Head down south for two holiday celebrations this weekend
Valley residents looking for a festive change of scenery this weekend should consider heading south. Tubac and Tumacacori are hosting two special events.
Tubac’s annual celebration of the holiday season will start at 5 p.m. Friday with Luminaria Nights.
Angela Kirkner, executive director of the Tubac Chamber of Commerce, said the event, which has taken place for 33 years, features hundreds of glowing luminarias lining the streets.
Stores stay open until 9 p.m. and shoppers can enjoy homemade food, music and a visit with Santa Claus.
“It has a great old-fashioned, South-
west holiday feel,” Kirkner said. “The shops and galleries have all types of food ranging from cookies and hot chocolate to wine and hot appetizers. Santa is at the Tubac Center of the Arts and horsedrawn carriages take visitors around the village.”
Tumacácori, just south of Tubac, will present a celebration of the many cultures that comprise the history of the Santa Cruz Valley.
La Fiesta de Tumacacori features several dozen food and craft booths, a steady stream of live entertainment and familyfriendly activities.
Anita Badertscher, chief of interpretation and education at Tumacacori National Historical Park, said she is expecting around 4,500 visitors for the 46th annual Fiesta.
Badertscher said the folklorico dancers always put on a colorful and lively performance that’s a great photo opportunity.
“Also, the Apache Crown Dancers come all the way from the White Mountains, and it’s a rare opportunity to see them down here,” she said.