Scottsdale
Holiday Happenings
Holiday Happenings Around Scottsdale:
36 Festive Events to Light Up Your Season!
This holiday season, Scottsdale is shining brighter than ever with a lineup of festive events! From twinkling lights at ZooLights to the charm of Scottsdazzle, the iconic Christmas at the Princess to the brand-new Jingle at the JW, and a Nutcracker ballet performance by the Arizona Ballet & Phoenix Symphony, there’s a joyful experience waiting for everyone. With family-friendly outings, romantic evenings, and everything in between, our guide has the top ways to bring magic to your winter days and nights.
36 Best Holiday Events In Scottsdale
November 22 – January 4
Experience the enchantment of Christmas at the Princess, where millions of dazzling lights, ice skating under the desert sky, and magical encounters with Santa create unforgettable holiday memories for the whole family.
November 30 – 7-9pm
Kick off the holiday season at the Sing-Along & Tree Lighting Ceremony, where festive tunes, sparkling lights, and a towering Scottsdazzle tree bring the Scottsdale Waterfront to life in holiday cheer.
November 29 – December 30
Stroll through the glowing trails of Las Noches De Las Luminarias, where twinkling lights, live music, and brilliant LIGHT BLOOM sculptures create a magical holiday experience at the Garden.
November 30 – 2-8pm
Celebrate the season at The Santa Social with family-friendly fun, including photos with Santa, puppy adoptions, festive entertainment, and a tree lighting ceremony, capped off with a showing of Elf!
December 6-24
Experience the magic of The Nutcracker as Ballet Arizona and The Phoenix Symphony bring this beloved holiday tale to life, filling Symphony Hall with joy, wonder, and timeless charm.
November 27 – January 4
Experience the ultimate winter wonderland at Holiday Snowfest, featuring Arizona’s only toboggan run, over 2,000 pounds of falling snow, snowball contests, Santa’s House, and so much more—all under a dazzling canopy of lights at Salt River Fields.
November 27 – January 12
Step into the magic of ZooLights, where millions of twinkling lights, a brand-new light show, and festive treats transform the Zoo into a dazzling holiday wonderland perfect for making unforgettable memories.
November 30 – December 21 Saturdays 9am-noon
Enjoy a festive Saturday morning at Old Town Scottsdale’s Farmers Market, where kids can meet Santa, snap a keepsake photo, and explore unique holiday gifts from local vendors.
November 29 – December 30
Climb aboard the Paradise & Pacific Railroad for a magical ride through a winter wonderland, glowing with holiday lights and enchanting displays that create unforgettable memories for all ages.
December 7 & 14 1-2pm
Bring the kids for Storytime with Mrs. Claus on December 7 and 14 at Kierland Commons, where holiday magic comes to life in Santa’s winter wonderland!
December 7 – 6-9pm
Snuggle up for Starlight Movie Night at Civic Center, featuring a free outdoor screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, caroling, treats, and a special appearance by the Grinch!
December 7 – 5-8pm
Experience the holiday spirit at Fountain Hills’ annual “Stroll in the Glow,” featuring the lighting of the Avenue, Santa’s arrival, a holiday bake-off, and the mesmerizing Balloon Glow at the Fountain.
Saturdays – 6-9pm
Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit at the Scottsdazzle Stroll, featuring live music, dazzling lights along the Scottsdale Waterfront, and the iconic 36-foot Scottsdazzle Tree—perfect for festive photos and seasonal treats!
November 22 – January 5
Discover the magic of Jingle at JW Marriott Desert Ridge, where a winter wonderland awaits with ice skating, festive bites, virtual skiing, snowball fights, and unforgettable photo ops with Santa in his giant sleigh.
December 14 – 10am-4pm
Discover unique gifts and holiday cheer at the Merry Merchantile Market, featuring over 150 local vendors, live music, hands-on workshops, and festive fun with Santa, Disney Princesses, and more—all while supporting small businesses!
December 6-8
Experience the wonder of Cirque Holiday as Troupe Vertigo and The Phoenix Symphony blend acrobatics, dance, and theater into a mesmerizing holiday performance for all ages.
December 7 – 9am – 1pm
Join the Ultimate Family Play Date at Scottsdale Public Library for a winter-themed celebration filled with art, science, sports, and a special photo op with the Grinch!
December 6 – 6-8 PM
Celebrate the season at Omni Montelucia’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on December 6, with live music, Santa photos, s’mores, and festive activities for all ages—no reservations needed!
December 12 – 6:30-9:00pm
Stroll through Scottsdale’s festive Gold Palette ArtWalk, where holiday-inspired art, live carolers, and warm cocoa bring seasonal cheer to the Arts District.
December 18 – 6-8pm
Get festive at Wine Girl’s Ornament Painting & Wine night—enjoy a welcome glass of bubbles, three ornaments to decorate, and a cozy, holiday-themed atmosphere perfect for sipping and creating!
December 21 – 6-8pm
During the holiday season, the Old Adobe Mission presents a Nativity Scene with live performers and animals to honor the birth of Christ.
November 23 – January 5
Step into the magical Glistening Gardens at Butterfly Wonderland, where illuminated paths, twinkling trees, and fluttering butterflies create a cozy indoor holiday escape in the heart of the rainforest.
Now thru December 24
Capture the holiday magic with Photos With Santa at Scottsdale Fashion Square’s winter wonderland, located in Palm Court. Visits with Santa are free, with photo packages available, plus special events like Signature Santa and Pet Nights!
December 7-8
Celebrate the season at the FREE Scottsdale Sparkle Christmas Market, with holiday decor, shopping from 70+ vendors, and kid-friendly fun like face painting, glitter tattoos, and character appearances!
December 7 – 4:00pm
Celebrate the Miracle of the Roses with a beautiful reenactment of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s appearance to Juan Diego, performed at the Mission with light refreshments following the pageant.
December 21 – 8am – 1pm
Enjoy a festive Breakfast with Santa at Prado on December 21, featuring a holiday buffet, cookie decorating, and hot cocoa, plus photos with Santa—open to the public with reservations required!
December 14 – 12-8pm
Get ready for the 7th Annual 12 Bars of Christmas Crawl® on December 14, where holiday costumes, festive drinks, and exclusive specials make this Scottsdale bar crawl the most wonderful time of the year!
December 29 – 4:30pm
Celebrate Hanukkah with Chabad of South Scottsdale at the Public Menorah Lighting—a family-friendly evening filled with festive joy and community spirit.
November 15 – December 29
Embark on a thrilling holiday journey at World of Illumination’s Enchanted Safari, where you’ll encounter exotic animals, navigate through dynamic light displays, and conclude your adventure at Santa’s Bazaar.
December 14 & 15 – 9:00am – 5:00pm
Celebrate the season with Holidays at MIM, where global holiday traditions come to life through music, performances, hands-on activities, and festive storytelling, creating a cultural holiday experience for all ages!
November 29 – December 30
Experience Old Town Scottsdale’s holiday lights on a guided JoyRidesAZ tour, complete with festive music, photo ops, and seasonal charm.
November 25 – January 6
Experience the magic of Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge, where winter-themed activities like festive dance parties, family bingo, competition games, and a holiday scavenger hunt make for unforgettable holiday memories.
Saturdays 12:00-3:00pm
Enjoy festive weekend entertainment at Scottsdale Quarter starting Black Friday, with live holiday music from Dickens Carolers, character appearances, and more seasonal fun as you shop and stroll through Santa City in The Quad!
November 29 – January 4
Dive into holiday magic at OdySea Aquarium’s Winter Wonderland, where SeaTREK Santa makes underwater appearances, and the Voyager transforms into a festive “ride-thru” with stunning marine life and holiday cheer.
December 6 – 15
Catch the magic of Elf The Musical Jr. at Greasepaint Youtheatre, with a special sensory-sensitive performance on December 8th—perfect for supporting our talented young artists this holiday season!
Thursdays 6:30-8:30 pm & Saturdays 1:00-3:oo pm
Celebrate the season with festive entertainment throughout Old Town, featuring live music, carolers, roping tricks by Lasso Steve, and holiday performances by the Jingle Belles—all adding cheer to Scottsdale’s holiday streets!
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