Gilbert Water Tower Holiday Lighting
Visitors gather at Water Tower Plaza to watch the water tower light up and enjoy live musical performances by country singer-songwriter Christie Huff. Families can go sledding on real man-made snow, jump in inflatables, make holiday crafts, and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Attendees can also vote in a snowman competition created by town departments and purchase seasonal treats like hot cocoa and gourmet cookies.
What to Expect
Features sledding on real man-made snow, live music, and Santa visits.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Downtown Gilbert
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Town of Gilbert
Food & Drink
On-site vendors offer holiday-themed hot cocoa, gourmet cookies, and other snacks; vendors may change.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with young children
Vibe
Festive and family-friendly
Energy Level
Moderate
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Moderate
Location
Know Before You Go
- Hours: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM; Christie Huff performs 6:00–6:45 PM and 7:00–8:30 PM; Mayor Anderson’s remarks and the Water Tower Lighting are 6:45–7:00 PM.
- Parking: Free parking is available in Downtown Gilbert. Guests are encouraged to arrive as close to 6:00 PM as possible because parking lots are expected to be very busy.
- Accessibility: Fully accessible by strollers, wheelchairs, and walkers.
- Pets: Leashed pets are allowed; visitors should pick up after them.
Tips & Advice
- Arrive close to the start of the evening, because the free downtown parking lots are expected to fill up quickly.
- Bring both cash and a card, since each vendor sets its own payment methods and there are no ATMs on site.
- Head to the craft tables early, because the Water Tower ornaments and watercolor painting are available only while supplies last.
- Bring a leash and waste bags if your dog is coming, since leashed pets are welcome and owners need to pick up after them.
- Find a spot before the mayor's remarks so you can watch the Water Tower light up between Christie Huff's two sets.
Special Events & Promotions
- Mayor Anderson gives remarks and lights the Water Tower midway through the evening.
- Country singer-songwriter Christie Huff plays a set before the lighting and an encore after it.
- This year the event is held at the newly transformed Water Tower Plaza.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there for kids to do?
Kids can sled on real man-made snow, bounce in the inflatables and visit Santa and Mrs. Claus. There are crafts too, including a Water Tower ornament and watercolor painting with the Gilbert Visual Arts League, while supplies last.
What food and drinks are there?
Expect holiday-themed hot cocoa, gourmet cookies and other snacks. The vendors are The Corndog Company, Wiki-Licious, Eis Cafe and Cookie Karma. The downtown restaurants are close by too.
Who is performing?
Country singer-songwriter Christie Huff plays a set before the lighting and an encore after it. In between, Mayor Anderson gives remarks and the Water Tower lights up.
What is the snowman competition?
Town of Gilbert departments each built a snowman, and visitors vote for their favorite.
How can I be a vendor or volunteer?
To be a vendor, email SpecialEvents@gilbertaz.gov. You'll need a current Certificate of Insurance and a Gilbert Business License, and applications stay open until spots fill or two weeks before the event. To volunteer, sign up through the Town's volunteer portal. You'll get an orientation before the event.
More Christmas Events Near Gilbert
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.