December 26-28, 2025
Find out what's happening this weekend in Phoenix. You can see some live music, see the most current art exhibitions and more. Find more fun things to do this weekend on our event calendar. Check out our major annual events in 2025 here.
We've also rounded up holiday events and things to do in Phoenix this winter. Discover all the top events happening in December 2025 here. Looking for New Year's Eve parties and events? Check out our NYE holiday events blog.
Rate Bowl
Friday
The Rate Bowl is the college football postseason's only Big 12-Big Ten matchup, with the 36th annual Rate Bowl kicking off on December 26, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. MST at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix. The matchup between the Big 12 and Big Ten will feature New Mexico and Minnesota.
Downtown Phoenix Walking Tour
Friday through Sunday
The Downtown Phoenix Walking Brew Tour offers guests the ultimate craft beer experience—on foot! Covering approximately two-thirds of a mile, this guided tour takes you through the heart of Roosevelt Row, where you’ll visit a mix of iconic taprooms and exciting new breweries that are redefining the Phoenix beer scene. Along the way, you’ll enjoy expertly curated beer tastings, insider stories, and plenty of local flavor—all within a fun, easy walking route perfect for groups, date nights, or beer-loving friends.
Cocina Latina - Tamales
Friday
Gather in the kitchen, or cocina, for an authentic tamale-making experience. A skilled chef guides guests through the step-by-step process of creating tamales in a fun and social setting, while sharing insight into the many variations of this beloved dish—each rooted in the tradition of bringing family together. Guests are welcomed as part of the family as the recipe is passed on, and the experience concludes with a restaurant reservation where freshly prepared tamales are served as an appetizer to enjoy. Want to know where to buy the best Tamales in Phoenix? Check out our Tamales in Phoenix blog.
Las Noches de Las Luminarias
Friday through Sunday
Experience the magic of the season with glowing luminaria paths, sparkling lights, live entertainment and festive treats. Plus, be captivated by Framerate: Desert Pulse for an immersive Sonoran Desert holiday like never before.
Family-Friendly Activities This Weekend
Discover the best family-friendly things to do in Phoenix—from interactive museums to outdoor adventures and kid-friendly eats.
Family Fun Days at The Square
Saturday
Stop by for free, drop-in family activities one Saturday a month at the Square!
Join us at the Visitor Center for fun activities, a themed craft, and then stick around for a game or two of croquet on the lawn. We’ll see you there!
ZooLights
Friday through Sunday
Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland at The Valley’s favorite holiday tradition, ZooLights! Get in the holiday spirit as millions of twinkling lights transform the Zoo into a dazzling spectacle, guiding you through the illuminated pathways alongside animal habitats and Zoo trails.
Phoenix Zoo/Arizona Center for Nature Conservation
World of Illumination: Cosmic Sleighride
Friday through Sunday
Climb aboard your cosmic sleigh with your host Shiny the Star on a mystical holiday adventure that is out of this world at Cosmic Sleighride produced by World of Illumination. Shoot past the sun, race among the stars and pass through Kris Kringle’s celestial portal where toys prepare for launch. Orbit around a team of astro elves hoverboarding through the cosmos as you enter the stratosphere of Santa City, where all the holiday magic happens. Hold on to your seat — you’re in for one stellar ride.
Desert Diamond Casino & Entertainment
Things to Do Outdoors This Weekend
The Sonoran Desert is one of the most vibrant and unique deserts in the world. Learn about things to do in the desert in Greater Phoenix, including sites, views, hikes and more.
Stargazing at ADERO Scottsdale Resort
Friday
Local astronomers, "The Star Dudes" will be on-hand to assist and educate guests about our solar system and navigate the night sky from ADERO to spot some of the major constellations and visible deep-sky objects with special binoculars and telescopes. Read Visit Phoenix's Stargazing blog to find more spots to explore in Phoenix.
ADERO Scottsdale Resort, Autograph Collection
Concerts & Performances This Weekend
Shows are taking place more often now, including theatre performances, comedy shows and concerts. Here's who you can see perform this weekend:
Friday:
- Cirque Du Soleil at Arizona Financial Theatre
- Santo Perreo at The Rebel Lounge
- Ballet Arizona's The Nutcracker at Symphony Hall Phoenix
- A Christmas Carol at The Phoenix Theatre Company
- Live Music at Grand Hyatt Scottsdale
- Sip and Spin at Eden Rooftop Bar
Saturday:
- Cirque Du Soleil at Arizona Financial Theatre
- Candlelight: Christmas Special at Herberger Theater
- Ballet Arizona's The Nutcracker at Symphony Hall Phoenix
- A Christmas Carol at The Phoenix Theatre Company
- Saxophone Nights at Casa de Julia
- Carnival of Illusion Presents World-Class Magic at Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel
- Live Music at Grand Hyatt Scottsdale
Sunday:
- Cirque Du Soleil at Arizona Financial Theatre
- A Christmas Carol at The Phoenix Theatre Company
- Karoake Night at The Pemberton
Art Exhibits This Weekend
Phoenix is home to the largest art museum in the southwestern United States. Ignite your mind with the creativity and inspiration you will find at our local cultural institutions. Here's the art exhibits you can see this weekend:
Funny Business: Photography and Humor
Through January 24, 2026
Funny Business: Photography and Humor explores how artists have used visual humor to entertain, challenge norms, and offer resistance or relief from the weight of the world. Featuring 70 works from the Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona, the exhibition includes artists such as Liz Cohen, Steffi Faircloth, Jeff Mermelstein, Bucky Miller, and Reynier Leyva Novo.
POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION
Through April 12, 2026
POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION finishes its North American tour at the Arizona Science Center, located in Phoenix, AZ. The exhibition examines the lives of residents of Pompeii before and after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August 24th, 79 A.D. Over 150 artifacts on loan from the collections of the Naples National Archaeological Museum in Italy and the Archaeological Park of Pompeii will be displayed, for a limited time.
Desert Pulse
Through May 31, 2026
Thousands of stunning images. Five monumental video installations. One transformative experience. FRAMERATE: Desert Pulse, a multi-sensory art exhibit by ScanLAB Projects, invites visitors into the visual and emotional energy of the Sonoran Desert. Through photography, LiDAR scanning, motion and sound, it reveals new ways of seeing and deepens appreciation for our vibrant ecosystem.
The Magical Flute: Beauty, Enchantment, and Power.
Through September 13, 2026
Experience the enduring impact of the world’s first wind instrument in The Magical Flute: Beauty, Enchantment, and Power. Explore more than 100 remarkable flutes from the dawn of music to the present day and celebrate the resounding influence of the flute on cultures from around the world. Discover how people across history have used flutes of all forms, shapes, sizes, and materials to express the rich human experience.
Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)
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