Things to do with kids in Tucson, AZ (November 2026)
Updated · Listings last checked · Covers next 30 days (from Nov 11) plus places open most days · Past events drop off automatically
Search all events & places in Tucson on the main search page →Every event and place we know of, matched to your kids' ages and this weekend's forecast.
Quick answer: Seasonal events in Tucson (this weekend first): Photos with Santa at Tucson Mall (Fri–Sun), Downtown Tucson Holiday Tree Lighting (Fri, Nov 20, free), Thanksgiving XC Classic 5K & 1.5-mile Fun Run/Walk — Reid Park, Tucson (Thu, Nov 26), Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Open on Thanksgiving (Thu, Nov 26) and 4 more. We list 8 family events in the next 30 days, including 8 seasonal events, plus 10 kid-friendly places (0 free, 4 indoor).
Tucson is Arizona's second-largest city, southeast of Phoenix in the Sonoran Desert. Families here mix desert outings like the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Sabino Canyon with museums such as Pima Air & Space and Flandrau Science Center, big city parks and a busy holiday season of neighborhood lights, garden light shows and a downtown parade. This page covers the City of Tucson only; it is separate from our Phoenix-area guides.
Everything below is located in Tucson and was checked on the official website. Events in the next 30 days are listed first, then places that are open most days. The search below starts with Tucson only. Tick "Include nearby" to add towns within 10 miles.
- Free: 2 free events in the next 30 days.
- Indoors: Children's Museum Tucson, Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium and The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures and 1 more.
- Toddlers and babies: 6 places welcome kids under 2.
- Verified prices for 8 attractions, copied from official sites.
Bookmark this page — we update Tucson's events every week.
Seasonal events in Tucson
Photos with Santa at Tucson Mall
- When
- Fri, Nov 13 – Thu, Dec 24
- Schedule
- Daily, closed Thanksgiving
- Hours
- Hours vary by day (see the mall's Santa schedule); closed Thanksgiving
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Indoor
Walk-ins are welcome, but the mall recommends booking a time. The set closes for Santa's breaks, so check the day's hours. Sensory Santa is Sun, Dec 6, 10–11am (reservations required).
✓ Dates checked Nov 11, 2026
Downtown Tucson Holiday Tree Lighting
- When
- Fri, Nov 20
- Hours
- 5:45–6:30pm
- Cost
- Free
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
Music, including Mariachi Herradura, leads up to the lighting of downtown's 36-foot holiday tree. Oversized holiday props for family photos, plus free Mexican hot chocolate and holiday cookies while supplies last. The tree and decorations stay up all season.
✓ Dates checked Nov 11, 2026
Thanksgiving XC Classic 5K & 1.5-mile Fun Run/Walk — Reid Park, Tucson
- When
- Thu, Nov 26
- Hours
- 5K races from 8am · 1.5-mile Fun Run/Walk 9:35am
- Cost
- Fun Run/Walk $17, 5K $29, plus sign-up fee (prices rise after Nov 20)
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
A Thanksgiving-morning cross-country race on grass and dirt with hay bales; the 1.5-mile Fun Run/Walk is one loop and finishers get a ribbon. Strollers are welcome (lanes bypass the hay bales), but no dogs. Benefits Toys for Tots.
✓ Dates checked Nov 8, 2026
Booking with venue required
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Open on Thanksgiving New · Just listed
- When
- Thu, Nov 26
- Hours
- 8:30am–5pm
- Cost
- Adults (13–64) $29.95; youth 3–12 $24.95; members, Native Americans with Tribal ID/CIB, and ages 2 and under free
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
The Desert Museum stays open Thanksgiving Day (and every day of the year) with desert animals, gardens and indoor aquarium exhibits—an outdoor family option when many Tucson attractions close.
✓ Dates checked Nov 11, 2026
Yuletide at Old Tucson New · Just listed
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Wed, Dec 23
- Schedule
- Select evenings; park closed Thanksgiving Day
- Hours
- 5–10pm
- Cost
- From $36 (peak and non-peak ticket tiers on site)
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
Western-style holiday nights with Santa and Mrs. Claus, carolers, a horse-drawn carriage, an all-new holiday stunt show and an original musical. Opens Thanksgiving weekend evenings (park closed Thanksgiving Day).
✓ Dates checked Nov 9, 2026
LightsUp! A Festival of Illumination — Tucson Botanical Gardens
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Jan 10
- Schedule
- Tuesday–Sunday (closed Mondays); last tickets sold at 9pm
- Hours
- 6–9:30pm
- Cost
- Paid; tickets online or at the door (it sells out, so book ahead)
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
Over a million lights, dancing trees and luminaria chandeliers through the gardens, now in its fifth year. Holiday cookies and hot cocoa are sold on site.
✓ Dates checked Nov 8, 2026
Booking with venue required
Downtown Parade of Lights & Festival — Tucson
- When
- Sat, Dec 5
- Hours
- Festival from 3pm · parade 6:30pm
- Cost
- Free
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
A free festival at Jácome Plaza with children's activities, letters to Santa, photo ops and maybe a little snow, then the lighted parade at 6:30pm. Park in downtown garages, not in El Presidio or along the route.
✓ Dates checked Nov 8, 2026
Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul — Tucson
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 – Sun, Dec 20
- Hours
- 6–9pm
- Cost
- General $25, members $20, youth 2–17 $10, under 2 free
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
The gardens glow with lights over three weekends, with live music, food and drinks, holiday shopping, Santa visits and seasonal fun for all ages. (Dec 4 is members' night.)
✓ Dates checked Nov 3, 2026
Beat the heat & rainy days: indoor places
Children's Museum Tucson
- Price
- Adult $12.50 · Child $12.50 (child 1+)
- Best for
- Ages 0–10 (our guidance)
200 S 6th Ave, downtown. $12.50 per person; under 12 months free. Free Discovery Nights on Thursdays 5–7pm; half price after 3pm on weekdays (MyTime Sensory-Friendly Experience). Open Tue–Sun 9am–5pm (Thursdays until 7pm); closed Mondays, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
✓ Price verified Nov 2, 2026 · source
Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium
- Price
- Adult $15 · Child $11 (child 3–15)
- Best for
- Ages 3–17+ (our guidance)
Science exhibits only; with a planetarium show adult $27, child $19. 2 and under free. Open Tue–Sun 10am–5pm; closed Mondays, Thanksgiving and Christmas
✓ Price verified Nov 2, 2026 · source
The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
- Price
- Adult $15 · Child $9 (child 4–17)
- Best for
- Ages 4–17+ (our guidance)
Adults 18–62; seniors 62+ $13. Open Tue–Sun 9am–4pm (last admission 3:30pm); closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
✓ Price verified Nov 2, 2026 · source
Joel D. Valdez Main Library
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Pima County Public Library's downtown branch. Open Mon 10am–6pm, Tue–Wed 9am–6pm, Thu 10am–6pm, Fri 10am–5pm; closed weekends
✓ Details checked Nov 2, 2026 on the official website
Parks and outdoor & indoor-outdoor places
Reid Park Zoo
- Price
- Adult $12.75 · Child $9 (child 2–14)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
3400 E Zoo Court, in Gene C. Reid Park. Adults 15–61; seniors 62+ $10.75; ages 0–1 free. Open daily 9am–4pm October–May (8am–2pm June–September), last entry 30 minutes before closing; aviaries close at noon Monday–Friday; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Nov 13–30: timed tickets must be reserved in advance for all guests, members included (Pathway to Asia opening), except Nov 21, when tickets are sold at the gate only
✓ Price verified Nov 2, 2026 · source
Tucson Botanical Gardens
- Price
- Adult $20 · Child $10 (child 3–17)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Gardens only; 2 and under free; seniors 62+ and active military $18. Combo with Yume Japanese Gardens: adult $25, child $12. Open daily 8:30am–4:30pm; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Jan 1 and July 4
✓ Price verified Nov 2, 2026 · source
Pima Air & Space Museum
- Price
- Adult $22.50 · Child $16 (child 5–12)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Adult 13+; ages 0–4 free; Pima County residents $18.25. Open daily 9am–3pm (last admission 1:30pm); tickets sold at the door. Hangars plus 80 acres of outdoor aircraft
✓ Price verified Nov 2, 2026 · source
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
- Price
- $8 per vehicle per day ($10 per week)
- Best for
- Ages 3–17+ (our guidance)
Coronado National Forest; always open, visitor center 8am–4:30pm daily. No dogs. Shuttle tickets are separate
✓ Price verified Nov 2, 2026 · source
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
- Price
- Adult $29.95 · Child $24.95 (child 3–12)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
General admission ages 13–64; 2 and under free; seniors 65+ $2 off; Arizona/Sonora residents $5 off (seasonal). Open 365 days a year
✓ Price verified Nov 2, 2026 · source
Gene C. Reid Park
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
156-acre city park with a playground, ponds, ramadas and paths; open 6am–10:30pm. The rose garden closes Dec 1 – Mar 31 and the outdoor performance center is closed for construction until about April 2027
✓ Details checked Nov 2, 2026 on the official website
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Tucson this weekend?
This weekend (Nov 13–15) we list 1 family event in Tucson: Photos with Santa at Tucson Mall (Fri–Sun).
What are free things to do with kids in Tucson?
In Tucson we list 2 free events in the next 30 days, including Downtown Tucson Holiday Tree Lighting (Fri, Nov 20, free) and Downtown Parade of Lights & Festival — Tucson (Sat, Dec 5, free).
What can kids do indoors in Tucson when it's cold or raining?
We list 4 indoor places in Tucson for cold or rainy days: Children's Museum Tucson (kids 1+ $12.50), Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium (kids 3–15 $11), The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures (kids 4–17 $9) and Joel D. Valdez Main Library.
Where can kids see Santa in Tucson?
We list 4 events with Santa in Tucson in the next 30 days, 1 free: Photos with Santa at Tucson Mall (Nov 13 – Dec 24), Yuletide at Old Tucson (Nov 27 – Dec 23), Downtown Parade of Lights & Festival — Tucson (Sat, Dec 5, free) and Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul — Tucson (Dec 5 – Dec 20).
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Tucson?
We list 5 holiday light events in Tucson in the next 30 days, 2 free: Downtown Tucson Holiday Tree Lighting (Fri, Nov 20, free), Yuletide at Old Tucson (Nov 27 – Dec 23) and LightsUp! A Festival of Illumination — Tucson Botanical Gardens (Nov 27 – Jan 10). See all 5 above.
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Tucson?
We list 2 Thanksgiving events in Tucson: Thanksgiving XC Classic 5K & 1.5-mile Fun Run/Walk — Reid Park, Tucson (Thu, Nov 26) and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Open on Thanksgiving (Thu, Nov 26).
What is there to do with toddlers and babies in Tucson?
In Tucson we list 6 places that welcome kids under 2, including Children's Museum Tucson, Reid Park Zoo and Tucson Botanical Gardens. See all 6 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
How much do Tucson family attractions cost?
Verified prices for 8 attractions in Tucson: Children's Museum Tucson (adult $12.50, kids 1+ $12.50), Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium (adult $15, kids 3–15 $11) and Reid Park Zoo (adult $12.75, kids 2–14 $9). See all 8 above. Copied from official websites; confirm before you go.
Search all events & places in Tucson on the main search page →Every event and place we know of, matched to your kids' ages and this weekend's forecast.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website or calendar and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site. Price levels without a source are our estimates. Read how we verify listings.
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