Safely enjoy this holiday season with one of the many socially-distanced, glitter and joy-filled Christmas events in Arizona. Regardless of what part of the Valley you call home, your surrounding community has so many family-friendly and adult-only events to explore -– including light shows, festivals, electric luminaries lights, bar crawls and more.  

8 of the Best Christmas Events in Arizona:

• Christmas at the Princess: For an extra magical holiday and Christmas experience, head over to The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess to ice skate, roast marshmallows, take pictures with Santa, watch colorful light shows and soak up all the holiday spirit. For the past 11 years, The Princess has welcomed families to their enchanting holiday wonderland that is decorated with over 5 million sparkling LED lights. Check the website for more details on package upgrades and enjoy this winter wonderland through the end of the year starting at just $16 per person. 
• Phoenix Zoo-Lights: Support the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation and the Phoenix Zoo by attending Zoo-Lights this holiday season. A brand new Cruise Thru (drive-thru) option in support of social distancing is available on select nights during the month of December. Prices range from $20 to $75 and membership discounted prices are available. 
• Las Noches de las Luminarias: 8,000 flickering luminarias and twinkling lights light up the night sky throughout the Desert Botanical Garden. Pricing starts at $29.95 for adults and $10.95 for children, and the luminarias will be available to experience through the month of December. In order to experience the electric luminaries lights, face masks are mandatory and social distancing guidelines are maintained throughout the garden. 
• World of Illumination: A socially safe animated drive-thru light show in Glendale and Tempe is open through the end of the year. Both locations offer different experiences, with Glendale’s theme on Rockin’ Christmas and Tempe’s theme Arctic Adventure. Arizonans can take part in this magical Christmas experience by booking reservations online. Prices range from $29 – $39.  
• Railroad Park Holiday Lights: Families can enjoy all the glitter and fun the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park has to offer this holiday season. Every night from 6 – 9:30 p.m. Valley residents can ride on the train, which will be limited to 50 percent capacity in order to support social distancing. Put on a sweater, pack a blanket and share this magical Christmas experience with the ones you love the most. 
• Sippin’ Santa’s Pub Crawl in Downtown Chandler: Enjoy $4 drink specials at 26 of the merriest bars and restaurants in Downtown Chandler on Saturday, Dec. 12. Tickets are $20 per person and attendees have the choice of an earlier crawl of 12 – 3 p.m. or a later crawl from 3 – 6 p.m. 
• Glendale Glitters: In its 27th year, this iconic holiday and Christmas event offers Arizonians’ signature holiday lights from 5 – 10 p.m. nightly through Jan. 9. As a result of COVID-19, the local government has decided to cancel the usual performances and street vendors in downtown’s Murphy Park to protect the health of spectators and residents of Glendale. 
• Vertuccio Farms’ Lights at the Farm: Now open and running through Jan. 3, visitors can enjoy 2 million dazzling lights and displays synchronized with all the Christmas classics, as well as enjoy an outdoor skating rink in the middle of the desert!

If you aren’t in the mood to go to a holiday event this year, you can still experience plenty of Christmas magic all around the Valley. Pack up some blankets, grab some hot chocolate and go for a drive to find some of the most iconic home holiday light displays in the area. To find the best neighborhoods and homes with spectacular Christmas lights check out this Phoenix New Times article on the 30 best light displays in Phoenix. 

While the season may look a little different this year, there are still plenty of magical Christmas and holiday experiences around the Valley to boost your holiday cheer! If you plan to visit any of these events be sure to check the event page for details on COVID-19 procedures and updates.