Christmas Lights Near Me

Phoenix Christmas Lights 2026Every drive-thru, garden, train ride and tree lighting around the Valley, with what's confirmed for this year and what isn't yet. We check every one and update this page each week through New Year's.

Updated Monday, September 14
11 displays
7 confirmed for 2026
7 free

This weekWhat changed since our last update

Confirmed for 20262026 dates not announcedLast year's details, unverified

The big ones

Six displays draw most of the crowds around Phoenix. Two are confirmed for 2026 already. If you only do one, we'd pick the luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden on a weeknight.

Las Noches de las Luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden Confirmed 2026

Nov 27–29, Dec 4–6, 11–13, 16–23, 26–31, Jan 1–3 Ticketed Galvin Parkway, 7 mi

Thousands of luminarias along the garden trails, light installations like Super Bloom, live music and seasonal food and drink. It's the Phoenix tradition, and it's a walk through a desert garden at night rather than a drive past a parking lot. It isn't nightly: weekends only until December 16, so check the list before you go.

Buy weekend tickets early. They sell out. Weeknights are quieter, and if you want dinner at Gertrude's, reserve well ahead.
Official page Directions

Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Confirmed 2026

Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026 $15, under 3 free Scottsdale, 11 mi

A ride on the Paradise & Pacific Railroad through the lights, with s'mores after. It's short and low-key, which is exactly right for small kids. Closed Thanksgiving, December 24 and 25.

Tickets go on sale October 26. It sells out every year. Set up an ActiveNet account before then so checkout is quick, and pick a weeknight if you want time with Santa.
Official page Directions

Enchanted Safari drive-thru, Tempe Diablo Stadium 2026 dates not announced

Last year: Nov 14 – Jan 4 Ticketed, timed entry Tempe, 7 mi

World of Illumination's mile-long drive-thru at Tempe Diablo Stadium, millions of lights and hundreds of animated displays synced to a soundtrack on your car radio, with a safari storyline. Timed entry keeps the line moving, which the free shows can't promise.

Show up inside your time slot. Entry is by slot. Bring your own snacks and drinks for the drive.
2026 dates not posted yet. Last year they opened November 14.
Official page Directions

World of Illumination: Cosmic Sleighride, Glendale 2026 dates not announced

Last year: Nov 14 – Jan 4 Ticketed, timed entry Desert Diamond Casino, Glendale, 13 mi

The west-side World of Illumination drive-thru, at the Desert Diamond Casino. Same format as Tempe, millions of lights synced to music on your radio and timed entry, with a space storyline of astro elves and Santa City instead. Pick whichever is closer; you don't need both.

Tune the radio first. The music plays on a frequency they give you, so set it before you pull into the route.
2026 dates not posted yet. Last year they opened November 14.
Official page Directions

Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide 2026 dates not announced

Last year: Nov 28 – Dec 28 Admission, under 3 free, parking free Chandler, 13 mi

Seven million lights over Rawhide Western Town, with a gingerbread house light show, the Holiday Express train, nightly parades and stunt shows. Biggest by light count in the Valley and the most like a theme park, so budget a whole evening.

Wear closed-toe shoes. The ground is dirt, gravel and boardwalk. Weekend lines for the train get long; go early, or the VIP ticket skips them.
2026 dates not posted yet. Last year they opened November 28.
Official page Directions

Tianyu Lights Festival at Camelback Ranch Last year's details

Last year: Oct 24 – Jan 4 6–10pm Wed–Sun Admission, parking $10 online or $15 on site Camelback Ranch, 13 mi

Large illuminated art installations across the Camelback Ranch grounds, in themed zones like Bugs Aglow, Rainforest and Prehistoric Animals, plus a craft marketplace and food. It opens in late October, well before anything else, and it's less Christmas than lights for their own sake.

Buy parking with your tickets. It's $10 online versus $15 at the gate, card only, and online parking sales close at 2:30pm on the day. Your time slot is for entry only; you can stay until 10.
Runs every year. We haven't seen 2026 dates yet.
Official page Directions

Free

Avondale's tree show is the one free display that runs nightly. The one-night events further down are free too.

Avondazzle at Avondale Civic Center Confirmed 2026

Dec 6, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 Free Avondale, 13 mi

A synchronized light show on the city Christmas tree at the civic center, playing every 30 minutes each night. It's a sit-and-watch show rather than a walk-through, so bring chairs and a blanket. Nothing to buy, so pack your own snacks.

Arrive before the top of the hour. The show runs every 30 minutes, so you catch it from the start. WinterFest on December 5 is the tree lighting that kicks it off.
Official page Directions

Tree lightings and town squares

One-night events, and all four have posted 2026 dates. Tempe's boat parade is the one to plan around.

Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade, Tempe

Dec 12, 2026 at Tempe Beach Park. Lit boats on the water, a holiday market, Santa photos and fireworks to close. Free; get there early for a spot on the bank.

Official page Directions

Jingle & Jazz tree lighting, Scottsdale Waterfront

Nov 29, 2026 on the canal bank. Jazz, kids' activities, pop-up shops and the lighting of a 36-foot tree. Free; Old Town street parking is free but time-limited.

Official page Directions

Light Up Ahwatukee

Nov 21, 2026, 10am to 11pm at Desert Foothills Park. A daytime artisan market with 30-plus vendors and food trucks, then the neighborhood lights come on in the evening. Free.

Official page Directions

WinterFest, Avondale

Dec 5, 2026 at the Avondale Civic Center. Santa, live entertainment and the tree lighting that starts Avondazzle's nightly run. Free.

Official page Directions

Know a display we're missing?

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