Writer Joseph J. Airdo
As Arizona’s temperatures finally drop, the warmth of the holiday season fills the air.
Whether you are a local looking for your next festive adventure or a traveler seeking a unique holiday experience, the glistening lights adorning cacti and the harmonious sounds of chorales echoing through our red rock canyons beckon you to join in the merriment.
In this special feature, we take you on a journey through our state’s most enchanting holiday events and traditions. Buckle up for a sleigh ride through the diverse cultural celebrations that make Arizona’s holiday season one of the most spectacular in the country.
From the luminaria-lined streets of Sedona to the joyful sounds of Mariachi carolers in Tucson, this captivating tapestry of festive events, cultural experiences and heartfelt traditions in Arizona ensures that there is no shortage of holiday cheer during this joyful time of year.
Whimsical Wonderlands
For those dreaming of a white Christmas just like the ones they used to know, there are several places and attractions around Arizona that have been quite literally transformed into whimsical wonderlands, providing all of the festive feels without any of the shoveling. Some even lean heavily into our state’s Southwest spirit, highlighting how our desert is even more beautiful in the winter.
Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix provides just such an experience with its longest-running tradition of Las Noches de las Luminarias — a festival filled with sparkling luminarias and twinkling holiday lights, musical performances, entertainment and more.
The tradition began 45 years ago on a chilly December night in 1978, when Desert Botanical Garden’s volunteers and staff worked to light 700 luminarias and welcome 600 guests for a one-night experience at the garden. Originally conceived by the garden’s former executive director Rodney Engard, the holiday event aimed to represent the Southwest, complement the garden’s beauty and provide a gift to the community.
More than four decades later, luminarias are still placed, lit and snuffed by the hands of staff and volunteers as additional nights, twinkle lights on trees and entertainment have been added to enhance the event, which runs 5:30–9:30 p.m. through Dec. 30.
Phoenix Zoo will also host its own long-standing tradition, 5:30–10:30 p.m. through Jan. 14.
“ZooLights has been glowing strong for more than 30 years and this year is bigger and brighter than ever,” says Linda Hardwick, Phoenix Zoo’s vice president of marketing, communication and events. “With our brand new 200-foot-long light tunnel, larger-than-life wildlife lanterns, hundreds of illuminated armatures and an exciting Glow Garden, ZooLights is sure to capture the hearts of Valley residents.”
Meanwhile, a new holiday event embracing Arizona’s Western spirit marks its inaugural season this year at Rawhide Western Town in Chandler. Scottsdale residents and winners of last year’s “Great Christmas Light Fight” on ABC, Sammy and Kyle Pratt, created the holiday experience, which, open 6–10 p.m. through Dec. 24, features more than 6 million lights, a dazzling light show, a magical train ride, a nightly parade, jaw-dropping stunt shows, holiday shopping, live entertainment and more.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess offers a more customary Christmas event, during which the resort is transformed into an enchanting winter wonderland. Each night through Jan. 6, guests can gaze at more than 6.5 million sparkling LED lights, go ice skating, meet cheerful holiday characters, roast marshmallows and make s’mores under star-filled skies, as well as see a splendid seven-minute light show choreographed to match the resort’s iconic four-story musical holiday tree.
Meanwhile, Enchant returns to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale with a new attraction — “The Mischievous Elf,” an incredibly illuminated winter wonderland that features more than 4 million sparkling lights, creating an immersive walk-through, story-themed maze. Open through Dec. 31, the pop-up village also offers ice skating, live entertainment, dining, holiday shopping and more.
However, you do not necessarily need to even leave the comfort of your own car to experience the magic of Christmas. Through Dec. 31, World of Illumination is back with drive-through animated holiday light shows at two locations in the Valley. Guests at Desert Diamond Casino in Glendale can explore an attraction dubbed Reindeer Road, while those at Tempe Diablo Stadium can take a Cosmic Sleighride — each featuring 1 million animated lights synchronized to music.
For those who prefer an alternative mode of transportation, Verde Canyon Railroad has transformed its Clarkdale depot into a miniature Birds-Eye Village. Through Dec. 24, children can strap on a pair of eagle wings and soar through 10 tiny houses on a town square before boarding a train for “The Magical Christmas Journey.”
“As soon as the train departs the Clarkdale depot, happy elves encourage everyone to venture onto the brightly decorated, open-air viewing cars to make a wish when traveling through the Magical Tunnel and wave to the illuminated Arizona animals that dance along Santa’s secret tracks,” says Teresa A. Propeck, Verde Canyon Railroad’s vice president of marketing and passenger services.
Grand Canyon Railway offers its own holiday train ride, as well, through the wilderness of Williams as the classic storybook and animated film “The Polar Express” is brought to life. Through Dec. 30, ticket holders can enjoy hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies on their way to meet and receive a jingle bell from Santa Claus.
Of course, it is no secret that Flagstaff’s Little America Hotel also serves as a magical portal that transports visitors directly to the North Pole. Open through Dec. 24, The North Pole Experience is a hands-on, interactive holiday adventure through Santa’s Grand Workshop, Mrs. Claus’ Bakery, Elf University and more.
Small Town Santas
Phoenix will host its 36th annual APS Electric Light Parade on Saturday, Dec. 2 and Glendale Glitters lights up the west side of the Valley through Jan. 7. Meanwhile, the city of Scottsdale is hosting several events during Scottsdazzle — a sprawling celebration filled with live music, public art installations, holiday décor, a 40-foot tree that lights up the night with holiday spirit.
However, many of Arizona’s most unique holiday traditions take place in some of our state’s smaller cities and towns.
Having officially kicked off its seasonal celebrations with a light parade and bonfire the weekend after Thanksgiving, Prescott — designated “Arizona’s Christmas City” by Gov. Rose Mofford in 1989 — will continue its festivities on Saturday, Dec. 2, with its 41st annual Christmas parade at 1 p.m. followed by its 69th annual lighting of the city’s historic Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza at 6 p.m.
A bit further north that same day, Flagstaff will host its annual Winter Wonderland celebration at Heritage Square, featuring hot chocolate, s’mores, crafts, live music and the city’s official tree lighting ceremony. One week later, on Saturday, Dec. 9, nearly 100 entries will make their way through the city’s historic downtown, 6–8 p.m., as the local chamber of commerce hosts its annual Holiday Parade of Lights.
Meanwhile, in Sedona, Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village will host a tree lighting ceremony, 5–7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, including refreshments, local holiday entertainment and visits with Santa Claus. The village will also serve as the site of Sedona’s Festival of Lights, 3–8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, during which 6,000 luminarias will be lit along Tlaquepaque’s courtyards and walkways.
“Celebrating 50 years, Tlaquepaque continues with the tradition that the developer and visionary Abe Miller established, says Wendy Lippman, general manager and resident partner of the village. “We are a part of our community and these public events are a way to say thank you to our locals as well as to our visitors.”
Luminarias will also shine brightly in the historic village of Tubac, which will host its annual holiday festival, 5–9 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2. Luminaria Nights de Tubac will also feature treats, shopping, visits with Mrs. Claus and live music from The Brilliant Evening Stars band and TaliasVan’s 40-voice Bright and Morning Star Choir and Orchestra.
In Wickenburg, revelers will walk their way into the holiday season. Starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, guests can stroll through the town’s shops, restaurants and street market while listening to various music performances ahead of a 7 p.m. Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Stone Park. The local chamber of commerce will then, on Friday, Dec. 8, host its 29th annual Christmas Parade of Lights, 6:30–7:30 p.m., through downtown Wickenburg.
The following day, on Saturday, Dec. 9, Payson will host a holiday trifecta, beginning at 1 p.m. with its first-ever Winter Wonderland at Green Valley Park, featuring festive inflatables, games, an ice rink, a variety of vendors and visits with Santa Claus. At 5:30 p.m., the town will host its first ceremonial Christmas tree lighting near Zane Grey Museum.
Then, at 6 p.m., an electric light parade will make its way through Payson’s historic Main Street. In honor of the town’s 50th anniversary, this year’s parade theme is “The ’73 Jubilee” and will culminate with appearances by Santa Claus and the Mogollon Monster.
One week later, on Saturday, Dec. 16, Tucson will host its holiday extravaganza, starting with a 4 p.m. festival at Armory Park and culminating with a 6:30 p.m. parade.
“The 29th annual Downtown Parade of Lights is the largest holiday parade in Southern Arizona and includes over 1,200 participants,” says Brandi Haga-Blackman of BHB Event Management, noting that University of Arizona Regents Professor of Planetary Science and Cosmochemistry and leader of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx asteroid study, Dante Lauretta, will serve as this year’s grand marshall.
Last but not least, Lake Havasu City will send its celebration into the water with its 38th annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, 7–9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, during which decorated boats glitter and glisten their way through the famed Bridgewater Channel under London Bridge. Nearby London Bridge Resort is also adorned with more than 500,000 lights through Jan. 7 as part of its 28th annual Festival of Lights.
Ringin’ In The New Year
Of course, the fun does not stop once Santa returns to the North Pole. Arizona also rings in the new year in style, with some small-city celebrations putting even the ball drop in New York’s Times Square to shame.
In Flagstaff, a 70-pound, 6-foot-tall, metallic pinecone will be lowered from the roof of the city’s historic, three-story Weatherford Hotel to usher in 2024. The tradition began in 1999, when the hotel’s management aspired to welcome the new millennium in a memorable way as well as commemorate the hotel’s 100th anniversary.
The “Great Pinecone” will drop three times on Sunday, Dec. 31 — first at Noon, so that families with young children can celebrate “Noon Year’s Eve;” then at 10 p.m., coinciding with Times Square’s ball drop; and finally at Midnight, followed by a brief fireworks display.
Meanwhile, in Prescott, a 6-foot illuminated boot will be lowered at 10 p.m. and Midnight from the flagpole atop The Palace Restaurant and Saloon on Whiskey Row — just as it has every Dec. 31 since 2011. Weighing about 100 pounds and covered with more than 500 LED lights, the fiberglass boot is meant to represent the city’s Western heritage.
Similarly, the giant lighted deuce of clubs card that is lowered out front of Show Low’s City Hall each Dec. 31 honors the historical moment in which the city was “won” in an 1876 poker game when one of a ranch’s two owners turned over the deuce of clubs, thus showing low and earning victory.
Finally, a giant taco will be lowered at Midnight on Dec. 31 outside Hotel Congress as part of the Taco Bell New Year’s Eve Downtown Bowl Bash in Tucson. The 15-foot-wide, 8-foot-tall taco crafted by local artist Joe Pagac is mostly made out of wood and metal but topped with shredded tablecloth “lettuce” and painted Styrofoam “tomatoes.”
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