be located in a central location onsite, to help answer any questions you may have upon arrival at the festival. Food and beverages are available onsite for purchase from food vendors, and at local shopping center restaurants.
Please keep the weather in mind when you attend outdoor events and plan accordingly (bring water bottles, sunscreen, umbrellas, jackets, etc). Dogs are allowed at the event on leashes. A SAACA Information booth will be located in a central location onsite, to help answer any questions you may have upon arrival at the festival. Food and beverages are available onsite for purchase from food vendors, and at local shopping center restaurants.
ARTISAN & MAKER VILLAGE
Only one week after Thanksgiving, the Oro Valley Marketplace is transformed into a holiday marketplace complete with handmade craft artisans from around the world. This is your antidote to the big-box madness of holiday shopping. By bringing together craft artists of the highest caliber to a single event, the Holiday Festival of Arts is a one-stop holiday shopping opportunity for unique, handmade gifts at various prices. Browse over 130 artisans to find that perfect one-of-a-kind gift for your family and friends.