✨ Holiday Magic Across the Valley

The holiday season in Phoenix is nothing short of magical — twinkling lights, festive farm experiences, family shows, train rides, and unforgettable Santa moments. Because the Phoenix metro area is huge, this guide breaks everything down by region, making it easy for families to find the perfect event close to home.

From beloved traditions like ZooLights and The Polar Express to local farm festivals and dazzling drive-through displays, this curated guide includes dates, prices, insider tips, and family-friendly notes to help you plan your most joyful holiday season yet.

Let’s celebrate the holidays across the Valley! 🎄✨

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⭐ SCOTTSDALE

Christmas at the Princess

📍 7575 E Princess Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
📞 480-585-4848
🗓 November 21, 2025 – January 3, 2026
🕔 Mon–Thu 5–10 pm | Fri–Sun 4–11 pm
🌐 https://www.christmasattheprincess.com/
✨ Highlights: 6 themed areas, over 6 million lights, ice skating, s’mores, Santa photos, and a holiday train ride.

Family-Friendly Tips:

• The train line is LONG on weekends — go early or visit Monday–Thursday.
• The Princess Express is stroller-friendly.
• Kids love the Build-A-Bear workshop pop-ups (usually inside the resort).

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Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

📍 7301 E Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
🗓 November 28 – December 30, 2025
🕔 5:30 – 9:30 pm
💵 $15 per person (ages 2 and under free)
🌐 https://www.therailroadpark.com/event/holiday-lights/‍

✨ Highlights: Holiday train ride through tunnels of lights and festive displays.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips:

• Buy tickets online — they sell out fast.
• Best for toddlers and elementary ages.
• Bring a blanket — it gets chilly on the train.

Glistening Gardens at Butterfly Wonderland

📍 9500 E Via de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
🗓 November 28, 2025 – January 4, 2026
🕔 Times vary (see website for details)
🌐 https://butterflywonderland.com/special-events

✨ Highlights: A seasonal illuminated forest-garden inside the butterfly conservatory, featuring glowing garden paths, fluttering butterflies, and special guest appearances (Butterfly Fairy, Native American flutist, violinist) on select dates.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips:

• Arrive early or during off-peak hours for a quieter experience with little ones.
• Bring a camera — the glowing butterflies and garden lighting are magical photo ops.
• Ideal for preschoolers to elementary-age kids who enjoy lights and gentle strolls.

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⭐ PHOENIX

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Winter Wanderland

📍 455 N. 3rd St. Phoenix, AZ 85004
📞 602-744-6413
🗓 December 20th
🕔 5:30pm-8:00pm
🌐 https://dtphx.org/events/winter-wanderland

✨ Highlights: Wander through the urban core and enjoy free progressive holiday performances, over-the-top festive lights and décor, delicious food, drinks, and merriment. Just a few things to look forward to this year include performances by the Golden Grannies, AeroTerra Arts, Phoenix Children’s Choir, and the Toy Soldier Holiday Hype Crew, as well as crafts at Jacy & Dakota’s at The Westin.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips:

• Check the schedule to make sure you don't miss anything
• Dress warm for the chilly nights!
• Don't Stress about parking! Find more info here

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ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo

📍 444 N Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008
📞 602-286-3800
🗓 November 26, 2025 – January 16, 2026
🕔 Times vary nightly | Sensory-friendly night December 15
🌐 https://www.phoenixzoo.org/events/zoolights

✨ Highlights: 2.5 million+ lights, massive lantern animals, music shows, lake displays, and hot cocoa stations.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips:

• Sensory-friendly night is amazing for neurodiverse families.
• Parking fills early — consider rideshare.
• Light-up animals are a kid favorite.

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The Nutcracker – Ballet Arizona & Phoenix Symphony

📍 2835 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85034
🗓 Select dates December 12 – 27, 2025
🌐 https://balletaz.org/performance/the-nutcracker/2025-12-27/

‍✨ Highlights: A magical holiday tradition featuring Ballet Arizona dancers and a live symphony orchestra.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips:

• Great for ages 5+.
• Matinees = best for kids.
• Dress-up photos are a must!

Winnie the Pooh: A Christmas Tail – Valley Youth Theatre

📍 525 N 1st St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
🗓 December 2 – 23, 2025 | Times vary
💵 From $22.50 (ages 2 and under lap free)
🌐 https://vyt.com/section/pooh

heartwarming holiday musical with Pooh and friends.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips:

• Perfect for younger kids.
• Arrive early for best seating.

The Dinosaur Christmas Revue – Great AZ Puppet Theater

📍 302 W Latham St, Phoenix, AZ 85003
🗓 November 28 – December 21, 2025
🕔 Thu–Fri 10 am | Sat 10 am & 2 pm | Sun 2 pm
🌐 https://www.azpuppets.org/shows.php

✨ Highlights: A funny dinosaur-themed puppet show packed with songs and holiday cheer.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips:

• Morning shows are best for little ones.
• Front row = most interactive.

Christmas on the Farm at DH Farms

📍 2209 N 99th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85307
🗓 November 28 – December 28, 2025
💵 Children 3 and under free
🌐 https://www.visitdhfarms.com/

✨ Highlights: A festive farm with a walk-through light trail, Santa Experience, and interactive attractions.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips:

• Wear closed-toe shoes — it’s a farm!
• Their Santa spends extra time with each child

⭐ MESA

Vertuccio Farms Christmas Fest

📍 4011 S Power Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212
🗓 December 1 – 23, 2025
🕔 5:30 – 9:30 pm
💵 $15 per person
🌐 https://vertucciofarms.com/events/vertuccio-farms-christmas-fest/

✨ Highlights: Walk-through light displays, fire pits, slides, mini-golf, Santa visits, and festive snacks.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips:

• Head to the slides first — lines get long.
• Bring money for treats.

⭐ GILBERT

Valor Christmas Holiday Light Show

📍 3015 E Warner Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296
📞 480-914-4498
🗓 November 28 – December 28, 2025
🕔 Sun/Wed/Thu 6–9:30 pm | Fri–Sun 6–10 pm
🌐 https://arizonachristmaslights.com/

✨ Highlights: Immersive walk-through LED light show synchronized to music.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips:

• Best experienced midweek.
• Hold hands with littles — it’s dark and busy.

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⭐ GLENDALE

Christmas Lights on the Tolmachoff Farm

📍 5726 N 75th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85303
📞 602-999-3276
🗓 December 5 – 20, 2025 | Fri & Sat 6–9 pm
💵 $7 per person (under 1 free) | Train ride $5
🌐 https://www.tolmachoff-farms.com/post/christmas-on-the-tolmachoff-farm

✨ Highlights: Farm light trail, hayrides, Santa visits, and festive photo ops.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips:

• Bring cash for the train.
• Tons of good photo spots.

World of Illumination – Glendale & Tempe

📍 Glendale (Desert Diamond Casino) & Tempe (Diablo Stadium)
🗓 November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026
🕔 6–10 pm nightly
💵 Starting at $39.99 per vehicle
🌐 https://www.worldofillumination.com/

✨ Highlights: Drive-through animated light show synced to music with giant themed displays.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips:

• Perfect for toddlers and sensory-sensitive kids.
• Let kids sit in the front seat for the best view!

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⭐ SURPRISE

Desert Farm Lights

📍 14629 W Peoria Ave, Surprise, AZ 85355
🗓 November 21 – December 28, 2025
🕔 5–10 pm (weeknights) | 5–11 pm (Fri & Sat)
🌐 https://www.desertfarmlights.com/

💵 $22.95 ages 3 and up Use Code: SANTA for $3 off each ticket Monday-Thursday (excluding the week of Dec 25)

✨ Highlights: A 13-acre holiday wonderland with millions of lights, an ice rink, Santa, and a candy cane maze.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips:

• Ice skate sizes can run out — arrive early.
• Weeknights are best for little ones.

⭐ QUEEN CREEK

Christmas at Schnepf Farms

📍 24810 S Rittenhouse Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142
🗓 November 28 – December 28, 2025 (closed Christmas Day)
🕔 5–10 pm
💵 $19.95–$25.95 (ages 2 and under free)
🌐 https://www.schnepfchristmas.com/

✨ Highlights: Holiday rides, a hayride to Rudolph, ice skating on select days, and festive entertainment.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips:

• Ride wristbands save money with multiple kids.
• The hayride is stroller-friendly.

⭐ FLAGSTAFF

North Pole Experience

📍 Little America Hotel, 2515 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
🗓 November 21 – December 24, 2025
🕔 Day & night sessions | Advance tickets required
💵 Starting at $58 | Infants 0–17 months free
🌐 https://www.northpoleexperience.com/

✨ Highlights: A trolley ride through a “magic portal” to Santa’s Workshop, Toy Factory, Mrs. Claus’ Bakery, and Elf University.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips:

• Tickets sell out very early.
• Kids wear pajamas (and adults too!).

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⭐ WILLIAMS

The Polar Express – Grand Canyon Railway

📍 233 N Grand Canyon Blvd, Williams, AZ 86046
🗓 November 7 – December 30, 2025
🕔 Departures ~5:30 pm & 7:30 pm | 90-minute round trip
💵 Prices vary by date/car class
🌐 https://www.thetrain.com/events/polar-express/

⭐✨ Highlights: A magical recreation of the classic story with cocoa, cookies, carols, and Santa.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips:

• Early train is easier with toddlers.
• Pajamas encouraged!

⭐COTTONWOOD / CLARKDALE

Magical Christmas Journey – Verde Canyon Railroad

📍 300 N Broadway, Clarkdale, AZ 86324
🗓 November 28 – December 24, 2025 | Times vary
💵 Adults $60 | Kids (2–10) $40 | Christmas Eve Adults $70 | Kids $50
🌐 https://verdecanyonrr.com/magical-christmas-journey/

✨ Highlights: One-hour train ride to the “North Pole,” Santa meet-and-greet, and a decorated village at the depot.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips:

• Shorter option for those with short attention spans

⭐ DEWEY / PRESCOTT

Christmas at Mortimer Farms

📍 12907 E State Route 169, Dewey, AZ 86327
🗓 November 15 – December 24, 2025
🌐 https://www.mortimerfarmsaz.com/Christmas

✨ Highlights: Lights, farm attractions, holiday meals, Santa visits, and live entertainment.
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Tips:

• Dress warm — Prescott nights get chilly.
• Plan 2–3 hours to enjoy everything.

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Your Holiday Adventures Await!

From twinkling farm lights to theatrical holiday magic and breathtaking drive-through displays, the Phoenix metro area offers holiday joy in every direction. Whether your family loves rides, lights, Santa, or live shows, this guide helps you find the perfect events — near home and tailored to kids of every age.

Bookmark this page and check back often — we’ll update it throughout the season as new events and holiday happenings pop up.
Happy Holidays, Phoenix! 🎄✨

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