Holiday lights near Phoenix for families (2026)
Listings last checked · Covers Oct 18 – Jan 15, 2027 · Past events drop off automatically
Go to the main search page: all events & places near you →Every event and place we know of, matched to your kids' ages and this weekend's forecast.
Quick answer: We list 15 holiday light events around Phoenix for Oct 18 – Jan 15, 2027: 6 displays run for weeks and 9 are one-night events. 6 list free admission.
These are the holiday light displays, light parades and tree lightings around the Phoenix metro that we've checked on each organizer's official site for the 2026 season. Displays that run for weeks are listed first, then one-night events. Some are free and some are ticketed, and popular nights can sell out, so check the official page before you go.
Light displays open for weeks
Christmas at the Princess
- When
- Fri, Nov 20 – Sat, Jan 2 (Nightly Nov 20 – Jan 2) · Mon–Thu 5–10pm · Fri–Sun 4–11pm; daily 4–11pm later in December
- Cost
- General admission from $35 per person; 3 and under free; parking extra (self-park $35 in advance)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
17 million lights across the resort, an outdoor ice rink, a 120-foot Ferris wheel, Christmas characters and Santa experiences. Ticketed and often sells out; ice skating and Santa photos cost extra.
✓ Checked Oct 18, 2026 on the organizer's official page
ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Fri, Jan 15 (Nightly Nov 25 – Jan 15) · 5:30–10:30pm
- Cost
- General $35, members $30; children 2 and under free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Five million lights along two miles of Zoo trail, a lake light show, glow garden, light tunnel and photos with Santa (Nov 25 – Dec 23, separate fee). Sensory-friendly night Dec 8 (separate ticket). Most animals aren't visible at night.
✓ Checked Oct 18, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Glendale Glitters
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Fri, Jan 1 (Lights nightly through Jan 1) · Nightly 5–10pm; lighting ceremony Nov 27 at 5:45pm; kickoff Nov 27–28
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
33rd year of holiday lights in Historic Downtown Glendale. The Nov 27–28 kickoff adds Santa, vendors, treats, carolers and live entertainment.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Las Noches de las Luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Jan 3 (Select nights: Nov 27–29; Dec 4–6, 11–13, 16–23, 26–31; Jan 1–3) · 5–9:30pm
- Cost
- General adult $39.95–$44.95, child (2–17) $18.95; members less
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thousands of luminarias and light displays along the Garden trails, live music, and the Super Bloom light-art installation. Photos with Sonoran Santa and Mrs. Claus Nov 27–29 and Dec 18–23.
✓ Checked Oct 18, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Sparkling Surprise holiday lights
- When
- Fri, Dec 4 – Sun, Dec 27 (Nightly Dec 4–27) · Nightly 5:30–10pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Free walk-through light display with a 40-foot tree, giant candy canes, Santa’s sleigh and lights on the lake.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Avondazzle Holiday Light Display
- When
- Sun, Dec 6 – Fri, Jan 1 (Nightly Dec 6 – Jan 1) · Nightly 5–10pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Holiday lights with a light show on the city Christmas tree every 30 minutes (5:30–9:30pm). Bring a blanket or chair.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
One-night light parades and tree lightings
Merry Main Street Kick-off & Christmas Tree Lighting — Mesa
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 · 5–10pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Kick-off of Merry Main Street, Downtown Mesa's month-long holiday festival with a real ice rink: a holiday market around Mesa's Christmas tree, a holiday program and the tree lighting.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting — Tempe
- When
- Sat, Nov 28
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Festive floats, lights and live entertainment on Mill Avenue, ending with the official lighting of Downtown Tempe's holiday tree.
✓ Checked Oct 18, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Water Tower Holiday Lighting — Gilbert
- When
- Mon, Nov 30 · 6–8:30pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The Gilbert Water Tower is lit at about 6:45pm, with live music, Santa and Mrs. Claus, sledding on man-made snow, inflatables and crafts (while supplies last).
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
QC Hometown Christmas Tree Lighting — Queen Creek
- When
- Fri, Dec 4 · 6–8pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Tree lighting, letters to Santa, pictures with Santa and music.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Holiday Event & Light Parade — Apache Junction
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · Park events 3–6:30pm · light parade 7pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Free holiday afternoon with Santa, Candy Cane Lane and inflatables, then the 28th annual light parade on Apache Trail at 7pm.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Tumbleweed Tree Lighting & Parade of Lights — Chandler
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · 4:30–9pm · Parade of Lights 6:45–8pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Chandler's annual lighting of its Tumbleweed Tree, with Santa, music and the Parade of Lights along Arizona Ave from Frye Rd north to Erie St.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
WinterFest — Avondale
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · 5–9pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Free winter festival with selfies with Santa, entertainment, the tree lighting and the premiere of the holiday light show.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Stroll in the Glow — Fountain Hills
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · 5–8pm · Balloon Glow 6–8pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Lighting of the Avenue around 5:45pm, including the Town's official Christmas tree. Santa arrives on a fire truck before 6pm for free photos, and hot air balloons glow at Fountain Park from 6–8pm.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade — Tempe Town Lake
- When
- Sat, Dec 12 · 4–9pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Boats decked out in holiday lights parade on Tempe Town Lake, with a holiday market, live entertainment, letters and photos with Santa, and fireworks after the parade. Clear bag policy.
✓ Checked Oct 18, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
When do holiday lights open around Phoenix in 2026?
Christmas at the Princess (Scottsdale): Fri, Nov 20 – Sat, Jan 2, nightly Nov 20 – Jan 2; ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo (Phoenix): Wed, Nov 25 – Fri, Jan 15, nightly Nov 25 – Jan 15; Glendale Glitters (Glendale): Fri, Nov 27 – Fri, Jan 1, lights nightly through Jan 1; Las Noches de las Luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix): Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Jan 3, select nights: Nov 27–29; Dec 4–6, 11–13, 16–23, 26–31; Jan 1–3; Sparkling Surprise holiday lights (Surprise): Fri, Dec 4 – Sun, Dec 27, nightly Dec 4–27; Avondazzle Holiday Light Display (Avondale): Sun, Dec 6 – Fri, Jan 1, nightly Dec 6 – Jan 1.
Which holiday light events near Phoenix are free?
Merry Main Street Kick-off & Christmas Tree Lighting — Mesa (Fri, Nov 27, Mesa, Free); Sparkling Surprise holiday lights (Fri, Dec 4 – Sun, Dec 27, Surprise, Free); Holiday Event & Light Parade — Apache Junction (Sat, Dec 5, Apache Junction, Free); Tumbleweed Tree Lighting & Parade of Lights — Chandler (Sat, Dec 5, Chandler, Free); WinterFest — Avondale (Sat, Dec 5, Avondale, Free); Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade — Tempe Town Lake (Sat, Dec 12, Tempe, Free). Glendale Glitters, Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting — Tempe, Water Tower Holiday Lighting — Gilbert, QC Hometown Christmas Tree Lighting — Queen Creek, Stroll in the Glow — Fountain Hills and Avondazzle Holiday Light Display don't list an admission price on the page we checked, so confirm on the official page.
How much do ZooLights, Luminarias and other ticketed light displays cost?
Christmas at the Princess: General admission from $35 per person; 3 and under free; parking extra (self-park $35 in advance); ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo: General $35, members $30; children 2 and under free; Las Noches de las Luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden: General adult $39.95–$44.95, child (2–17) $18.95; members less. Prices are copied from the official pages and can change by night.
Where can kids see Santa at a holiday lights event near Phoenix?
Christmas at the Princess (Fri, Nov 20 – Sat, Jan 2), ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo (Wed, Nov 25 – Fri, Jan 15), Glendale Glitters (Fri, Nov 27 – Fri, Jan 1), Las Noches de las Luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden (Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Jan 3), Water Tower Holiday Lighting — Gilbert (Mon, Nov 30), QC Hometown Christmas Tree Lighting — Queen Creek (Fri, Dec 4), Holiday Event & Light Parade — Apache Junction (Sat, Dec 5), Tumbleweed Tree Lighting & Parade of Lights — Chandler (Sat, Dec 5), WinterFest — Avondale (Sat, Dec 5), Stroll in the Glow — Fountain Hills (Sat, Dec 5) and Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade — Tempe Town Lake (Sat, Dec 12). Some charge separately for Santa photos; see each listing.
What holiday light events are in Scottsdale and Tempe?
Christmas at the Princess (Fri, Nov 20 – Sat, Jan 2, Scottsdale, General admission from $35 per person; 3 and under free; parking extra (self-park $35 in advance)); Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting — Tempe (Sat, Nov 28, Tempe); Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade — Tempe Town Lake (Sat, Dec 12, Tempe, Free).
What holiday light events are in the West Valley?
Glendale Glitters (Fri, Nov 27 – Fri, Jan 1, Glendale); Sparkling Surprise holiday lights (Fri, Dec 4 – Sun, Dec 27, Surprise, Free); WinterFest — Avondale (Sat, Dec 5, Avondale, Free); Avondazzle Holiday Light Display (Sun, Dec 6 – Fri, Jan 1, Avondale).
How does Little Outings check these listings?
Every event here was checked on the organizer's official website or calendar, and each listing shows the date we last checked it and links to that source. Past events drop off the page automatically. Dates, times and prices can change, so confirm on the official page before you go.
Go to the main search page: all events & places near you →Every event and place we know of, matched to your kids' ages and this weekend's forecast.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website or calendar and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site. Price levels without a source are our estimates. Read how we verify listings.