Experience the magic of the season in Scottsdale with our comprehensive guide. From dazzling lights to festive cultural traditions, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Kick off your holiday season with the enchanting Scottsdazzle Holiday Extravaganza, where unique decorations and events fill the city with cheer. Take a stroll through the Desert Botanical Garden illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights during Las Noches de las Luminarias, a must-see celebration. And the ZooLights is something you definitely don't want to miss, as the Phoenix Zoo transforms into a winter wonderland with millions of lights and animated displays. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Scottsdale
- Scottsdazzle Holiday Extravaganza
- Winter Wonderland at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
- Christmas at the Princess
- Christmas in the Rainforest
Scottsdale Other Holiday Activities
Scottsdazzle Holiday Extravaganza
What to Expect:
Interactive art installations and performances
Description:
Scottsdale's Old Town transforms into a vibrant canvas of light and color during the Scottsdazzle Holiday Extravaganza. This month-long celebration infuses the arts district with interactive installations and live performances. Stroll through illuminated streets adorned with contemporary light sculptures, each telling a story of the region's rich cultural heritage. You can participate in hands-on art workshops led by local artisans. The event pays homage to Scottsdale's reputation as a premier arts destination, established in the 1920s with the founding of the Scottsdale Artists' School.
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Scottsdazzle Holiday Extravaganza
Winter Wonderland at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
What to Expect:
Luxury resort transformed into a holiday village
Description:
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess metamorphoses into a holiday village during Winter Wonderland. This upscale resort experience features a four-story musical tree, a desert ice skating rink, and a Santa's workshop. The event stands out with its blend of Southwestern charm and holiday cheer. Visitors can ride the Princess Express Train through illuminated lagoons. The Fairmont, opened in 1987, has become a cornerstone of Scottsdale's luxury tourism, with this event highlighting its commitment to creating memorable experiences.
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Winter Wonderland at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Christmas at the Princess
What to Expect:
Luxury resort holiday experience with a Southwestern twist
Description:
Christmas at the Princess elevates holiday celebrations with a touch of Southwestern elegance. This luxury resort event features a desert ice rink, s'mores land, and a four-story musical tree. The Princess Express Train whisks guests through twinkling light displays. You can indulge in gourmet holiday treats with a Southwestern flair. The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, which hosts this event, opened in 1987 and has since become an iconic landmark, blending luxury with local culture.
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Christmas in the Rainforest
What to Expect:
Tropical holiday celebration in a butterfly pavilion
Description:
Christmas in the Rainforest transports visitors to a tropical holiday celebration at Butterfly Wonderland. This unique event combines the lush environment of a rainforest with holiday cheer. Thousands of butterflies flit among festively decorated tropical plants. Guests can participate in butterfly releases, a symbolic act of hope and renewal. The pavilion, which opened in 2013, is the largest butterfly conservatory in America, showcasing the delicate balance of rainforest ecosystems during this special event.
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Nearby Events
Las Noches de las Luminarias (Phoenix)
What to Expect:
Southwestern luminaria tradition in a botanical garden setting
Description:
Las Noches de las Luminarias illuminates the Desert Botanical Garden with thousands of hand-lit paper lanterns. This Southwestern tradition casts a warm glow over the desert landscape, creating striking silhouettes of cacti and succulents. As you wander the candlelit paths, the soft strumming of Spanish guitars fills the air. Visitors can craft their own luminarias to take home. This event honors the Hispanic heritage of the region, with luminarias originally used to guide people to midnight mass on Christmas Eve.
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ZooLights (Phoenix)
What to Expect:
Animal-themed light sculptures and conservation education
Description:
ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo electrifies the night with millions of LED lights forming dazzling animal sculptures. These illuminated creatures come to life, telling stories of wildlife conservation through animated displays. The event combines entertainment with education, showcasing endangered species and conservation efforts. You can embark on a guided "Conservation Tour" to learn about the zoo's initiatives. ZooLights began in 1992 and has since become a cherished Phoenix tradition, evolving to incorporate cutting-edge light technology and interactive elements.
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Glendale Glitters (Glendale)
What to Expect:
Historic downtown transformed into a holiday spectacle
Description:
Glendale Glitters bathes the historic downtown in a sea of 1.6 million LED lights. This free event transforms 16 blocks into a sparkling holiday spectacle. The illuminated antique buildings create a nostalgic atmosphere, harkening back to Glendale's founding in 1892. Visitors can join guided tours to learn about the area's history while enjoying the lights. The event began in 1994 and has grown to become Arizona's largest free holiday light display, showcasing the community's commitment to preserving its heritage while creating new traditions.
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CitySkate Holiday Ice Rink (Phoenix)
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating in the heart of the desert
Description:
CitySkate Holiday Ice Rink brings winter fun to the heart of downtown Phoenix. This real ice rink, set against the backdrop of urban skyscrapers, offers a unique contrast to the desert landscape. The rink features a towering Christmas tree at its center, creating a picturesque setting for skaters. You can glide across the ice while enjoying views of the city's historic buildings. The event takes place at CityScape, a modern mixed-use development that has revitalized downtown Phoenix since its opening in 2010.
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Desert Ridge Holiday Events (Phoenix)
What to Expect:
Shopping center transformed into a holiday entertainment hub
Description:
Desert Ridge Marketplace evolves into a holiday entertainment hub during its seasonal events. This open-air shopping center hosts a series of performances, from local choirs to professional musicians, on its central stage. The complex comes alive with pop-up activities and themed decor throughout. You can join interactive workshops to create personalized gifts. Desert Ridge, which opened in 2001, has become a cornerstone of North Phoenix's community life, with these holiday events reflecting its role as a gathering place for celebration and commerce.
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Glendale Christmas Parade (Glendale)
What to Expect:
Small-town parade with a focus on community participation
Description:
The Glendale Christmas Parade embodies small-town charm with its community-focused procession. Local schools, businesses, and organizations create floats that wind through the historic downtown. The parade culminates with the arrival of Santa on a vintage fire truck. Spectators can join in decorating the town's Christmas tree after the parade. This event, which began in the 1950s, reflects Glendale's commitment to preserving its close-knit community spirit, even as the city has grown significantly since its founding in 1892.
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Tempe Fantasy of Lights Parade (Tempe)
What to Expect:
Boat parade on Tempe Town Lake
Description:
The Tempe Fantasy of Lights Parade illuminates Tempe Town Lake with a procession of decorated boats. This unique twist on the traditional holiday parade sees watercraft adorned with thousands of lights gliding across the water. The shoreline comes alive with food vendors and artisan booths. You can watch the parade from the Mill Avenue Bridge for a panoramic view. This event, which began in 1999, celebrates Tempe's successful transformation of a dry riverbed into a thriving urban waterfront, now a central feature of the city.
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Tempe Fantasy of Lights Parade
Gilbert Days Parade & Festival (Gilbert)
What to Expect:
Western-themed holiday celebration
Description:
Gilbert Days Parade & Festival blends holiday cheer with Western heritage. This event kicks off with a rodeo, followed by a parade featuring cowboys, horses, and festively decorated floats. The celebration continues with a street fair showcasing local artisans and Western-inspired holiday decor. Visitors can try their hand at roping during interactive demonstrations. Gilbert, founded in 1920 as an agricultural community, uses this event to honor its farming roots while embracing its evolution into a thriving suburban town.
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Gilbert Days Parade & Festival