Experience the must-see holiday highlights in Sun City West! Our guide showcases all the top festive events. Whether Sun City West is your permanent address or your temporary haven, this guide ensures a jolly holiday season.
Popular Events: One dazzling highlight is ZooLights, where the Phoenix Zoo transforms into a spectacular display of twinkling lights and festive scenes that enchant visitors of all ages. Another delightful feature is Glendale Glitters, boasting over a million lights along historic downtown streets, creating a magical atmosphere for all who stroll through. And the Enchant at Salt River Fields is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it features a stunning maze and festive installations that are perfect for family photo ops. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Sun City West
- ZooLights (Phoenix)
- Enchant at Salt River Fields (Tempe)
- Glendale Glitters (Glendale)
- Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display (Mesa)
- Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide (Chandler)
- World of Illumination Rockin' Christmas & Enchanted Safari (Tempe)
- Lights at The Farm (Queen Creek)
- Blazin’ M Ranch Holiday Hoedown (Cottonwood)
- Annual Holiday Tree Lighting - Desert Ridge Marketplace (Phoenix)
- Holiday Program & Light Parade - Apache Junction (Apache Junction)
See these and even more events listed below!
Sun City West Holiday Light Displays
ZooLights
What to Expect:
Immersive light and sound experience with animal-themed displays.
Description:
ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo features millions of twinkling lights, a 200-foot-long light tunnel, and over 50 animal lanterns. Enjoy live music, Santa photo ops, and festive treats like s'mores and hot cocoa.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: ZooLights
Glendale Glitters
What to Expect:
Dazzling holiday light display with live music and food vendors.
Description:
Glendale Glitters is a spectacular holiday event featuring a dazzling display of 1.7 million lights illuminating 16 blocks of downtown Glendale. The event includes musical performances, food vendors, 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 is a premier holiday event featuring over 7 million lights, a dazzling light show, a magical train ride, nightly parade, stunt shows, holiday shopping, and live entertainment.
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 features thousands of twinkling lights and various Biblical vignettes, including a large outdoor crèche and over 100 nativities from around the world. This free event has been a beloved holiday tradition 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
World of Illumination Rockin' Christmas & Enchanted Safari
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with unique themes.
Description:
World of Illumination presents Rockin' Christmas and Enchanted Safari, featuring millions of colorful lights and hundreds of animated displays. The events offer a unique audio-visual experience with festive music and themed displays, creating unforgettable memories for the whole family.
Where: Tempe | More Info: World of Illumination Rockin' Christmas & Enchanted Safari
Holiday Program & Light Parade - Apache Junction
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
Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Annual holiday event with a festive street parade and tree lighting.
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 in Downtown Tempe.
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 glowing luminaria-lit trails, twinkling holiday lights, 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
Merry Main Street
What to Expect:
Spectacular holiday lights and festive food options.
Description:
Merry Main Street in Mesa, Arizona, features a 40-foot Christmas tree, Winter Wonderland Ice Rink, visits with Santa, Jack Frost's Food Truck Forest, and the Mesa Temple Christmas Lights display.
Where: Mesa | More Info: Merry Main Street
Sun City West Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Blazin’ M Ranch Holiday Hoedown
What to Expect:
Celebrity impersonations and Western-themed activities.
Description:
The Blazin' M Ranch Holiday Hoedown in Cottonwood, Arizona, features impersonations of celebrities like Elvis and Reba, an all-you-can-eat BBQ dinner, and a live show. Guests can enjoy activities such as axe throwing, mechanical bull riding, and a wood-carvings museum in a climate-controlled dining barn.
Where: Cottonwood | More Info: Blazin’ M Ranch Holiday Hoedown
Annual Holiday Tree Lighting - Desert Ridge Marketplace
What to Expect:
Live entertainment and strolling holiday characters.
Description:
The Annual Holiday Tree Lighting at Desert Ridge Marketplace features a festive tree lighting ceremony, live entertainment, strolling holiday characters, and free Santa photos. Enjoy games, giveaways, and holiday performances, including a magic show by Mrs. Claus and an ugly sweater contest.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Annual Holiday Tree Lighting - Desert Ridge Marketplace
Sun City West Other Holiday Activities
Enchant at Salt River Fields
What to Expect:
Unique blend of sports, culture, and community events.
Description:
Salt River Fields hosts a variety of events, including the Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival, AZ Barrels, Bottles & Brews, and Holiday Snowfest, offering something for all interests and ages.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Enchant at Salt River Fields
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 shopping, and visits with Santa Claus amidst a winter wonderland setting.
Where: Queen Creek | More Info: Lights at The Farm
Holiday Bricktacular
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with LEGO builds and festive decorations.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona with Holiday Bricktacular. Build ornaments in the Creative Workshop, experience snow in MINILAND, catch the 12 Days of BRICKMAS Parade, and more.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Holiday Bricktacular
Glistening Gardens
What to Expect:
Interactive butterfly exhibits and educational sessions.
Description:
Explore the beauty of Arizona butterflies and rainforest creatures through interactive exhibits, educational sessions, and creative activities. Learn about butterfly gardens, observe live chrysalis emergence, and engage in painting classes.
Where: Scottsdale | More Info: Glistening Gardens
Christmas at the Castle
What to Expect:
Family-friendly barbeque and movie event with Irish, Aussie, and New Zealand specialties.
Description:
Join the Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library for a family day barbeque followed by a screening of the Christmas classic, Elf Enjoy outdoor games, vote for your favorite decorated Christmas trees, and shop for handmade crafts and gifts.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Christmas at the Castle
- Santa Letters
What to Expect:
Personalized Santa letters postmarked from the North Pole.
Description:
Parents and grandparents in Sun City West can fill out questionnaires at the R.H. Johnson Box Office to request personalized Santa letters for their children. These letters will be postmarked from the North Pole and are a special holiday gift for the community.
Where: Sun City West | More Info: - Santa Letters
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Surprise (2 miles)
- El Mirage (4 miles)
- Sun City (6 miles)
- Peoria (8 miles)
- Deer Valley (12 miles)
- Glendale (12 miles)
- Maryvale (15 miles)
- Avondale (16 miles)
- Goodyear (16 miles)
- Alhambra (16 miles)
- Anthem (18 miles)
- Encanto (20 miles)
- Phoenix (21 miles)
- Central City (22 miles)
- Buckeye (25 miles)
- Scottsdale (28 miles)
- Tempe Junction (29 miles)
- Tempe (30 miles)
- Ahwatukee Foothills (30 miles)
- Mesa (34 miles)
- Fountain Hills (36 miles)
- Chandler (38 miles)
- Gilbert (38 miles)