Last updated: November 11, 2024
Celebrate the joy of the holidays in El Mirage with our event guide. Whether you're an El Mirage expert or a novice, this guide helps you navigate the city's seasonal offerings.
Popular events this season include the enchanting experience at Enchant at Salt River Fields, where stunning light displays create a magical atmosphere. The Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display features breathtaking displays that depict the nativity scene in vivid detail. And the Glendale Glitters is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing beautiful twinkling lights throughout downtown. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Contact information and details below.
Large-scale holiday light display with local vendors and performances.
Glendale Glitters is a spectacular holiday light display in downtown Glendale, featuring over 1.7 million lights illuminating 16 blocks. The event includes local vendors, musical performances, and various festive activities.
Where: Glendale | More Info: Glendale Glitters
Life-sized gingerbread house with synchronized lights and pyrotechnics.
Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide features over 7 million lights, a dazzling light show, a magical train ride, nightly parade, stunt shows, holiday shopping, and live entertainment. The event includes a life-sized gingerbread house with synchronized lights, special effects, and pyrotechnics. It also offers holiday shopping with fine gifts, treats, and sweets. The event invites all generations to dream big by viewing past-year artifacts and memorable moments. The Very Merry Christmas Parade features dazzling floats and beloved Christmas characters, while a western cowboy Christmas show by the Arizona Roughriders tells a story of saving Christmas in the wild west.
Where: Chandler | More Info: Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide
Unique display of over 100 international nativities.
The Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display feature thousands of twinkling lights and various Biblical vignettes, including a large outdoor crèche and over 100 international nativities. This beloved holiday tradition has been a favorite in the Valley for more than four decades, drawing millions of visitors each year.
Where: Mesa | More Info: Mesa Temple Christmas Lights and International Nativity Display
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
The Phoenix ZooLights transforms the zoo into a dazzling spectacle with millions of twinkling lights, vibrant visuals, and mesmerizing music. Enjoy a stroll through illuminated pathways alongside animal habitats, warm treats by the fire, and interactive light displays.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Zoolights
Stunning geometric light installations merge nature and light.
Las Noches de las Luminarias features 8,000 flickering luminarias and twinkling lights along the Desert Botanical Garden's trails, accompanied by live music and festive food and drinks.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Las Noches de las Luminarias
Holiday light displays in a nature preserve setting.
The Riparian Preserve transforms into a vibrant holiday spectacle with thousands of lights and displays along 1.5 miles of trails and walkways. Local food and drink vendors offer delicious treats, and the event supports Maricopa County animal rescues by collecting dog food and supplies.
Where: Gilbert | More Info: Riparian After Dark
Annual holiday celebration with a festive street parade and tree lighting ceremony.
The Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting is a holiday tradition featuring a street parade, tree lighting ceremony, live entertainment, and Santa photos.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting
Dazzling holiday lights and train rides.
Transform into a vibrant holiday spectacle at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, featuring dazzling lights, train rides, and carousel attractions. Enjoy a variety of food and drink options while exploring the Model Railroad Building.
Where: Scottsdale | More Info: Holiday Lights - McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Synchronized holiday light display with interactive activities.
Stroll through Vertuccio Farms and enjoy a spectacular holiday light show featuring over 2 million synchronized LED lights. Take part in festive activities like ice skating, visiting the petting zoo, and writing letters to Santa. The event also includes a Mistletoe Marketplace with over 40 unique boutique vendors.
Where: Mesa | More Info: Lights at the Farm - Vertuccio Christmas Farm
Horse-drawn carriage rides and festive family activities.
The Annual Holiday Water Tower Lighting in Gilbert, Arizona, features horse-drawn carriage rides, family-oriented activities, holiday-themed vendor booths, and a variety of food trucks. Enjoy local eats, write letters to Santa, and participate in festive games like Penguin Whack-Mole and ring toss. The event also includes a fun family photo opportunity and live music.
Where: Gilbert | More Info: Annual Holiday Water Tower Lighting and Concert
Local vendors selling hand-crafted gifts and traditional food items.
The Mesa Christmas Market 2024 is an outdoor event inspired by timeless European markets, offering hand-crafted gifts and traditional food items. Located across from the Mesa Temple and next to Pioneer Park, it features live entertainment by local artists and a ride on the Mesa Santa Express. This centrally located event is perfect for starting your Christmas celebrations.
Where: Mesa | More Info: Mesa Christmas Market 2024
Community-driven holiday celebration with diverse activities.
Winterfest & Parade in El Mirage, AZ, features a light parade, live music by Rockin' Wonderland, photos with Santa, ornament bowling, bounce houses, food trucks, and community vendors.
Where: El Mirage | More Info: Winterfest & Parade
Family-friendly trick-or-treating and live performances.
Salt River Fields hosts a variety of events, including the Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival, which features trick-or-treating, live performances, and family-friendly activities in a festive atmosphere.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Enchant at Salt River Fields
Interactive LEGO activities and holiday-themed decor.
Join Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona for a holiday celebration featuring ornament building, MINILAND winter wonderland, sleigh building, and more.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Holiday Bricktacular
Interactive bug zoo learning stations and live reptile exhibits.
Explore the vibrant world of butterflies and rainforest animals at Glistening Gardens - Butterfly Wonderland. Learn about butterfly gardens, participate in interactive bug zoo learning stations, and enjoy various special events like the Fall Plant Sale and Bug Fest.
Where: Scottsdale | More Info: Glistening Gardens - Butterfly Wonderland
Family-friendly holiday celebration with a parade and various activities.
Christmas in the Park is a family-focused event featuring a hometown parade, arts and crafts vendors, local stage acts, children's activities, and holiday market vendors selling gift-giving items and affordable art. The event includes free entertainment and holiday-themed activities like inflatables, crafts, and a petting zoo.
Where: Litchfield Park | More Info: Christmas in the Park - Litchfield Park Special Events
Community-driven celebration of local art, music, and cuisine.
The Phoenix Festival of the Arts is a vibrant community event featuring over 150 art vendors, local music, and food trucks. It showcases local talent with live performances, art demonstrations, and interactive activities for all ages.
Where: Phoenix | More Info: Phoenix Festival of the Arts
Nightly snowfall in a desert setting.
Tempe Marketplace transforms into a winter wonderland with nightly snowfall, starting December 13th. Watch as the glistening snow falls each night at 7 and 8 p.m., creating a serene and festive atmosphere perfect for holiday shopping.
Where: Tempe | More Info: Nightly Snowfall - Tempe Marketplace
Family-friendly activities and a festive tree lighting ceremony.
The Holiday Program & Light Parade in Apache Junction features Santa, vendor booths, arts and crafts, games, music, inflatables, food, and a Tree Lighting ceremony at the Focal Point, culminating in the Annual Holiday Light Parade.
Where: Apache Junction | More Info: Holiday Program & Light Parade - Apache Junction Parks & Recreation
