Good morning, Tucson.

Saint Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church is taking part in the Angel Tree program to bring holiday cheer to 62 local children of incarcerated parents by having volunteers purchase and wrap gifts costing between $25 and $30.

The children will open their gifts at a Christmas party on December 7th (a gesture meant to show community care).

Brian & Kelly's Pumpkins and Trees, a family-owned business on Broadway and Rosemont, has offered Douglas, Grand, Noble, and Nordmann fir trees for nearly 20 years to Tucson families.

The lot is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with extended hours from Dec. 5th to Dec. 15th, and its final tree shipment will arrive a week and a half before Christmas as owner Kelly Sauer advises customers to drive straight home to keep the tree fresh.

Grant Krueger, owner of several downtown restaurants, will open Block A Sports Bar and Grill in downtown Tucson in the first quarter, aiming to boost the local economy by creating over 75 jobs and celebrating Tucson’s sports and culinary culture—featuring LED wall technology and scratch-made food. The venue at Congress and Fourth will open near March Madness as a fresh replacement after HiFi closed last year.

Maintenance on the Ventana Wash Bridge will begin today and continue daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until January 16 — flaggers will guide drivers on River Road near Sabino Canyon Road, so residents should expect delays and lane closures.

Today the new Sun Tran routes and schedules begin for most regular buses in Tucson; the Sun Shuttle routes are unchanged and Route 29 takes a detour due to construction—riders are urged to use the online trip planner for updated details.

Pima County and contractor Southern Arizona Paving begin work on the La Cienega Bridge on Marsh Station Road today until January 16, 2026, with work running from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.+ Motorists are urged to follow flaggers and allow extra travel time as delays may occur.

Pima County Health Department reported eight overdose deaths involving kratom (a legal dietary supplement) since the start of 2025.

The University of Arizona received a $14.8 million federal grant to study health risks from dust produced by mine tailings and fungal spores.

The five-year project — aimed at understanding and reducing these dangers — will help improve safety measures for affected communities.

Tucson Young Professionals Holiday Mixer

6-8 p.m. — Whiskey Del Bac — $32.90 — Celebrate the season with holiday glam, live music, and a festive costume contest.

Suzy Bogguss: A Swingin’ Little Christmas

7:30-9 p.m. — Fox Tucson Theatre — Ticket prices not specified — Enjoy a night filled with Christmas classics and hits from Suzy Bogguss’ legendary career.

Miracle on 34th Street Musical

Dec 5 - Dec 28, 7 p.m. — Arts Express Theatre — Ticket required — Experience the heartwarming tale of a single mom and her daughter believing in Santa Claus again.

Downtown Parade of Lights Festival

6:30-8:00 p.m. — Armory Park — Free entry — Celebrate the holidays with a dazzling display of lights in downtown Tucson.

SME Arizona Conference 2025

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa — Registration required — Explore the latest in mining, metallurgy, and geology at this professional conference.

Tucson Speed Dating for Singles Aged 40 to 50

7-9 p.m. — Aloft Tucson University — Entry fee required — Meet potential matches and explore the possibility of love at this engaging speed dating event.

Wednesday Team Trivia Night

7-9 p.m. — Pueblo Vida Brewing Company — Free entry — Test your knowledge and compete for gift card prizes in a fun downtown setting.

Blue Dream Trio featuring Chelsee Hicks

10:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. — The Century Room — $10-$15 + Dice fees — Enjoy a late-night jazz session with Chelsee Hicks and holiday classics.

Tucson's Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl

4-9 p.m. — Sky Bar Tucson — $15 online ticket — Explore Tucson's nightlife with a fun pub crawl featuring games and prizes.

Rich Hinman vs Adam Levy: An Afternoon of Guitar

4:30-6 p.m. — The Century Room — $20-$30 + DICE fees — Experience the soulful interplay of guitar heavyweights Rich Hinman and Adam Levy in a jazz-infused instrumental performance.