Embrace the festive spirit of Tempe Junction with our ultimate holiday guide. Whether you're a longtime resident or a curious visitor, our guide showcases the holiday highlights of Tempe Junction.
Popular events this season include the World of Illumination Rockin' Christmas & Enchanted Safari, where dazzling light displays create a mesmerizing experience for families and friends alike. The Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display offers a tranquil atmosphere and beautiful representations of the nativity story. And the World of Illumination Cosmic Sleighride is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring an immersive drive-through light show. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Tempe Junction
- Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display (Mesa)
- World of Illumination Cosmic Sleighride (Tempe)
- World of Illumination Rockin' Christmas & Enchanted Safari (Glendale)
- Enchant at Salt River Fields (Scottsdale)
- Glendale Glitters (Glendale)
- Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade at Tempe Town Lake (Tempe)
- Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting (Tempe)
- Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide (Chandler)
- Holiday Tree Lighting and First Snowfall (Tempe)
- Las Noches de las Luminarias (Phoenix)
See these and even more events listed below!
Tempe Junction Holiday Light Displays
World of Illumination Rockin' Christmas & Enchanted Safari
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with life-sized musical notes and retro Santa.
Description:
World of Illumination's Rockin' Christmas & Enchanted Safari features a mile-long symphony of sight and sound with millions of colorful lights and hundreds of animated displays. Hosted by MC Mic, the event includes life-sized musical notes and retro Santa, creating a mesmerizing audio-visual experience.
Where: Glendale | More Info: World of Illumination Rockin' Christmas & Enchanted Safari
World of Illumination Cosmic Sleighride
What to Expect:
Jungle-themed drive-through light show with exotic animals and synchronized music.
Description:
World of Illumination Cosmic Sleighride is a one-mile drive-through light show featuring millions of colorful lights and synchronized holiday music, set in a jungle-themed adventure with exotic animals and festive tunes.
Where: Tempe | More Info: World of Illumination Cosmic Sleighride
Glendale Glitters
What to Expect:
Large-scale holiday light display with live performances.
Description:
Glendale Glitters is a spectacular holiday light display illuminating 16 blocks in downtown Glendale, featuring over 1.7 million lights, live performances, and various festive events.
Where: Glendale | More Info: Glendale Glitters
Enchant at Salt River Fields
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light maze with a story-driven adventure.
Description:
Enchant Christmas at Salt River Fields features a world's largest Christmas light maze, unique ice skating experiences, and a charming holiday marketplace with local artisans and vendors offering handmade crafts and seasonal treats.
Where: Scottsdale | More Info: Enchant at Salt River Fields
Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide
What to Expect:
Life-sized gingerbread house with synchronized lights and special effects.
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.
Where: Chandler | More Info: Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide
Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display
What to Expect:
Largest Christmas lighting display in the Southwest with over 1 million visitors annually.
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 scenes of Mary and Joseph, prophet Isaiah, and the three wise men. This event, which has been a favorite holiday tradition for over four decades, showcases more than 100 nativities from around the world inside the Mesa Temple Visitors Center.
Where: Mesa | More Info: Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display
Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Family-friendly 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.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting
Holiday Lights - McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
What to Expect:
Holiday lights and train rides in a historic railroad setting.
Description:
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with dazzling lights and captivating displays. Visitors can enjoy a ride on the Paradise & Pacific Railroad, explore the Model Railroad Building, and indulge in various food and drink options available at Hartley’s General Store.
Where: Scottsdale | More Info: Holiday Lights - McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
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, accompanied by musical performances and festive food and drinks. This year, the event includes the stunning LIGHT BLOOM by HYBYCOZO, merging nature and light in geometric displays.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Las Noches de las Luminarias
Holiday Tree Lighting and First Snowfall
What to Expect:
Live music and snowfall at a festive holiday tree lighting.
Description:
Tempe Marketplace's Holiday Tree Lighting features a new 50-foot Christmas tree, live music performances, including "Scrooge The Musical," an LED Drum Line, free hot chocolate, and festive cocktails from a mobile bar. The event also includes professional Santa photos and the first snowfall of the season.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting and First Snowfall
Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade at Tempe Town Lake
What to Expect:
Dazzling boat parade with holiday lights and fireworks.
Description:
The Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade at Tempe Town Lake features a dazzling boat parade with boats of all shapes and sizes, holiday shopping, festive eats and treats, and a spectacular fireworks show. This event is free and family-friendly, making it a cherished holiday tradition.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade at Tempe Town Lake
Tempe Junction Holiday Markets and Shopping
Second Sundays on Mill
What to Expect:
Local artisans and makers selling handmade goods.
Description:
Second Sundays on Mill is an outdoor market featuring homemade goods, live music, and entertainment along Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe. The event showcases Arizona local artisans, crafters, and makers, offering a variety of unique gifts and culinary delights. It is free admission, family-friendly, and dog-friendly.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Second Sundays on Mill
Tempe Junction Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Blazin’ M Ranch Holiday Hoedown
What to Expect:
Impersonations of celebrities and immersive frontier activities.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season with impersonations of celebrities, a delicious all-you-can-eat BBQ dinner, and immersive frontier activities like axe throwing and mechanical bull riding.
Where: Cottonwood | More Info: Blazin’ M Ranch Holiday Hoedown
Tempe Junction Other Holiday Activities
Glistening Gardens - Butterfly Wonderland
What to Expect:
Interactive butterfly and rainforest animal exhibits with educational activities.
Description:
Explore the beauty of butterflies and rainforest animals at Glistening Gardens, where you can learn about butterfly gardens, attend painting classes, and enjoy various interactive events.
Where: Scottsdale | More Info: Glistening Gardens - Butterfly Wonderland
Holiday Bricktacular
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with LEGO builds and festive events.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona with activities like building ornaments, experiencing snow in MINILAND, and meeting LEGO Santa. Enjoy holiday-themed builds, parades, and photo opportunities.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Holiday Bricktacular
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Tempe (2 miles)
- Ahwatukee Foothills (6 miles)
- Central City (7 miles)
- Mesa (7 miles)
- Scottsdale (7 miles)
- Phoenix (8 miles)
- Encanto (9 miles)
- Chandler (10 miles)
- Gilbert (10 miles)
- Alhambra (12 miles)
- Maryvale (15 miles)
- Glendale (16 miles)
- Fountain Hills (19 miles)
- Peoria (20 miles)
- Queen Creek (21 miles)
- Deer Valley (22 miles)
- Apache Junction (23 miles)
- Sun City (23 miles)
- Avondale (23 miles)
- Goodyear (24 miles)
- Maricopa (25 miles)
- El Mirage (26 miles)
- Surprise (27 miles)
- San Tan Valley (29 miles)
- Sun City West (29 miles)
- Anthem (33 miles)
- Buckeye (37 miles)
- Florence (42 miles)