The holidays have arrived in Phoenix!
Not only do we love this time of year, but we love seeing all of the gorgeous lights and decorations around town. From drive-thru light shows to holiday train rides to a wild walk through the zoo, here are the top six light displays around the Valley to get you and the family in the holiday spirit!
1. WORLD OF ILLUMINATION - GLENDALE & TEMPE
Shine bright this season at the world's largest animated drive through holiday light show, World of Illumination. This year, the drive-thru light show has moved from north Phoenix to Glendale's Westgate Entertainment District. It also returns to Tempe's Diablo Stadium, the Spring Training home of the Los Angeles Angels. Featuring more than two million LED lights animated and synchronized to the tunes of holiday classics, World of Illumination is the must-see family event of the season. So turn up the volume and roll down the windows because this dazzling display only happens once a year.
Plan your visit anytime between Nov. 20th-Jan. 5th. Admission is $22.99 per vehicle on weekdays (Monday - Thursday) and $32.99 per vehicle on weekends and holidays (Friday - Sunday).
2. Christmas at Schnep Farms - Queen Creek
Christmas has arrived at Schnepf Farms! Experience a winter wonderland like no other with seasonal food, fun, and festivities for the whole family. The owners of Schnepf Farms and World of Illumination partnered this year to create the "Illumination Express," a train ride at the farm that has now been outfitted with a million lights. It is part of the farm's annual Christmas event which also includes visits and photos with Santa, themed hayrides, ice skating, a 4D movie, snow globe mini golf, and cookie decorating!
Christmas at Schnepf Farms runs nightly from Nov. 26 - Jan. 4, 2020. Tickets are $17 per person when bought online or $30 at the door. Rides on the train are an additional $7. Other than ice skating ($8) and the train ride ($10).
3. CHRISTMAS AT THE PRINCESS
Christmas at the Princess is one of the premier holiday events around the Valley! Board the Princess Express to see 4.5 million lights and lighted figurines around the Scottsdale resort's lagoon. Or visit the resort's Enchanted Plaza to see its four-story Christmas tree with 70,000 LED lights twinkle to 18 Christmas songs. Also in the plaza is a nightly animated show projected onto the resort's facade. They also have "S'moresland" with a Ferris wheel, polar slide, carousel, fire pits and s'mores-roasting kits, and an ice skating rink! New this year is "Winterland," which will feature a 17-foot tunnel covered in white lights, an ice bar, igloo, live music, and cocktails.
There are a few different admission costs to pay attention to because admission includes parking at the resort. It is $55 per vehicle to self-park and $85 to valet park. Both include up to six activity wristbands, which include entrance to S'moresland and its activities, the Princess Express train ride, and the shows in the Enchanted Plaza. Individual wristbands, including those who get dropped off at the resort, are $30.
4. Phoenix Zoo Lights
ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo is one of the staple holiday traditions here in the Valley. Enjoy walking along the zoo's trails where hundreds of animated and lighted animal figurines are strung high in the trees. Watch the "Music in Motion" show along the lake where lights are synchronized to music, ride a camel, or see a shortened version of the "Polar Express" in a 4-D Theater!
One of the newest additions for 2019 is the "Wildlife Lantern Safari," where 60 illuminated animal sculptures -- monkeys, meerkats, African elephants, hippos, and lions -- have been placed along the Arizona Trail near the lion and rhino habitats. Other new displays include the "orangutan arch" along the bridge before the zoo's entrance and a 60-foot lighted tunnel that is good for selfies. This year's "Music in Motion" show features "Clocks" by Coldplay and "Deck the Halls Dub" by PumpYouUp.
ZooLights will run from Nov. 27 - Jan. 19, 2020 from 5:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m daily. Tickets are $19.95 for general admission.
5. Rawhide Snowy Christmas
Those looking for a taste of the Old West can head down to Rawhide Western Town in Chandler for its yearly Christmas experience. The town, themed after the 1880s, is outfitted with millions of string lights, garland, and other Christmas decorations during the holiday season. The Arizona Roughriders, Rawhide's stunt team, will perform to a Christmas classic and Santa will make an appearance to help light the town's Christmas tree!
Snowy Christmas will begin on November 28th and run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until December 22nd. Admission and parking will be free and individual activities or shows are $5 per activity. An unlimited wristband is $15.
6. Scottsdazzle
Join in the merriment and cheer at the Scottsdale Waterfront in Old Town Scottsdale and celebrate the season with the 4th annual Scottsdazzle holiday extravaganza! The evening begins with a Scottsdazzle tradition: a sing-along led by local celebrities featuring classic holiday tunes by MusicaNova Orchestra, and culminates with the lighting of Scottsdale’s specially designed holiday tree featuring an array of color combinations.
Scottsdazzle begins on Saturday, November 30 with the official Sing-Along and Tree Lighting Ceremony event from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Scottsdale Waterfront’s Soleri Bridge. This magical start to the season lights up the Scottsdale night with more than 1 million customizable colors on the specially designed tree; and guests can warm their vocal chords with hot chocolate and holiday goodies.
