The Ultimate List of 2021 Holiday Events in Phoenix. The happiest time of the year comes with lots to do, from amazing light displays to fun photo spots around town. There is always so much going on, and it always feels like not enough time to do it! Each year I want to return to our favorites from precious years but I want to try all the new things happening too.
Here are some of the fun events happening around the state for Christmas 2021. Be sure to share pictures and tag us when you go to events!
Avondale
Winterfest Dec 4th 5 – 9 Avondale turns into a winter wonderland with a visit from Santa, winter snowfall, a holiday light show, entertainment, annual tree lighting, food, and sweet treats.
Buckeye
Buckeye Holiday events include; Hometown Holiday Lights Contest, Letters to Santa can be dropped off around town by Dec 16th
Lights at Verrado starting December 3rd.
Chandler
Downtown Chandler presents Sugarland Nov 27 – Jan 2
Tumbleweed Tree Lighting December 4th.
Rawhide Snowy Christmas every Fri & Sat
Cottonwood
Parade and chocolate tour Dec 4th. Who doesn’t want to stop for chocolate everywhere they go?
El Mirage
The city of El Mirage presents Adventures in Candyland December 4th. Offering food trucks, ugly sweater contest, crafts, letters to Santa, cookie walk and so much more.
Flagstaff
Downtown Flagstaff offers Lights at the Station, Polar Express, Holiday shows, 12 bars of Christmas, window decorating and more can be found on their events calendar.
Fountain Hills
Stroll In The Glow Dec 4th and Holiday light map coming in December and will be posted here.
Gilbert
Lights At The Farm Nov 19 – Jan 2 with over 3 million dazzling lights to put a smile on your face and get you in the holiday mood! As soon as the kids saw all the lights from the car they got excited. We had fun for hours running around and checking everything out. Read our review here.
Riparian After Dark Dec 10 – 19 Tickets are required and offered in 15 minute increments.
Water Tower Lit up from Nov 19 – Jan 3
The Ultimate List of 2021 Holiday Events in Phoenix
Mother Nature’s Farm Snow Day Dec 11 and holiday hours Mon – Thur 3 – 9pm and Fri – Sun 9 – 9. Click here for our review of the farm.
Glendale
Hometown Christmas Parade Dec 11th
Westgate Nov 5 – Jan 17th skating, lights
Grow Glendale AKA Glendale Glitters Nov 19 – Jan 9th now located in Murphy Park, located in downtown Glendale at 5850 W. Glendale Avenue, with plenty of free parking.
World of Illumination Candy Rush in Glendale Nov 17 – Jan 2
Each storybook adventure is filled with the kind of awe and wonder that kids of all ages will remember forever, so pack your car, crank up the volume and enjoy making memories. Read our review here.
Hike Rock N Roll Christmas hike Dec 11 at Thunderbird Conservation Park. RSVP here.
Goodyear
Goodyear Glows Dec 1-3 Santa tours the Goodyear neighborhoods December 1-3, then he will then go to the Goodyear Recreation Campus the night of the 4th to light their holiday tree. This is the tallest holiday tree in the West Valley!
Lake Havasu
Lake Havasu Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
Litchfield Park
Christmas in Litchfield Rec Center Christmas in Litchfield Rec Center Dec 11-12
Wigwam Resort Holiday calendar of events includes Holiday Nights In Lights Dec 3, 10 & 17 | 6-8pm and breakfast with Santa.
Maricopa County
Mesa
Uptown Jungle Mesa Snowball and Hot Cocoa Dec 14th – Dec 16th between the hours of 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Space is limited, please purchase tickets online here. Also, it’s a good idea to sign the waiver ahead of time.
Bass Pro Shops Wonderland and Santa pictures. There are crafts and activities avlaibale for kids to do there or take home, as well as a template for writing a letter to Santa and a mail box. There are multiple photo ops around the store as well. Read about the experience in 2021 here.
Arizona Lights In The Night runs Nov 24 – Jan 2. Watch your child’s eyes light up as they receive their bear at the interactive holiday workshop, avaliable for an additional cost. Read our review here.
Breakfast With Santa Dec 11 at 8:30 and 10am
Northern AZ
Mortimer Farms Christmas Festival December 1 – 24th where you can meet Santa, have a privte dinner, buy a Christmas tree and much more.
Grand Canyon Rail Polar Express Nov 1-Dec 31
Verde Canyon Rail Magical Christmas Journey Dec 4-24
Wickenburg Parade of Lights December 10th
Peoria
Vistancia Village events including Dec 4 tree Lighting, gingerbread house competition and holiday light tour.
Park West photos with Santa
Old Town Holiday Festival December 11 will have entertainment, food, Santa, kid zone and more.
Phoenix
Desert Botanical Gardens Las Noches De Las Luminarias December 3 – 30th.
Shops at Norterra Nov 22 tree Lighting and the tree stays up all season, Santa photos at Elevate Coffee.
Desert Ridge Holiday Happenings include decorations, snowfall, and a Salvati0n Army Tree.
Phoenix ZooLights Nov 24 – Jan 15. Read our review here.
Winter Wonderland Dec 11
APS Electric Light Parade Dec 4, Route information available here.
Winter Wonderland at the Phoenix Childrens’ Museum.
Wildlings Toys is hosting a Cookie decorating event on Dec 11. You can use code “givethegift” for 20% off one item all season long.
Enchanted Island Amusement Park Winter Wonderland Dec 11, 12, 18 & 19 from 10am to 7pm
CitySkate in CityScape rink is different in design and size than in years past, but will still offer freshly surfaced ice, twinkling holiday lights and festive décor, all set within the heart of the city.
Civic Space Park PJs In The Park Movie Night Saturday December 4th. Put on your coziest pajamas and enjoy some free holiday movies under the stars at Civic Space Park with a free screening of Illumination’s The Grinch, free photos with Santa, and delicious hot cocoa and snacks for purchase.
Phoenix Ballet: The Nutcracker Dec 10-23
Prescott
Annual Christmas Parade on December 4th
Holiday events calendar for the month here.
Queen Creek
Christmas at Schnepf Farms Nov 24 – Dec 31. Read our review here.
Scottsdale
Scottsdazzle Nov 22 – Dec 31 with events from farmers market, letters to Santa to a Ho Ho Hoedown for the adults, there is something for everyone.
Scottsdale Quarter Decorated for the season, with Santa photos, movie nights, animal adoptions and much more.
Christmas At The Princess Nov 16 – Jan 2, read our full review of this fantastic event here.
Holiday Lights At The Railroad Park Nov 26 – Jan 2. Read our review here.
Arizona Boardwalk Nov 6 – Jan 2 with events like Here Comes Santa 5k on December 11th, Holiday Fair and Marketplace Sunday December 12th, Dino weekend the 18th and 19th, Snow Much Fun and more. Check here for events calendar.
Butterfly Wonderland has Christmas in the Rainforest starting November 26
Odysea Auarium Winter Waterland Nov 26 – Dec 24
Salt River Talking Stick Holiday Light Experience Nov 24 – Jan 1, read our review from last year here.
Cafe Au Plait story time and Holiday crafts like build the tallest snowman, paper bag Elf, build a gingerbread house, story times, NYE party and more!
Show Low
Magic In The Mountains honors our nation’s heros nightly from November 26 – December 31st in one amazing synchronized light show.
Surprise
Surprise has special events all month long, including Friday, December 3 will include a Balloon Glow (weather permitting), sky divers, tree lighting ceremony, live music, Santa’s workshop, roaming entertainment and fireworks!
Saturday, December 4 will include a Special Interest Class Showcase, car show, live music, arts and crafts festival, pony rides, roaming entertainment, petting zoo, great food and more!
Tempe
Tempe Marketplace Holiday Happenings Nov 24 – Dec 24 include snowfall, skating, star tunnel, Salvation Army tree, story time with Mrs Claus and Candy Cane Lane.
World of Illumination Reindeer Road in Tempe at Tempe Diablo Stadium November 20 – January 2 6-9pm.
Each storybook adventure is filled with the kind of awe and wonder that kids of all ages will remember forever, so pack your car, crank up the volume and enjoy making memories. Read our review here.
Boat Parade and fireworks Saturday December 11
Childsplay: Rudolph, the Musical The Musical Nov 7-Dec 24
Tucson
Marana Christmas Express December 10th-12th 17th-23rd 5pm-9pm. Purchase tickets here, children 2 and under are free. With the overwhelming popularity of their new location this fall, be sure to purchase early and check social media for updates.
Winterhaven is back this year and the dates will be December 11 to the 26th with the Drive Through Night scheduled for December 26th 6 to 10pm daily. There are Trolley Tours available here.
Reid Park Zoolights December 3 – 30th from 6 to 8pm. Check the website for details on nights Santa will be there as well as all the fun this family friendly event has to offer.
Valleywide
Splendid Princess Parties Elf Visit
Once Upon A Tiara Stocking deliveries
Wish Entertainment Holidays Wish At The Village Dec 11
Arizona Glamping Christmas movie and picnic setup available valley-wide.
