15 of the Best Places to See Holiday Lights in the Valley

‘Tis the season for spectacular displays of holiday lights!

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, cheerful displays of holiday lights will be going up across the Valley. From now through part of January, houses, businesses, and popular Valley attractions -like the Phoenix Zoo- will be lighting up the night in festive fashion.

We have gathered a list of 15 light displays- from neighborhoods to fantastic events- in and near Phoenix for your family to enjoy.

 

1. APS Electric Light Parade– Phoenix

Pre-Parade Activities: Head over to the North Phoenix Baptist Church (5757 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85012) on Friday, December 2 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for fun pre-parade activities. Attendees can get an up close and personal view of many of the parade floats, and partake in judging of the floats. A free family event that includes face painting, arts and crafts, small games and a photo with Santa. Each activity area will highlight a different holiday tradition from around the world. Hosted by the students of Arizona State University’s Recreation Management program.

Parade: Dozens of entries displaying hundreds of thousands of lights will brighten the streets of central Phoenix on Saturday, December 3 when the APS Electric Light Parade, presented by the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, returns for the 30th straight year. The 30th Annual APS Electric Light Parade will be the largest and most magical yet! Parade Start: Central Ave. and Montebello Ave. at 7 p.m. Parade End: 7th St. and Indian School Rd. *Parade run-time varies. Free

2. Candy Cane Lane– Phoenix

From now through January 1, two blocks of Pinchot Avenue between 26th and 28th streets in Phoenix are decorated with different kinds of candy cane-shaped light displays. According to The Phoenix New Times, if you stop by the street on certain weekend nights and you might encounter Pinchot Avenue homeowners holding a street party of sorts, including outdoor screenings of holiday movies or giving visitors rides on a motorized cart wrapped in lights.  Lights are usually on starting at 5 p.m. Free

3. Christmas at the Princess– Scottsdale

Witness the resort transform into an enchanting winter wonderland -with three million lights, a desert ice skating rink, and Santa’s secret headquarters- during its Seventh Annual Christmas at the Princess festival now through January 1. The Princess is the perfect destination to create holiday traditions and make holiday memories your family will cherish for years to come. Prices and times vary.

4. Christmas on Comstock– Gilbert

This light show benefits Make A Wish Foundation. Last year, the neighborhood won ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight for the most impressive holiday light display across the nation. Enjoy a 13 House Computer Animated Christmas Light Display. There are over 110,000 lights, 300+ strobe lights, and over 50,000 ft. of wire. Tune into 93.9FM to listen to the music while you watch the lights dance. It’s located near Elliot and Higley roads in Gilbert. Runs from December 1- 30, Monday through Thursday from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. and Friday through Sunday 6 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Viewing the lights is free, donations for the Make A Wish Foundation are accepted.

5. Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade– Tempe

The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. on December 10th with live music, selfies with Santa, food trucks, face painters and more! Head out early, get your spot, a bite to eat and listen to some great music while making new friends with your neighbors. The Boat Parade will feature as many as 50 festively lighted boats of all sizes. After dark, more than a thousand luminarias will illuminate the sidewalks and paths of Tempe Beach Park, a special display provided by Tempe South Rotary. The parade launches off at 7 p.m. with a colorful display of fireworks at its conclusion. Go early, stay late! Admission is free.

6. Festival of Lights– Ahwatukee

Now through January 1, more than one million lights shine brightly along Chandler Boulevard from 24th Street to Desert Foothills Boulevard. Lights are on every night until 11 p.m. Free

7. Glendale Glitters– Glendale

   

   From now through January 7, this stunning display of 1.5 million LED lights will illuminate sixteen blocks of Historic Downtown Glendale, making it the largest free holiday light display in Arizona. Lights are on nightly from 5-11 p.m. Every weekend includes scrumptious festival food, petting zoo, shopping in Historic Downtown and Catlin Court, gift and craft booths, kid’s inflatable rides, rock wall, bungee ride, mini pony carriage rides, pony rides, face painting, visits with Santa, and more. Each weekend has special attractions based on their themes. Historic Downtown Glendale is located at 58th and Glendale avenues. For December weekends (Dec. 2-3, 9-10 and 16-17) free parking is available throughout the downtown area.

8. Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park– Scottsdale

Take a ride on the Paradise & Pacific Railroad through a winter wonderland of lights and displays. Opening night festivities on December 9 include live music, a tree lighting ceremony and a visit from Santa, who is at the park nightly through December 23. Train rides on the Paradise & Pacific Railroad are $4 and rides on the Charros Carousel are $2. Children two and under ride free with a paying adult. The park’s event runs from December 9 through January 1, from 6:30-9 p.m. nightly. Entry is free. 7301 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale.

9. Las Noches de las Luminarias– Phoenix

Eight thousand hand-lit luminaria bags and thousands of white lights brighten the Desert Botanical Gardens now through December 31. Open nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Admission is $30 for adults, $12.50 for children ages 3-12. Children under 3 admitted free.

10. Lights of the World– Chandler

The international lantern arts festival is at Rawhide at Wild Horse Pass Casino and combines age-old Chinese lantern festivals with modern technology and lights to create 11 exhibits and 75 displays. The Lights of the World lantern displays extend from 18 to 60 feet, showcasing features of different cultures and civilizations around the globe. There’s also carnival rides, performances, music and food. The event runs now through January 29. Hours vary depending on the day, visit their website for details. Admission varies by age.

11. Loop of Lights– San Tan Valley

According to the Phoenix New Times, a majority of the residents in this San Tan Valley subdivision of Pecan Creek South Waverly participate in the annual Loop of Lights. More than 80 homes are decked out with intricate arrangements of lights and other decorations. Runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. nightly, from December 1 until December 25. The community advises, during times of rainy weather, many homes are turned off. Overall light participation is solely dependent on the individual home residents; therefore, no guarantee that ALL lights will be on during the advertised time. For further information, visit their website or Facebook page. Free

12. Merry Main Street– Mesa

Visit the Mesa’s nearly 4-story tall Christmas Tree on Macdonald Street and visit Santa on select days. Start (or end) your journey down Merry Main Street at the Jack Frost’s Food Truck, a great place to gather for a bite of something delicious or a sip of something warm. Go ice skating on the more than 4,000 square foot outdoor ice skating rink. Enjoy Holiday Happenings concerts at the Mesa Arts Center. And so much more! The event runs now through January 1. Free entry; $10 for one hour of ice skating; Price varies for other activities.

13. Mesa Arizona Temple Christmas Lights– Mesa

The breathtaking Mesa Temple (525 East Main Street, Mesa) takes on new splendor with hundreds of thousands of lights and several nativity scenes spread around the grounds. The event runs from now through December 31. Lights are on nightly from 5-10 p.m.  From December 10 to Christmas, enjoy nightly concerts (starting at 7 p.m.) from local performers and groups. Free

14. Phoenix ZooLights– Phoenix

Join the Phoenix Zoo at the Valley’s brightest holiday tradition: ZooLights presented by SRP! Celebrating 25 years, ZooLights shines with millions of lights, a three-story-high holiday tree, hundreds of glimmering lights displays and lakeside music-in-motion shows. ZooLights is open to the public now through Sunday, January 8. You won’t get to see many animals — few of the animal enclosures contains lights — however, Jengo the Talking Giraffe and Tortuga the Talking Tortoise will be available for entertainment. ZooLights is open 5:30 – 10:30 p.m. nightly. Prices vary by date. Zoo members get discounted admission.

15. Tumbleweed Tree Lighting & Parade of Lights– Chandler

This year marks the 60th Tumbleweed Tree built in Downtown Chandler. On December 3, celebrate a unique Southwestern tradition that draws visitors from far and wide during the holidays. The Parade of Lights and Tumbleweed Tree Lighting will take place in downtown Chandler, Arizona at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park. Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. Bring your camera for a picture with Santa! The parade starts at 7 p.m. The tree lighting follows the parade. The event is free; however, some activities may require a little money.

This is only a small bit of the exciting holiday fun you can find in the Valley this holiday season. We hope that this list may help you make a lasting memory with friends and/or family this year.