It’s the season for Christmas lights, ice skating, and making memories with friends and family.
PHOENIX — The holiday season is here. That means neighborhoods will be illuminated with twinkling lights, cities will be hosting festivals, and you’ll be ready to make memories.
There are several events to get the whole family in the holiday spirit throughout the Valley.
Zoolights
The Phoenix Zoo will be illuminated with approximately 4 million lights during this popular holiday event. The event features North America’s tallest floating Christmas tree.
Enjoy a s’mores station, walk through an interactive glow garden, and walk through a 60-foot tunnel of light for great photo opportunities.
ZooLights will run from 5:30pm to 10pm every night until January 14th. Tickets are $30, or $25 for members if purchased in advance online. If you buy at the gate, the price will increase by $5.
On December 4th, there will be a sensory-friendly evening with smaller crowds, quieter music, and fewer flashing lights.
The Phoenix Zoo is located at 455 N. Galvin Parkway.
glendale glitters
Head to Murphy Park in Glendale for the annual Glendale Glitters event, held every night through January 1st.
This year, the city is celebrating 30 years of “Holiday Sparkle” and kicks off the family-fun season with a tree lighting ceremony at the Glendale Civic Center on Nov. 24 at 5:45 p.m.
Attendees can expect festive food offerings, local arts and crafts for sale, a visit from Santa Claus and carolers spreading cheer throughout downtown Glendale, the city said.
Murphy Park is located on West Glendale Avenue.
world of illumination
Arizona’s largest drive-thru Christmas light display will enchant the whole family. From now until December 31st, pack the family in the car and head to Desert Diamond Casino in Glendale for a night of audio-visual experiences.
Tickets start at $39.99 per car and can be purchased online here. Desert Diamond Casino is located at 9431 West Northern Avenue in Glendale.
In Tempe, World of Illuminations will take families on a “Supersonic Holiday Road Trip” to Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Both locations are open rain or shine, every Tuesday through Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m.
Tempe Diablo Stadium is located at 2200 West Alameda Drive.
farm lights
Starting December 1st, bring your family to Lights at the Farm in Mesa for an unforgettable vacation. This is Arizona’s largest synchronized walk-through light show, complete with an ice skating rink and a visit from Santa.
“More than 2 million LED lights and displays are powered by more than 12,000 computer channels and synchronized to your favorite Christmas songs,” organizers said on their website.
Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased here. His address is 4011 South Power Road in Mesa.
Salt River Field Enchantment
“A mischievous little elf named Eddie and his reindeer friend Sparky misplace eight of the children’s toys on Santa’s list! They’re gone before Santa’s big night! Please help me find the toy!”
Enchantment at Salt River Fields, presented by Hallmark Channel, is open now through December 31st and includes an all-new light maze, The Village, where small storefronts will open for holiday shopping, and more. There are activities for the whole family to enjoy. There’s an ice skating course, and of course, Santa’s appearance at Santa’s Landing.
Tickets start at $34 for adults and $25.50 for children ages 3-17. Infants under 3 years old can enter for free.
Enchantment is located at 7555 North Pima Road in Scottsdale.
princess christmas
Celebrate Christmas in Scottsdale’s winter wonderland.
The event will feature 7.5 million holiday lights, 128 fire pits and igloos, a 6,000-square-foot ice skating rink, and a 95-foot-tall Ferris wheel. Take a photo next to the four-story Christmas tree.
The event will run until January 6th and will be held Monday through Thursday from 5pm to 10pm. It will be held Friday through Sunday from 4 to 11 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets starting at $35.
Scottsdale Fairmont Princess is located at 7575 East Princess Drive.
sea of light
SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium invites you to “Arizona’s only indoor illuminated exhibit with the atmosphere and wonder of coming face-to-face with some of the ocean’s most amazing creatures.”
There are also opportunities for scuba diving and getting up close and personal with the aquarium’s creatures.
Sea of Lights is open from 11am to 5pm until January 1st. For ticket prices and information, please visit our website here.
Las Noches de las Luminarias
“Winter night garden lights are a must this holiday season at Desert Botanical Garden Las Noches de las Luminarias.”
Luminaria-lit trails and twinkling holiday lights create a picturesque desert holiday night. Experience the event this weekend from now through January 1st.
Click here for ticket information. Desert Botanical Garden is located at 1201 North Galvin Parkway.
at the theater
elf the musical
What’s Christmas without Buddy the Elf?
Phoenix Theater Company will present “Elf the Musical” at Main Stage Theater through December 30th.
“Based on the popular 2003 film, Phoenix Theater Company’s second musical version is a sweet treat the whole family will enjoy during the holiday season.”
The show is rated PG-13 due to “slightly crude humor and mild language,” organizers said. Tickets start at $55 and can be purchased here.
nutcracker
The holiday tradition continues with Ballet Arizona’s production of The Nutcracker and the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall. The show will run from December 8th to December 24th.
“Follow Clara’s winter adventures as she battles mischievous mice and charms the Sugar Plum Fairy. Whether it’s your first time playing the Nutcracker or your 101st time, this heartwarming tradition is sure to charm everyone and bring a smile to their faces. You can’t fail.”
Tickets can be purchased here starting at $35.
For more information on what’s happening around the Valley this holiday season, check out this Visit Phoenix listing.