Christmas in Phoenix with kids.

Family Christmas events in Phoenix

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• Zoo lights Good for toddlers

  ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo

  Dates

  Nov 25 - Jan 15 · Nightly, 5:30-10:30pm

  Where

  Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Papago Park (east Phoenix)

  Price

  General $35, members $30. Kids 2 and under free.

  Ages and booking

  All ages · Tickets work for any one night of the season. Santa photos (Nov 25-Dec 23) need a reservation and cost extra.

  The zoo opens after dark with light displays across the grounds, plus the Dinosaurs in the Desert exhibit. Most animals are not out at night.

  Parent tip: Tuesday Dec 8 is a sensory-friendly night with smaller crowds, quieter music and fewer flashing lights. Eat before you go, since food lines can get long.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Christmas lights Good for toddlers

  Las Noches de las Luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden

  Dates

  Nov 27 - Jan 3 · Select nights, 5-9:30pm: Nov 27-29; Dec 4-6, 11-13, 16-23, 26-31; Jan 1-3.

  Where

  Desert Botanical Garden, Papago Park (east Phoenix)

  Price

  Adults $39.95-44.95, ages 2-17 $18.95. Members pay a little less.

  Ages and booking

  All ages · Buy tickets ahead for a set night.

  Thousands of glowing paper-bag lanterns line the desert garden paths. There is live music and holiday decor along the way.

  Parent tip: Santa and Mrs. Claus pose for family photos Nov 27-29 and Dec 18-23. Dec 4-6 is a members weekend, so it may be busier.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Christmas lightsHoliday festivals Good for toddlers

  Glendale Glitters

  Dates

  Nov 27 - Jan 1 · Lighting ceremony Fri Nov 27 at 5:45pm. Kickoff nights Nov 27-28, 5-10pm. Lights on nightly 5-10pm through Jan 1.

  Where

  Murphy Park and Catlin Court, Historic Downtown Glendale, Downtown Glendale (West Valley)

  Price

  See the official site.

  Ages and booking

  All ages · No tickets needed to walk around.

  Historic Downtown Glendale lights up Murphy Park and the nearby streets for the season. This is the event's 33rd year.

  Parent tip: Santa visits during the season. Check his schedule before you go so the kids aren't let down.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Parades and tree lightings Good for toddlers

  Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting

  Dates

  Nov 28 · Sat Nov 28. Festivities 4-8pm, parade at 6pm.

  Where

  Mill Avenue and CenterPoint Plaza, Downtown Tempe

  Price

  See the official site.

  Ages and booking

  All ages · No tickets listed. Find a spot along Mill Avenue.

  Lit-up floats roll down Mill Avenue, and downtown Tempe lights its holiday tree the same night.

  Parent tip: The parade starts at 6pm, so little ones can see it and still get home at a decent hour.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Parades and tree lightingsFree Good for toddlers

  Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade

  Dates

  Dec 12 · Sat Dec 12, 4-9pm

  Where

  Tempe Beach Park, Tempe Town Lake

  Price

  Free

  Ages and booking

  All ages · Walk up

  Boats covered in lights cruise across Tempe Town Lake. The night ends with fireworks.

  Parent tip: There are Santa photo spots in the park. Fireworks are loud, so pack ear covers for babies and toddlers.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Shows and Nutcracker

  Ballet Arizona's The Nutcracker

  Dates

  Dec 11-27 · Dec 11-27. Matinees most weekends and on Dec 23 and 24. Check the schedule for times.

  Where

  Symphony Hall, 75 N. 2nd St., Downtown Phoenix

  Price

  See the official site.

  Ages and booking

  All ages · Buy ahead online

  Phoenix's big holiday ballet, with dancing snowflakes, life-size toys and the Land of Sweets. It runs about 2 hours with one break.

  Parent tip: There's no strobe, but there is brief stage fog and a toy-cannon battle. Free booster seats are at coat check, and ushers can store strollers. A shorter sensory-adapted show is offered too.

  Official site Tickets on Ticketmaster Add to calendar
• Parades and tree lightings Good for toddlers

  APS Electric Light Parade

  Dates

  Dec 5 · Sat Dec 5, starts at 7pm. Roads close 5-11pm.

  Where

  Central Ave. and Montebello Ave. to 7th St. and Indian School Rd., North Central Phoenix

  Price

  See the official site.

  Ages and booking

  All ages · No tickets listed. Viewing spots and parking are first come, first served.

  Phoenix's big nighttime parade of lit-up floats, now in its 39th year. It runs rain or shine.

  Parent tip: Crowds show up hours early, so bring chairs and blankets. Coolers are OK, but no glass or alcohol. Light rail helps you skip the traffic.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Christmas lightsHoliday festivalsIce skatingSanta visits Good for toddlers

  Christmas at the Princess

  Dates

  Nov 20 - Jan 2 · Nightly. Mon-Thu 5-10pm, Fri-Sun 4-11pm. From Dec 17, daily 4-11pm.

  Where

  Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Dr., North Scottsdale

  Price

  Ticketed. See the official site for tickets and parking.

  Ages and booking

  All ages · Buy tickets before you arrive.

  The resort grounds fill with lights, a giant Ferris wheel, rides, an outdoor ice rink, s'mores and Santa photos.

  Parent tip: Rides have height minimums from 36 to 54 inches. The rink has double-bladed skates that strap over kids' shoes. Santa leaves after Christmas Eve.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Christmas lightsHoliday festivalsIce skating Good for toddlers

  Jingle at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge

  Dates

  Nov 18 - Jan 3 · Nov 18-Jan 3. Check the official site for hours.

  Where

  JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Desert Ridge (north Phoenix)

  Price

  See the official site.

  Ages and booking

  All ages · Ticketed activities. Book ahead.

  The resort's holiday festival has lights, ice skating and ice!, a walk-through of giant ice carvings of scenes from the movie Elf.

  Parent tip: The ice! carvings are made from 2 million pounds of real ice, so bring jackets for everyone even on a warm night.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Christmas lights Good for toddlers

  World of Illumination: Reindeer Road (Tempe)

  Dates

  Nov 13 - Jan 3 · Tue-Sun. Gates open 6pm, last entry 10pm.

  Where

  Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Dr.

  Price

  From $39.99 per car. Prices vary by date.

  Ages and booking

  All ages · Online only, for a set date. Runs rain or shine.

  A drive-through light show set to holiday music on your car radio. It takes about 20-30 minutes.

  Parent tip: Weeknights move faster. There's no food on site, but you can bring your own snacks.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Christmas lights Good for toddlers

  World of Illumination: Candy Rush (Glendale)

  Dates

  Nov 12 - Jan 3 · Tue-Sun. Gates open 6pm, last entry 10pm.

  Where

  Camelback Ranch, 10710 W. Camelback Rd., West Phoenix / Glendale

  Price

  From $39.99 per car. Prices vary by date.

  Ages and booking

  All ages · Online only, for a set date. Runs rain or shine.

  A candy-themed drive-through light show set to music on your car radio. Plan on 20-30 minutes.

  Parent tip: Kids can watch in pajamas from their car seats. It's an easy pick for babies who fall asleep on the way home.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Parades and tree lightingsSanta visitsFree Good for toddlers

  Desert Ridge Marketplace Holiday Tree Lighting

  Dates

  Nov 23 · Mon Nov 23, 6-9pm. Tree lighting at 7:15pm.

  Where

  The District at Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Desert Ridge (north Phoenix)

  Price

  Free. Optional VIP tickets cost extra.

  Ages and booking

  All ages · Walk up

  Santa and Mrs. Claus help light the shopping center's tree. Free Santa photos follow from 7:30 to 9pm.

  Parent tip: Get in the Santa photo line right after the lighting. It's a free way to get the yearly Santa picture.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Parades and tree lightingsFree Good for toddlers

  Scottsdale Quarter Tree Lighting

  Dates

  Nov 28 · Sat Nov 28, 5:30-7:30pm. Tree lighting at 7pm.

  Where

  The Quad at Scottsdale Quarter, 15191 N. Scottsdale Rd., North Scottsdale

  Price

  Free. Santa photos cost extra.

  Ages and booking

  All ages · Walk up

  A short evening with live music, ballet and toy soldier acts, free kids' crafts and a fake snowfall. The Grinch stops by too.

  Parent tip: It wraps up by 7:30pm, which works well for little kids.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Parades and tree lightingsHoliday festivalsFree Good for toddlers

  Chandler Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Ceremony

  Dates

  Dec 5 · Sat Dec 5, 4:30-9pm

  Where

  Downtown Chandler, 3 S. Arizona Ave.

  Price

  Free

  Ages and booking

  All ages · Walk up

  Chandler lights its Tumbleweed Tree with music, a light display and a toy drive. The Parade of Lights rolls the same night.

  Parent tip: The city asks people to carpool and come early, since parking fills up. Streets close from about 2 to 10pm.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Parades and tree lightings Good for toddlers

  Chandler Parade of Lights

  Dates

  Dec 5 · Sat Dec 5, 6:45-8pm

  Where

  Arizona Ave., from Frye Rd. north to Erie St., Downtown Chandler

  Price

  See the official site.

  Ages and booking

  All ages · No tickets listed.

  A short lit-up parade, about three-quarters of a mile long, through downtown Chandler.

  Parent tip: Pair it with the tree lighting and Santa's House in the park next door.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Santa visitsFree Good for toddlers

  Santa's House in Chandler

  Dates

  Dec 5-19 · Sat Dec 5, 4:30-9pm; Sat Dec 12, 9am-1pm; Tue Dec 15, 6-8pm; Sat Dec 19, 9am-1pm.

  Where

  Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave., Downtown Chandler

  Price

  Free, with free photos

  Ages and booking

  All ages · Walk up

  Kids can visit Santa, share their wish lists and get a free photo. They can also write letters to Santa.

  Parent tip: On Dec 5, Santa's House closes 6:30-8pm during the parade. The Saturday morning times are calmer.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Parades and tree lightingsHoliday festivalsSanta visitsFree Good for toddlers

  Apache Junction Holiday Event & Light Parade

  Dates

  Dec 5 · Sat Dec 5. Event 3-6:30pm, tree lighting about 6:30pm, parade at 7pm.

  Where

  Flatiron Park and Apache Trail (between Phelps and Gold Dr.), Apache Junction (far East Valley)

  Price

  Free. Food and vendors cost extra.

  Ages and booking

  All ages · Walk up

  An afternoon of games, music, inflatables and Santa photos, then a tree lighting and a lit-up parade.

  Parent tip: Come for the afternoon play time if bedtime is early. Parking is in the dirt lots east of the park.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Parades and tree lightings Good for toddlers

  QC Hometown Christmas Parade

  Dates

  Dec 5 · Sat Dec 5 at 10am

  Where

  Queen Creek Town Center, 21802 S. Ellsworth Rd., Queen Creek (southeast Valley)

  Price

  See the official site.

  Ages and booking

  All ages · No tickets listed.

  A small-town morning Christmas parade. The town tree lighting is the night before, Fri Dec 4, 6-8pm.

  Parent tip: A morning parade is a good choice for babies and toddlers who nap after lunch.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Parades and tree lightings Good for toddlers

  Hometown Christmas Parade (Glendale)

  Dates

  Dec 12 · Sat Dec 12 at 11am

  Where

  Glendale Ave., from 51st Ave. west to 58th Ave., Downtown Glendale (West Valley)

  Price

  See the official site.

  Ages and booking

  All ages · No tickets listed.

  A daytime Christmas parade with floats and marching bands through downtown Glendale.

  Parent tip: Glendale Glitters' lights are a few blocks away if you want to come back after dark.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Parades and tree lightingsChristmas marketsHoliday festivalsFree Good for toddlers

  Christmas in the Park (Litchfield Park)

  Dates

  Dec 12 · Sat Dec 12. Holiday market 9am-3pm, parade at 10am.

  Where

  Litchfield Square Park, 279 N. La Loma Ave., Litchfield Park (West Valley)

  Price

  Free

  Ages and booking

  All ages · Walk up

  A small-town festival with a hometown parade, 60-plus market vendors, stage acts and kids' activities.

  Parent tip: Browse the market from 9am, then grab a curb spot before the 10am parade.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Shows and Nutcracker

  A Christmas Carol at Hale Theatre

  Dates

  Nov 27 - Dec 24 · Nov 27-Dec 24. Check the schedule for show times.

  Where

  Hale Theatre, 50 W. Page Ave., Downtown Gilbert

  Price

  Adults $58-75, ages 5-17 $40-55

  Ages and booking

  Ages 5+ (under 5 not allowed) · Buy ahead online

  A stage version of the Dickens story that runs about 2 hours. Kids under 5 can't attend.

  Parent tip: The theater warns that some scenes may be intense for young kids, so check in with yours before the ghosts appear.

  Official site Tickets on Ticketmaster Add to calendar
• Shows and Nutcracker

  Elf in Concert (The Phoenix Symphony)

  Dates

  Nov 27-29 · Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28 and Sun Nov 29, all at 2pm

  Where

  Symphony Hall, 75 N. 2nd St., Downtown Phoenix

  Price

  See the official site.

  Ages and booking

  Kids who can sit through a 2-hour movie · Buy ahead online

  The movie Elf plays on a big screen while the orchestra plays the score live. It runs about 2 hours 15 minutes.

  Parent tip: All three shows are matinees, so this works on Thanksgiving weekend without a late night.

  Official site Tickets on Ticketmaster Add to calendar
• Shows and Nutcracker

  Holiday Pops Spectacular (The Phoenix Symphony)

  Dates

  Dec 4-6 · Fri Dec 4 at 7:30pm; Sat Dec 5 at 2pm and 7:30pm; Sun Dec 6 at 2pm

  Where

  Symphony Hall, 75 N. 2nd St., Downtown Phoenix

  Price

  See the official site.

  Ages and booking

  Kids who can sit through a 2-hour concert · Buy ahead online

  The orchestra's yearly holiday pops concert of seasonal favorites. It runs about 2 hours 15 minutes.

  Parent tip: Pick a 2pm show for kids. Bring a small quiet toy for the second half.

  Official site Add to calendar
• Holiday trainsSanta visits Good for toddlers

  The Magical Christmas Journey (Verde Canyon Railroad)

  Dates

  Nov 27 - Dec 24 · Nov 27-Dec 24. Check the train schedule for departure times.

  Where

  Verde Canyon Railroad depot, 300 N. Broadway, Clarkdale (about 2 hours north of Phoenix)

  Price

  Adults $60, ages 2-10 $40 (Dec 24: $70 and $50). Babies under 1 ride free on a lap.

  Ages and booking

  All ages · Book ahead online. Booking early saves money.

  A 1-hour round-trip train ride to a pretend North Pole. Santa boards for the ride back, talks with each child and hands out a keepsake.

  Parent tip: It's a long drive from Phoenix, so make it a day trip and arrive early for the elves and activities at the depot.

  Official site Add to calendar

Dates and prices were checked on each event's official site. They can change, so check the official site before you go.