Events for December 2007
Children's Festivals of Friendship All month (Tucson) Weekend hands-on activities feature global holiday music, dance, stories, and fine- and folk-art traditions. Tucson Children’s Museum, (520) 792-9985.
http://www.tucsonchildrensmuseum.org
Feria Navidena (Christmas Market) All month (Tucson) Mexican Christmas market, with figurines and items for nativity scenes and holiday decor; weekend events include visits from "Pancho Claus." El Centro Cultural de Las Americas, (520) 629-9536.
Just For Kids Concert Dec. 1 (Tucson) "Rhythm is King" is a musical adventure about Tommy the Tom-Tom, featuring the TSO Percussion Quartet. Tucson Symphony Orchestra, (520) 882-8585.
http://www.tucsonsymphony.org/kids/concerts
La Fiesta de Tumacacori Dec. 1-2 (Tumacacori) Celebrating cultural continuity of historic Upper Santa Cruz River Valley at Tumacacori Mission, a National Monument founded by Padre Kino. Tumacacori National Historical Park, (520) 398-2341.
http://www.nps.gov/tuma
The Pajama Game Dec. 1-15 (Tucson) A Broadway musical dealing with labor troubles in a pajama factory. The original production won a Tony for Best Musical, and the 2006 Broadway revival won a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. Arizona Theatre Company, (520) 622-2823.
http://www.aztheatreco.org/index.html?topbar.html&0
Tucson Tamal & Heritage Festival Dec. 1 (Tucson) A day of local tradition, live entertainment, and great food, with the opportunity to learn about Tucson's community-based organizations and their causes, at AVA Amphitheater, Casino del Sol. La Estrella de Tucson.
http://casinodelsol.ticketforce.com
Zoo Lights Dec. 1-23 (Tucson) Twinkling lights, jingle bells, Santa Claus, and holiday decor, music, and refreshments at the zoo. Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights. Reid Park Zoo, (520) 881-4753.
http://www.tucsonzoo.org
Tucson Marathon & Expo Dec. 2 (Oro Valley) Boston Marathon qualifying race starts in Oracle, north of Tucson, and follows the Santa Catalina Mountain range through the town of Catalina and finishes near Pusch Ridge at Hilton El Conquistador Resort, Oro Valley, (520) 320-0667.
http://www.tucsonmarathon.com
A Holiday Toast Dec. 6 (Tucson) A prized selection of wines from Northern Italy will be tasted and discussed in a relaxed atmosphere, and served with Hacienda holiday hors d'oeuvres. The chef will share some of these party recipes with you. Hacienda del Sol, (520) 529-3500.
http://www.haciendadelsol.com
A Southwest Nutcracker Dec. 7-8, 9 (Tucson) With music by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and guest dancers from the San Francisco Ballet, this original, full-length ballet translates the classic Nutcracker to 1880s Tucson. Tucson Music Hall, (520) 885-0862.
http://www.tucsonregionalballet.org
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair Dec. 7-8, 9 (Tucson) Hundreds of arts and crafts booths, food vendors, street musicians and performers, and kids' entertainment. Between Ninth St. & University Blvd. on Fourth Ave. Fourth Avenue Merchants Association, (520) 624-5004.
http://www.fourthavenue.org
Luminaria Nights ~ Tucson Botanical Gardens Dec. 7-9 (Tucson) Holiday music and garden paths adorned with luminarias and decorations at midtown oasis voted one of America's Best Secret Gardens by Reader's Digest magazine. Tucson Botanical Gardens, (520) 326-9686.
http://www.tucsonbotanical.org
Downtown Parade of Lights & Festival Dec. 8 (Tucson) Downtown Tucson holiday parade, 6 p.m., with Santa Claus, tree-lighting ceremony and fabulous floats, music, food, and entertainment at Armory Park and Main Library Plaza. Tucson Downtown Alliance, (520) 547-3338.
http://www.downtowntucson.org
La Fiesta de Guadalupe Dec. 9 (Tucson) Outdoor performances by youthful mariachi and folklorico groups, a las posadas procession, treat-filled pinatas, and Pasqua Yaqui vendors selling traditional food. Free. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, (520) 299-9191.
http://www.degrazia.org
Mediterranean Cruise Dec. 12 (Tucson) The tantalizing wines of Italy, Spain and Southern France pair with the exotic flavors of the Mediterranean. Hacienda del Sol, (520) 529-3500.
http://www.haciendadelsol.com
A Tucson Pastorela Dec. 14-23 (Tucson) Nativity story set in Tucson, with brave shepherds, sheep and dog taking the road to Bethlehem, with Tohono O' odham "waila" music, Spanish and English carols, and piñatas. Leo Rich Theater. Borderlands Theater, (520) 882-7406.
http://www.borderlandstheater.org
Set in Stone: 2000 Years of Gem & Mineral Trade in the Southwest Dec. 14-Feb. 2010 (Tucson) Exhibit explores how turquoise, Arizona's state gem, has brought trade and influence to the Southwest for centuries and shows how modern techniques unlock stories set in the ancient stone. Arizona State Museum, (520) 621-6302.
http://www.statemuseum.arizona.edu/exhibits/
Tucson Girls Chorus Holiday Concert Dec. 15 (Tucson) All four girls choruses present a variety of holiday favorites. Crowder Hall, University of Arizona. Tucson Girls Chorus, (520) 577-6064.
http://www.tucsongirlschorus.org
Winterhaven Festival of Lights Dec. 15-28 (Tucson) Midtown neighborhood glows with holiday lights, music, and decorations. Walk-throughs every night, drive-through nights are on website. Free, with Tucson Community Food Bank donations. Winterhaven Neighborhood Association, (520) 881-4483.
http://www.winterhavenfestival.org
Tucson Boys Chorus Holiday Concert Dec. 16 (Tucson) World-renowned Tucson Boys Chorus presents annual holiday concert. 3 p.m., 7:30 p.m. UA Centennial Hall, (520) 296-6277.
http://www.boyschorus.org
Holiday Concert Dec. 18 (Tucson) The Sons of Orpheus male choir of Tucson performs 10th annual Holiday benefit concert for the Community Food Bank with Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind elementary students at Berger Center for the Performing Arts. Admission: Non-perishable food item(s).
http://www.sonsoforpheus.org
Las Posadas Dec. 18 (Tucson) Since 1936, hundreds of schoolchildren have participted in this nativity pageant commemorating Mary and Joseph's Christmas Eve search for shelter; music and food, starting at 5 p.m. Carrillo Intermediate Magnet School.
TSO Pops! Holiday Spectacular Dec. 21-22, 23 (Tucson) Tucson Symphony Orchestra holiday concert, featuring performances by Mariachi Atzlan de Pueblo High School and the Tucson Regional Ballet. Tucson Music Hall, (520) 882-8585.
http://www.tucsonsymphony.org
USTA Winter Tennis Championships Dec. 27-Jan 1, 2008 (Tucson) 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. Randolph Tennis Center, (520) 791-4896.
http://www.randolphtenniscenter.com
Thunder in the Desert Dec. 28-Jan. 8 (Tucson) New millennium first people's world fair and powwow at Rillito Racetrack Park., (520) 622-4900.
http://www.usaindianinfo.org