Celebrate the joy of the holidays in El Mirage with our event guide. Whether you're an El Mirage expert or a novice, this guide helps you navigate the city's seasonal offerings.
Popular events this season include the enchanting experience at Enchant at Salt River Fields, where stunning light displays create a magical atmosphere. The Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display features breathtaking displays that depict the nativity scene in vivid detail. And the Glendale Glitters is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing beautiful twinkling lights throughout downtown. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around El Mirage
- Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display (Mesa)
- Enchant at Salt River Fields (Tempe)
- Zoolights (Phoenix)
- Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide (Chandler)
- Glendale Glitters (Glendale)
- Las Noches de las Luminarias (Phoenix)
- Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting (Tempe)
- Winterfest & Parade
- Holiday Lights - McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (Scottsdale)
- Holiday Bricktacular (Tempe)
See these and even more events listed below!
El Mirage Holiday Light Displays
Glendale Glitters
What to Expect:
Large-scale holiday light display with local vendors and performances.
Description:
Glendale Glitters is a spectacular holiday light display in downtown Glendale, featuring over 1.7 million lights illuminating 16 blocks. The event includes local vendors, musical performances, and various festive activities.
Where: Glendale | More Info: Glendale Glitters
Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide
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, nightly parade, stunt shows, holiday shopping, and live entertainment. The event includes a life-sized gingerbread house with synchronized lights, special effects, and pyrotechnics. It also offers holiday shopping with fine gifts, treats, and sweets. The event invites all generations to dream big by viewing past-year artifacts and memorable moments. The Very Merry Christmas Parade features dazzling floats and beloved Christmas characters, while a western cowboy Christmas show by the Arizona Roughriders tells a story of saving Christmas in the wild west.
Where: Chandler | More Info: Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide
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 feature thousands of twinkling lights and various Biblical vignettes, including a large outdoor crèche and over 100 international nativities. This beloved holiday tradition has been a favorite in the Valley for more than four decades, drawing millions of visitors each year.
Where: Mesa | More Info: Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display
Zoolights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
The Phoenix ZooLights transforms the zoo into a dazzling spectacle with millions of twinkling lights, vibrant visuals, and mesmerizing music. Enjoy a stroll through illuminated pathways alongside animal habitats, warm treats by the fire, and interactive light displays.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Zoolights
Las Noches de las Luminarias
What to Expect:
Stunning geometric light installations merge nature and light.
Description:
Las Noches de las Luminarias features 8,000 flickering luminarias and twinkling lights along the Desert Botanical Garden's trails, accompanied by live music and festive food and drinks.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Las Noches de las Luminarias
Riparian After Dark
What to Expect:
Holiday light displays in a nature preserve setting.
Description:
The Riparian Preserve transforms into a vibrant holiday spectacle with thousands of lights and displays along 1.5 miles of trails and walkways. Local food and drink vendors offer delicious treats, and the event supports Maricopa County animal rescues by collecting dog food and supplies.
Where: Gilbert | More Info: Riparian After Dark
Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Annual holiday celebration with a festive street parade and tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
The Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting is a holiday tradition featuring a street parade, tree lighting ceremony, live entertainment, and Santa photos.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting
Holiday Lights - McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
What to Expect:
Dazzling holiday lights and train rides.
Description:
Transform into a vibrant holiday spectacle at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, featuring dazzling lights, train rides, and carousel attractions. Enjoy a variety of food and drink options while exploring the Model Railroad Building.
Where: Scottsdale | More Info: Holiday Lights - McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Lights at the Farm - Vertuccio Christmas Farm
What to Expect:
Synchronized holiday light display with interactive activities.
Description:
Stroll through Vertuccio Farms and enjoy a spectacular holiday light show featuring over 2 million synchronized LED lights. Take part in festive activities like ice skating, visiting the petting zoo, and writing letters to Santa. The event also includes a Mistletoe Marketplace with over 40 unique boutique vendors.
Where: Mesa | More Info: Lights at the Farm - Vertuccio Christmas Farm
Annual Holiday Water Tower Lighting and Concert
What to Expect:
Horse-drawn carriage rides and festive family activities.
Description:
The Annual Holiday Water Tower Lighting in Gilbert, Arizona, features horse-drawn carriage rides, family-oriented activities, holiday-themed vendor booths, and a variety of food trucks. Enjoy local eats, write letters to Santa, and participate in festive games like Penguin Whack-Mole and ring toss. The event also includes a fun family photo opportunity and live music.
Where: Gilbert | More Info: Annual Holiday Water Tower Lighting and Concert
El Mirage Holiday Markets and Shopping
Mesa Christmas Market 2024
What to Expect:
Local vendors selling hand-crafted gifts and traditional food items.
Description:
The Mesa Christmas Market 2024 is an outdoor event inspired by timeless European markets, offering hand-crafted gifts and traditional food items. Located across from the Mesa Temple and next to Pioneer Park, it features live entertainment by local artists and a ride on the Mesa Santa Express. This centrally located event is perfect for starting your Christmas celebrations.
Where: Mesa | More Info: Mesa Christmas Market 2024
Kingman Jingle and Mingle Holiday Bazaar
What to Expect:
Unique blend of holiday shopping and family activities.
Description:
The Kingman Jingle and Mingle Holiday Bazaar is a two-day event featuring vendor shopping, Christmas decor, last-minute holiday gifts, kids' corner, and Santa. It will take place at the Mohave County Fairgrounds on December 7-8, 2024, from 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
Where: Kingman | More Info: Kingman Jingle and Mingle Holiday Bazaar
Elfrida Holiday Community Market
What to Expect:
Community-driven market with local produce and handmade goods.
Description:
The Elfrida Holiday Community Market is a vibrant gathering where local vendors offer fresh produce, handmade items, eggs, local meats, and honey. It's a family-friendly event supporting the Elfrida Public School PTO and its programs.
Where: Elfrida | More Info: Elfrida Holiday Community Market
El Mirage Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Blazin’ M Ranch Holiday Hoedown
What to Expect:
Celebrity impersonations and immersive frontier experience.
Description:
The Blazin' M Ranch Holiday Hoedown in Cottonwood, Arizona, features impersonations of celebrities like Elvis, Reba, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Guests enjoy an all-you-can-eat BBQ dinner and live show, with activities including a wood-carvings museum, shooting gallery, axe throwing, mechanical bull, wagon ride, and unique Western shops.
Where: Cottonwood | More Info: Blazin’ M Ranch Holiday Hoedown
El Mirage Other Holiday Activities
Winterfest & Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with diverse activities.
Description:
Winterfest & Parade in El Mirage, AZ, features a light parade, live music by Rockin' Wonderland, photos with Santa, ornament bowling, bounce houses, food trucks, and community vendors.
Where: El Mirage | More Info: Winterfest & Parade
Enchant at Salt River Fields
What to Expect:
Family-friendly trick-or-treating and live performances.
Description:
Salt River Fields hosts a variety of events, including the Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival, which features trick-or-treating, live performances, and family-friendly activities in a festive atmosphere.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Enchant at Salt River Fields
Holiday Bricktacular
What to Expect:
Interactive LEGO activities and holiday-themed decor.
Description:
Join Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona for a holiday celebration featuring ornament building, MINILAND winter wonderland, sleigh building, and more.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Holiday Bricktacular
Glistening Gardens - Butterfly Wonderland
What to Expect:
Interactive bug zoo learning stations and live reptile exhibits.
Description:
Explore the vibrant world of butterflies and rainforest animals at Glistening Gardens - Butterfly Wonderland. Learn about butterfly gardens, participate in interactive bug zoo learning stations, and enjoy various special events like the Fall Plant Sale and Bug Fest.
Where: Scottsdale | More Info: Glistening Gardens - Butterfly Wonderland
Christmas in the Park - Litchfield Park Special Events
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with a parade and various activities.
Description:
Christmas in the Park is a family-focused event featuring a hometown parade, arts and crafts vendors, local stage acts, children's activities, and holiday market vendors selling gift-giving items and affordable art. The event includes free entertainment and holiday-themed activities like inflatables, crafts, and a petting zoo.
Where: Litchfield Park | More Info: Christmas in the Park - Litchfield Park Special Events
Phoenix Festival of the Arts
What to Expect:
Community-driven celebration of local art, music, and cuisine.
Description:
The Phoenix Festival of the Arts is a vibrant community event featuring over 150 art vendors, local music, and food trucks. It showcases local talent with live performances, art demonstrations, and interactive activities for all ages.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Phoenix Festival of the Arts
Nightly Snowfall - Tempe Marketplace
What to Expect:
Nightly snowfall in a desert setting.
Description:
Tempe Marketplace transforms into a winter wonderland with nightly snowfall, starting December 13th. Watch as the glistening snow falls each night at 7 and 8 p.m., creating a serene and festive atmosphere perfect for holiday shopping.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Nightly Snowfall - Tempe Marketplace
Holiday Program & Light Parade - Apache Junction Parks & Recreation
What to Expect:
Family-friendly activities and a festive tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
The Holiday Program & Light Parade in Apache Junction features Santa, vendor booths, arts and crafts, games, music, inflatables, food, and a Tree Lighting ceremony at the Focal Point, culminating in the Annual Holiday Light Parade.
Where: Apache Junction | More Info: Holiday Program & Light Parade - Apache Junction Parks & Recreation
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Surprise (1 miles)
- Sun City (3 miles)
- Sun City West (4 miles)
- Peoria (5 miles)
- Glendale (9 miles)
- Maryvale (11 miles)
- Deer Valley (12 miles)
- Avondale (12 miles)
- Goodyear (12 miles)
- Alhambra (14 miles)
- Encanto (17 miles)
- Phoenix (18 miles)
- Central City (19 miles)
- Anthem (20 miles)
- Buckeye (22 miles)
- Scottsdale (26 miles)
- Tempe Junction (26 miles)
- Ahwatukee Foothills (27 miles)
- Tempe (28 miles)
- Mesa (32 miles)
- Fountain Hills (35 miles)
- Chandler (35 miles)
- Gilbert (36 miles)
- Maricopa (42 miles)