If you’re looking for a fun event to get out of the house, enjoy our gorgeous Arizona weather, and enjoy the holidays, Phoenix Living on the Cheap has you covered. These holiday and Christmas events in Phoenix and around the Valley are taking place throughout the month of December, and some into January. Many are cheap and/or free, so what are you waiting for? 
Did we miss an event? Let us know in the comments.
Glendale Glitters Spectacular Weekend
Location: Historic Downtown Glendale (58th and Glendale Ave)
Dates: November 25, 2017 – January 6, 2018
Times: 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Price: FREE
Other Information: Everything starts with a countdown beginning at 5:30pm on November 25th. Tree will be lit around 6:00pm. Parking is available throughout the downtown area. You can also pay for preferred parking in the garages closest to the event.
CitySkate Holiday Ice Rink
Location: 1 E. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ 85004
Dates: Reopens November 25, 2017
Times: Skating is broken into sessions. Please check here for the times.
Price: 3 and Under: FREE / General Admission (available onsite only) $15 / Express Pass (available online only) $30
*$10 discount on General Admission for: Senior Citizen, Military ID, Under 8 Years*
Other Information: Skate rental is included in your admission price. Parking is $4.00 per hour with a maximum of $27 per day. If you visit any City Skate retailer you can get 2 hour parking validation.
Rawhide Snowy Christmas
Location: 5700 W. North Loop Road. Chandler, AZ 85226
Dates: November 23, 2017 – December 23, 2017 – Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Times: Fridays: 5:00pm-10:00pm / Saturdays: 12:00pm-10:00pm / Sundays: 12:00pm-8:00pm
Price: FREE
Other Information: Santa Visits the village nightly for pictures. They even have snow!! Enjoy live action stunt shows plus, all the other Rawhide attractions.
Winter Wonderfest 2017
Location: Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park 20000 S. Maricopa Rd. Chandler, AZ 85226
Dates: Every Weekend Black Friday – Christmas
Times: 2:00pm-10:00pm
Price: $20/person Get your tickets now.
Other Information: Santa’s Workshop offers: crafts and the option to write a letter to Santa as well. Pictures with the Ice Queen and Santa are available before or after you enjoy the lights display. Snow Wonderland gives the ability to play in the snow. In S’mores land you can roast marshmallows and enjoy a campfire. Take the zipline to the human hamster balls, climb the rock wall and jump on the bungee trampoline. You can also take a ride on the merry go round and ferris wheel or, run the obstacle course. After the kids have their fun, you can shop 50+ vendors or, check out the bars.
Las Noches de las Luminarias
Location: Desert Botanical Gardens ( 1201 N. Galvin Parkway. Phoenix, AZ 85008
Dates: November 24, 2017 – December 30,2017
Times: 5:30pm-9:30pm
Price: General Admission: 3 and Under: FREE / 3-12: $12.50 / Adults: $30
Other Information: Members only nights are December 1-3. There is entertainment nightly and an option for dining as well in at the Buffet.
Zoolights: Let it Glow
Location: Phoenix Zoo ( 455 North Galvin Parkway. Phoenix, AZ 85008
Dates: November 22, 2017 – January 14, 2018
Times: 5:30pm-10:30pm
Price: Ticket with Dinos in the Desert: $21.95 / Just the Lights: $17.95
Value Nights: Tickets with Dinos in the Desert: $16.95 / Just the Lights: $12.95 Check which nights are value nights here.
Other Information: 3 story lighted tree among the other of hundreds lights, Music-in-Motion shows and lots more to see and do. Some things are included in your ticket prices while others will be an addition cost. Check here for more details.
Polar Express
Location: Williams Depot ( 233 N. Grand Canyon BLVD. Williams, AZ 86046
Dates: November 10, 2017 – January 6, 2018
Times: 5:30pm and 7:30pm (Ride lasts a little over an hour)
Price: Sunday – Thursday: Children: $31 / Adults: $41 Friday-Saturday: Children: $43 / Adults $53
Other Information: Space is limited so call (1-888-848-3511) for your reservations or book online for 2017. If you want to get ahead of the game you can book for the 2018 season here. Christmas Eve you can take the Christmas Eve Limited: Tickets are $56 for kids and $74 for adults.
Merry Main Street
Location: Downtown Mesa – along Main Street.
Dates: November 24, 2017 – January 5, 2017
Times: Events and times vary by day. Check the calendar.
Price: Free admission. Ice skating and food trucks cost extra.
Other Information: Come see the 4 story tree, go ice skating, Take a selfie with Santa, make a stop at Jack Frost’s Food Truck Forest, and on Fridays or Saturdays you can take a free ride on the Main Street Express Train. (These things are available at the kick off on November 24.) Other events are available downtown through the rest of the Holiday Season.
Scottsdazzle
Location: Downtown Scottsdale, AZ
Dates: November 25, 2017- January 1, 2018
Times: Vary by day
Price: Watching the tree lighting is free.
Other Information: This event is set to kick off with a tree lighting at 7:00pm on November 25, 2017 on the Soleri Bridge. Many activities and types of entertainment will take place throughout December. Check the Calendar to see what is coming up here. Also during this time many of the restaurants and stores will be offering Holiday specials or discounts.
Movie Night: Double Feature
Location: Patriots Park at CityScape Phoenix.
Dates: December 8, 2017
Times: 6:00pm
Prices: FREE
Other Information: Movies showing are “Home Alone” and “Elf”. Bring your blankets and chairs. (Paid parking in garages and metered parking available)
Snow Much Fun Day
Location: Children’s Museum of Phoenix
Dates: December 9, 2017
Times: 9:00am – Until snow melts
Prices: Free with Museum Admission ($12)
Other Information: 40 tons of snow will be delivered for the kids to play in until it melts. This event takes place on the same day as their Breakfast with Santa so make a day of it!
Snow Week at Arizona Science Center
Location: 600 E. Washington Street. Phoenix, AZ 85004
Dates: December 26, 2017 – January 1, 2018
Times: 10:00am – 5:00pm (Doors open at 9:00am on Saturdays and Sundays for Members Only).
Prices: Kids [3-17]: $13 / Adults: $18
Other Information: Over 75 tons of snow is being delivered for all ages (even you) to play in. On top of playing the snow the Science Center will be doing demonstrations for all to watch and take part in. See all events for the week here (scroll down to the bottom).
Did we miss some holiday or Christmas events in Phoenix or around the Valley? Let us know in the comments below.
