Enjoy the holidays in Phoenix with our ultimate guide to festive fun. Whether you're a Phoenix regular or a once-in-a-lifetime guest, this guide makes your holidays magical.
Popular Events: One shining star this season is ZooLights, where the zoo transforms into a dazzling display of lights and holiday cheer, perfect for a family outing. Another highlight is World of Illumination presents Cosmic Sleighride, featuring an animated drive-through light show that brings holiday classics to life with an entertaining twist. And the World of Illumination presents Reindeer Road is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a whimsical journey filled with festive scenes and enchanting characters. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Phoenix
- ZooLights
- World of Illumination presents Reindeer Road (Glendale)
- World of Illumination presents Cosmic Sleighride (Tempe)
- Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display (Mesa)
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Lost Christmas Eve Tour
- Las Noches de las Luminarias
- Lights at The Farm (Gilbert)
- Glendale Glitters (Glendale)
- Holiday Lights - McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (Scottsdale)
- DTPHX Winter Wanderland
See these and even more events listed below!
Phoenix Holiday Light Displays
ZooLights
What to Expect:
Immersive light displays and synchronized lake light shows.
Description:
ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo features millions of twinkling lights, immersive light tunnels, and synchronized lake light shows. Enjoy vibrant visuals, mesmerizing music, and festive treats like s'mores and hot cocoa. The event includes sensory-friendly nights and opportunities to see Santa, with over 50 animal lanterns and interactive glow experiences.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: ZooLights
World of Illumination presents Cosmic Sleighride
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with exotic animal themes.
Description:
World of Illumination presents Enchanted Safari is a drive-through holiday light show featuring millions of colorful lights and enchanting holiday music. The event takes you on a wild holiday adventure with Toukie Toucan as your host, trekking over land, sea, and air to hear the jingle of the jungle. Exotic animals like peacocks and piranhas greet you, and you soar among clouds with reindeer while outrunning a T-Rex. The journey ends at Santa's Bazaar, where all your new animal friends are decking the halls.
Where: Tempe | More Info: World of Illumination presents Cosmic Sleighride
World of Illumination presents Reindeer Road
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with life-sized musical notes and retro Santa.
Description:
World of Illumination presents Reindeer Road is a drive-through light show featuring millions of colorful LED lights and hundreds of animated displays synchronized to popular holiday music. Guests embark on a simulated journey through mountainous terrain, northern ice caves, and northern forests to Santa’s Workshop, the world’s largest animated toy shop. The event is hosted by Ranger Reno and includes life-sized musical notes and retro Santa.
Where: Glendale | More Info: World of Illumination presents Reindeer Road
Las Noches de las Luminarias
What to Expect:
Geometric light displays combining nature and light.
Description:
Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden features 8,000 flickering luminarias and twinkling lights along its trails, accompanied by musical performances and festive food and drinks. This year, the event includes the stunning LIGHT BLOOM by HYBYCOZO, merging nature and light into geometric displays.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Las Noches de las Luminarias
Holiday Lights - McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
What to Expect:
Staggered entrance times with limited capacity.
Description:
Join us at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park for a captivating holiday spectacle featuring dazzling lights and captivating displays. Step aboard the Paradise & Pacific Railroad for a journey through this seasonal spectacle. 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
APS Electric Light Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with festive floats and activities.
Description:
The APS Electric Light Parade is a community event featuring vibrant, creative floats and walking entries that celebrate the holiday season with a theme of "Let Every Holiday Shine."
Where: Phoenix | More Info: APS Electric Light Parade
Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display
What to Expect:
Large outdoor crèche and diverse 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 shepherds' field, on the north lawn of the Mesa Arizona Temple. 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
Lights at The Farm
What to Expect:
Immersive lighting experience with synchronized lights and holiday-themed areas.
Description:
Lights at The Farm is a spectacular walk-through synchronized Christmas light show at Vertuccio Farms, featuring over 2 million dazzling lights synchronized to Christmas classics. The event includes interactive displays, a holiday skating rink, giant ornaments, and festive treats.
Where: Gilbert | More Info: Lights at The Farm
Phoenix Holiday Markets and Shopping
Crafeteria
What to Expect:
Local artisan market with unique gifts and home goods.
Description:
The Crafeteria Market at Frances Boutique features a curated selection of local artisans and vendors offering unique gifts, home goods, and more. This event is a great opportunity to find one-of-a-kind items while supporting local talent.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Crafeteria
Phoenix Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Lost Christmas Eve Tour
What to Expect:
Dazzling spectacle with pyrotechnics and lasers.
Description:
Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents an all-new version of "The Lost Christmas Eve," the final chapter of their Christmas trilogy, featuring pyrotechnics, lasers, and an incredible storyline.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Lost Christmas Eve Tour
Holiday Pops - The Phoenix Symphony
What to Expect:
Diverse holiday carols and hymns from multiple traditions.
Description:
The Phoenix Symphony's Holiday Pops features a diverse array of carols and hymns from various traditions, led by guest conductor Lawrence Loh and the Phoenix Symphony Chorus.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Holiday Pops - The Phoenix Symphony
DTPHX Winter Wanderland
What to Expect:
Free holiday performances and interactive activities throughout the walkable Downtown core.
Description:
Downtown Phoenix transforms into a holiday storybook setting with free holiday performances, colorful lights and décor, and delicious food and drinks.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: DTPHX Winter Wanderland
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
What to Expect:
Projection magic and iconic stop-motion sensations.
Description:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical follows the journey of Rudolph, Hermey the Elf, and Yukon Cornelius as they encounter the Abominable Snowman and journey to the land of Misfit Toys. The show features projection magic, incredible costumes, and iconic stop-motion sensations that bring the North Pole to life with Santa Claus and his hilarious elves. It teaches us that what makes us different can also make us special.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
The Nutcracker - Ballet Etude
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Ballet Etudes presents The Nutcracker, a classic ballet featuring life-size mice, swirling snowflakes, and the Sugar Plum Fairy, set to Tchaikovsky's original score with colorful costumes.
Where: Chandler | More Info: The Nutcracker - Ballet Etude
A Christmas Carol - Hale Centre Theatre
What to Expect:
Rich with traditional carols and stunning costumes.
Description:
A heart-warming production of Charles Dickens' classic tale, featuring traditional carols, stunning costumes, and memorable characters.
Where: Gilbert | More Info: A Christmas Carol - Hale Centre Theatre
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Central City (1 miles)
- Encanto (2 miles)
- Alhambra (5 miles)
- Maryvale (7 miles)
- Tempe Junction (8 miles)
- Glendale (9 miles)
- Ahwatukee Foothills (9 miles)
- Tempe (10 miles)
- Scottsdale (11 miles)
- Peoria (13 miles)
- Mesa (15 miles)
- Sun City (15 miles)
- Avondale (16 miles)
- Goodyear (16 miles)
- Chandler (17 miles)
- Deer Valley (17 miles)
- Gilbert (18 miles)
- El Mirage (18 miles)
- Surprise (20 miles)
- Sun City West (21 miles)
- Fountain Hills (23 miles)
- Maricopa (27 miles)
- Queen Creek (29 miles)
- Anthem (29 miles)
- Buckeye (30 miles)
- Apache Junction (30 miles)
- San Tan Valley (36 miles)