Eager for the holiday season in Gilbert? Check out our guide for all the festive activities! Whether you're a Gilbert regular or a one-time guest, this guide maximizes your holiday enjoyment.
Popular events this season include Glendale Glitters, a delightful spectacle of twinkling lights that transforms the city into a winter wonderland. You can also experience the Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide, where unique entertainment and a touch of the Wild West bring holiday cheer. And the Enchant at Salt River Fields is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring an enchanting light maze and festive shopping. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Gilbert
- Glendale Glitters (Glendale)
- Zoolights (Phoenix)
- Enchant at Salt River Fields (Scottsdale)
- Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide (Chandler)
- Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display (Mesa)
- World of Illumination - Reindeer Road (Glendale)
- Las Noches de las Luminarias (Phoenix)
- A Christmas Carol
- Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting (Tempe)
- Photos with Santa
See these and even more events listed below!
Gilbert Holiday Light Displays
Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide
What to Expect:
Dazzling light show and themed train ride.
Description:
Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide features over 7 million lights, a life-sized gingerbread house with synchronized lights and pyrotechnics, a magical train ride through themed lands, a nightly parade, and western cowboy Christmas shows.
Where: Chandler | More Info: Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide
Glendale Glitters
What to Expect:
Vibrant holiday light display with community engagement.
Description:
Glendale Glitters is a festive holiday event featuring twinkling lights, numerous selfie spots, and opportunities to give back to the community.
Where: Glendale | More Info: Glendale Glitters
World of Illumination - Reindeer Road
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with life-sized musical notes and retro Santa.
Description:
World of Illumination - Reindeer Road is a drive-through light show featuring over 1 million lights synchronized to festive tunes, with a journey through mountainous terrain, glacial peaks, and northern ice caves leading to Santa's Workshop.
Where: Glendale | More Info: World of Illumination - Reindeer Road
Enchant at Salt River Fields
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light maze with interactive storytelling.
Description:
Enchant Christmas at T-Mobile Park in Seattle features a world's largest Christmas light maze, ice skating trail, Santa visits, and a charming holiday marketplace with live entertainment and seasonal food.
Where: Scottsdale | More Info: Enchant at Salt River Fields
Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display
What to Expect:
Unique display of over 100 international nativities alongside a large outdoor nativity scene.
Description:
The Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display features thousands of twinkling lights and various Biblical vignettes, including a large outdoor nativity scene, shepherds' field, Mary and Joseph figurines, and prophet Isaiah. Over 100 international nativities are also showcased inside the Mesa Temple Visitors Center.
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 Zoo transforms into a dazzling spectacle with millions of twinkling lights, featuring a brand-new light show, vibrant visuals, and mesmerizing music. Enjoy a stroll through illuminated pathways alongside animal habitats and trails, warm treats, and festive atmosphere.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Zoolights
Las Noches de las Luminarias
What to Expect:
Geometric light displays merge with nature.
Description:
Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden features 8,000 flickering luminarias and twinkling holiday lights, accompanied by musical performances and festive food and drinks. This year, the event includes the stunning geometric displays of LIGHT BLOOM by HYBYCOZO, merging nature and light in a breathtaking spectacle.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Las Noches de las Luminarias
Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Annual street parade and tree lighting ceremony in Downtown Tempe.
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:
Holiday light display with train and carousel rides.
Description:
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park transforms into a vibrant holiday display with dazzling lights and captivating seasonal attractions. Step aboard the Paradise & Pacific Railroad for a memorable journey through the park's festive decorations. Enjoy train and carousel rides, explore the Model Railroad Building, and satisfy your cravings with food and drink options available at Hartley’s General Store.
Where: Scottsdale | More Info: Holiday Lights - McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
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 and Concert at Gilbert's Water Tower Plaza 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. This event offers a fun family photo opportunity and live music.
Where: Gilbert | More Info: Annual Holiday Water Tower Lighting and Concert
Gilbert Holiday Markets and Shopping
Merry Main Street
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities and local vendor market.
Description:
Merry Main Street is a festive holiday event featuring a Winter Wonderland Ice Rink, free visits with Santa, Mesa's 40-foot Christmas tree, Jack Frost's Food Truck Forest, and the Mesa Arts Center's holiday shows. The event also includes the Holiday Sunset Market with local vendors and live music.
Where: Mesa | More Info: Merry Main Street
Holiday Vendor Markets
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local vendors.
Description:
Shop local and support 50 small businesses at the Holiday Vendor Markets, featuring a variety of gifts and seasonal items.
Where: Chandler | More Info: Holiday Vendor Markets
Mesa Christmas Market 2024
What to Expect:
Hand-crafted gifts and traditional food items.
Description:
The Mesa Christmas Market 2024 is an outdoor event inspired by European markets, featuring live entertainment, local vendors, and holiday baked goods. Enjoy festive gifts and unique food items while celebrating the holiday season.
Where: Mesa | More Info: Mesa Christmas Market 2024
Gilbert Holiday Shows and Entertainment
A Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Traditional carols and stunning costumes bring Dickens' classic 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
Black Nativity
What to Expect:
Theatrical re-telling of the Nativity story with African-American cultural influences.
Description:
Black Nativity is a powerful holiday musical by Langston Hughes, featuring a joyous company of singers, actors, dancers, and musicians delivering a message of joy, hope, victory, and liberation through scripture, poetry, dance, and song from the African-American perspective.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Black Nativity
Nuncrackers
What to Expect:
Heartwarming holiday musical with nuns and Father Virgil.
Description:
Nuncrackers is a family-friendly holiday musical featuring nuns from the convent basement studio, filled with humor and heartwarming moments.
Where: Fountain Hills | More Info: Nuncrackers
Elf Jr
What to Expect:
Youth holiday musical with a talented cast.
Description:
Elf Jr is a heartwarming musical about Buddy, a human raised by elves, who embarks on a journey to find his father in New York City. This one-act show is rated G and features a talented youth cast.
Where: Fountain Hills | More Info: Elf Jr
Gilbert Other Holiday Activities
Photos with Santa
What to Expect:
Personalized Santa photos in a festive setting.
Description:
Meet Santa Claus one-on-one at Schnepf Farms, where you can take personalized photos with him while enjoying the festive atmosphere.
Where: Gilbert | More Info: Photos with Santa
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 festive entertainment for the whole family.
Where: Queen Creek | More Info: Christmas at Schnepf Farms
Holiday Bricktacular
What to Expect:
Interactive LEGO holiday activities for all ages.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona with Holiday Bricktacular, featuring ornament building, snow in MINILAND, the 12 Days of BRICKMAS Parade, and more.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Holiday Bricktacular
Winter Wonderland Ice Rink at Merry Main St
What to Expect:
Sensory-friendly ice skating sessions with trained staff.
Description:
The Winter Wonderland Ice Rink at Merry Main Street offers a 6,000 square-foot ice skating rink with real ice, located at the Plaza at Mesa City Center. It features regular weekly hours, special nights for sensory-friendly skating, and teen skate sessions. The event includes skate rental and is accessible with accommodations for those with disabilities.
Where: Mesa | More Info: Winter Wonderland Ice Rink at Merry Main St
Queen Creek Holiday Festival and Parade
What to Expect:
Family-friendly celebration with carnival rides, Santa visit, and local youth participation.
Description:
The Queen Creek Holiday Festival and Parade is a family-friendly event featuring carnival rides, craft and food vendors, children's activities, and a visit from Santa. The parade includes over 70 local youth-based groups and businesses, culminating in a ceremonial Christmas tree lighting.
Where: Queen Creek | More Info: Queen Creek Holiday Festival and Parade
Christmas in the Park
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-themed inflatables. The event includes a petting zoo and opportunities to take photos with Santa. Food vendors will be onsite, and holiday market vendors will sell gift-giving items and affordable art.
Where: Litchfield Park | More Info: Christmas in the Park
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Chandler (4 miles)
- Mesa (5 miles)
- Tempe (8 miles)
- Tempe Junction (10 miles)
- Ahwatukee Foothills (11 miles)
- Queen Creek (11 miles)
- Scottsdale (13 miles)
- Apache Junction (14 miles)
- Central City (17 miles)
- Phoenix (18 miles)
- Fountain Hills (18 miles)
- San Tan Valley (19 miles)
- Encanto (19 miles)
- Alhambra (22 miles)
- Maryvale (25 miles)
- Maricopa (25 miles)
- Glendale (26 miles)
- Peoria (30 miles)
- Deer Valley (30 miles)
- Florence (32 miles)
- Sun City (33 miles)
- Avondale (33 miles)
- Goodyear (33 miles)
- El Mirage (36 miles)
- Surprise (37 miles)
- Sun City West (38 miles)
- Anthem (41 miles)