You don’t need frigid winter weather to get in the spirit of the season. Enjoy holiday events in Phoenix, including concerts and performances, outdoor ice-skating rinks, open air shopping markets and festivals, twinkling light displays and even a few places to watch it snow in the desert.

Updated January 2

 

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Activities

 

CitySkate Holiday Ice Rink

November 23 - January 6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Get into the spirit of winter by skating on a real ice rink in the heart of downtown Phoenix. Central Avenue is transformed into an ice skater’s dream, decorated with a massive holiday tree and thousands of twinkling lights.

 

Merry Main St. in Downtown Mesa

Through January 4

Head to Downtown Mesa for a variety of events including outdoor ice skating, shopping, food truck festivities, photos with Santa and more.

 

Skate Westgate

November 15- January 13


Partake in the timeless holiday tradition of ice skating on Westgate’s real ice rink. Back again this year is the ever-popular, horse-drawn carriage rides that are free to all guests. Adding even more magic to the holidays, snowfall happens twice nightly and Santa Claus is on-hand to listen to Christmas wishes.

 

 

Holiday Lights

 

Illumination: Symphony of Light

November 14 - January 5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Illumination is Arizona’s largest holiday drive-thru light show that is fully synchronized to your favorite music. This 1-mile long driving attraction will feature millions of holiday lights synchronized to holiday music throughout 14 acres of the newest state of the art holiday lights and displays.

 

ZooLights

November 22 - January 14

 

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When the sun goes down and the animals go to sleep, the Phoenix Zoo magically transforms into one of the largest holiday lighting events in the Southwest. Enjoy millions of lights, hundreds of displays and performances throughout the zoo.

 

Glendale Glitters

November 23 - January 12


Glendale’s award-winning holiday lighting event has become a family tradition across the state. The stunning display of 1.5 million lights illuminates 16 blocks of Historic Downtown Glendale, making it the largest free holiday light display in Arizona. 

 

Lights of the World Lantern Festival

December 6 - February 3 (Closed Mondays)


Lights of the World is a unique international lantern arts festival that combines the age-old Chinese tradition of lantern festivals with modern cutting-edge technology and lights. The Lights of the World lantern displays extend from 18 to 60 feet, showcasing features of different cultures and civilizations around the globe.

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