Scottsdale is aglow with Christmas lights this season, and you won’t want to miss the city’s brightest spots. Here are some of the best ways to add holiday cheer and festive fun for the whole family.
Christmas at the Princess
November 21, 2025 – January 3, 2026
As one of the city’s brightest places to celebrate the holiday season, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess creates a backdrop for families and friends to enjoy a magical night and make memories that last a lifetime. The resort transforms into a sparkly winter wonderland with the all new Starlights: An Electric Symphony, a desert ice skating rink, the Aurora Ice wonderland, Princess Express trains, holiday character appearances and more than 16 million dazzling Lagoon Lights. Be sure to stop by The Village, where you can go sledding down the new 200-foot Snow Mountain, ride the Chair Lift Ferris Wheel, toast marshmallows at Smoresland, and more!
ZooLights
November 26, 2025 - January 16, 2026
It’s a wild night for the whole family at ZooLights! Enjoy hundreds of glimmering displays and millions of twinkling lights as they light the way through the Phoenix Zoo. This can’t-miss holiday favorite features a 200-foot-long light tunnel, the Lake Lights Show, Glow Garden, visits with Santa, and treats like hot cocoa and s'mores. This year's celebration also includes a Sensory Friendly ZooLights on Dec. 15, 2025 and the option to cruise ZooLights in your car on Nov. 2, 2025, and Jan. 18, 2026.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT MCCORMICK-STILLMAN RAILROAD PARK
November 28 – December 30, 2025
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park lights up the night with one of the most unique holiday events in the Valley. Take a ride on the Paradise & Pacific Railroad through a mesmerizing winter wonderland of twinkling lights and enchanting displays. Guests can enjoy food and drinks at hartley's General Store, play a round of Glow-up Miniature Golf and tour the Model Railroad Building.
Las Noches de las Luminarias
Select Dates November 28 – December 30, 2025
The Desert Botanical Garden will be aglow this holiday season! Experience a magical, Southwestern holiday tradition at the Desert Botanical Garden’s Las Noches de Las Luminarias. Each evening features more than 8,000 hand-lit luminarias, thousands of white twinkle lights, live entertainment and festive food and drinks. This year, Luminaria guests will be captivated by Framerate: Desert Pulse for an immersive Sonoran Desert holiday like never before.
Scottsdazzle Holiday Extravaganza
November 29– December 31, 2025
Make your holidays shine with Scottsdazzle, a month-long celebration of the season in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. Enjoy free signature events, culinary demonstrations and family activities in each of the Old Town districts, plus breathtaking public art installations and a stunning illuminated Christmas tree at the Scottsdale Waterfront. The kick-off event for Scottsdazzle will begin with the Jingle & Jazz Tree Lighting Spectacular, on Saturday, November 29, at 7:00 p.m.
WORLD OF ILLUMINATION
November 15, 2025 – January 5, 2026
Just a short drive from Scottsdale, Illumination is the country’s largest drive-through animated holiday light show experience, featuring millions of brightly colored lights masterfully choreographed to your favorite holiday songs. This year, Arizona has two unique themes: Reindeer Road at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe and Candy Rush at Desert Diamond Casino in Glendale. It’s a magical experience that will ignite your holiday spirit!
To plan your Scottsdale holiday getaway, click here!
