The Ultimate List of 2020 Holiday Events in Phoenix

The Ultimate List of 2020 Holiday Events in Phoenix

‘Tis the season for all things jolly and bright – and yes, there are events to enjoy in this crazy year of 2020! We’re aiming to give you the best resource of things to do in Phoenix this holiday season, from plays to light shows to Santa meet and greets and more. Some events start in the next couple weeks!

For now, this post will include all holiday events, listed by theme, with basic information like dates, city, and website link. If the events become too numerous to scroll, we will divide them in to separate posts by theme like last year.

This list will be updated weekly, as more events are announced. As always, please check each businesses website for details on mask mandates, social distancing guidelines, and other important details. Know of any events we should add? Please send us an email or contact us on Facebook and Instagram.

Holiday Plays

A Curiouser Nutcracker, Theatre Works in Peoria, November 27 – December 30, 2020

A Christmas Story, Desert Stages Theatre in Scottsdale, November 27 – December 20, 2020

A Christmas Carol, Childsplay Theatre in Phoenix, November 28 – December 23, 2020

The Nutcracker, digital performance with Ballet Arizona, December 12, 2020

The Nutcracker, Ahwatukee Foothills Ballet in Phoenix, December 19 and 20, 2020

Holiday Light Shows

Holiday Lights, Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, November 23 – December 31, 2020, our review, use code HOLIDAY5

Lights at the Farm, Vertuccio Farms in Mesa, November 14, 2020 – January 3, 2021, our review

World of Illumination, Glendale and Tempe, November 6, 2020 – January 3, 2021 (Glendale) or November 10, 2020 – January 3, 2021 (Tempe), our review

Holiday Lights, McCormick Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale, November 27, 2020 – January 3, 2021, our review

Zoolights, Phoenix Zoo, November 7, 2020 – January 31, 2021, our review

Arizona Lights in the Night, Mesa, November 13, 2020 – January 3, 2021, our review

Spirit of Arizona Tours to see lights, Tempe also Mesa/Scottsdale per request, December 1, 2020 – January 3, 2021, use code PHOENIXWITHKIDS for discount.

We have a separate blog post now for free light displays in Phoenix, including neighborhood and commercial displays! View it here.

Also, the Nextdoor App has a temporary feature for adding your own home to a map of local light displays, or making it easy to find other decorated homes!

Holiday Santa Sightings

Drive Thru Breakfast With Santa, Mesa, December 12, 2020

Santa’s Wonderland, Bass Pro Shop (Mesa) or Cabellas (Glendale), November 7 – December 24, 2020

Storybook Christmas with Santa, Sienna Art Portraits in Scottsdale, November 14 and 15, 2020

Santa Visits, Paradise Valley Mall in Phoenix, November 4 – December 24, 2020

A Jolly Trolley Christmas Adventure, Prescott Trolley in Prescott, weekends November 7 – December 20, 2020

Storybook Entertainment is offering safe Santa and Elf visits, also personalized videos. See their website.

Santa’s Enchanted Holiday Party, The Teapot in Phoenix, December 12, 2020

Photos with Santa, Chandler Fashion Center in Chandler, Arrowhead Town Center in Glendale (starting Dec 4), Scottsdale Fashion Square in Scottsdale, Superstition Springs Mall in Mesa (starting Dec 4), San Tan Village in Gilbert (starting Dec 4), Kierland Commons in Scottsdale (starting Dec 4), Biltmore Commons in Scottsdale (starting Dec 4), November 20 – December 24, 2020

Breakfast with Santa, Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park, weekends November 28 – December 20, 2020

Santa on a Firetruck, Westgate, Saturday only 12-2pm, November 28 – December 19, 2020

Holiday Parades

UTV Light Show and Parade, North Peoria, December 19, 2020

Reverse Light Parade, Apache Junction, December 5, 2020

Other Holiday Events

Schnepf Christmas, Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek, November 24 – December 31, 2020

Sugarland, Chandler, November 28, 2020 – January 3, 2021

Polar Express, Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, through January 3, 2021

Merry Main Street, Mesa, November 27, 2020 – January 2, 2021

Tree Lighting and Activities, Anthem Outlets in Anthem, November 21, 2020

Magical Christmas Journey, Verde Canyon Railroad near Cottonwood, December 4-24, 2020

Christmas at The Princess, Princess Fairmont Resort in Scottsdale, November 20 – December 31, 2020, our review

Nightly snowfall and holiday photo ops, Desert Ridge in Phoenix, November 27 – December 31, 2020

WinterFest, Avondale, December 5, 2020

Breakfast With the Snow Sisters, The Pink Teapot in Gilbert, December 6 and 12, 2020

Sleigh Rides and more, Hitching Post Stables near Flagstaff, varying dates

Snow Day and Santa, Mother Nature’s Farm, December 12, 2020

Take a trip out of Phoenix to find snow!