Every year, we have readers ask us about holiday events in Phoenix. Since Phoenix is the 5th largest city in the USA, there are a plethora of holiday-related festivities…and many Tucson residents enjoy making the drive up to the Valley for a short day trip or staycation.
We’ve tried to narrow down the picks on this page to holiday events that are worth driving for. These events include concerts, plays, light displays, breakfasts and brunches, and hotel packages.
Events are organized alphabetically by city within the Phoenix metro area. Depending on where you live in Tucson and where are you are heading in Phoenix, you’re looking at a drive between 90 minutes and 2.5 hours.
HOLIDAY EVENTS IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
Glendale is a suburb slightly northeast of Phoenix. The population is just shy of 250,000 and holiday events within Glendale tend to be of a smaller scale. Glendale Glitters, however, makes our list for a fun, free light display in a charming downtown area.
Glendale Glitters in Downtown Glendale
- Location: Downtown Glendale
- Dates: November 29, 2019 – January 11, 2020
- Hours: 5:00pm-10:00pm
- Parking: Parking is free in downtown Glendale. Once this free parking fills up, patrons are welcome to explore close-proximity paid options on various private properties. If patrons don’t mind parking a bit further, they’re also welcome to park at Glendale Community College where they can board a complimentary shuttle to the event.
- Cost: Free.
- MORE INFO
Glendale Glitters is “Arizona’s largest free holiday light display and a beloved family tradition.” Charming downtown Glendale is illuminated by more than 1.6 million twinkling lights across 16 blocks.
HOLIDAY EVENTS IN MESA, ARIZONA
Mesa is the 35th largest city in the United States (right behind Tucson at #33). As such, you’ll find several larger-scale holiday events to go to.
Lights at the Farm at Vertuccio Farms
- Location: Vertuccio Farms, 4011 S Power Rd Mesa, AZ 85212
- Dates: November 22, 2019 through January 11, 2020
- Hours: 5:30pm – 10:00pm Daily
- Closed: November 28th, December 24th, 25th and 31st
- Cost: Online tickets are $10 per person. At-gate tickets are $12 per person. Ages 2 and under are free.
Vertuccio Farms presents over 2 million dazzling lights, all of which are synchronized to a variety of Christmas classics. Lights at the Farm™, “Arizona’s biggest and best synchronized Christmas Light Show,” stretches over 10 acres of Vertuccio Farms – providing a spectacular walk-through, interactive journey.
- Take photos with Santa (select dates) and write your Christmas Wish List to Santa.
- “Christmas Crafts and Cookies” Kids Events are held every Monday Night during Lights at the Farm™.
- Skate on the Holiday Skating Rink. *additional cost
- Immerse yourself and your family in photo-ready Giant Holiday Ornaments.
- Take the kids to see our Barnyard Animal Display with Interactive Lights.
- Stroll through the different Holiday themed areas, including the Tunnel of Lights attraction and the 30’ tall Christmas Tree.
- Show your appreciation for Military Heroes by writing a ‘Thank You Letter’ that will be delivered to the troops.
- Purchase Hot Cocoa or Coffee, Kettle Corn, Cake Pops, and other Holiday Treats.
Merry Main Street in Downtown Mesa
- Location: Downtown Mesa
- Dates: Kicks off on Nov 29, 2019 and runs through Jan 4, 2020
- Hours: See website for complete calendar.
- Parking: Parking in downtown Mesa is free (there are some time limits during weekdays).
- Cost: Free admission and parking. Some activities are fee-based.
- MORE INFO
Merry Main Street is a nearly month long celebration that features a giant Christmas tree, Mesa Christmas Market, Santa’s sELFie Village, Jack Frost Food Truck Forest, Main Street Express trackless train, and musical performances.
The following attractions are part of Merry Main Street:
- Winter Wonderland Ice Rink. Downtown Mesa features a more than 5,000 square foot ice skating rink, which is open daily for thousands to enjoy the amazing winter weather while skating under the stars. Cost is $10/person and includes one hour of skate time and ice skates.
- Mesa’s Christmas Tree. Merry Main Street would not be complete without a giant, four-story Christmas tree.
- Visits with Santa. Free visits with Santa on Fridays and Saturdays! Bring your cell phone or camera for pictures.
- Mesa Christmas Market. Mesa Christmas Market is a European style market featuring traditional and nontraditional foods, hand-crafted items, beautiful lights, and live performances.
- Santa’s sELFie Village. Take a moment to create a special holiday card photo at the holiday tree or one of the other Santa sELFie stations.
- Jack Frost’s Food Truck Forest. Start (or end) your journey along Merry Main Street at Jack Frost’s Food Truck Forest at Pioneer Park, 526 E. Main St. This is at the end of the light rail line.
- Main Street Express. Take a ride on the Main Street Express trackless train every Friday and Saturday at the food trucks at Pioneer Park.
Santa Fly-in at Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum
- Location: Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum, 2017 N Greenfield Rd, Mesa, AZ 85215
- Date: December 7, 2019
- Time: 11:00am-12:00pm
- Cost: $15 adult, $12 seniors (62+) and veterans, $5 children (5 – 12). Children under 5, disabled veterans, and active military are free.
- Support the City of Mesa Fire Department’s Toy Drive. Bring one unwrapped toy and get in free! Bring in a spare canned good and get $1 off admissions.
Welcome Santa from the North Pole as he flies in to greet one and all!
HOLIDAY EVENTS IN PHOENIX, AZ
Most Tucson people think of “Phoenix” as all of the suburbs on this page combined into one because you can seamlessly drive between cities without even knowing it. The below events, however, are in Phoenix proper.
CitySkate Holiday Ice Rink in Downtown Phoenix
- Location: Downtown Phoenix
- Dates: December 16, 2019 through January 5, 2020
- Hours: 3:00pm-11:00pm *choose a session
- Parking: No matter your destination, you can park at CityScape Phoenix for easy, secure, and affordable underground parking with immediate access to anything and everything in the heart of the city. Two parking garages can be accessed on Washington Street, Jefferson Street, or First Avenue. Rate is $4/hour.
- Cost: $15/person; $10 for military, seniors, and children (ages 8 and under)
- MORE INFO
Skate with family and friends in downtown Phoenix!
ZooLights: Glow Wild at Phoenix Zoo
- Location: Phoenix Zoo, 455 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, Arizona 85008
- Dates: November 27, 2019 through January 19, 2020
- Hours: 5:30pm-10:30pm
- Parking: Free parking is available at the Phoenix Zoo in the main Papago Park parking lot off of Galvin Parkway. If the main lot is full, additional free parking is available at Sun Devil Municipal Stadium, located at the southwest corner of Van Buren and Priest.
- Cost: $12.95-$19.95+/person
- MORE INFO
Millions of Sparkling Lights | Hundreds of Dazzling Displays | Live Reindeer Polar Slide™ | Festive Foods
Plus, see animals in a whole new light with the amazing Wildlife Lantern Safari, featuring more than 60 creatures — all aglow!
HOLIDAY EVENTS IN QUEEN CREEK, ARIZONA
Queen Creek, which is just southeast of Chandler and Gilbert, is a smaller community with a population of under 40,000.
Queen Creek Holiday Festival & Parade
- Location: Festival activities will take place around the Queen Creek Library at 21802 S. Ellsworth Road.
- Date: December 7, 2019
- Hours: 12:00pm-8:00pm
- Cost: Free admission.
Now in its 37th year, this annual holiday festival features carnival rides, live entertainment, food and beverage stations, commercial vendors, free photos with Santa, a tree lighting ceremony, and a community parade.
HOLIDAY EVENTS IN SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA
Scottsdale is know for its pristine streets, lush landscaping, and luxurious resorts. Unsurprisingly, Scottsdale’s holiday events are among the best in the state.
Breakfast with Santa at Omni Scottsdale Resort at Montelucia
- Location: Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, 4949 E. Lincoln Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
- Dates: December 14, 2019 and December 21, 2019
- Hours: 8:00am-11:30am
- Cost: $55 Per Adult | $40 Per Child: 6 – 12 | 5 & Under Are Free
- MORE INFO
Bring your family to savor delicious fruits, breads, and breakfast favorites. Don’t miss this opportunity to take photos with Santa and participate in kids activities.
Christmas at the Princess
- Location: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E Princess Dr, Scottsdale, Arizona, United States, 85255
- Dates: November 26, 2019 through December 31, 2019
- Average Nightly Rate: $399 during the month of Dec.
- MORE INFO
Every winter, the resort transforms into an enchanting holiday wonderland with festive decorations and over four million sparkling LED lights. Go ice skating, watch colorful light shows in the Enchanted Plaza, roast marshmallows, slide down a four-lane Polar Glide Ice Slide, take a glittering whirl on the Christmas Carousel and Frosty’s Ferris Wheel, hitch a ride on the Princess Express Train, get your picture taken with Santa Claus, and meet other adorable holiday characters.
Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
- Location: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85250
- Dates: November 29, 2019 through January 5, 2020
- Hours: 6:30pm-9:00pm
- Closed: December 24th, 25th and 31st
- Cost: Holiday Lights Train Ride $5 | Charros Carousel Ride $3 | Holiday Lights Train Ride Fast Pass $15 (limited availability)
- MORE INFO
The event’s centerpiece is a train ride on the Paradise & Pacific Railroad through a winter wonderland of lights and displays. While you are at the park, take a ride on the historic Charros Carousel and visit the park’s one-of-a-kind Model Railroad Building. Santa will also be at the park on select dates.
Scottsdazzle in Downtown Scottsdale
- Location: Old Town Scottsdale
- Dates: November 30, 2019 through January 1, 2020
- Hours: See website for complete calendar.
- Parking: There is free public parking in the public parking garage located South of Camelback Road next to Nordstrom.
- Cost: The Gold Palette ArtWalk, Sugar Plum Avenue, Canal Concerts and Tree Lighting Ceremony are all free! The Wine Around and Sweet Treat Trail are the only two Scottsdazzle events that are fee-based.
- MORE INFO
This month-long celebration delights residents and visitors alike with festivals, concerts, unique events, stunning decor, dining, and shopping.
Scottsdazzle begins on Saturday, November 30 with the official Sing-Along and Tree Lighting Ceremony from 7:00pm – 9:00pm at the Scottsdale Waterfront’s Soleri Bridge. This magical start to the season lights up the Scottsdale night with more than 1 million customizable colors on the specially designed tree and guests can warm their vocal chords with hot chocolate and holiday goodies.
On December 7, 5th Avenue will magically transform into Sugar Plum Avenue — a fairytale village including sugar plum fairies, princesses, snow flake stilt walkers, aerial performances, candy land bounce houses, and a tea party in the street.
On December 15, walk the Sweet Treat Trail from 11:00am-3:00pm, an immersive dessert tasting experience that takes place at local sweet shops around Old Town. A unique Scottsdazzle-themed treat will be offered at each location for either $2 or $5. Registration required.
HOLIDAY EVENTS IN TEMPE, ARIZONA
Home to Arizona State University, Tempe is a hip and walkable town adjacent to Phoenix. Tempe Town Lake is a centerpiece within the community so it’s no surprise that this is the venue for a number of holiday events.
Fantasy of Lights Opening Night Parade in Downtown Tempe
- Location: The event will start with live entertainment at Centerpoint Plaza at 4pm. Then at 6pm, the parade will step off near Mill Avenue at 3rd Street, the U-shaped parade route travels south to 7th Street, west on 7th through Centerpoint Plaza and north on Maple back to 5th Street.
- Date: November 29, 2019
- Hours: 6:00pm-7:00pm
- Parking: Free parking is only available on Sundays at meters and the City Hall Garage. For parking options on other days, click here.
- Cost: Free admission.
- MORE INFO
Kick off your holiday season right and join Downtown Tempe for the 25th Annual Fantasy of Lights Opening Night Parade.
Enjoy live entertainment, get a head start on your holiday shopping by sifting through hundreds of handcrafted goods at the Holiday Market, and be dazzled as the streets of Downtown Tempe light up with festive décor. The event will start with live entertainment at Centerpoint Plaza at 4pm and then the parade will step-off at Mill Avenue and 3rd Street at 6pm.
Stick around after the parade for the Tree Lighting Ceremony and take a selfie with Santa Claus.
Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade at Tempe Town Lake
- Location: Live entertainment will begin at 4pm and the parade will kick off promptly at 7 pm. Starting at Tempe Town Lake Marina, the U-shaped parade route travels west and turns right at the light rail bridge, where they begin to make their way back east on Tempe Town Lake along the north shore.
- Date: December 14, 2019
- Hours: 7:00pm-8:00pm
- Parking: Free parking is only available on Sundays at meters and the City Hall Garage. For parking options on other days, click here.
- Cost: Free admission.
- MORE INFO
Everyone loves a parade, right? A parade that floats…even better! Each year, Tempe invites the community to take part in holiday cheer by gathering on the shores of Tempe Town Lake to watch a procession of festively decorated boats of all shapes and sizes.
Light up the night and be dazzled by the Valley’s most unique holiday event. While you are there, grab a bite from the on-site food vendors, get your holiday shopping done at the Holiday Market, take a selfie with Santa Claus, or enjoy beer/wine while watching live entertainment.
Which holiday events are you looking forward to in Phoenix?