The Holidays are here! What’s better than holiday light shows during this festive season? How about experiencing them during the beautiful winter climate Phoenix has to offer.
These cheap or free holiday light displays in and around Phoenix are sure to delight the whole family, so get out, grab a hot chocolate, and enjoy the season and these festive lights.
Click on the headings of each event for details.
Christmas Lights at the Farm
Dates: December 1 – 30, 2023
Location: Vertuccio Farms 4011 S. Power Rd. Mesa, Arizona, 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 9, 2023
Location: Tempe Town Lake Shores
Times: 4:00pm – 9:00pm
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 2, 2023
Location: Central Avenue and Montebello 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 24, 2023 – January 7, 2024 (excluding December 7, 24, 25, & 31)
Location: 7301 E. Indian Bend Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Times: 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Price: $15 Tickets, for ages 3 and up, 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.
Light Up Ahwatukee Holiday Festival
Dates: November 18, 2023
Location: Desert Foothills Park. 1010 Marketplace Dr. Phoenix, AZ 85048
Times: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Price: FREE
Other Information: There will be inflatables for the kids. (All day wristbands available for $25.) Kids can visit Santa for pictures from 12 – 5 p.m. A lighted motorcycle parade will also take place, along with around 100 vendors to shop with plus, other entertainment.
Parking nearby is limited. In 2022, a FREE shuttle from Altadena Middle School was offered. Please check on site to see if this is available for 2023.
Christmas Lights on the Mesa Arizona Temple Grounds
Dates: November 24 – December 31, 2023
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 22, 2023 – January 14, 2024
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 artificial 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 for General Admission: 2 and Under: FREE / 3-17: $16.95 / Adults: $39.95
Prices for DBG 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.
30th Anniversary Glendale Glitters
Date: November 24 and 25, 2023
Location: All throughout downtown Glendale
Times: 5 – 10 pm
Price: FREE admission
Other Information: This traditional Glendale Light celebration takes place for two days only this year.
Holiday Nights in Lights at The Wigwam
Date: Fridays in December, 2023
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 15 or 18 – December 31, 2023, depending on location
Location: Glendale & 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, Santa and Farmer’s Market
Date: Saturday, November 25 and Saturday, December 2, 9, & 16
Location: Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market, 3806 North Brown Avenue, Scottsdale, 85251
Times: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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 Farmers Markets in the Phoenix area, click here.
Here’s AZCentral’s map of Phoenix Holiday Lights, is your home on the list?
Let us know about additional holiday lights in your part of the Valley below in the comments.
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