Pontiac Holiday Tournament

Illinois's boys' state series, presented by OSF Healthcare. The 2026 finals run March 12-14 at the State Farm Center in Champaign with all four classes packed into one weekend. The IHSA dates back to 1908, making it one of the oldest state series in the country.

First held in 1942, the Centralia Holiday Tournament is one of the oldest continuously running high school holiday events in the country. Sixteen teams, three days between Christmas and New Year's, drawing 6,000+ spectators each year to the home of the Centralia Orphans.

Founded in 1961 as the first holiday basketball tournament in the Chicago area. Sixteen teams, 28 games over four days. Between 1964 and 2008, 95 Proviso West teams reached the IHSA state tournament the same year — 13 of which won state titles.

Mobile, Alabama — 32 teams from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana across two college venues over three days at the back end of Christmas week. Roster-heavy on D1 prospects, which keeps college-coach traffic strong on the sidelines.

Juneau, three days between Christmas and New Year's. Hosted at JDHS since 1991, Princess Cruises is the title sponsor. The largest high school holiday tournament in Alaska. Brings teams from across Alaska plus a few Lower 48 invites willing to make the ferry/flight to Southeast.

Pine Bluff. Founded 1982 by banker Travis Creed and revived in 2018 after a long gap. Roughly half the field is Arkansas schools, half national invitees. Hosted the first regular-season high school basketball game on national prime-time ESPN (1987).

Rancho Mirage and Shadow Hills HS, the week between Christmas and New Year's. 117 teams across 11 divisions — the 16-team Open is the national-draw bracket, and the lower divisions are how regional programs actually get a competitive holiday tournament. Slam dunk and 3-point contests run during semifinal play.

Hosted at Damien High School in La Verne, CA. 9th edition in 2025. Massive field — 144 teams across 9 divisions, played at Damien plus other area gyms over five days. SoCal basketball density makes it a go-to for both California and visiting programs.

San Diego, last week of December. Five brackets played across six county high schools — National at Torrey Pines, American at St. Augustine, Senator's at Carlsbad, Governor's at Rancho Buena Vista, Mayor's at El Camino. Teams from 12 states fill the field. National Division is the showcase; lower brackets give SoCal mid-tier programs a real holiday event without being overmatched.