Christmas Markets Arizona 2025 Ultimate Guide to Festive Events, Lights & Holiday Shopping

Every December, Arizona bursts with Christmas markets that bring together vendors, music, and all sorts of family-friendly fun. Local artisans sell one-of-a-kind gifts, and you’ll find classic treats like mulled wine along with performances from bands, choirs, and entertainers.

You might catch live music from the Cosmic Gumbo Jazz Trio or see creative displays at spots like Creative Kind and Tanque Verde Market. There are even unique acts—like aerialist Jen Martin—if you’re into something a little different.

Santa usually pops into places like the Kinder Korner tent, where kids can try crafts, meet costumed characters, and join parades such as the Kinder Lantern Parade. Some markets, like Prescott’s Christkindl Market, lean into European traditions, complete with an opening ceremony and specialty vendors.

You might stumble into fireworks, hop on a horse-drawn carriage, or check out themed markets like Desert Haze Market, Mercado Flea, or the Queer Bazaar. With events in Mesa, Tucson, Scottsdale, Oro Valley, and honestly all over the state, these markets are a real showcase for Arizona’s art, entertainment, and holiday spirit.

1) Courthouse Plaza in Prescott

If you want to feel the holiday buzz in Prescott, Courthouse Plaza is the spot. It sits right in the heart of downtown, just off Goodwin Street, and has earned the nickname Arizona’s Christmas City for good reason.

Come December, the whole area glows with lights and decorations. It’s a favorite for folks chasing that classic holiday vibe.

The Courthouse Lighting event is a real highlight. On December 7, 2025, things kick off at 5 PM with music and wrap up with the courthouse shining bright.

Locals and visitors crowd the north side of the courthouse for the ceremony. It’s free to attend, and honestly, it’s hard not to get swept up by the energy.

From December 15 to 17, 2025, the Christmas Village & ChristkindlMarket pops up along Goodwin Street. Expect German-style food, mulled wine, and even a Bier Garten in the plaza.

The market runs Friday from 4 PM to 8 PM, then Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM. No tickets needed—just wander in, shop for gifts, and catch some live music.

If you’re thinking about staying overnight, Prescott has plenty of hotels close to the plaza. Booking.com lists several options in downtown, which makes things easy if you don’t want to drive.

Market	Dates	Address	Times	Prices	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Christmas Village & ChristkindlMarket	Dec 15-17, 2025	Downtown Prescott	Fri: 4 PM – 8 PM; Sat/Sun: 11 AM – 8 PM	Free	Downtown Prescott hotels	Prescott’s Christmas Village
Courthouse Lighting	Dec 7, 2025	Downtown Prescott	Starts at 5 PM	Free	Downtown Prescott hotels	Arizona’s Christmas City

It does get crowded, but the festive buzz and location make Courthouse Plaza a top pick for the holidays.

2) CitySkate Ice Rink in Phoenix

What to Know

CitySkate Ice Rink lets you skate outdoors in the middle of downtown Phoenix’s lively CityScape area. Even with the desert warmth, the rink brings a little winter magic right next to Patriots Park.

Festive lights and decorations set the mood throughout the Christmas season. Each session gives you 90 minutes on real ice, so you can glide as long as your legs hold out.

New to skating? Doesn’t matter—everyone’s welcome. Check the session schedule online before heading out, since times can change without much warning.

You’ll find lots of restaurants and shops nearby, which is handy if you want to grab a bite or do more exploring. For a place to crash, the Hyatt Regency Phoenix is just around the corner.

Market	Dates	Address	Times	Prices	Nearby Hotel	Website
CitySkate	Nov 24, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026	11 W. Washington St.	Varied sessions	$20 adults, $13 children under 8	Hyatt Regency Phoenix	CitySkate Ice Rink

3) Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village

Looking for a holiday market that’s heavy on art and tradition? Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village in Sedona is a solid bet for 2025.

The place is built with Spanish-style architecture, so just strolling around gives you that old-world, laid-back feel. Every walkway is lined with galleries, small shops, and stores filled with local crafts.

Handmade jewelry, pottery, paintings, and seasonal goods fill the booths. If you want gifts that feel personal, this is the spot.

Holiday lights and decorations really amp up the charm. You’ll hear music, see families soaking it all in, and might stumble on a special event or performance.

Food options are all over the map—Mexican, French, even a brewery if you’re thirsty. After shopping, you can relax in a courtyard café and just watch the world go by.

Tlaquepaque is open all December for the 2025 holidays. Getting there’s simple, and you don’t need a ticket. Locals and out-of-towners both love it.

If you’re coming from out of town, Los Abrigados Resort and Spa is nearby. For the latest on events and vendors, check the official website.

Dates	Address	Times	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
December 1–31	336 AZ-179, Sedona, AZ 86336	10:00 AM – 5:00 PM	Free Entry	Los Abrigados Resort and Spa	Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village

4) Discover Red Rock Fantasy in Sedona-CANCELLED

Red Rock Fantasy lights up Los Abrigados Resort every Thanksgiving week. Families set up dazzling Christmas displays, transforming the resort into a cheerful holiday playground.

Bright lights and creative decorations fill the place. Kids and adults both get a kick out of the displays, and with Sedona’s red rocks in the background, your photos can’t help but look good.

The vibe is relaxed and welcoming. Bring your camera—you’ll want to snap a few shots, trust me.

The event runs at dusk until 10 PM for several days, and entry is free. Stay as long as you like and take it all in.

If you need a place to stay, check Booking.com for options nearby. For the most up-to-date details, just head over to the official event page.

Dates	Address	Times	Prices	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Nov 27-Dec 1, 2025	160 Portal Ln, Sedona, AZ 86336	Dusk to 10 PM	Free	Hotels in Sedona	RedRock Fantasy

5) Gilbert’s Water Tower Plaza

You’ll spot Water Tower Plaza right in the heart of Gilbert at 45 W Page Avenue. Every winter, they string up lights and set out festive decorations all around the plaza.

The old water tower, which stands 230 feet tall and dates back to 1925, kind of anchors the whole place. Folks from all over show up here for community events or just to hang out and enjoy the vibe.

Families can catch live music, grab snacks from local food stalls, and let kids write letters to Santa. Adults tend to appreciate the historic setting and the lineup of local vendors, too.

Since it’s all outdoors, you’ll want to dress for the weather—especially if you’re headed out on a busy night. It can get crowded, but that’s half the fun, isn’t it?

The main holiday lighting event usually brings out a big crowd. Even after recent renovations, the energy hasn’t faded a bit.

Parking’s pretty close, and downtown Gilbert has plenty of spots to eat or even stay the night if you’re not in a hurry to leave.

Dates	Times	Address	Cost	Nearby Stay (booking.com)	Website
December 16, 2025	6:00 PM – 8:30 PM	45 W Page Ave, Gilbert, AZ	Free	Hyatt Place Phoenix Gilbert	Water Tower Holiday Lighting

6) Glendale Glitters

What to Know About the Event

Glendale Glitters is back for its 30th year in Historic Downtown Glendale, Arizona. From November 24, 2025, to January 1, 2026, Murphy Park lights up every night with music, decorations, and a giant snowman.

You’ll find a 30-foot Christmas tree with lights that change colors. The whole event is built for families and friends to enjoy together, and they throw in extra activities and entertainment on opening weekend for the anniversary.

Admission? Free. So you can wander through the lights without worrying about your wallet.

Event Name	Dates	Address	Times	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Glendale Glitters	Nov 24, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026	Historic Downtown Glendale, AZ	5 PM – 10 PM daily	Free	Browse hotels	Glendale Glitters

The stretch from 57th to 59th avenues, along Glendale and Myrtle, turns into a glowing holiday scene each night. It’s honestly one of the biggest and most well-known free Christmas light events in Arizona.

I’d plan for at least an hour or two if you want to see everything and snap some photos.

7) Chandler’s Famous Tumbleweed Holiday Tree

Chandler, Arizona, does Christmas a little differently. Instead of evergreens, their holiday tree is made from thousands of tumbleweeds plucked from the desert.

This quirky tradition started in the late 1950s and keeps rolling every year. Workers gather about 2,000 tumbleweeds and stack them up to form the tree.

They spray the whole thing white and dump on 65 pounds of glitter, so it shimmers under the Arizona sky. The finished tree reaches about 35 feet, so you really can’t miss it in downtown Chandler.

The Tumbleweed Tree Lighting happens every first Saturday in December. The lighting is after dark, and the whole evening fills up with people, floats, food, and music.

You’ll catch Santa riding by in the Parade of Lights, and there’s always some live music and decorations to keep things festive. The event doesn’t cost a thing—just show up and enjoy.

Curious about the backstory? The Chandler Museum sets up a special Tumbleweed Tree exhibit each year for anyone who wants to dig deeper.

Expect mild winter weather, a friendly crowd, and a laid-back vibe. Downtown’s packed with restaurants and coffee shops if you want to linger after the lights.

Event Name	Date	Time	Location	Cost	Book Nearby Stay	Website
Chandler’s Tumbleweed Tree Lighting	December 7, 2025	4:30 PM	Downtown Chandler	Free	Hotels in Chandler	Chandler Tumbleweed Tree Information

It’s an easy way to join in a classic Arizona tradition and see something you probably won’t find anywhere else.

8) Holiday Traditions at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in 2025

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess pulls out all the stops for the holidays. They cover the grounds with millions of lights, play festive music, and set up themed displays everywhere you look.

If you visit, you can wander under glowing decorations, listen to classic tunes, and watch the main Christmas tree light up the night. The place draws families, friend groups, and just about anyone who likes a little holiday magic.

You can ice skate outdoors, explore the Christmas Village, hop on the Princess Express Train, or try the Build-A-Bear workshop. Santa shows up for photos, too.

If you’re hungry, Ironwood American Kitchen serves up hot chocolate and family meals—no reservation needed. Both hotel guests and the public are welcome, so you don’t have to book a room to join the fun.

Locals love it, so evenings can get pretty busy. I’d check the official website for ticket info and the latest details.

Market Name	Dates	Address	Times	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Christmas at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess	Nov 24, 2024 – Jan 5, 2025	7575 East Princess Drive, Scottsdale, Arizona 85255	Various (check website)	Varies	Booking.com nearby hotels	christmasattheprincess.com

9) ZooLights at Phoenix Zoo

Every winter, the Phoenix Zoo transforms with nearly four million holiday lights. Tall trees glow in every color, and lanterns shaped like animals fill the pathways.

Kids and adults wander through displays of desert favorites, wild cats, and birds—all shining in the night. Giant animal lanterns make it easy (and fun) to learn a little about wildlife as you go.

The highlight might be the floating tree, which claims to be the tallest of its kind in North America. As you walk, you’ll spot both still and animated light displays, so there’s always something new around the bend.

ZooLights is a staple for locals. You can buy tickets online or at the gate, and zoo members save a few bucks on entry.

Weeknights are less crowded if you prefer a quieter experience. For out-of-towners, hotels near the Phoenix Zoo are easy to find on booking.com.

Check the official website for updates on special nights and new displays, since they mix things up every year.

Dates	Address	Times	Prices	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Nov 27, 2024 – Jan 12, 2025	455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008	5:30 PM – 10:30 PM	$30 ($25 for members)	Hotels near Phoenix Zoo	Phoenix ZooLights event page

10) Holiday Magic at the North Pole Experience in Flagstaff

Step inside Santa’s workshop at the North Pole Experience in Flagstaff for a guided holiday adventure. This indoor event lets you wander through themed areas, each with its own charm.

Your journey kicks off at the Little America Hotel. Over a million lights turn the place into a festive wonderland.

A decorated trolley whisks you away to the North Pole workshop. The ride itself feels special—kids get excited even before arriving.

You’ll visit the toy factory and watch elves making toys. Mrs. Claus’ Bakery is another stop, and if you love sweets, you’ll want to peek at the treats coming fresh out of the oven.

Elf University gives you a taste of what it takes to become one of Santa’s helpers. There’s even a sleigh hangar, where you can check out Santa’s sleigh getting ready for the big night.

Family photos with Santa are a highlight. Lots of folks make this a yearly tradition, and honestly, the photos are pretty adorable.

The whole adventure takes about one to two hours. There’s enough time to enjoy each stop without feeling rushed.

If you want to stay nearby, Little America Hotel is a convenient pick—check Bookings.com for details. For the latest info on tickets and schedules, it’s smart to check the official North Pole Experience website.

Dates	Times	Location	Price	Nearby Stay (Booking.com)	Event Website
Nov 2024 – Jan 2025	8 AM – 10 PM	2515 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86004	Check official site	Little America Hotel Flagstaff	https://www.northpoleexperience.com/