The Largest Holiday Celebration of the Arts is Almost Here!

All proceeds from the festival benefit the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance's community place-making, arts education, and healthcare & arts programs.  

Join the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance and the Town of Oro Valley for the largest community celebration of the Arts in Southern Arizona on December 2 & 3, 2017 at the Oro Valley Marketplace.

The Oro Valley Holiday Festival of the Arts & Tree Lighting Celebration is the true essence of Creative Placemaking, cultivating the arts as an essential part of Oro Valley’s identity. The two-day festival is one of Southern Arizona’s largest community arts celebrations, with over 150 artisans, over 30 performances by student and local musicians, family arts activities, food trucks, and the TUBACHRISTMAS holiday play-along. Festivities culminate in the lighting of the Oro Valley holiday tree. The festival brings the community together, stimulates the local economy, enhances surrounding non-arts businesses, and provides opportunities for local artists to promote their work. SAACA, in partnership with the Town of Oro Valley and the Vestar Oro Valley Marketplace, produce the event, which is sponsored by local businesses and organizations.

ARTS & CRAFTS
Browse over 150 artisans to find that perfect one-of-a kind gift for your family & friends. 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 all under one roof, the Holiday Festival of Arts is a one-stop holiday shopping opportunity for unique, handmade gifts in a range of prices for men, women, and children.

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING
The crowning moment of the festival will take place on Saturday evening, when the 35-foot Holiday tree towering over the Marketplace is lit at 6 p.m.. The celebration will feature live entertainment from local students, activities for children, free refreshments and cookie decorating, and a special appearance by Santa!

TUBACHRISTMAS
Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 2pm
TUBACHRISTMAS is a music concert held in cities worldwide that celebrates those who play, teach, and compose music for instruments in the tuba family, including the tuba, sousaphone, baritone, and euphonium. Join over 100 euphoniums at TUBACHRISTMAS at the Festival of the Arts on Oro Valley on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 2 pm.
2017 is the 44th anniversary for TUBACHRISTMAS concerts/events which are presented throughout the world. TUBACHRISTMAS was conceived in 1974 by Harvey Phillips as a tribute to his teacher and mentor William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day, 1902.
 
FOOD VENDORS
The Festival of the Arts features food trucks, and vendors in a variety of genres. Whether your looking for a festival staple like spiced and roasted nuts, deep fried twinkies, or a classic BBQ sandwich, the Festival of the Arts is the place to be for Holiday favorites.
 
LIVE MUSIC
The festival features over 30 performances on the festival main stage!
Catalina Community Chorus, Canyon Del Oro Canyon Singers, Saddlebrooke Winds & Strings, BC Dance, Team Dance / Jazzercise, Coronado K-8, Tuba Christmas, Saguaro Stompers Clog Dance, Painted Sky Elementary, Wilson Elementary, Wilson Middle, Tucson Girls Chorus, IRHS, Cross Middle School, Noethan But Jazz, Kids Unlimited, Ocotillo Rain & Thunder. Official schedule coming soon.

CHALK ART
Sponsored by the Town of Oro Valley, the festival will feature multiple Holiday themed custom murals, from local artists, as well as a community participation mural, where families can get involved in the fun, and create their own custom mural.

ECONOMIC IMPACT
Community festivals are key to supporting local economic development, a stronger sense of place, and are key to building thriving communities throughout the world. The arts are, indeed, a significant segment of the economy, with complex linkages throughout. The generated economic activity of arts festival like the Holiday Festival of the Arts and Oro Valley Tree Lighting Celebration have a significant, positive impact on the local economy. The local tourism and hospitality industries and local businesses see a direct benefit and creates a chain of economic activity that is measurable.

Cultural activities are an important component of quality of life. The arts add to our lives in many intangible ways as well as contributing positively to our economy as a whole.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos available

Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance
The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a not-for-profit organization that exists to ensure that, through engagement in arts and culture, our communities produce strong, inspired citizens. SAACA enlists artists, businesses, governments, and individuals to expand artistic and cultural opportunities in their respective communities. To enhance access to the arts and to promote cultural awareness in the communities it serves, SAACA presents large-scale festivals, events and other programs. The Alliance also promotes educational opportunities in the arts and culture for all ages.