Metro Phoenix holiday event calendar: Light shows, tree lightings, parades, festivals and more

PHOENIX — If you’re looking for a list of festive light shows, tree lighting ceremonies, parades and other holiday festivals in the Valley, you’re in the right place.

It’s metro Phoenix’s holiday event season, with many family-friendly celebrations scheduled through the end of the year — and even into early January in some cases.

Here’s a rundown of ongoing and upcoming events for the 2025 holiday season, with links that have everything you need to know:

Metro Phoenix holiday events that began in November 2025

• Nov. 7-Jan. 12: Skate Westgate, Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale
• Nov. 14-Jan. 4: World of Illumination Rockin’ Christmas, Tempe Diablo Stadium
• Nov. 14-Jan. 4: World of Illumination Cosmic Sleighride, Desert Diamond Casino in Glendale
• Nov. 21-Dec. 28: Christmas on the Farm, DH Farms in Phoenix
• Nov. 21-Dec. 28: Desert Farm Lights, 14629 W. Peoria Ave. in Surprise (Read more)
• Nov. 25: Westgate Tree Lighting, Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale
• Nov. 26-Jan. 16: ZooLights, Phoenix Zoo (Read more)
• Nov. 28-Dec. 28 (select nights): Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide, Rawhide Western Town in Chandler
• Nov. 28-Dec. 30: Mesa Temple Christmas Lights, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple in Mesa (Read more)
• Nov. 28-Jan. 1: Glendale Glitters, downtown Glendale (Read more)
• Nov. 28-Jan. 10: Merry Main Street, downtown Mesa
• Nov. 29: Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting, downtown Tempe
• Nov. 29-Dec. 30: Holiday Magic Featuring Sugarland, Dr. A.J. Chandler Park West in Chandler

Metro Phoenix holiday events that occur or begin in December 2025

• Dec. 5: Winter in the Park, Anthem Community Park
• Dec. 5-28: Sparkling Surprise, Surprise Community Park
• Dec. 6: APS Electric Light Parade, from Central and Montebello avenues to Seventh Street and Indian School Road in Phoenix (Read more)
• Dec. 6: Tumbleweed Tree Lighting & Parade of Lights, downtown Chandler (Read more)
• Dec. 6: Winterfest & Parade, Bill Gentry Park in El Mirage
• Dec. 6: Avondale WinterFest, Avondale Civic Center
• Dec. 6: Carefree Lights Up, Carefree Desert Gardens & Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion
• Dec. 7-Jan. 1: Avondazzle Holiday Light Display, Avondale Civic Center
• Dec. 12-14: Phoenix Ballet’s The Nutcracker, Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix
• Dec. 12: Phoestivus Holiday Market, Arizona Center in Phoenix (Read more)
• Dec. 13: Road to Riches Santa at City Hall Car Show and Holiday Market, City Hall Parking Garage in Chandler
• Dec. 13: Hometown Christmas Parade, downtown Glendale
• Dec. 13: Peoria Holiday Festival, 83rd Avenue between Washington and Monroe streets in downtown Peoria
• Dec. 13: Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade, Tempe Beach Park
• Dec. 13: Litchfield Park Christmas in the Park holiday market and parade, Litchfield Square Park
• Dec. 14: Santa Hustle Arizona 5k & 10K, Half Marathon & Kids Dash, Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale
• Dec. 16: Menorah Lighting Ceremony, Ragsdale-MLK Park in Tempe
• Dec. 18–28: ‘Twas the Night Before … by Cirque du Soleil, Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix
• Dec. 20: Merry Mullett Skating Spectacular, Mullett Arena in Tempe

Click here for our full Valley events calendar and here for a list of the area’s biggest concerts.

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