Kick off the holiday season at the Marana Holiday Festival on Dec 5
Published on November 12, 2026
MARANA, Ariz. — The Town of Marana invites the community to celebrate the holiday season at the annual Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting, presented in partnership with TRICO Cooperative, on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 2 to 9 p.m. at the Ed Honea Marana Municipal Complex. This free, family-friendly celebration will feature the lighting of Marana’s signature 45-foot Christmas tree, an expanded Mistletoe Market, holiday entertainment, family activities, and festive attractions throughout the complex.
Guests are encouraged to bring a canned good or other nonperishable food item to support the Marana Food Bank. Donation stations will be found throughout the event and at the Town booth on Marana Main Street. Pet food donations are also welcomed.
A Holiday Light Show to Remember
The highlight of the evening will be the 6 p.m. lighting of the Town’s 45-foot Christmas tree, featuring a spectacular, music-synchronized light show with 500,000 lights illuminating the Municipal Complex Plaza. An encore performance will take place at 8:30 p.m.
New Attractions and Expanded Experiences for 2026
Several new and expanded attractions will make this year's festival even more memorable:
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Expanded Holiday Light Tunnel: Discover Marana has expanded its popular Holiday Light Tunnel from 30 feet to 60 feet. The attraction will debut at the Dec. 5 festival and remain illuminated nightly through Dec. 27 as part of the nightly Town's Christmas Tree & Musical Light Show.
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New Rydables Attraction: Guests of all ages can enjoy a new Rydables experience, located at the south end of the complex near the main parking lot entrance.
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Expanded Mistletoe Market: The market will feature approximately 60 local vendors, with booths extending along Marana Main Street to Jim Conroy Place at the Marana Aquatic & Recreation Center (MARC) entrance.
Festival Activities and Entertainment
In addition to the holiday light displays, festivalgoers can enjoy:
- Free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus (2:00 - 9:00 PM)
- Free meet & greet with the Grr-inch (2:30 - 8:30 PM)
- Nearly 60 local vendors at the Mistletoe Market
- Food trucks and holiday treats
- Community performances featuring 16 local performing organizations
- A holiday train
- Family-friendly activities and attractions
Live Music
Candy Cane Stage (at Marana Main Street / Civic Center Drive
- 2:00 PM: Desert Dance Collective
- 2:30 PM: Marana Youth Choir
- 3:00 PM: Arizona Women's Chorus
- 3:30 PM: Compañía de Danza Folklórica Arizona
- 4:00 PM: Centre Stage Dance
- 4:30 PM: Mariachi Rayos Del Sol De Tucson High
- 5:00 PM: Project 520 Dance Studio
- 6:30 PM: BC Dance
- 7:00 PM: Showbiz Academy of Dance
- 7:30 PM: Marana High School Chamber Orchestra
- 8:00 PM: Marana High School Dance Team
Santa's Courtyard Stage (at Marana Police Department plaza in the Ed Honea Marana Municipal Complex courtyard)
- 3:30 PM: Mariachi Rayos Del Sol De Tucson High
- 4:00 PM: Bracken School of Irish Dance
- 4:30 PM: Manhattan Dolls
- 5:30 PM: Fever Jazz
- 6:30 - 8:30 PM: Garrett James & The Wanderers
Transportation and Accessibility
Courtesy shuttles will operate continuously from 1:30 to 10 p.m., providing transportation between Marana Middle School and the Mistletoe Market. Shuttle stops at both ends of the route will be clearly marked and staffed by security personnel. A designated wheelchair-accessible shuttle will also be available.
Pet-Friendly Event
Leashed dogs are welcome at the festival. Pet owners are asked to clean up after their pets and consider whether their dogs are comfortable in large crowds before attending.
For additional event information, visit MaranaAz.gov/Events.
View photos from 2025
Photo Attribution: J.D. Fitzgerald Photography
Additional event photographs are available upon request.