Photo Credit: Downtown Tempe
Christmas in Phoenix comes with sunny days, desert landscapes, and nights filled with Christmas lights, live entertainment, and holiday events. If you’re looking for the best things to do for Christmas in Phoenix in 2026, you’ll find plenty of seasonal attractions, family activities, and local celebrations throughout the Valley.
The Best Christmas Events in Phoenix 2026
From an illuminated desert farm to the Valley's own Nutcracker, here are the top things to do in Phoenix for Christmas this season!
1. Desert Farm Lights — Waddell
Desert Farm Lights brings an expansive, 20-acre immersive holiday experience to the West Valley desert landscape, featuring more than 100 illuminated trees, candy cane mazes, family friendly rides, and seasonal entertainment featuring Santa Claus himself! You can take a traditional horse-drawn wagon ride, wander through mesmerizing light displays, and lace up your skates for a real ice skating rink beneath the Arizona night sky. If you're looking for Christmas things to do near Phoenix, this event stands out as a premier desert Christmas experience drawing visitors from across the Southwest.
- Dates: November 20th, 2026 - December 29th, 2026 (Daily, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
- Admission: Ticketed
- Street Address: 14629 West Peoria Avenue, Waddell, AZ 85355
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Pet Friendly: No
- Parking: Free parking available on-site
- Website: https://www.desertfarmlights.com/
Insider Tip: Tickets go live in mid-September, and it’s wise to book early for mid-December weekends. While the days are warm, desert temperatures drop rapidly into the 40s after dark, so bring jackets for the open-air wagon rides.
2. Ballet Arizona's The Nutcracker — Phoenix
The Valley's professional ballet company returns to Symphony Hall with its nationally acclaimed production of The Nutcracker, choreographed by Artistic Director Emeritus Ib Andersen and performed with live music by The Phoenix Symphony. Decked out in more than 10,000 Swarovski crystals, the production follows Clara through a battle against the Mouse King and a journey through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets, with 18 performances across the run, including the company's first ever sensory friendly adaptation. It's widely considered one of the top Nutcracker productions in the country, and the Valley's essential Christmas performance.
- Dates: December 11th - December 27th, 2026
- Admission: Ticketed
- Street Address: Symphony Hall, 75 N 2nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Pet Friendly: No
- Parking: Paid; downtown Phoenix garages and lots nearby
- Website: https://balletaz.org/performance/the-nutcracker/2026-12-11/
Insider Tip: Arrive at least 30 minutes before showtime. The Phoenix Convention Center & Venues runs a bag check screening process for all shows at Symphony Hall, and only small clutch or clear bags are permitted inside.
3. Holiday Pops Spectacular — Phoenix
The Phoenix Symphony's annual Holiday Pops Spectacular fills Symphony Hall with carols and hymns from traditions around the world, led by guest conductor Daniel Wiley alongside the full orchestra, the Phoenix Symphony Chorus, and guest soloists. It's a warmer, sing-along-friendly alternative to the desert light shows dominating the rest of this list, and a longtime favorite for anyone looking for a proper night out to close out the season.
- Dates: December 4th - December 6th, 2026 (four performances: Fri 7:30 PM, Sat 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM, Sun 2:00 PM)
- Admission: Ticketed
- Street Address: Symphony Hall, 75 N 2nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Pet Friendly: No
- Parking: Paid; downtown Phoenix garages and lots nearby
- Website: https://www.phoenixsymphony.org/shows/holiday-pops-spectacular-2026/
Insider Tip: The Saturday matinee tends to be the family friendliest slot to book if you're bringing kids, while the Friday and Saturday evening shows draw more of a date night crowd.
4. Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting — Tempe
Photo Credit: Downtown Tempe
Downtown Tempe's holiday season officially begins with the Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting, a beloved tradition that brings Mill Avenue to life with dazzling floats, roaming performers, and holiday characters. After the 6 PM parade wraps, the celebration moves to CenterPoint Plaza for the official lighting of Downtown Tempe's 36-foot holiday tree, along with live music, photos with Santa, and a letter writing station where kids can send their wishes to the North Pole.
- Dates: Saturday, November 28th, 2026, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (parade steps off at 6:00 PM)
- Admission: Free
- Street Address: Mill Avenue, Downtown Tempe, AZ 85281
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Pet Friendly: No
- Parking: Free on Sundays at select garages; paid on Saturdays, or ride the free light rail to 3rd & Mill
- Website: https://www.downtowntempe.com/events/fol-street-parade-tree-lighting
Insider Tip: All parade viewing is first come, first served, so stake out a spot along Mill Avenue early and grab a snack from the vendors while you wait for the 6 PM start.
5. Straight No Chaser's Making Spirits Bright Concert — Mesa
Photo Credit: Straight No Chaser | Ashley White
The nine-man a cappella group Straight No Chaser brings its "Making Spirits Bright" holiday tour to the Mesa Arts Center, blending joyful harmonies, sharp wit, and fan favorite holiday hits for one night only. With more than three million albums sold and over a billion streams, the group has defined the sound of the holiday season for more than two decades, making this one of the most well known Christmas concerts to pass through the Valley each year.
- Dates: Tuesday, November 10th, 2026, 7:30 PM
- Admission: Ticketed
- Street Address: Mesa Arts Center, 1 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85201
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Pet Friendly: No
- Parking: Free; on-site garage
- Website: https://sncmusic.com/
Insider Tip: Tickets for this tour tend to sell out well ahead of the show date, so book early rather than waiting for the holidays to get closer.
6. Christmas at The Princess — Scottsdale
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess transforms 65 acres into the Southwest's most extravagant holiday celebration, with 17 million lights, a 120 foot Ferris wheel, a 6,000 square foot outdoor ice rink, and a new light spectacular called Starlights this year. Guests can roast s'mores at S'moresland, meet Santa and seven other Christmas characters, cozy up at one of 128 fire tables and igloos, and stroll through the two mile string of lights wrapped around the four story Enchanted Plaza tree. It's less of a single event and more a full resort takeover, and one of the most photographed holiday destinations in Arizona.
- Dates: November 20th, 2026 – January 2nd, 2027 (Mon-Thu 5-10 PM, Fri-Sun 4-11 PM; daily 4-11 PM starting December 17th)
- Admission: Ticketed
- Street Address: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E Princess Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Pet Friendly: No
- Parking: Paid; valet and self-parking available
- Website: https://www.christmasattheprincess.com/
Insider Tip: Advance tickets run up to 30% off, and Arizona residents get their own discounted rate, both worth booking ahead of a walk up visit.
7. Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland — Mesa
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland brings breathtaking acrobatics and gravity defying aerial feats to the Ikeda Theater at Mesa Arts Center, all set to a live soundtrack of beloved holiday music. The Cirque Musica ensemble blends circus caliber performance with festive storytelling for a show built for the whole family, and with two performances the same day, there's flexibility to catch a matinee or an evening show. It's a genuinely different kind of Christmas entertainment compared to the Valley's light displays and orchestra concerts.
- Dates: Saturday, December 19th, 2026, 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM
- Admission: Ticketed, starting at $51.50 (VIP available)
- Street Address: Mesa Arts Center, Tom and Janet Ikeda Theater, 1 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85201
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Pet Friendly: No
- Parking: Paid; $10 in the south lot or Sirrine Street Garage
- Website: https://www.mesaartscenter.com/show-details/cirque-musica-holiday-wonderland
Insider Tip: Downtown Mesa parking fills up fast for big shows, so arrive at least an hour early, especially if you need accessible parking.
8. Jingle at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge — Phoenix
Photo Credit: Marriott International | Jared Porter
The JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa turns into "So Much Christmas" for the holidays, anchored by ice! featuring Elf™, an all new indoor attraction where scenes from the movie are hand carved from more than two million pounds of ice. Beyond the ice sculptures, the resort adds snow tubing on Snow Flow Mountain, a gingerbread decorating corner, photos with Santa, a snowball fight zone, and more than three million lights strung throughout the property. It's another full resort takeover rather than a single display, and a strong pick for anyone who wants an indoor, air conditioned escape from the desert heat while still soaking in the holiday spirit.
- Dates: November 18th, 2026 – January 3rd, 2027
- Admission: Ticketed; individual activities or bundled activity passes available (up to 40% savings)
- Street Address: JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, 5350 East Marriott Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85054
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Pet Friendly: No
- Parking: Paid; resort parking or valet
- Website: https://www.jwdesertridgechristmas.com/
Insider Tip: Ice! is kept at 9 degrees Fahrenheit inside, so borrow one of the provided parkas at the entrance, and book overnight guest packages if you want early Chill Hour access before general admission opens.
9. The Magical Christmas Journey — Clarkdale
About two hours north of Phoenix, Verde Canyon Railroad turns its scenic route through the Verde Valley into a one hour round trip journey to the North Pole. Based on the railroad's own storybook, the ride follows Princess Noel and Flurry, a real bald eagle, as passengers roll through an illuminated tunnel onto "Santa's Secret Tracks" before arriving at a life size North Pole village, complete with Santa's Workshop and Mrs. Claus' Bakery. Santa himself boards the train for the return trip, greeting every child and handing out a small keepsake gift. It's a genuinely unique alternative to the Valley's light displays, and one of Arizona's most distinctive Christmas train rides.
- Dates: November 27th - December 24th, 2026
- Admission: Ticketed ($60 adults / $40 children Nov 27-Dec 23; $70 adults / $50 children on Christmas Eve)
- Street Address: Verde Canyon Railroad, 300 N. Broadway, Clarkdale, AZ 86324
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Pet Friendly: No
- Parking: Free, on-site
- Website: https://verdecanyonrr.com/magical-christmas-journey/
Insider Tip: Add the VIP Kids' Club at checkout for a video message from Santa and a swag bag waiting at the depot! This is a nice touch if you're traveling with young kids who'll remember the extra attention.
10. Christmas at Schnepf Farms — Queen Creek
Presented by World of Illumination, Christmas at Schnepf Farms turns the working farm into Arizona's most celebrated holiday event, with the Illumination Express train ride, ice skating, a Sleigh Bell Slide, snow globe mini golf, and the world's largest inflatable obstacle course all packed onto the property. Add in Christmas bonfires with s'mores, a holiday carousel, a beer and wine garden, and nightly visits with Santa Claus, and it's easy to spend an entire evening there without running out of things to do. It's a strong pick for families who want a single stop that covers rides, lights, and old fashioned farm charm all at once.
- Dates: November 27th, 2026 – December 27th, 2026 (Thursdays-Sundays; daily December 21st-27th, closed Christmas Day)
- Admission: Ticketed, $19.95-$27.95 per person (ages 2 and under free); season passes available starting at $95.95
- Street Address: Schnepf Farms, 24810 S. Rittenhouse Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142
- Kid Friendly: Yes
- Pet Friendly: No
- Parking: Free, on-site
- Website: https://www.schnepfchristmas.com/
Insider Tip: Twilight admission (7:30-10 PM) is available at a discount on select dates if you don't need the full five hour window.
Explore More Christmas Events Near You
Christmas in Phoenix is just one stop on the season's biggest map. If you're looking for more Christmas events near you or planning a holiday trip elsewhere in the country, check out our Christmas City Guides to find the best festivals, markets, concerts, and parades happening closest to you.
