This year is definitely going to look different than previous holiday seasons, but we all should celebrate the season (the safest way possible). Time to pack up the family (plus masks!), head out to some Christmas events, and get all those fabulous instagram pics posted.
One of our favorite Christmas traditions is visiting the ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo. This year they have a drive-thru option. We love this idea and can’t wait to try it out!
Please visit each event website before planning your trip, because after the last 7 months we all know “things” can change quickly.
CENTRAL VALLEY
The Phoenix Zoo
ZooLights
455 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008
602-286-3800
- Zoolights: November 7, 2020 – January 31, 2021 | 5:30 – 10:30 p.m
- On ZooLights Walk-Thru nights last entry is at 9:30 p.m.
Tickets on-sale online now! Nights are already filling up!
NORTH VALLEY
The Princess Hotel
Christmas at the Princess
7575 East Princess Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-585-4848
- Open November 20th – December 31st
- Hours: 4-10 Pm Peak Days | 5-10 Pm Off-Peak Days
- Admission: $60 per car, other packages available
Every winter, the resort transforms into an enchanting holiday wonderland with festive decorations and over 4.5 million sparkling LED lights during Christmas at the Princess. Go ice skating and watch colorful light shows in the Enchanted Plaza. Roast marshmallows and make s’mores together. Get your picture taken with Santa Claus and meet the cute holiday characters.
Scottsdale Kierland Shopping Center
Santa and Activities
15205 N Kierland Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
- Open December 4th – December 24th
- Hours: Vary daily
- Admission: Visit with Santa is free, picture packages available for purchse
Reservations available. Santa will be located in center plaza. Rest assured, he and his elves have made every effort to provide a memorable – and contact free – experience. A visit with Santa is always free and photo packages are available for purchase.
Salt River Fields
Drive thru holiday lights
7555 N. Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
480-656-9940
- Open November 23rd – December 31st
- Evening hours 5:45 p.m.- 10 p.m. daily
- Tickets range from a general admission of $35 to a $355 carriage ride for 12
Celebrate the season with this unique and dazzling 1.2 mile drive thru light show experience! With more than 5 million lights, this treasured family holiday tradition is ready to dazzle with music instead of just traditional still displays.
EAST VALLEY
World of Illumination Lights
Artic Drive-thru Light Show
2200 W Alameda Drive, Tempe, AZ
- Open November 14th – January 3rd
- Evening hours 6PM-10PM
- Weekday tickets $29 per vehicle
- Weekend & Holiday Tickets $39 per vehicle
- Online Tickets Only – No Tickets Sold At Gate
Explore World of Illumination’s Arctic Adventure at Tempe Diablo Stadium, where you’ll meet 32-foot tall Sunny the Snowman and his tundra-bound friends. You’ll be delighted by your favorite holiday music and polar Christmas characters — a reminder you’re not in the desert anymore. Nostalgic and memorable, the world’s largest animated drive-through light show is a storybook adventure for kids of all ages.
Vertuccio Farms
4011 S. Power Rd. Mesa, AZ 85212
480-882-1482
- Open November 14th – January 3rd
- Hours: SHOW RUNS NIGHTLY FROM 5:30PM – 10:00PM
- Admission: $11.00 ONLINE, $13 AT THE GATE
WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS $10 AT THE GATE & $5 SKATE (VALID ONLY 11/18, 11/25, 12/2, AND 12/9)
Lights at the Farm and Vertuccio Farms have partnered together to bring Arizona’s Largest Walk-Thru Synchronized Light Show. Come on out and unwrap new traditions and make memories with your family and friends as you make your way through the dazzling lights, larger-than-life lighted displays, mesmerizing tunnel of lights and so much more. Welcome to Lights at the Farm!
Mother Nature’s Farm
Snow Day
1663 E. Baseline Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85233
480-892-5874
- Open Saturday, December 12, 2020 from 9:00 AM to 6:00
- Admission: $10 per person
Ticket cost includes the snow hill all day, the hayride, spider web crawl, maze, air bounce and the animals, the adults are $5.00 to tag along. Maneau’s Munchies will be open on the weekends for snack food, etc hotdogs, popcorn, cotton candy, chips, soda and hot drinks.
They have fresh cut Douglas Firs and Noble Firs for sale. Bring the family for the hunt for the perfect tree for your holidays!
WEST VALLEY
World of Illumination Lights
Rockin Christmas
6797 N. 93RD Ave Glendale, AZ
- Open November 6th – January 3rd
- Evening hours 6PM-10PM
- Weekday tickets $29 per vehicle
- Weekend & Holiday Tickets $39 per vehicle
- Online Tickets Only – No Tickets Sold At Gate
A full-throttle musical extravaganza, where your favorite tunes come to life
Turn up the holiday spirit with World of Illumination’s Rockin’ Christmas at Westgate Entertainment District. In this mile-long symphony of sight and sound, you’ll see everything from life-sized musical notes to retro Santa spinning it old school. Featuring millions of colorful lights, the world’s largest drive-through light show is a mesmerizing experience sure to rock your holidays.
Tolmachoff Farms
Christmas on the Farm
5726 N. 75th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85303
602-999-3276
- Open: Info coming soon
Christmas trees and pictures with Santa.
NORTHERN ARIZONA
Mortimer Family Farms
Santa at the Farm
12907 E. State Rte. 169 Dewey, AZ 86327
928-830-1116
- Open December 5th & 12th, 2020
- Hours: 10am – 3pm
- Admission: At the Door: $10.00 per person, Online Tickets: $8.00 per person,
Two year olds and younger are free
Want a little getaway that will give you all the fall feels? This patch is for you! Slap on your plaid and head up to Dewey, AZ (only about 1.5 hours from Phoenix). Bonus: you get admission to the Farm park, cookie decorating, ornament making, visit with Santa and hayrides.
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Find more local things to do in our monthly events post.
Hope you and your family have the most magical holiday season in what most certainly is the strangest year all of us have ever had. Regardless we are all in this together!