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Luminaria Nights/Fiesta NavidadDec. 5 - Dec. 6
The Village of Tubac celebrates the holidays by lining its streets and artist studios with luminarias; shops and galleries stay open late for shopping; musicians and Santa Claus entertain.
Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul ParkDec. 5 - Dec. 6
Celebrate the holidays on weekends at Tohono Chul Park, with a half-million lights and luminarias, cookies and hot cider, live music, and an ornament sale.
Handel's MessiahDec. 5 - Dec. 7
Tucson Symphony Orchestra presents a Tucson holiday tradition featuring George Hanson conducting the TSO Chorus and guest artists in Handel's most-famous work, including the "Hallelujah" chorus.
Tucson Tamal & Heritage FestivalDec. 6
A day of local tradition, featuring a tamale-making contest, live entertainment, and great food, with opportunities to learn about Tucson's community-based organizations.
World Art DayDec. 6
The Tucson Children's Museum presents an opportunity for families to help decorate the museum lobby with worldly flair, and create global crafts inspired by upcoming series of six holiday celebrations from around the world.
Reindog DayDec. 6
Tucson Botanical Gardens hosts a holiday party for you and your canine best friends. Dress up your dog in holiday costume or simply enjoy a day at the Gardens together. Santa will be available at noon for photos (bring your own camera).
Breakfast with SantaDec. 6
Pima Air and Space Museum presents a special event for kids and their families that includes the arrival of Santa Claus by helicopter, activities and gifts for the kids, a buffet breakfast, and access to the museum.
Tucson Marathon and ExpoDec. 7
This primarily downhill event includes marathon, half-marathon, and relay races. Runners drop almost 1,800 feet in elevation as they run downhill along the beautiful Santa Catalina mountain range.
La Fiesta de GuadalupeDec. 7
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun hosts a free, family festival with mariachi musicians, ballet folklorico dancers, a Yaqui deer dance ceremony, and regional food.
Holiday Card to TucsonDec. 7
The UA School of Music choral department presents concert featuring five vocal choirs with over 250 singers and one hand bell choir in some familiar seasonal traditions.
A Tucson PastorelaDec. 11 - Dec. 21
Borderlands Theater presents a Tucson nativity story; with shepherds, sheep, and dog on a magical journey to Bethlehem, led by the shining estrella (star) and accompanied by Christmas carols in Spanish and English.
The Great Cover-UpDec. 11 - Dec. 13
Club Congress, at the Hotel Congress, presents a show featuring local bands performing 20-minute sets of songs by another band or artist. Proceeds will benefit the Tucson Artists and Musicians Health.
Luminaria Nights at Tucson Botanical GardensDec. 12 - Dec. 14
Tucson Botanical Gardens presents its 22nd annual Luminaria Nights, with more than 2,000 lights, hot cider, holiday music, and festive foods for sale. Las Posadas ProcessionDec. 12
Carrillo School has presented a posada since 1936. Schoolchildren walk through Barrio Historico neighborhood reenacting Mary and Joseph's Christmas Eve search for shelter. Music and food sales benefit school programs.
4th Avenue Winter Street FairDec. 12 - Dec. 14
The Fourth Avenue Merchants Association brings together 400 arts and crafts booths, food vendors, three stages, street musicians, jugglers, street performers, kids entertainment, face painting, balloons, and other fun activities.
Lighting of the LuminariasDec. 12
Tombstone Courthouse State Park and Tombstone Restoration Commission ring in the holiday season with a public lighting of more than 200 luminarias, followed by a gathering featuring Victorian Christmas decorations and music and holiday treats.
Mercado Holiday BazaarDec. 12 - Dec. 24
The Mercado San Agustin and the Westside Coalition host an open-air marketplace, located in a tent, with one-stop holiday shopping and entertainment featuring various local performers and merchants.
Winterhaven Festival of LightsDec. 13 - Dec. 27
A Tucson tradition featuring a central Tucson neighborhood adorned with holiday decorations. The 2008 festival will sparkle with brilliant color using less energy and releasing much less carbon dioxide into the air, thanks to LED lights and Tucson Electric Power. Visitors may walk through every night. Visitors may drive on December 16, 18, 27.
Downtown Parade of LightsDec. 13
The Downtown Tucson Partnership hosts all-ages holiday festivities, beginning at Armory Park at 4pm, with the parade at 6pm.
Linda Eder-The Holiday ConcertDec. 16
Broadway in Tucson presents popular songstress, Linda Eder and her on-night-only holiday concert.
TSO Pops! Holiday Spectacular!Dec. 19 - Dec. 21
Desert Diamond Casino and Hotel presents the Tucson Symphony Orchestra's holiday show, featuring "Nutcracker" excerpts, Mariachi Atzlan de Pueblo High School and Tucson Regional Ballet, and holiday sing-a-longs.
Family Time at MOCA: Mama/Dada/BabyDec. 20
Tucson's Museum of Contemporary Art hosts monthly event for families with young children; this month learn about "Performance Art as a Family Affair" at a mini-workshop showing how to make art out of your everyday life with the kids.
Greek Christmas FestivalDec. 20
The Tucson Children's Museum presents a Festivals of Friendship celebration featuring a fun and educational opportunity to learn about the Greek Christmas traditions.
Tucson Boys Chorus Holiday ConcertDec. 21
Renowned Tucson Boys Chorus presents holiday concert featuring classic, traditional, and spiritual songs.
USTA National Winter Tennis ChampionshipsDec. 27 - Jan. 1
Top-rated 12- and under-14-year-old tennis players compete in major, annual United States Tennis Association (USTA) sanctioned event, hosted by Tucson Parks & Recreation.