Phoenix and the surrounding cities can start getting ready for an unforgettable winter holiday season!
Families with kids will find an extensive list below with the best options for events and activities to enjoy during the 2022 winter holiday season in and around Phoenix, including visits with Santa, millions of twinkling lights, and many more winter and Christmas-themed options!
These are our top picks. Make sure to make it to the very end so you don’t miss any options!
Take a look at these great places to enjoy during Winter With Kids in and around Phoenix for further ideas!
Don’t miss the world’s largest animated drive-through light show, highlighting larger-than-life Christmas characters and confections!
This mile-long journey features millions of colorful lights and enchanting holiday music— a must-see treat for the entire family. You will see Sugar plum fairies, a gigantic gingerbread village, and sweets as far as the eye can see.
Location:
TEMPE DIABLO STADIUM
DATES:
Nightly- November 16- January 1
Lights at the Farm and Vertuccio Farms have partnered together to bring Arizona’s Largest Walk-Thru Synchronized Light Show!
During this magical event, families will have a blast as they make their way through the dazzling lights, larger-than-life lighted displays, mesmerizing tunnel of lights and so much more.
Location:
Vertuccio Farms
DATES:
November 22- December 30
At this year’s Zoo Lights, families will find all-new animal lanterns and light displays, an enhanced Santa experience, brand-new music, and a light show that will take you around the world!
Location:
Phoenix Zoo
DATES:
November 23- January 15
Families will get to turn up the holiday spirit with World of Illumination’s Rockin’ Christmas!
Featuring millions of colorful lights and hundreds of animated displays, the world’s largest animated drive-through light show is a mesmerizing event sure to rock your holidays.
Location:
Hurricane Harbor SplashTown
DATES:
Nightly- November 16- January 1
Arizona Lights in the Night is a great chance to experience this year’s Holiday like never before!
You will embark on a journey through endless Lights, Perfectly lit with life-sized Candy Canes, Snowmen, Christmas Trees Galore, and more!
Location:
1901 N Alma School Rd
DATES:
November 23, 2022, through January 2023
During this holiday season, hop on board the Paradise & Pacific Railroad and experience a winter wonderland of holiday lights and displays.
No trip to the park is complete without a spin on the historic Charros Carousel or a cup of hot cocoa from Hartley’s General Store.
Location:
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
DATES:
November 25 – December 30 | 6 – 9:30 PM
You will enjoy festive décor throughout the building, highlighted by special lighting and holiday theming in the Butterfly Conservatory.
Visit the ‘wreath wall’ where each wreath displayed represents the homeland country of every butterfly species at Butterfly Wonderland.
Location:
Butterfly Wonderland
DATES:
9 AM -5 PM; November 26 through December 31
The magic of the holiday season comes alive with a visit to Santa’s winter wonderland.
A visit with Santa is always free and photo packages are available for purchase.
Location:
SanTan Village
DATES:
Open Thursday, November 17 – Saturday, December 24, Monday – Saturday: 11 AM – 7 PM | Sunday: 12 – 6 PM | November 24: Closed | December 24 (Christmas Eve): 10 AM – 4 PM | December 25: Closed
The holiday classic soars off the screen in this musical adaptation of the beloved television special.
Filled with holiday hits like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Holly Jolly Christmas,” Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer™ features all of your favorite characters including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph.
Location:
The Herberger Theater Center
DATES:
November 19 – December 24: Saturdays 1 & 4 PM | Sundays 1 PM
Christmas in Color features Nutcracker Nights with 6 massive Nutcrackers standing 4’-10’ tall near H&M; Starry & Bright – a 20’ long star tunnel is back near Dave & Buster’s; Illuminated Spheres – Over 100 light spheres create an illuminated canopy of color near H&M and Victoria’s Secret PINK; Holiday Tree – a 40’ tall holiday tree lights up the main entrance and makes for the perfect seasonal shot Backdrop; and more!
Enjoy Vibrant Art Installations On View All Season Long!
Location:
Desert Ridge Marketplace
DATES:
November 22 – December 31
The excitement of Glendale Glitters includes the Murphy Park lights and displays, performances in the amphitheater, the Hometown Christmas Parade, Movies by Moonlight, and additional events held by the downtown merchants.
Location:
Glendale Murphy Park/span>
DATES:
November 22- January 7. 5 PM – 10 PM each evening.
During this World of Illumination, families will get to trek over land, sea, and air to hear the jingle of the jungle.
Soar among the clouds as you fly with reindeer then outrun a T-Rex as you whiz past a land lost in time!
Location:
Desert Diamond Casino West Valley – Glendale, AZ
DATES:
Open Nightly. November 23- January 1
Odysea Aquarium is the perfect place for families looking for holiday fun all month long!
There will be plenty of fun activities for all ages!
Location:
OdySea Aquarium
DATES:
November 25- December 31
Watch as snow magically falls from the sky, turning Desert Ridge Marketplace into a living snow globe this holiday season.
Plus, enjoy snowfalls every hour!
Location:
Desert Ridge Marketplace
DATES:
November 23- December 30
Families can join Downtown Tempe for a holiday tradition! Bring your family and friends to an event that kicks off the magic of the season with a street parade, tree lighting ceremony, live entertainment, Santa photos, and so much more!
Location:
Downtown Tempe
DATES:
November 25, 4 PM- 8 PM
Santa will swing by Merry Main Street for free visits at Mesa’s Christmas Tree! Bring your phone or camera for a photo.
Location:
Mesa’s Christmas Tree – Mesa, AZ
DATES:
November 25, 26- 5 to 10 PM | December 2,3,9,10,16, 17, 23 – 5 to 9 PM | December 17 – 5 to 9 PM | December 24 – 12 – 3 PM
Starting Black Friday, enjoy holiday music from the Dicken’s Carolers and Pete Pancrazzi while you stroll through Santa City in The Quad.
And during Black Friday Weekend, be sure to snap a photo with some of your favorite Holiday characters!
Location:
Scottsdale Quarter
DATES:
November 26 – December 18 | Every Saturday and Sunday, 11 AM – 2 PM
During Visits with Santa, kids will make it a magical day at the Museum by sharing their holiday wishes with Santa, enjoying snow flurries in the Atrium, and playing in 3 floors of imaginative exhibits!
Location:
Children’s Museum of Phoenix
DATES:
December 3 and 4. 10 AM-12 PM and 12:30 PM -2 PM each day
In partnership with Autism Speaks, Sensory Friendly Santa Experience for the community at participating locations across the US.
Location:
Chandler Fashion Center
DATES:
December 4, 9:30 AM- 10:30 AM
Santa’s elves come to help a poor shoemaker and his wife in this musical treat.
Performed with large rod puppets, this is a holiday experience for the whole family to enjoy!
Location:
Great Arizona Puppet Theater
DATES:
December 9 – December 24, Friday at 10 AM only | Saturdays at 10 AM & 2 PM; Sundays at 2 PM.
During Las Noches de las Luminarias, you will enter a desert wonderland this holiday season!
Families will enjoy an evening filled with sparkling luminarias and twinkling holiday lights. Musical performances, entertainment, and holiday delights line the Garden’s iconic trails for a picture-perfect night.
Location:
Desert Botanical Garden
DATES:
Member’s only weekend: December 1 – 4 | Additional Dates: 9 -11, 15 – 18, 20 – 23, 26 -31 | 5:30 – 9:30 PM
This tradition of a magical train carries children to meet Santa Claus!
Hop on the special Light Rail car, sing songs, enjoy cookies, and, best of all, maybe meet Santa! Wear your pajamas and enjoy the season in the childlike and festive tradition of Christmas, Santa decided to join up!
Location:
440 E Main St, Mesa, AZ
DATES:
Friday -Saturday: December 9 & 10, December 16 & 17. 6-10 PM
Prepare a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a nice evening outside watching a great family movie.
Movies in the Park Presented by SRP will be bringing “The Polar Express” to the big screen at Flatiron Community Park in December.
Location:
Flatiron Community Park
DATES:
December 10
Children ages 5-8 years old will have an unforgettable camp experience during these Winter Break Camps!
Featuring hands-on learning, games, and activities designed to cultivate the minds and muscles of children, each unique camp also includes plenty of free play on all three floors of the Museum’s imaginative exhibits.
Location:
Children’s Museum of Phoenix
DATES:
December 19th-23rd | December 26th-30th, 9 AM- 4 PM
The District lights up for the first time this season as Desert Ridge Marketplace hosts the ultimate holiday celebration.
Get ready for a wow-worthy moment to enjoy with the entire family!
Location:
Desert Ridge Marketplace
DATES:
December 22, 6 PM- 8 PM
Made possible by Subaru, Arizona Science Center’s Snow Week offers guests of all ages the opportunity to discover the science behind ice and snow!
Location:
Arizona Science Center
DATES:
Starting On December 26
Families will get to ring in the New Year at the Museum during the Happy Noon Year Celebration!
Sip sparkling cider, move and groove on the dance floor, create a colorful noisemaker, and count down to the festive balloon drop!
Location:
Children’s Museum of Phoenix
DATES:
December 31, 9 AM- 4 PM
