Weekend drive · Dec 11–13, 2026
Phoenix and Tucson holiday weekend road trip 2026
Desert winter nights make for an easy holiday weekend: ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo on Friday, a free arts festival in downtown Phoenix on Saturday, then lit-up boats and fireworks on Tempe Town Lake. On Sunday, drive down I-10 for Tucson's big Fourth Avenue street fair. December 11–13, 2026.
The four stops
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Friday night · Holiday lights
Phoenix ZooLights
Friday, December 11 · Phoenix, Arizona · event dates: November 25, 2026 - January 15, 2027
The Phoenix Zoo stays open after dark with a lake light show around a 50-foot LED tree, a 200-foot light tunnel and a lit dinosaur trail. Hours are 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm. General tickets are $35, and children 2 and under get in free.
- Drive about 15 min (about 8 mi) to Phoenix.
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Saturday daytime · Arts festival
Phoenix Festival of the Arts
Saturday, December 12 · Phoenix, Arizona · event dates: December 12, 2026
For its 15th year, the festival throws a one-day quinceañera celebration with visual art, live entertainment, food and culture around the Phoenix Center for the Arts and the east side of Margaret T. Hance Park. It runs 10 am to 9 pm, and admission is free.
- Drive about 20 min (about 10 mi) to Tempe.
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Saturday evening · Boat parade
Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade
Saturday, December 12 · Tempe, Arizona · event dates: December 12, 2026
Lit-up boats sail Tempe Town Lake, and fireworks follow over the water. Tempe Beach Park has a holiday market, live music, food trucks and photos with Santa from 4 pm to 9 pm. It's free, and there's a clear bag policy.
- Drive about 1 h 45 min (about 110 mi) to Tucson.
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Sunday on the way home · Street fair
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
Sunday, December 13 · Tucson, Arizona · event dates: December 11–13, 2026
The 57th Winter Street Fair brings more than 350 artists and 40 food vendors to Tucson's historic Fourth Avenue, plus buskers and live entertainment. Sunday hours are 10 am to 4 pm, and admission is free. A free shuttle runs from the Pennington Street Garage.
Drive home to Phoenix, AZ: about 1 h 50 min (about 115 mi). Gas prices near Tucson
Drive times are approximate. Check your route before you leave.
At a glance
| Stop | Type | Dates | Drive from previous |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Phoenix ZooLights | Holiday lights | Friday, December 11 (runs November 25, 2026 - January 15, 2027) | Start |
| 2. Phoenix Festival of the Arts | Arts festival | Saturday, December 12 (runs December 12, 2026) | about 15 min |
| 3. Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade | Boat parade | Saturday, December 12 (runs December 12, 2026) | about 20 min |
| 4. Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair | Street fair | Sunday, December 13 (runs December 11–13, 2026) | about 1 h 45 min |
Event websites
- Phoenix ZooLights
- Phoenix Festival of the Arts
- Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade
- Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
Dates can change, so check the event’s website before you go.
More: All weekend drives · Arizona events