The holidays are a special time of year. It’s filled with food, presents, loved ones, and, of course, Arizona Christmas lights! While many visitors to Arizona might not immediately expect us to have such a stunning display of holiday cheer, they would be pleasantly surprised. Check out a few of the best Christmas light displays in Arizona to indulge in this holiday season.

1. Festival of Lights, Lake Havasu City
Lake Havasu City, AZ, USA
Visit Lake Havasu City Arizona/Facebook
Celebrated for over 20 years, the Festival of Lights is set up along the London Bridge and the little village sitting next to it. Here, you’ll see the area glow every evening through January 8th and even some of the boats that float through are lit up!
2. Courthouse Plaza, Prescott
Courthouse Plaza, 120 S Cortez St, Prescott, AZ 86303, USA
Michael Wilson/Flickr
When your city is known as the state Christmas City, you know that you’re going to be in for quite the treat when you visit. Prescott is the perfect setting for a good, old-fashioned, month-long Christmas celebration with festivities, chilly weather, and a historic setting. The best part is the annual lighting of the Courthouse Plaza, which lights up the city with a million lights.
3. Murphy Park Lights (formerly known as Glendale Glitters), Glendale
Glendale, AZ, USA
CityofGlendaleAZ/Flickr
If you’ve never had the chance to wander through downtown Glendale, this is your chance! You’ll get to see the downtown area light up with lights strung around trees and buildings, making this into a beautiful wonderland in the desert. Get a cup of hot cocoa or coffee at one of the local shops and enjoy the sights!
4. Holiday Lights and The North Pole Experience at the Little America Hotel, Flagstaff
Little America Hotel, 2515 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, USA
The Little America Hotel Flagstaff/Flickr
Now, for a true winter wonderland, you’ll want to visit this light display in Flagstaff, especially after some snowfall. Trees are strung with lights of all colors and, when they reflect off the snow, you’ll discover just how beautiful winter nights can be. You'll see quite a beautiful holiday light show in Arizona at this Flagstaff Christmas hotel.
5. Las Noches de las Luminarias, Phoenix
Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
CEB Imagery/Flickr
This is an amazing Arizona Christmas tradition this time of year and makes for a fantastic way of lighting up the night. That, combined with twinkle lights wrapped around trees, chilly nights, live music, and a warm drink, makes for a spectacular night!
6. Wanderland, Tucson
Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Tucson Botanical Gardens/Facebook
For just a little over a month in December, you’ll get to see the Tucson Botanical Garden absolutely glowing with seasonal delight! Luminarias line the walkways, lights are strung in trees, and live entertainment make this one magical place.
7. Temple Gardens Christmas Lights, Mesa
Jerry Ferguson/Flickr
This light display in Arizona has a more religious tone to it and it’s an impressive sight that you won’t want to miss. In addition to lights and a nativity display, you’ll also get to experience live music from local musicians.
8. Tinsel Town at Tlaquepaque, Sedona
Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, 336 AZ-179, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village/Facebook
Tinsel Town was recently moved to Tlaquepaque Marketplace and, we have to say, it only makes this location look even more beautiful. Millions of lights and beautiful displays make an evening here simply magical.
9. Tumbleweed Tree, Chandler
3 S Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ 85225, USA
City Government of Chandler, Arizona/Facebook
It’s a bit of a joke that Arizonans use tumbleweeds as Christmas decorations but the city of Chandler puts that image to life in its 60+th year of having a towering, Christmas tumbleweed tree sitting in its city limits. On the day the tree is lit, you can also experience one fun Christmas parade with tons of lights! This is one Arizona Christmas light display that you won't want to miss.
10. Winterhaven Festival of Lights, Tucson
Tucson, AZ, USA
Alyson Hurt/Flickr
This Tucson neighborhood has been hosting a huge Christmas light display for over 60 years and it has grown to become one of the largest displays in town. There are multiple ways of experiencing this display so you'll want to visit the Christmas light display's official website for all the details.
11. ZooLights, Phoenix
Phoenix Zoo, 455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
Phoenix Zoo/Facebook
A holiday tradition, ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo is perfect for kids (and kids at heart) looking to experience the zoo in a new way. In the zoo’s after hours, you’ll find the entire place lit up, playing music, and small activities. You won’t find many of the animals walking around since most of them are asleep but it still makes for a unique experience.

Looking for other ways to get into the Christmas spirit? Check out our article about one magical Christmas train ride in Arizona that you and your children won’t soon forget.

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Arizona Christmas Lights

Marisa Roman | November 14, 2019

What is the largest Christmas lights display in Arizona?

For anyone looking to explore Arizona during the holiday season, we have the ultimate experience to offer. One of the options for the largest Christmas lights display in Arizona happens to be located in North Phoenix. The Illumination Symphony of Light is the largest animated display of drive-thru Christmas lights in Arizona, but also in the world. The drive is around a mile long and featured millions of synchronized lights all twinkling to the best holiday music. Also, if you’re looking for one of the largest free holiday light displays in Arizona, check out Glendale Glitters, starting Thanksgiving weekend every year.

What is there to do at Christmas in Arizona?

Wondering what are the things to do at Christmas in Arizona to really elevate the holiday? Don’t worry — there are so many exciting events and activities that your holiday calendar will be filled to the brim. A few of the most exciting things to do at Christmas in Arizona include ice skating in Patriots Square, Zoo Lights at the Phoenix Zoo, exploring the Grand Canyon, the Red Rock Fantasy of Lights, or the Las Noches De Las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden.

What are the best Christmas towns in Arizona?

While you’re in Arizona for the holidays, why not explore some of the best Christmas towns in the state? Arizona has quite a few towns that get all decked out for the holiday season. A few of the favorites include Lake Havasu City, Flagstaff, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Tucson, and Prescott. Each of these towns is wildly different from one another, but offer up something special during the holidays.

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