Upcoming Tucson area events
(recommended by Whats Up Tucson)

Tucson Holiday Ice
Date: Sat Nov 28 through Sun Jan 4
Location: Tucson Convention Center
What’s up: Outdoor ice skating rink set up in front of the Tucson Convention Center. And, it’s real ice. Tickets must be purchased online, socks are required and gloves are highly recommended
More info: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Parks-and-Recreation/Tucson-Holiday-Ice


Zoo Lights: Holiday Magic
Date: Thurs Dec 4 through Sun Jan 4
Location: Reid Park Zoo
What’s up: Reid Park Zoo is decorated with thousands of holiday lights, festive displays, and animal sculptures. There’s falling snow, music entertainment, giant gingerbread house, and light tunnels
More info: https://reidparkzoo.org/event/zoolights-2025/


Lights Up! A Festival of Illumination
Date: Daily until Fri Jan 11 from 6pm-9:30pm
Location: Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N Alvernon
What’s up: Thousands of LED lights illuminate trees and custom built oversized structures delight the senses. There’s a light tunnel, lights on the trees, and a luminaria display
More info: https://tucsonbotanical.org/lightsup/


Tucson International Jewish Film Festival
Date: Thurs Jan 8 through Sat Jan 17 (Thurs, Fri, Sat)
Location: Various around Tucson
What’s up: Promoting independent, international film that celebrates Jewish culture and cultural diversity
More info: https://tucsonfilm2026.eventive.org/welcome


Sahuarita Art On The Lake Festival
Date: Sat Jan 10 from 10am to 4pm
Location: Sahuarita Lake Park
What’s up: Local artwork for sale, street painting, live performance art, cultural performances, music and folklorico dancers, free admission
More info: https://artstateaz.org/


Fort Lowell Soccer Shootout
Date: Fri Jan 16 through Sun Jan 18
Location: Kino Sports Complex
What’s up: Youth soccer teams from the southwest U.S. and Mexico compete
More info: https://fortlowellshootout.org/


Tucson Jazz Festival
Date: Fri Jan 16 through Sat Jan 24
Location: Various locations in Tucson
What’s up: High caliber local and national jazz talent performs each day. The Downtown Jazz Fiesta is Monday Jan 19 near Corbetts on 6th St and is free to attend
More info: https://tucsonjazzfestival.org/


Dillinger Day
Date: Sat Jan 17 from 9am-3pm
Location: Hotel Congress downtown
What’s up: A celebration (the 91st annual) of the Tucson Police Department’s capture of John Dillinger with reenactments, vintage car show, lectures, and walking tours of downtown. Plus, fully restored Tucson Fire Department trucks that actually fought the 1934 fire.
More info: https://dice.fm/event/oeqbrg-dillinger-day-17th-jan-hotel-congress-plaza-tucson-tickets?_branch_match_id=1405201072220933015&utm_medium=partners_api&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9ZLyUxO1UvL1XdMSrVMSU1MSzUzM7evK0pNSy0qysxLj08qyi8vTi2ydc4oy


Cactus Classic Invitational
Date: Sat Jan 17 through Mon Jan 19
Location: Tucson Convention Center
What’s up: Three day volleyball tournament with 150 volleyball teams scheduled to compete
More info: https://www.cactusclassicvolleyball.com/


Paranomal Cirque
Date: Fri Jan 16 through Mon Jan 26
Location: Tucson Mall parking lot
What’s up: Shocking stunts, eerie illusions, bone chilling performances, fear meets entertainment
More info: https://paranormalcirque.com/