Tucson events, November 2026 to February 2027

Tucson saves its best calendar for the cool months. Between now and the end of February the city lights up its downtown and its neighborhoods, closes streets for bikes and artists, and finishes the winter with two events that bring the whole world to town. Here is what's coming, in date order, with every date taken from the organizer's own page. Check those pages, listed in our sources, for times, tickets and any changes before you go.

November: lights on, wheels turning

Downtown's Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony is on Friday, November 20, early in the evening at Jácome Plaza, according to the Downtown Tucson Partnership's calendar. The same calendar promises a new route this year for the 32nd annual Downtown Parade of Lights and Festival, which ends with a celebration at Jácome Plaza; its date had not been posted when we checked.

The next morning, Saturday, November 21, is the 43rd El Tour de Tucson, the city's long-running cycling event. If you're not riding, it's a good morning to cheer from the sidewalk, or to check the organizer's page and plan your drive around the course. That same Saturday, Tucson Parks and Recreation holds its Fall Family Festival in the festival area of Gene C. Reid Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thanksgiving weekend brings three ways to start the season locally. Tucson Botanical Gardens opens LightsUp! A Festival of Illumination on Friday, November 27, with more than a million lights, dancing trees and luminarias, running through January 10. On Fourth Avenue, the merchants association marks Black Friday on November 27 and Small Business Saturday on November 28. And the city's Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair fills the west side of Reid Park on November 28 and 29, with more than 150 vendors of handmade goods and free admission.

December: the street fair and the neighborhood lights

The 57th annual Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair runs Friday through Sunday, December 11 to 13, with more than 350 artists, more than 40 food vendors, buskers and live entertainment. Admission is free. The merchants association recommends the Pennington Street, Tyndall Avenue and Plaza Centro garages, with a free shuttle from Pennington Street and a streetcar connection at Tyndall Avenue.

One night later, on December 12, the Winterhaven Festival of Lights opens for its 77th year. The tradition began in 1949, when a resident bought the neighborhood's first set of Christmas lights, and it runs nightly through December 26. It is free, and the festival asks visitors to bring food or a cash donation for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.

The weekend of December 18 to 20 is a busy one. Ballet Tucson performs The Nutcracker at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall downtown, and across the freeway the Mercado District holds a Holiday Bazaar in the MSA Annex on the same three days.

January and February: gems and the rodeo

The new year's big local event is the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, run by the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, at the Tucson Convention Center from Thursday, February 11, to Sunday, February 14, 2027. This year's theme is Minerals as Art, the Art of Minerals. Children 14 and under get in free with a paying adult, so it makes a good family outing.

To close the season, La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, the Tucson Rodeo, runs February 20 to 28, 2027. The rodeo traces its start to 1925, which makes it a century-old Tucson tradition.

Every month: second Sundays

Two things repeat all season on the second Sunday of the month. Downtown Tucson Partnership's Downtown Experience, from October through April, brings family programming at three downtown museums. And the Mercado Flea Market sets up in the MSA Annex on second Sundays, October through April.

Where to eat between events

A few independent spots sit right where these events happen. Bison Witches Bar and Deli has been serving deli sandwiches and soups in bread bowls on Fourth Avenue since 1995, which puts it in the middle of the street fair. Downtown, near the Pennington Street garage, Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink serves pizza, pasta, salads and cocktails at dinner, with a beer garden out back. And a short walk from the convention center, El Charro Café has served Mexican food from its Court Avenue home since 1922; the family house it occupies was built in 1896 by the stonemason who built St. Augustine Cathedral.

Before you go

Every event here is run by a different organizer, and plans change, especially with outdoor events in a season that can still bring rain. The organizer's page is always the final word on times, parking, tickets and weather calls. Enjoy the season, and see you on the avenue.