A calendar of public events in and around Yuma, Arizona, from November 2026 through January 2027: festivals, holiday nights, concerts, a comic convention and a marathon. Every date below was checked on October 22, 2026 against the organizer’s own page, the City of Yuma, Visit Yuma or Visit Arizona, and the sources are listed at the end. Dates and times can change, so confirm with the organizer before you go.
At a glance
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sat Nov 7 – Sun Nov 8 | YumaCon 2026 | Yuma Civic Center |
| Fri Nov 13 – Sun Nov 15 | Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival | Yuma |
| Fri Nov 20 | The Premiere: A Red Carpet Evening | Sun of a Gun Cigars & Spirits |
| Sat Nov 21 | The Warden’s Speakeasy | Yuma Territorial Prison |
| Sat Nov 28 | Holiday Pageant & Tower Lighting | Desert Sun Stadium |
| Dec 4 – Jan 22 | The Sunniest Place on Earth (art exhibition) | Yuma Art Center |
| Sat Dec 5 | Downtown Christmas | Historic Downtown Yuma |
| Sat Dec 12 | Dorothy Young Memorial Electric Light Parade | Yuma |
| Wed Dec 16 | Glenn Miller Orchestra | Historic Yuma Theatre |
| Fri Dec 18 – Sat Dec 19 | Christmas at the Crossing | Colorado River State Historic Park |
| Sat Dec 19 | Somerton Tamale Festival | Main Street, Somerton |
| Sat Jan 23 | Yuma AgFest | Historic Downtown Yuma |
| Sat Jan 30 | Yuma Territorial Marathon | Cocopah Casino & Resort, Somerton |
| Sat Jan 30 | Wild West Days | Yuma Territorial Prison |
November 2026
YumaCon 2026: November 7 and 8
The City of Yuma’s comics, anime, gaming and cosplay convention runs Saturday, November 7, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday, November 8, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Yuma Civic Center, 1440 W Desert Hills Dr. The City lists children 6 and under as free; 2026 ticket prices had not been posted when we checked.
Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival: November 13 to 15
Three days of mass hot air balloon ascensions, finishing with the Desert Balloon Glow, when tethered balloons are lit at night in time to music. Visit Arizona lists the 2026 dates as Friday, November 13 to Sunday, November 15. The 2026 venue and times had not been posted when we checked.
The Premiere at Sun of a Gun: November 20
Our own event night: The Premiere, a red carpet evening on Friday, November 20, 2026, from 5:00 to 10:00 PM at Sun of a Gun Cigars & Spirits, 1651 S Arizona Ave. Live music, prize drawings, and offers and prizes for those in attendance. Attire is Old Hollywood black tie, and admission is complimentary. Details are on our events page.
The Warden’s Speakeasy: November 21
A speakeasy night at the Yuma Territorial Prison, 220 Prison Hill Rd, on Saturday, November 21. Gates open at 6:30 PM and the event runs from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. Tickets are $20 per person and limited.
Holiday Pageant & Tower Lighting: November 28
Caballeros de Yuma’s Ken & Betty Borland Holiday Pageant & Tower Lighting is on Saturday, November 28, 2026, with holiday dance and choir performances before the City water tower is lit. The organizer lists Desert Sun Stadium, 1280 Desert Sun Dr, and admission as a canned food item. The 2026 start time had not been posted when we checked.
December 2026
The Sunniest Place on Earth: December 4 to January 22
An art exhibition at the Yuma Art Center, 254 S. Main St, drawn from a call to artists in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The opening reception is Friday, December 4, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
Downtown Christmas: December 5
The City of Yuma’s holiday celebration in historic Downtown Yuma is on Saturday, December 5, 2026. The 2026 times had not been posted when we checked.
Electric Light Parade: December 12
The 24th Dorothy Young Memorial Electric Light Parade, a night parade of lighted floats, is on Saturday, December 12, 2026. Visit Yuma gives the 2026 theme as “America 250: Celebrating 250 Years of History”. The start time and route had not been posted when we checked.
Glenn Miller Orchestra: December 16
The Glenn Miller Orchestra brings its holiday show, In the Holiday Mood, to the Historic Yuma Theatre, 254 S Main St, on Wednesday, December 16, at 7:00 PM. Tickets are sold through Etix.
Christmas at the Crossing: December 18 and 19
The 3rd Annual Christmas at the Crossing fills Colorado River State Historic Park, 201 N. 4th Avenue, with holiday lights on Friday and Saturday, December 18 and 19, from 5:00 to 10:00 PM: train rides, photos with Santa, a holiday craft station and live entertainment from local dance studios. Presale runs October 28 to November 14.
Somerton Tamale Festival: December 19
Tamales from family recipes, live music and cultural dances on Main Street in Somerton on Saturday, December 19, 2026, from 11:00 AM. The festival is sponsored by the ASU El Diablito Alumni Chapter, which with local sponsors funds scholarships for local students attending Arizona State University.
January 2027
Yuma AgFest: January 23
The City of Yuma’s festival of local agriculture in historic Downtown Yuma is on Saturday, January 23, 2027. The 2027 times had not been posted when we checked.
Yuma Territorial Marathon: January 30
The marathon, half marathon, 10K and relay start at Cocopah Casino & Resort, 15318 S. Avenue B, Somerton, on Saturday, January 30, 2027: the full marathon and relay at 7:00 AM, the half at 7:20 AM and the 10K at 7:40 AM. Packet pickup is Friday, January 29, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Entry is $105 for the full, $65 for the half, $45 for the 10K and $250 per relay team.
Wild West Days: January 30
A Wild West day at Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, 220 Prison Hill Rd, on Saturday, January 30, 2027, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. More details are still to come from the park.
Every month: First Friday downtown
Historic Downtown Yuma holds First Friday on the first Friday of each month, typically from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, according to the downtown guide.
Before or after: Sun of a Gun Cigars & Spirits
Sun of a Gun Cigars & Spirits is at 1651 S Arizona Ave, open from 9:00 AM every day, until 11:00 PM Sunday through Thursday and 1:00 AM Friday and Saturday. Stop in before a downtown event or after a parade for craft cocktails such as The Velvet Voice espresso martini and Cask & Ember, our Old Fashioned; a 300-bottle spirits menu with more than 170 whiskeys; wine by the glass or bottle; and charcuterie boards. Take a drink out to the patio beer garden, or choose a cigar from the walk-in humidor of our Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge.
Happy hour runs Monday through Friday, 4:00 to 6:00 PM: $2 off all handcrafted cocktails, $2 off wine by the glass and $1 off beers. No membership, no dress code. For more ideas, see our guides to things to do in Yuma and bars and nightlife in Yuma.
Common questions
What events are in Yuma in November 2026? YumaCon at the Yuma Civic Center on November 7 and 8, the Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival on November 13 to 15, The Premiere at Sun of a Gun Cigars & Spirits on November 20, The Warden’s Speakeasy at the Yuma Territorial Prison on November 21, and the Holiday Pageant & Tower Lighting on November 28.
When is the Yuma Electric Light Parade in 2026? Visit Yuma lists the 24th Dorothy Young Memorial Electric Light Parade for Saturday, December 12, 2026, with the theme “America 250”. The start time and route were not posted when we checked on October 22, 2026.
When is the Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival in 2026? Friday to Sunday, November 13 to 15, 2026, according to Visit Arizona and the organizer’s calendar.
When is YumaCon 2026? Saturday, November 7, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Sunday, November 8, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, at the Yuma Civic Center, according to the City of Yuma.
When is Christmas at the Crossing? Friday and Saturday, December 18 and 19, 2026, from 5:00 to 10:00 PM, at Colorado River State Historic Park, 201 N. 4th Avenue.
Where can I hear live music in Yuma? Event nights at Sun of a Gun Cigars & Spirits have included live music, and The Premiere on November 20, 2026 has live music from 5:00 to 10:00 PM. The Glenn Miller Orchestra plays the Historic Yuma Theatre on December 16, 2026.
Where can I go out in Yuma after an event? Sun of a Gun Cigars & Spirits at 1651 S Arizona Ave is open until 11:00 PM Sunday through Thursday and 1:00 AM Friday and Saturday, with craft cocktails, a 300-bottle spirits menu, wine, charcuterie boards and a walk-in humidor.
Sources
Checked October 22, 2026.
- YumaCon 2026: City of Yuma event calendar
- Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival: Visit Arizona
- The Warden’s Speakeasy: Yuma Territorial Prison
- Holiday Pageant & Tower Lighting and Yuma Territorial Marathon: Caballeros de Yuma
- The Sunniest Place on Earth: Yuma Art Center
- Downtown Christmas and Yuma AgFest: City of Yuma festivals and special events
- Electric Light Parade: Visit Yuma
- Glenn Miller Orchestra: Glenn Miller Orchestra tour schedule
- Christmas at the Crossing and Wild West Days: Colorado River State Historic Park
- Somerton Tamale Festival: Somerton Tamale Festival
- First Friday: Historic Downtown Yuma
