Verified Christmas event · Marana, AZ
Marana's Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting 2026
Marana's free holiday festival, one Saturday in December: photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, unlimited holiday train rides, and the tree lighting at 6 pm with an encore at 8:30 pm.
- Verified by the organizer
- Sat, Dec 5
- All ages
- Free
No tickets are needed. Details come from Marana Parks & Recreation. Rally Takes the Train doesn't sell tickets or take a cut.
Verified- Saturday, December 5, 20262 to 9 pm, lighting at 6 pm
- Ed Honea Marana Municipal Complex11555 W Civic Center Dr, Marana
- FreeFood and market goods extra
- For all agesOutdoors, rain or shine
About this event
Marana Parks & Recreation holds the Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting at the Ed Honea Marana Municipal Complex on Saturday, December 5, from 2 to 9 pm. The Christmas tree is lit at 6 pm, with an encore at 8:30 pm. Both stages pause at 6 pm for the lighting.
Kids can get a free photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus and ride the Holiday Train as many times as they like at the Marana Train Depot in Santa's Courtyard. Other free activities include a Grr-inch of Marana meet and greet, the Creation Station by Lucky Cat Social Art, a musical instrument petting zoo, a community mural, a photo booth and inflatables. The Mistletoe Market has more than 30 local artisans and craft vendors, and more than 30 food trucks and vendors sell food.
Parent tip: Park at Marana Middle School and take the free shuttle to skip the main lot traffic. Bring a hat and sunscreen for the afternoon and jackets for the lighting, plus a can of food or pet food for the Marana Food Bank drive.
What kids can do
On site
- Parking
- Free main lot, or the free shuttle from Marana Middle School
- Setting
- Outdoors, rain or shine
- Language
- English
- Tickets
- None needed, free
- Expected crowd
- About 10,000 people
- Also in Marana
- Nightly Christmas Tree Musical Light Show
- Verified
- By the organizer,
Date
- Saturday, December 5, 20262 to 9 pm
One day only: Saturday, December 5, 2 to 9 pm. Tree lighting at 6 pm, encore at 8:30 pm. The town posts the full performance schedule and map on its event page before the festival. Marana events are rain or shine unless there is a public safety concern such as flooding or lightning.
Prices
| Admission | Free |
|---|
Entry, Santa photos, Holiday Train rides and the listed activities are free. Food and Mistletoe Market goods cost extra.
Where it is
- Ed Honea Marana Municipal Complex
11555 W Civic Center Dr
Marana, AZ 85653
Directions to Ed Honea Marana Municipal Complex (opens in a new tab)
Follow traffic signs toward Sandario Road and Barnett Road and enter on W Civic Center Drive off Barnett; police direct traffic to the main lot. Free shuttles run 1:30 to 10 pm from Marana Middle School, 11285 W Grier Rd, to the end of the Mistletoe Market. Accessible parking is in the MHC Healthcare covered lot. Expect traffic near the Marana Road and Tangerine exits. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Good to know
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Accessible paths and seating
- Accessible restrooms
- Accessible parking
- Service animals welcome
- Mostly paved, level ground
Who you will see
- Santa and Mrs. Claus
- The Grr-inch of Marana
- Civic Orchestra of Tucson
- Lucky Cat Social Art
- Green Jelly Bean Entertainment
- Desert Photo Booth
- Full Circle Media Production
- Arizona Game Truck
- Chalking to Myself
- Scouting America
If the weather turns
Marana events are rain or shine unless there is a real safety concern, such as flooding or lightning, that means shutting down.
Sponsors
TRICO is the title sponsor. Also sponsoring: Discover Marana, Pima Federal Credit Union, Waste Management, ICCU, Semper Fi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, Wyyerd Fiber, Renewal by Andersen, Texas Roadhouse and Voozaa.
Follow Marana Parks & Recreation
Questions
When is Marana's Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting in 2026?
Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 2 to 9 pm. The tree lighting is at 6 pm, with an encore at 8:30 pm.
Where is it?
The Ed Honea Marana Municipal Complex, 11555 W Civic Center Dr, Marana, AZ 85653.
How much does it cost?
Admission is free. Santa photos, Holiday Train rides, the inflatables and the craft station are free too. Food and market goods cost extra.
Where do I park?
In the main lot off Barnett Road, or at Marana Middle School, 11285 W Grier Rd, with free shuttles from 1:30 to 10 pm. Accessible parking is in the MHC Healthcare covered lot.
Can we bring the dog?
Yes, if it is leashed and you pick up after it. The town suggests dogs that are comfortable in big crowds.
What should we bring?
Sturdy shoes for uneven ground, a hat and sunscreen for the daytime, a jacket for the evening, and a can of food or pet food for the Marana Food Bank if you want to donate.
Verified by Marana Parks & Recreation
The details on this page came from the organizer on November 13, 2026, and the organizer has committed to providing safe Christmas magic for kids. How verification works
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