Marana, Arizona is a young town that is steeped in a rich and diverse history. Even though the town was only incorporated 30 years ago, the Marana area is part of one of the longest continuously inhabited areas in the state The area is filled with fun things to do such as historical sites, outdoor recreation facilities, archeological digs, rodeos, golf and so much more. In addition to the activities, Marana is home to a booming technology and science industry. The town is known for being one of the best locations in Arizona to establish a new business, due to its tax rates, transportation, and facilities. This mix of progress and recreation makes Marana a perfect place for a community wide celebration. Early each December the town rings in the holiday season in style, with their Marana Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting.
For over two decades this event has been a highlight in this unique and growing Arizona community. Thousands of people from Arizona and the Southwest make their way to Marana to kick off the season and celebrate the community. The event takes place at the Marana Municipal Complex and is the ideal location to bring the entire family for some holiday fun. Live Christmas music will be played by a variety of groups, Santa will be there to field all the Christmas wish list questions, and an impressive spread of food will be available for purchase. Also, there is a marketplace with different vendors offering a wide variety of products. Join the welcoming community of Marana for a holiday celebration that won't be soon forgotten. ResortandLodges.com interviewed Special Events Cooridnator Monique Meza, from the Town Manager’s Office of Marana, to talk about the event.
RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.
MM: The Marana Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting is like a big holiday party for the community. We have been hosting this event for more than 20 years and take pride in creating a fun and free environment for the whole family. We are expecting between 3,000 and 5,000 people this year, making it one of the biggest celebrations in the greater Tucson area. Our goal is to have something fun for each age group, from activities for the kids to places to sit and relax for the adults.
RAL: Take me through a typical day at the Marana Holiday Festival.
MM: We have quite a day planned with jumping castles, food trucks, vendors, community performances, snow, a 40-foot Christmas tree and, of course, Santa. The highlight of our night is a sequenced Christmas tree lighting show that starts at 6:30 pm. This year we are very excited because it is the first year we are using RGB lights on the tree, which allows for millions of color combinations. These lights are paired with music to create an exciting and memorable show. There will be several food trucks and vendors offering a wide variety of meals, snacks, and desserts.
I’d suggest starting the day with a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. After that, there are plenty of inflatable games for children of all ages. Dinner is available at designated areas throughout the event or while watching local dance, orchestra, or choir groups on our stage in the center of the event. The tree lighting starts promptly at 6:30 pm and will be visible throughout the entire area. Don’t forget to check out our hot air balloon display while grabbing a hot cup of coffee in our café area before playing in the snow at the end of the night.
RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging?
MM: Marana has an array of lodging options, from the world-renowned Ritz Carlton, Dove Mountain to the cottages at The Gallery Golf Club. All of our properties are offering great value for the holiday season. We offer thirteen options less than 20 minutes away from the event. A few of the options include the White Stallion Ranch, Mira Vista and Holiday Inn Express Inn & Suites Marana.
RAL: What does the Marana Holiday Festival mean to the community?
MM: This festival is one of three signature events that happen annually in Marana. For each event, the goal is to bring the community and visitors together in fun and free ways. We are proud to say that many of our vendors and community partners are Marana-based. This year we are partnering with the Marana Food Bank to raise awareness about food insecurity and to collect needed items. Several Marana businesses have decorated holiday wreaths that will be available for purchase and we’ll also be holding a silent auction the night of the event. We love when the members of the community and visitors can interact with each other in ways that benefit others while also having fun. Right now, it is mostly a community event, but we have seen a significant increase in attendance this year with people flooding in from all over the region. We hope the Marana Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting will continue to grow and become a holiday staple in Southern Arizona.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
MM: For starters, we have a 40 foot Christmas tree! We will have encore showings of our tree lighting show every hour from 5 pm to 9 pm, December 6 to January 3, so if attendees want to relive the show they can do so any night. Also, because of our location we are able to incorporate features like a balloon glow within our event that are not possible in other locations. Mostly, though, Marana makes its community a priority and our events are a reflection of that love for our town. We strive to be authentic with our hospitality to visitors. We hope that anyone passing through, or coming to stay in Marana, will experience a genuinely fun and festive night put on by a genuinely fun and festive town.
For more information about the Marana Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting please visit their website.