December Holidays are here! What’s better than holiday light shows during this festive season? Enjoying them during the beautiful winter climate Phoenix has to offer? These free or cheap holiday light displays in Phoenix are sure to delight the whole family, so get out, grab a hot chocolate, and enjoy the weather and these festive lights.
For a special treat, check out the end of this post with a link that leads to local neighborhood lights.
Christmas Lights at the Farm
Dates: November 23 – December 30, 2022
Location: Vertuccio Farms 4011 S. Power Rd. Mesa, AZ 85212
Times: 5:30pm – 8:00pm
Price: $18 entry (Fri. & Sat.) and $15 entry (Sun.-Thur.)
Other Information: Food, cider and wine will be available for sale from the farm to keep you full and warm while you enjoy the farm festivities. Visit Santa and be sure to snap a picture. In the Craft Zone ornament kits will be available for purchase and be sure to make a stop on the dance floor too. Hang your Holiday wish on the Wishing Tree and enjoy lawn games as well. For an extra fee pony rides will be available.
Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade
Dates: December 10, 2022
Location: Tempe Town Lake Shores
Times: 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Price: FREE – Food and shopping extra. Parking may have a fee as well.
Other Information: Parking and Public Transportation options are available. Enjoy entertainment, shopping, fireworks, and snag a picture with Santa. Bring a new jar of peanut butter to put in one of the collection bins.
APS Light Parade
Dates: December 3, 2022
Location: Central Avenue and Montebelle Avenue, Phoenix
Times: 7:00pm
Price: FREE
Other Information: Get there early and the kids can enjoy Santa’s Village with crafts, face painting, games and get a picture with Santa. Parking around the area may have a fee so consider taking public transportation to avoid all the extra traffic.
Holiday Lights at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Dates: November 25 – December 30, 2022 (excluding Christmas Eve & Day)
Location: 7301 E. Indian Bend Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Times: 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Price: $15 Tickets must be purchased online via ActiveNet beginning Nov. 1 at 8 a.m. Create your ActiveNet account here.
Other Information: Enjoy a train ride through the Winter Wonderland on the Paradise & Pacific Railway to see the lights. You can also enjoy the Carousel and enjoy a walk through the Model Railroad Building. Everything kicks off with live entertainment, tree lighting ceremony followed by Santa arriving on steam locomotive.
Festival of Lights in Ahwatukee
Dates: November 21, 2022 – New Year’s Day
Location: Desert Foothills Park. 1010 Marketplace Dr. Phoenix, AZ 85048
Times: 11:00am – 8:00pm
Price: FREE
Other Information: At the Kickoff Party, there will be inflatables for the kids (all day wristband is $20, individual tickets available too), Kids can visit Santa for pictures as well. This is offered from 12:00pm – 2:00pm, 3:00pm – 5:00pm, and 6:30pm – 7:30pm. A lighted motorcycle parade will also take place, along with around 100 vendors to shop with plus, other entertainment.
Parking nearby is limited so a FREE shuttle from Altadena Middle School is offered from 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Lights of the World
Dates: To be announced in the near future, please check back with this post for updates
Location: Arizona State Fair Grounds. 1826 W. McDowell Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85007
Times: 5:30pm – 10:00pm
Price: 3 and Under: FREE / 3-12: $15 / Adults: $18 / Seniors: $15
Other Information: Over 10 million lights and lanterns. Rides purchased separately. $10 for parking. Food vendors available. Magician performances.
Christmas Lights on the Mesa Arizona Temple Grounds
Dates: November 25 – December 31, 2022
Location: 525 East Main St. Mesa, AZ 85203
Times: 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Price: FREE
Other Information: Walk the paths full of colorful lights.
Zoo Lights
Dates: November 23, 2022 – January 15, 2023
Location: Phoenix Zoo {455 North Galvin Parkway. Phoenix, AZ 85008}
Times: 5:30pm – 10:30pm
Price: Tickets are $30 online and $35 at the gate. For tickets, click here.
Other Information: Among the mostly sleeping zoo animals, you will see many lighted figures and enjoy some hot chocolate. You can even enjoy artifical snow. Tickets can either be specifically for the lights or you can also add in the Dino in the Desert exhibit.
Las Noches de la Luminarias
Date: Weekends in December (Friday-Sunday)
Location: Desert Botanical Gardens. 1201 N. Galvin Parkway. Phoenix, AZ 85008
Times: 5:30pm – 9:30pm
Prices:
General Public: 2 and Under: FREE / 3-17: $16.95 / Adults: $39.95
Members: 2 and Under: FREE / 3-17: $14.95 / Adults: $34.95
Other Information: Enjoy entertainment while you take in the lights and luminarias. There is also the option of food and drink for an extra cost. Add in a cup of hot cocoa and this is the perfect way to relax and enjoy the season.
Glendale Glitters
Date: November 22, 2022 – January 7, 2022
Location: All throughout downtown Glendale
Times: 5 – 10 pm
Price: FREE admission
Other Information: Every Friday and Saturday there are different events throughout downtown. You can check out a more detailed schedule here.
Holiday Nights in Lights at The Wigwam
Date: Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23
Location: The Wigwam Resort, 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park.
Times: 6 – 8 p.m.
Price: FREE admission
Other Information: Stroll the resort grounds and enjoy the lights display while carolers sing Christmas songs. Previous years’ displays included a saguaro cactus topped with a Santa hat and a tractor carrying a Christmas tree.
World of Illumination
Date: November – January, depending on location
Location: Glendale, North Phoenix, Tempe, click here for more information
Times: Evening, depending on location
Price: around $40 per car for this drive-thru experience
Other Information: Extremely bright and brilliant display, which dazzles each year. According to past attendees, worth the price. Click here for specific details on time, place, and price.
Scottsdazzle – Meet Santa at the Old Town Farmer’s Market & More
Date: Saturday, December 3, 10, & 17
Location: Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market, 3806 North Brown Avenue, Scottsdale, 85251
Times: 9 am to 12 pm
Price: FREE, additional charge for photo with Santa
Other Information: Meet Santa at the Old Town Scottsdale Farmer’s Market. The Farmer’s Market takes place from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Photos with Santa is available from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Later in the evening enjoy the lights of Old Town for the holidays. Click here for other Scottsdazzle events in December.
For a list of other farmer’s market in the Phoenix area, click here.
As promised, for a FREE holiday experience, click here for azcentral’s map of local neighborhood light displays.
Let us know about additional holiday lights in your part of the Valley below in the comments.
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