Get pumped for holiday joy in Sun City! Our guide highlights all the exciting festive happenings. Whether you're deeply rooted in Sun City or just planting seeds, this guide illuminates the path to festive delights.
One of the most anticipated events each year is Glendale Glitters, where twinkling lights transform the streets into a dazzling wonderland. The event not only showcases stunning light displays but also features local vendors and entertainment. Another highlight is the World of Illumination presents Cosmic Sleighride, an immersive drive-through experience packed with vibrant holiday scenes and animated displays. And the World of Illumination presents Reindeer Road is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a magical journey through a whimsical holiday landscape. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Sun City
- Glendale Glitters (Glendale)
- Zoolights (Phoenix)
- World of Illumination presents Reindeer Road (Glendale)
- World of Illumination presents Cosmic Sleighride (Tempe)
- Enchant at Salt River Fields (Scottsdale)
- Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide (Chandler)
- Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display (Mesa)
- Lights at The Farm (Queen Creek)
- Blazin’ M Ranch Holiday Hoedown (Cottonwood)
- Holiday Bricktacular (Tempe)
See these and even more events listed below!
Sun City Holiday Light Displays
Glendale Glitters
What to Expect:
Large-scale holiday light display with community events.
Description:
Glendale Glitters is a spectacular holiday light display in downtown Glendale, featuring over 1.7 million lights illuminating 16 blocks. The event includes various performances, the Hometown Christmas Parade, Movies by Moonlight, and the 'Light the World' Giving Machines.
Where: Glendale | More Info: Glendale Glitters
World of Illumination presents Cosmic Sleighride
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with exotic animals.
Description:
World of Illumination presents Cosmic Sleighride is a one-mile drive-through light show featuring millions of colorful lights synchronized to festive music, including exotic animals and a jungle-themed adventure.
Where: Tempe | More Info: World of Illumination presents Cosmic Sleighride
World of Illumination presents Reindeer Road
What to Expect:
Spectacular drive-through light forest 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 lights and hundreds of animated displays, set in a winter-themed landscape with life-sized musical notes and retro Santa. The event includes a trek through mountainous terrain, glacial peaks, and northern ice caves, culminating in Santa’s Workshop, the world’s largest animated toy shop.
Where: Glendale | More Info: World of Illumination presents Reindeer Road
Zoolights
What to Expect:
Immersive light and sound show in a zoo setting
Description:
At ZooLights, millions of twinkling lights transform the Phoenix Zoo into a dazzling spectacle, guiding visitors through illuminated pathways alongside animal habitats and zoo trails. The event features a brand-new light show, an immersive 200-foot-long light tunnel, and exclusive performances. Warm and delicious treats are available at cozy s'mores pits and hot cocoa stations. Visitors can also enjoy a stroll through the zoo, get their photo taken with Santa, and explore various glowing experiences including a glowing dance floor and interactive glow swings.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Zoolights
Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with synchronized lights and themed attractions.
Description:
Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide features over 7 million lights, a dazzling light show, a magical train ride, nightly parades, stunt shows, holiday shopping, and live entertainment. The event includes a life-sized gingerbread house with synchronized lights and special effects, as well as a western cowboy Christmas show by the Arizona Roughriders. Guests can also browse through fine gifts and treats, take a train ride through themed lands, and celebrate with the Very Merry Christmas Parade.
Where: Chandler | More Info: Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide
Enchant at Salt River Fields
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light maze with story-driven elements.
Description:
Enchant Christmas at Salt River Fields features a world's largest Christmas light maze, unique ice skating experiences, and various festive attractions like Santa visits and seasonal food and drink. The event is based on original holiday stories, where guests discover hidden light sculptures while on a mission to save Christmas.
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 nativities from around the world.
Description:
The Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display features thousands of twinkling lights and over 100 nativities from around the world, telling the story of Christ's birth in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Where: Mesa | More Info: Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display
Lights at The Farm
What to Expect:
World's largest inflatable Christmas obstacle course.
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 movies, and festive shopping amidst giant light displays and holiday lights.
Where: Queen Creek | More Info: Lights at The Farm
Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday event with a street parade and tree lighting.
Description:
The Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting is a holiday tradition in Downtown Tempe, featuring a street parade, tree lighting ceremony, live entertainment, and Santa photos.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting
Las Noches de las Luminarias
What to Expect:
Geometric light installations illuminate the desert landscape.
Description:
Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden features over 8,000 flickering luminarias and twinkling lights, live musical performances, and festive food and drinks. This year, the event includes an even brighter spectacle with LIGHT BLOOM by HYBYCOZO, where nature and light unite in stunning geometric brilliance.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Las Noches de las Luminarias
Sun City Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Blazin’ M Ranch Holiday Hoedown
What to Expect:
Live celebrity impersonations and immersive frontier experience.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Blazin' M Ranch with impersonations of celebrities, a delicious all-you-can-eat BBQ dinner, and a variety of frontier activities like axe throwing, mechanical bull riding, and a wood-carvings museum.
Where: Cottonwood | More Info: Blazin’ M Ranch Holiday Hoedown
Photos with Santa - Chandler Fashion Center
What to Expect:
Personalized holiday photos with Santa Claus.
Description:
Capture special moments with Santa at Chandler Fashion Center, where you can take photos with the jolly old man in a festive setting.
Where: Chandler | More Info: Photos with Santa - Chandler Fashion Center
Annual Holiday Tree Lighting - Desert Ridge Marketplace
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with live entertainment and strolling characters.
Description:
The Annual Holiday Tree Lighting at Desert Ridge Marketplace features a festive tree lighting ceremony, live entertainment, strolling characters, and free Santa photos. Enjoy holiday performances, games, and giveaways throughout the event.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Annual Holiday Tree Lighting - Desert Ridge Marketplace
Sun City Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Bricktacular
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with LEGO-themed fun.
Description:
Join LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona for Holiday Bricktacular, featuring ornament building, MINILAND snow, the 12 Days of BRICKMAS Parade, sleigh building, and exclusive meet-and-greets with LEGO Santa.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Holiday Bricktacular
Christmas in the Park
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with a hometown parade and various activities.
Description:
Litchfield Park's annual Christmas in the Park event features a hometown parade, arts and crafts vendors, local stage acts, and children's activities. The event includes a holiday market with vendors selling gift-giving items and affordable art, as well as food vendors and free entertainment throughout the day. Family activities include stage acts, inflatables, crafts, and a petting zoo, with the opportunity to take photos with Santa.
Where: Litchfield Park | More Info: Christmas in the Park
Photos with Santa - San Tan Village
What to Expect:
Personalized holiday photos with Santa.
Description:
Capture memories with Santa at San Tan Village, where families can enjoy a special holiday moment together.
Where: Gilbert | More Info: Photos with Santa - San Tan Village
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Peoria (2 miles)
- El Mirage (3 miles)
- Surprise (4 miles)
- Sun City West (6 miles)
- Glendale (6 miles)
- Maryvale (9 miles)
- Deer Valley (10 miles)
- Alhambra (10 miles)
- Avondale (12 miles)
- Goodyear (12 miles)
- Encanto (14 miles)
- Phoenix (15 miles)
- Central City (16 miles)
- Anthem (20 miles)
- Scottsdale (22 miles)
- Tempe Junction (23 miles)
- Buckeye (24 miles)
- Ahwatukee Foothills (24 miles)
- Tempe (24 miles)
- Mesa (29 miles)
- Fountain Hills (32 miles)
- Chandler (32 miles)
- Gilbert (33 miles)
- Maricopa (39 miles)
- Apache Junction (43 miles)
- Queen Creek (44 miles)