12 ways to get out & celebrate the holidays in Metro Phoenix

From two drive-thru light displays to plenty of free holiday events, here are 12 ways to celebrate the holidays in metro Phoenix. 

The holidays have arrived, and the Valley is celebrating in plenty of ways. From drive-thru light displays to themed evenings at a popular resort, here are 12 holiday events to check out in metro Phoenix. Enjoy the season!

1. Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

Dates: Nov. 29 to Dec. 30, 6 to 9:30 p.m.

Cost: Non-member tickets cost $15

Scottsdale’s historic McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park gets all decked out in holiday lights for the season. Visitors can take a train ride underneath a tunnel of lights, check out colorful displays, and ride on a carousel—all of which are included in admission. The model railroad building will be open so guests can check out the tiniest trains. They also can play glow-up miniature golf, weather permitting.

2. Glendale Glitters

Dates: Kickoff event is from Nov. 29 to 30. Lights remain up from Nov. 29 to Jan. 1, 2025, from 5 to 10 p.m.

Head to downtown Glendale for the city’s annual celebration, Glendale Glitters. The light display kicks off on Nov. 29 and 30, with some festivities on both days. Watch a lighting ceremony on Nov. 29 at 5:45 p.m. in front of the Glendale Civic Center. Stroll downtown to see a variety of colorful lights along with interactive features. Attendees also can listen to carolers and check out products from vendors during the kickoff event. If you can’t make the opening event, the downtown lights will remain up until Jan. 1, 2025.

3. Mesa Temple Christmas

Dates: Nov. 29 to Dec. 30, 5 to 10 p.m.

Cost: Free

Mesa’s Mormon Temple celebrates Christmas with a vibrant holiday light display. Best of all? The event is family-friendly and free. Visitors can also see a nativity display and murals of Christ at this downtown Mesa spot.

4. Scottsdazzle

Dates: Nov. 30 to Dec. 31

Scottsdale goes all out for the holiday season and has dubbed the celebrations Scottsdazzle. One perk of Scottsdazzle? Many of the events are free to attend. Here are a few highlights:

On Nov. 30, guests can enjoy a sing-along and tree-lighting ceremony from 7 to 9 p.m. At this ceremony, they can see Scottsdale’s 36-foot tree lit up. On No. 30, Dec. 7, 14, and 21, families can Meet Santa at the Market. They can stroll by vendor booths and check out goods that would make great gifts. Visits and photos with Santa are free. Santa will be in attendance from 9 a.m. to noon. On Dec. 7, families can head to the Scottsdale Civic Center for the Ultimate Family Play Day. The Scottsdale Public Library will feature interactive art, science, sports, and more fun activities. On Dec. 15, kids can watch a magic show from 3 to 5 p.m. Visit scottsdazzle.com to see a complete list of events. 

Photo courtesy of Timothy Fox Photography.

5. Holiday Wine & Dine Event 

Date: Dec. 5, 4 to 7 p.m.

Cost: Free admission.

The Shops at Gainey Village in Scottsdale is hosting a free holiday evening event on Dec. 5. Guests can enjoy horse and carriage rides and food, juice, and wine tastings from participating restaurants. Specifically, they can drink hot chocolate by the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and devour seasonal cookies from Panera Bread Company. Santa Claus will be taking photos with families and kids. Wine tastings will be available for attendees who are 21 and older. Plus, attendees also can get a head start on their holiday shopping. 

Photo courtesy of The Shops at Gainey Village.

6. Holly Jolly Market

Dates: Dec. 14, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cost: Admission is free. RSVP here. 

Andaz Scottsdale will partner with Creative Communal for the hotel’s annual holiday market. Local makers will gather at the property, and guests can start their holiday gift shopping. Attendees can also enjoy live music. 

7. World of Illumination

Dates: Glendale: Nov. 16 to Dec. 29; Tempe: Nov. 15 to Dec. 29. Tuesday through Sunday, 6 to 10 p.m. nightly.

Locations: Desert Diamond Casino and Tempe Diablo Stadium

Cost: Ticket prices per car start at $39.99 plus tax.

Gather your family and friends together in the car and get ready to drive underneath and around plenty of dazzling light displays. Valley residents have two different locations to check out. The Glendale location’s theme is Rockin’ Christmas, and visitors can expect to hear plenty of festive rock songs. If you’re looking for even more holiday drive-thru fun, the Tempe location’s theme is Enchanted Safari, and visitors can anticipate, you guessed it, plenty of animal light displays.

8. Desert Farm Lights

Location: 14629 W. Peoria Ave. in Waddell

Dates: Nov. 22 to Dec. 29. Sunday through Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 to 11 p.m.

Cost: Ticket prices start at $22.99.

When visitors purchase tickets to the West Valley’s Desert Farm Lights, they can look forward to plenty of holiday activities. This includes a 10-minute jolly journey train ride, a 90-foot fun slide, bungee trampolines, live entertainment, access to fire pits, and yard games. Please note that Desert Farm Lights is cashless.

9. ‘Tis the Season: Holidays at MIM

Dates: Dec. 14 and 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Cost: Event is included with paid admission. General admission costs $20 for adults, $15 for teens, and $10 for children.

The Musical Instrument Museum will be hosting special holiday activities on Dec. 14 and 15. Being a museum dedicated to instruments, these activities revolve around music in some way. On those two days, attendees can enjoy listening to Dickens carolers and learn more about holiday mumming from a curator. Kids can also make handbells as a craft. Attendees also can listen to live tunes courtesy of the following artists: mariachi Alma de mi Pueblo, Hanukkah celebrations with Rural Street Klezmer, New Orleans-style jazz by The Hot Beignets, and festive handbell performance by Las Palomas del Norte Handbell Ensemble.

10. ZooLights

Dates: Nov. 27 to Jan. 12, 2025, 5:30 to 10 p.m.

Cost: Tickets purchased online cost $30 per person. Tickets at the door cost $35.

Every winter, the Phoenix Zoo is transformed into a holiday destination at night. During ZooLights, visitors can stroll the zoo’s many pathways and check out millions of colorful lights. Specifically, they’ll get to see a Lake Lights Show featuring a 50-foot LED tree and 50 animal lanterns intended to remind visitors of the Zoo’s dedication to conservation. Guests can also enjoy hot cocoa and s’mores and take pictures with Santa.

Most of the animals will not be visible during this time. If you’d like to see animal life, the zoo recommends visiting during daytime hours.

On Jan. 13 and 14, visitors can drive underneath a 200-foot light tunnel as part of Cruise ZooLights. This requires a separate ticket that costs $150 per general vehicle.

11. Las Noches de Las Luminaries

Dates: Nov. 29 to 30, Dec. 1, 6 to 7, 13 to 15, 18 to 23, 26 to 30.

Cost: Adult general admission tickets cost $41.95; children’s tickets cost $16.95.

During the holiday season, the Desert Botanical Garden celebrates with Las Noches de Las Luminaries. During select nights in late November and all throughout December, visitors can stroll the Garden’s pathways, which will be lined with luminarias or paper bags with real candles inside them as they listen to live music and check out light displays. New this year, visitors can also see striking lit-up geometric art sculptures located throughout the garden as part of the “Light Bloom” exhibit. Expect a true feast for the senses if you attend. 

12. Christmas at the Princess

Dates: Nov. 22 to Jan. 4, 2025; Monday through Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday to Sunday, 4 to 11 p.m. Starting Dec. 18, hours are from 4 to 11 p.m.

Cost: General admission tickets cost $35 per person. These tickets do not include parking. Self-parking costs $35 per vehicle.

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess commemorates the holidays in a big way as part of its annual Christmas at the Princess celebration. The resort has activities for kids and adults alike. Kids can take a spin on the Ferris wheel, take photos with Santa, and check out millions of lights located throughout the resort. Adults can enjoy a variety of food and drink at the fire tables and igloos, imbibe at the Chateau Champagne, and sit around the fire tables at the ice skating rink on the property.

Another unique offering? The resort is also offering a holiday proposal package if you’re looking to pop the question to your special someone.

Photo courtesy of Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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