The Downtown Parade of Lights and Festival are hitting the streets on Saturday, December 16.

First, the festival begins at 4 p.m. with food trucks, vendors, live holiday music, free photos with Santa Claus, and other entertainment at Armory Park (on Sixth Avenue between 12th and 13th Street). Then, the parade kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at 17th Street and Stone Avenue, ending at Armory Park with more than 75 floats.

This year’s participants include floats created by Ballet Folklorica Tapatio, Truly Nolen, El Tour de Tucson, Saguaro National Park, Tucson Electric Power, Tucson Comic-Con, The Arizona Bowl, Tucson High Magnet School Marching Band, Pima County Public Library, and many others. 

The 2023 Grand Marshal is Dr. Dante Lauretta. Dr. Lauretta is a Regents Professor of Planetary Science and Cosmochemistry at the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and the principal investigator of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return mission.

Keep scrolling for the full lineup of food trucks parked nearby to keep your energy up.

Food Trucks (next to Armory Park at 100 E. 12th St.)

• Churros El Rey
• The Sweet Coqui
• Mafia Kitchen
• Charly’s BBQ & Grill
• Jackie’s Food Court
• Sushi Hana
• Biggie Boy BBQ
• Gigi’s Peruvian/Mexican Fusion

More Food Trucks (across the street from St. Agustine Cathedral at 141 S. Stone Ave.)

• Cody Coyote Kettle Corn
• Al Gusto Coffee Co
• Tacoqueta Tacos
• Lahaina’s WaffleDogs

Parade Route

The Spanish language emcee, Esperanza Madrid, of La Urbana Radio and Estrella TV is sponsored by Visit Tucson/Vamos a Tucson and will be located on Stone Avenue.

The English language emcee, Ken Carr, of What’s Up Tucson and The Drive Tucson 101.7 FM/AM 830 is sponsored by The Arizona Bowl and will be located in Armory Park. 

For schedule, parade info, parking info, and a full list of sponsors, visit downtownparadeoflights.com.

Tucson Foodie is a locally owned and operated community. Thanks to our partners and members, we are able to offer paywall-free guides and articles. We value your support and invite you to become a Tucson Foodie Insider today.