Top 10 #Christmas Holiday Stops for #Arizona Locals & Visitors

Christmas Holiday Cheer From Arizona!

Christmas Holiday Events in Arizona

You know the Christmas season is right around the corner. I'm blogging about wonderful Christmas events you can take part in this holiday season! 

You can choose from so many in Arizona. I had to go more than 5 this time - so 10 it is! I'm sure I've left out quite a few that are wonderful. I tried to get those I thought would be most fun or kid-thrilling. Or those I've done and loved! 

#10 - Audubon Bird Count

As a bird lover - I had to list this! Are you a birder? If not maybe you've never heard of this! You

Is There a Bird Hiding in
the Christmas Lights on the Saguaro Cactus?

might even think it's crazy - birding people doing this on Christmas day! Sponsored by the National Audubon Society. Anyone can take part!

You've never done this? You're put with an experienced birder!! No worries! The search is exciting & you'll learn so much! Kind-of like a nature treasure hunt! And you'll be helping scientific data research.

Thousands of volunteers help out. The actual dates for all involved are between Dec. 14 through Jan. 5. Local areas are assigned a specific date. Help count every bird you see or hear in your assigned 15 mile diameter circle - all day!

If you're intrigued - read More Here>

#9 - Christmas at the Princess

That's the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort. Get there & park (self - $35 or valet - $55) which will include super holiday activities! Up to 6 people in a vehicle are included for the rate! What fun!

See Santa in Arizona!

What are these cool attractions? You'll visit...

• Enchanted Plaza show
• Santa's Secret Headquarters
• Desert Ice-Skating Rink (skate rentals available)
• Princess Express Train rides
• S'mores Land
• Nativity Garden
• Even more!

All of this from November 22 through January 1. They're located at 7575 East Princess Drive, Scottsdale 85255. For further details call toll free (866) 540-4495 or locally (480) 585-4848.

#8 - Lake Havasu City Holiday Events

During December Lake Havasu City has lots going on to celebrate the Christmas Holidays! Stay for a few days - or stay for the month, and have a wonderful holiday season! For more details on these events - call the Lake Havasu Convention & Visitors Center: (800) 242-8278 or (928) 453-3444.

• Annual Christmas Tree Festival - Nov. 22 to Dec. 31, 10 am - 4 pm. At the Lake Havasu Museum of History. 12 & up $5, includes museum.
• Ice Skating at London Bridge - Nov. 25 to Jan. 9: Read More>
• Festival of Lights - Nov. 25 to Jan. 1, 6 to 10 pm. Under London Bridge and along the Bridgewater Channel walkway.
• Parade of Lights - Dec. 2 & 3, beginning at 6:30 pm. Watch a Christmas Parade on the water, as boats decorated for the holidays glide by. 
• Jingle Bell Walk & Fun Run: 5K - Dec. 3, Register at 8 am. Event 9 am - 12 noon. More here>
• Christmas Tuba Concert - Dec. 3 from 6 to 8 pm. A unique, free concert at the Community Presbyterian Church. Call 928-680-0743 for more details.
• Lake Havasu Community Choir's Annual Christmas Concert - Dec. 4 at 2 pm or 5 pm. $10 - adults; $5 - students. At Lake Havasu High School Performing Arts Center.
• Children's Community Celebration - Dec. 10, from 10 am to 2 pm. Free holiday party event for the kids! Bring them to the Community Rotary Park - held at the ball fields.
• "A Symphonic Holiday" by Lake Havasu Symphonic Winds - Dec. 11 at 3 pm. $10 adults, Student ID - free. At Lake Havasu High School Performing Arts Center.
• Drive-Through Nativity - Dec. 16 & 17, 5:30 - 9:30 pm. Free, at New Hope Calvary Church. Live performers and animals in a reenactment. For details call: 928-566-3629 or 928-764-0122
• Christmas Bird Count - See other details at #10. For Lake Havasu area the event is on Dec. 28 at Bill Williams Wildlife Refuge & on Dec. 29 at Havasu Wildlife Refuge. Contact: Ecologist Kathleen Blair  -  kathleen_blair@fws.gov    928-667-4144

#7 - Tucson Botanical Gardens Luminaria Nights

Dec 4 through 6 and Dec. 11 through 13, from 5:30 - 8:30 pm. These lovely gardens are decorated with beautiful luminarias and other holiday lights. As you walk among the pathways, holiday music filters through the air around the gorgeous desert plants, reflecting the surrounding glow.

Treats available to warm you up! And of course Santa will be there to see all the kids!

Children - $9, Adults - $18. Members get discounted rates. For more details call (520) 326-9686. They're located on N. Alvernon Way, just south of Grant Rd.

#6 - ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo

From November 23 through January 8, every evening 5:30 to 9:30 pm. ZooLights is a popular holiday light experience held at the Phoenix Zoo. This will be its 25th year!

Saguaro Filled with Lights!

Pricing depends on the night - some are "Peak Nights" = priced higher. But children aged 2 or younger are free. Admittance fees support the zoo, as it's a nonprofit enterprise. They suggest you purchase your tickets online: Pricing Here>

Per its name - it's about lights! Lights galore! Millions of them, including holiday tree lights and motion show lights. Many colored lights glowing in the night sky! There are rides (some for further pay) & lots of visual events! Many parts of the regular zoo are closed during these hours.

Much parking is available in the zoo parking lots. Get there: 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix 85008.

#5 - Winterhaven Festival - Tucson

Winterhaven Home

The Winterhaven Neighborhood begins at the intersection of Country Club & Fort Lowell Rd. Yearly, residents participate in the Festival of Lights. Most people voluntarily decorate their homes for the holidays with fantastic scenes that are amazing to see! 

The tradition began in 1949, the oldest festival of this sort in the US. This will be its 67th year. It has gathered more and more strength with each season! You have these choices for viewing:

• Have a leisurely walk through the neighborhood streets
• Drive through by car on December 26 between 6 and 9 pm
• Take a wagon-ride through - 40 min. for $10 to $16 per person: reservations suggested Here>
• Get a group of 15 & rent a Party Bike: More Here>

There's no fee to walk through, but they do ask for a food-bank contribution.

It's happening from December 10 through December 26 - 6 to 10 pm

#4 - Tombstone Lighting of the Luminarias

I have to recommend my hometown during the holidays! It's a great place any time of the year. You'll

Allen Street, Tombstone

love the atmosphere during Christmas time. Special events are scheduled throughout December. One thing you'll want to be there for is this event at the historic Courthouse!

It's sponsored by the Courthouse, which is an Arizona State Historic Park along with the Tombstone Restoration Commission. It's an annual event, this year to be held on December 10th, to mark the beginning of the Christmas holiday season.

Luminarias Placed Along Pathways

Luminarias are arranged: lined out on the entryway, and along the walls in front and alongside the courthouse. Luminarias are brown paper bags with sand at the bottom. A lit votive candle is then placed inside. The tradition is based on the Spanish Missionaries' commemoration. They lit bonfires on roadsides and into their chapel yards to guide people to Midnight Mass during the holiday season.

Mexican culture continued this lighting of the pathway for Mary and Joseph to find the way to Las Posadas - the now ceremonial inn where they found shelter for Jesus' birth. Following the Courthouse Lighting of the Luminarias visitors can come inside for warmth, Victorian holiday decorations and cheer.

Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park

The Courthouse State Historic Park is located at the SW corner of Toughnut & Third Streets. More details on the park and all its features can be found on their website.  Read More>

#3 North Pole Experience - Flagstaff

A very popular event for kids and adults happens throughout November and December. Reserve it quickly - because their limited times sell out fast: More here>

Visit Santa's Workshop!

For a little over an hour an a half - you get to visit Santa's workshop at the North Pole! You enter a magic portal in Flagstaff to arrive there! Wow! work alongside Santa's elves to build some toys. Get a treat in Mrs. Claus's Bakery. Meet Santa & get a present from him. And much more!

There are afternoon and evening slots available. The location to start is at the American Hotel, 2515 E. Butler Avenue in Flagstaff. It's a thrilling time your kids will never forget!

#2 - Carefree Christmas Festival

For 3 days and 2 nights - rev up your Christmas Holiday spirit the Carefree way! Friday, Saturday &

Christmas Electric Lights Float

Sunday, December 9, 10 & 11 - there will be joyous things to do & see! Everything is located in Carefree Arizona - downtown at the Carefree Desert Gardens, 101 Easy Street.

Throughout the entire weekend there will be real snow prepared for playing in & sledding on! A regularly scheduled train to the North Pole will be running. Santa will be there all weekend - get those cute photos! See & hear holiday performers, carolers & nativity scenes. Visit the Christmas Village! See the snow sculpture by Artist Ray Villafane. All free - all throughout the 3 days!

Then there are special events on Special Days:

FRIDAY:

• 5 - 9 P.M. ~ Carriage rides along Easy Street

  

  Carefree Christmas Festival Decor

SATURDAY:

• 1 - 1:45 p.m. ~ Mrs. Claus Story Time at Desert Foothills Library
• 5 - 9 p.m. ~ Pre/Post Christmas Parade Party with Kyle Collie
• 6 p.m. ~ Christmas Electric Light Parade on Easy Street, with fireworks afterward

SUNDAY:

• 9 a.m. - Noon ~ On Pet Day... Holiday Dog Walk presented by Foothills Animal Rescue. Pet pictures with Santa! *Register to enter your dog. For Info

#1 - Grand Canyon Railway Polar Express

Take a round-trip 90 minute train ride from William AZ to the North Pole! Along the way the kids will be thrilled to see the characters right out of the book by Chris Van Allsburg and the movie!

Christmas Cookies for the Kids!

Here's an example:

• Santa's Chefs deliver Hot Chocolate & Christmas Cookies
• Visits by elves
• Hear and Participate in the story by Van Allsburg
• Holiday carol Sing-alongs
• Santa visits each child with a gift after arriving to the North Pole

🙌 - Take the Christmas Eve Limited on Christmas Eve - just as it happened in the book & movie!

Packages are available - or just take the ride. Either way it's a family treat that will be a memory forever! Details Here>