Celebrate the festive season with these metro Phoenix holiday events

PHOENIX — Decking out a saguaro with Christmas lights may be a challenge, but in metro Phoenix, residents are experts at turning the desert into a holiday wonderland.

From dazzling light displays to unique events that bring festive cheer, the Phoenix metro area is bursting with seasonal spirit this year.

Whether you’re looking for ice skating rinks, holiday performances or spectacular light shows, there’s something for everyone in the Valley to celebrate Santa’s arrival.

Use this guide to find best holiday events in Phoenix 2024

Longtime favorites returning this year include Merry Main Street in Mesa, Zoo Lights at the Phoenix Zoo and multiple World of Illumination displays.

New to the scene in 2024 is the inaugural Tianyu Lights Festival in Glendale, as well as a playful holiday experience at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa, where you can enjoy a winter wonderland complete with an ice skating rink and a virtual ski experience.

Here’s a roundup of holiday activities in Phoenix and the surrounding suburbs to help you make the most of the season.

If you have a location you would like to add to the map, please email us at news923@ktar.com.

---

Phoenix

• ZooLights
  • Day: Nov. 27-Jan. 12
  • Time: 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
  • Venue: 455 N. Galvin Parkway

• APS Electric Light Parade
  • Day: Dec. 7
  • Time: 7 p.m.
  • Venue: Central and Montebello avenues to Seventh Street and Indian School Road

• Pioneer Winter Wonderland
  • Day: Nov. 1-Jan. 5
  • Time: 5 p.m.-11 p.m.
  • Venue: Pioneer Winter Wonderland (3901 W. Pioneer Road)

• Jingle at JW Desert Ridge
  • Day: Nov. 22-Jan. 5
  • Time: Activities start at 5 p.m. weekdays and 4 p.m. on weekends, but end times vary
  • Venue: 5350 E. Marriott Drive

• Las Noches de la Luminarias
  • Day: Nov. 29-30, Dec. 1, Dec. 6-7, Dec. 13-15, Dec. 18-23 and Dec. 26-30
  • Time: 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
  • Venue: Desert Botanical Garden (1201 N. Galvin Parkway)

Apache Junction

• Holiday Program and Light Parade
  • Day: Dec. 7
  • Time: 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Parade starts at 7 p.m.)
  • Venue: Flatiron Community Park (100 N. Apache Trail)

Avondale

• WinterFest and Avondazzle Light Display
  • Day: Dec. 7
  • Time: 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
  • Venue: Avondale Civic Center (11465 W. Civic Center Drive)

Buckeye

• Cotton Fest Holiday Market
  • Day: Dec. 7
  • Time: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • Venue: 6th Street Plaza (Sixth Street and Monroe Avenue)

Carefree

• Carefree Lights Up!
  • Day: Nov. 30
  • Time: Starts at 5 p.m., no end date
  • Venue: Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion (101 Easy St.)

Chandler

• Tumbleweed Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights
  • Day: Dec. 7
  • Time: 4:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
  • Venue: Dr. A.J. Chandler Park (3 S. Arizona Ave.)

• Pratt Brothers Christmas
  • Day: Nov. 29-Dec. 29
  • Time: 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
  • Venue: Rawhide Western Town (5700 W. North Loop Road)

El Mirage

• Winterfest and Parade
  • Day: Dec. 7
  • Time: 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
  • Venue: Bill Gentry Park (14010 N. El Mirage Road)

Gilbert

• Riparian After Dark
  • Day: Dec. 13-22
  • Time: 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
  • Venue: Riparian Preserve (2757 E. Guadalupe Road)

• Water Tower Holiday Lighting
  • Day: Dec. 16
  • Time: 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
  • Venue: Water Tower Plaza (45 W. Page Ave.)

Glendale

• World of Illumination: Rockin’ Christmas
  • Day: Nov. 27-Dec. 29
  • Time: 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
  • Venue: Desert Diamond Casino (9431 W. Northern Ave.)

• Tianyu Lights Festival
  • Day: Oct. 25-Jan. 5 (Every day except Mondays and Tuesdays)
  • Time: 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
  • Venue: Camelback Ranch (10710 W. Camelback Road)

• Glendale Glitters
  • Day: Nov. 29-30
  • Time: 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
  • Venue: Glendale Civic Center (5750 W. Glenn Drive)

Litchfield Park

• Christmas in the Park
  • Day: Dec. 14
  • Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (parade starts at 10 a.m.)
  • Venue: Litchfield Park Recreation Center (100 Old Litchfield Road)

Mesa

• Merry Main Street
  • Day: Nov. 29-Jan. 11
  • Time: 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
  • Venue: Downtown Mesa (Main Street between Macdonald and LeSueur)

• Mesa Temple Christmas Lights
  • Day: Nov. 29-Dec. 30
  • Time: 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
  • Venue: Mesa Arizona Temple (101 S. LeSueur)

Queen Creek

• QC Hometown Christmas
  • Day: Dec. 6-7
  • Time: 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 7
  • Venue: Queen Creek Town Center (21802 S. Ellsworth Road)

Scottsdale

• Christmas at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
  • Day: Nov. 22-Jan. 4
  • Time: 5 p.m.-10 p.m. on Mondays to Thursdays, 4 p.m.-11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays
  • Venue: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (7575 E. Princess Drive)

• Scottsdazzle
  • Day: Nov. 30-Dec. 31
  • Time: Times vary
  • Venue: Scottsdale Waterfront (Camelback and Scottsdale roads)

• Holiday Snowfest
  • Day: Nov. 27-Jan. 4
  • Time: Times vary
  • Venue: Salt River Fields (7555 N. Pima Road)

Surprise

• Surprise Party
  • Day: Dec. 6-7
  • Time: 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
  • Venue: Surprise Recreation Campus (15960 N. Bullard Ave.)

Tempe

• World of Illumination: Enchanted Safari
  • Day: Nov. 27-Dec. 29 on every weekday except Monday
  • Time: 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
  • Venue: Tempe Diablo Stadium (2200 W. Alameda Drive)

• Fantasy of Lights Street Parade and Tree Lighting
  • Day: Nov. 29
  • Time: 4 p.m.-8 p.m. (parade starts at 6 p.m.)
  • Venue: Downtown Tempe

• Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade
  • Day: Dec. 14
  • Time: 4 p.m.-9 p.m. (parade starts at 7 p.m.; fireworks at 8:15 p.m.)
  • Venue: Tempe Town Lake

Waddell

• Desert Farm Lights
  • Day: Nov. 22-Dec. 29
  • Time: 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
  • Venue: 14629 W. Peoria Ave.