Family Holiday Events in Scottsdale 2022

Arizona is a beautiful and vibrant place to live year-round, including the holiday season. Families seeking festive cheer and community events as the weather gets chilly will find plenty of exciting holiday jubilations throughout Scottsdale and the surrounding areas. Here is Tracy Phillips’ list of the top holiday events this season you don’t want to miss.

The Desert Botanical Garden presents the mystical Las Noches de las Luminarias event for its 45th year. Fantastic artwork, glistening lights, and Christmas wonders abound at this popular event, offering something for every visitor, regardless of age. In addition to an array of sparkling luminarias and holiday lights, there will be entertainment, musical performances, and holiday treats to enjoy as you weave through the Garden’s winding trails. What sets this year’s event apart from those of the past are the captivating and expressive large-scale sculptures of Playing with Stars by Rotraut. Engage with your family and friends at the Mexican holiday tradition of La Posada as you break piñatas and savor authentic fare and libations. As the longest-running tradition of the Garden, this is a can’t-miss event to illuminate your holidays.

All aboard the Paradise & Pacific Railroad for its Holiday Lights winter wonderland! This marvelous offering of holiday lights and decorative displays is perfect for a family with tiny tots as they marvel at the rainbow tunnel and igloo town surrounded by snow-capped villages and sparkling scenes. Be sure to take a spin on the historic Charros Carousel before grabbing a heartwarming cup of hot cocoa and treats from Hartley’s General Store. Note that you can get discounted tickets on certain weeknights, and regardless of when you go, you and your family can delight in unlimited train and carousel rides. If you want to snap a photo of your little ones with Santa himself, check the website for dates when he’s in town. Before you go, be sure to double-check your wishlist!

The entire month of December is brimming with intriguing offerings during the coveted Scottsdazzle celebration. Whether you’re going on a shopping spree, dinner date with your sweetheart, or bringing the entire family out for a fun-filled day, you will find something that catches your eye. Foodies gather to try the various eateries and marvel at festive food demonstrations. Shopping for presents has never been easier with the plethora of beauty boutiques, apparel stops, home furnishing stores, art galleries, jewelry designers, and more. The events offered are expansive and varied, ranging from Wine Cork Crafting for wine enthusiasts to the Sing-Along & Tree Lighting Ceremony and Gold Pallette Artwalk, perfect for folks of all ages. The events list will surely have your family returning to Scottsdazzle year after year. You can even catch a Segway tour to check out the festive light displays around the city!

Brought to Scottsdale for the first time by Hallmark Channel, Enchant features everything one could imagine when ringing in the holiday season. This year’s exciting event features a 100-foot-tall tree, fun-filled maze adventures, towering light displays, ice sculptures, glistening holiday tunnels, and an ice skating rink. Head to The Village, where you can explore the charming shops of artisan vendors and one-of-a-kind boutiques to find those perfect stocking stuffers. The Ice Bar is available for guests over the age of 21 who need to catch a break while children get the chance to meet Santa. There will be plenty of snacks and goodies to enjoy between mounds of holiday fun, including specialty sandwiches, hot entrees, homemade donuts, exceptional hot chocolate, and so much more.

Relish in a stunning display of 6.5 million glimmering lights at this year’s Christmas At The Princess event at the Fairmont Scottsdale, one of the most renowned holiday festivities in all of the Southwest. This highly anticipated tradition offers a myriad of family-friendly activities, from roasting s’mores to visiting Jolly Old Saint Nick. Your children will smile from ear to ear as you take them on the Ferris wheel, followed by a skate around the outdoor ice rink. Glimpse the six lovable and cooky Christmas characters as you warm up by a fire pit or explore an icy igloo. No matter the activity, you’re bound to have a memorable time throughout the event’s 65 acres of Christmas magic.

Make your way to the Phoenix Zoo this year for the ZooLights extravaganza. From November 23 to January 15, you’ll see the zoo in a new light as the trees are adorned with colorful bulbs. Your kids will adore the new animal lanterns, the enhanced Santa experience, a Polar Slide, and the brand-new music and light show that takes you around the world. Don’t forget to schedule your child’s Santa photo at Polar Park this year!  As an added bonus, purchasing a ZooLights ticket grants you free admission to Dinosaurs in the Desert, a unique dinosaur experience that will leave your family educated and inspired. And, don’t miss the Lake Light Show, with festive music synchronized to glistening lights over the water and a snowfall finale. As if this experience couldn’t get any better, Phoenix Zoo takes it up a notch this season by offering a Sensory Friendly ZooLights experience on January 9th for those who prefer smaller crowds, softer music reduced flashing lights, and more. Add ZooLights to your events calendar now!

Discover Phoenix’s World of Illumination to ring in the holiday cheer with the whole family. You’ll delight in a drive-through display of 2 million animated lights—the largest in the country—and a synchronized musical experience, complete with animated snowmen, glistening tunnels, and show-stopping lights and decor at every turn. Tempe’s Candy Rush experience features sugar plum fairies, an intricate gingerbread village, plenty of sweet treats, majestic Christmas characters, and so much more. Your family will delight in all the holiday lights, music, and cheer around you. Are you entranced by these joyous celebrations teeming with the spirit of the season?

Are you in the market for Scottsdale, Arizona, real estate? Contact Scottsdale real estate agent Tracy Phillips to aid in your search for the perfect Scottsdale luxury home.