Everything you need for the holidays in Central City is in our guide. Discover all the top festive events and activities. Whether you're a Central City regular or a one-time visitor, this guide ensures you don't miss a moment of magic.
One highlight of the season is the Pratt Brothers Christmas, where charming performances and holiday cheer come together to create a delightful experience for families. The Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display transforms the area into a captivating wonderland with stunning lights and diverse nativity scenes that celebrate the spirit of Christmas. And the Merry Main Street is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a vibrant atmosphere with local festivities and activities. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Central City
- Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display (Mesa)
- Pratt Brothers Christmas (Chandler)
- Enchant at Salt River Fields (Tempe)
- Merry Main Street (Mesa)
- Lights at the Farm (Mesa)
- Glendale Glitters (Glendale)
- Christmas at Schnepf Farms (Queen Creek)
- ZooLights (Phoenix)
- Cosmic Sleighride (Tempe)
- A Christmas Carol (Gilbert)
See these and even more events listed below!
Central City Holiday Light Displays
Avondale Holiday Light Display
What to Expect:
Dazzling light show on the City Christmas Tree.
Description:
The Avondazzle Holiday Light Display at the Avondale Civic Center Complex features dazzling lights, including a show on the City Christmas Tree, playing every 30 minutes. Bring a blanket, chair, and your own treats to enjoy this nightly show in front of City Hall.
Where: Avondale | More Info: Avondale Holiday Light Display
Pratt Brothers Christmas
What to Expect:
Life-sized gingerbread house with synchronized lights and pyrotechnics.
Description:
Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide features over 7 million lights, a dazzling light show, a magical train ride, a nightly parade, and live entertainment. The event includes holiday shopping, western cowboy Christmas shows, and a life-sized gingerbread house with synchronized lights and pyrotechnics. It invites all generations to experience holiday magic and fun.
Where: Chandler | More Info: Pratt Brothers Christmas
Glendale Glitters
What to Expect:
Dazzling light display in downtown Glendale.
Description:
Glendale Glitters is a vibrant holiday event featuring twinkling lights, selfie spots, and new ways to give back, transforming downtown Glendale into a dazzling spectacle.
Where: Glendale | More Info: Glendale Glitters
ZooLights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo features millions of twinkling lights, new animal lanterns, and light displays. The event includes a brand-new light show, an immersive 200-foot-long light tunnel, and exclusive performances. Visitors can enjoy warm treats by cozy s'mores pits, sip hot cocoa, and take photos with Santa in a festive atmosphere.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: ZooLights
Lights at the Farm
What to Expect:
Holiday light display on a farm with a hayride and activities.
Description:
Lights at the Farm features a festive display of Christmas lights and decorations on a farm, including a hayride through the illuminated grounds and holiday-themed activities like cookie decorating.
Where: Mesa | More Info: Lights at the Farm
Cosmic Sleighride
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with a cosmic theme.
Description:
Embark on a one-mile journey through millions of colorful lights and enchanting holiday music, featuring a mystical holiday invasion with host Shiny the Star.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Cosmic Sleighride
Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display
What to Expect:
Unique display of over 100 international nativities.
Description:
The Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display features thousands of twinkling lights and various Biblical vignettes, including a large outdoor crèche and more than 100 international nativities, all set against the backdrop of the Mesa Arizona Temple gardens.
Where: Mesa | More Info: Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display
Christmas at Schnepf Farms
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on a festive farm setting.
Description:
Christmas at Schnepf Farms offers a variety of activities including the World of Illumination Express, ice skating, Santa's reindeer hayride, and the world's largest inflatable obstacle course. Enjoy seasonal food, holiday shopping, and visits with Santa Claus in a festive atmosphere.
Where: Queen Creek | More Info: Christmas at Schnepf Farms
Outlets at Anthem Christmas Tree
What to Expect:
A prominently displayed holiday tree in a bustling shopping center.
Description:
The Outlets at Anthem Christmas Tree is a beautifully decorated tree that adds to the holiday ambiance of the shopping center, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for visitors.
Where: Anthem | More Info: Outlets at Anthem Christmas Tree
Central City Holiday Markets and Shopping
Downtown Mesa Holiday Sunset Market
What to Expect:
Local vendors selling handmade goods along Main Street.
Description:
Downtown Mesa Holiday Sunset Market features local vendors selling fresh grocery products, tasty hot food, and artisan goods. Enjoy live music and demonstrations every market.
Where: Mesa | More Info: Downtown Mesa Holiday Sunset Market
Central City Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Merry Main Street
What to Expect:
Ice skating under the stars with Santa visits.
Description:
Merry Main Street is a holiday event in Mesa featuring a Winter Wonderland Ice Rink, free visits with Santa, Mesa's official Christmas tree, Jack Frost's Food Truck Forest, and the Mesa Arts Center's holiday shows. The event also includes a Holiday Sunset Market with local vendors and the Mesa Temple Christmas Lights display.
Where: Mesa | More Info: Merry Main Street
Blazin’ M Ranch Holiday Hoedown
What to Expect:
Celebrity impersonations and Western-themed activities.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Blazin' M Ranch with impersonations of celebrities, a delicious all-you-can-eat BBQ dinner, and immersive frontier activities like axe throwing and mechanical bull riding.
Where: Cottonwood | More Info: Blazin’ M Ranch Holiday Hoedown
A Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Traditional carols and stunning costumes bring Dickens' classic tale to life.
Description:
A heart-warming production of Charles Dickens' classic tale, rich with traditional carols, stunning costumes, and memorable characters, celebrating its 21st year in Gilbert.
Where: Gilbert | More Info: A Christmas Carol
Photos with Santa at Chandler Fashion Center
What to Expect:
Interactive Santa photos with a new festive backdrop.
Description:
Capture the joy of the season with Photos with Santa at Chandler Fashion Center, featuring a new Santa set and a fun experience for families.
Where: Chandler | More Info: Photos with Santa at Chandler Fashion Center
Ballet Etudes “The Nutcracker”
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Ballet Etudes presents "The Nutcracker," a classic ballet featuring Clara's journey with life-size mice, swirling snowflakes, and the Sugar Plum Fairy, set to Tchaikovsky's original score. This production is a feast for the eyes and ears with colorful costumes, perfect for celebrating the holiday season with the entire family.
Where: Chandler | More Info: Ballet Etudes “The Nutcracker”
Central City Other Holiday Activities
Enchant at Salt River Fields
What to Expect:
Holiday light and activity celebration with a baseball twist.
Description:
Enchant at Salt River Fields is a spectacular event featuring elaborate light displays and festive activities amidst the scenic backdrop of the ballpark.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Enchant at Salt River Fields
Holiday Bricktacular
What to Expect:
Interactive LEGO holiday activities and decorations.
Description:
At Holiday Bricktacular, build ornaments in the Creative Workshop, experience snow in MINILAND, catch the 12 Days of BRICKMAS Parade, and meet LEGO Santa. Enjoy holiday-themed activities and decorations throughout the event.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Holiday Bricktacular
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Phoenix (1 miles)
- Encanto (3 miles)
- Alhambra (6 miles)
- Tempe Junction (7 miles)
- Ahwatukee Foothills (8 miles)
- Maryvale (8 miles)
- Tempe (9 miles)
- Glendale (10 miles)
- Scottsdale (10 miles)
- Mesa (14 miles)
- Peoria (14 miles)
- Chandler (16 miles)
- Sun City (16 miles)
- Gilbert (17 miles)
- Avondale (17 miles)
- Goodyear (17 miles)
- Deer Valley (17 miles)
- El Mirage (19 miles)
- Surprise (21 miles)
- Sun City West (22 miles)
- Fountain Hills (23 miles)
- Maricopa (26 miles)
- Queen Creek (28 miles)
- Apache Junction (29 miles)
- Anthem (30 miles)
- Buckeye (31 miles)
- San Tan Valley (35 miles)