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

21) Merry Main Street in Mesa

Fast Facts and Visitor Details

Merry Main Street lights up downtown Mesa from November 24, 2024, to January 6, 2025. You’ll find it at 100 N. Center Street, right in the heart of Mesa, Arizona.

The event runs Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, and Friday from 9:00 am to noon. Pretty classic hours, honestly.

Don’t miss the 40-foot holiday tree on Macdonald Road, just north of Main Street. Food trucks park in Jack Frost’s Food Truck Forest, so you can grab a bite as you wander the displays.

The Winter Wonderland Ice Rink draws a crowd, though there’s a fee for skating. Most of the other activities won’t cost you anything.

You can catch performances at the Mesa Arts Center nearby; just keep in mind there might be an admission charge for some shows. If you’re staying overnight, there are hotels and vacation rentals close by—booking.com is a good place to start.

For the latest schedule and updates, check out the Merry Main Street website.

Event Dates	Address	Operating Hours	Admission Details	Where to Stay booking.com	Event Website
November 24, 2024 – January 6, 2025	100 N. Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201	Mon-Thurs: 9am–4:30pm, Fri: 9am–12pm	Most activities free; ice rink and shows fee	Hotels and rentals available around downtown Mesa	https://merrymainst.com/

22) Polar Express Train Experience at Grand Canyon Railway

Step onto a classic train in Williams, Arizona, and dive into a 90-minute ride that brings The Polar Express to life every winter. The journey runs from November through early January, rolling through quiet woods at night and finishing at a snowy North Pole scene.

During the trip, you and your family can listen to story time with the famous book. Santa makes the rounds in each car, handing out a commemorative bell, a mug, and a small gift bag.

If you want to go all out, private charter cars offer custom catering and a full bar. That private option starts at $8,000—so yeah, it’s a splurge.

Most folks bundle their visit with an overnight stay at the nearby Railway Hotel and dinner at the Fred Harvey Restaurant, both just a short walk from the station. If you’re looking for more lodging options, Booking.com has plenty.

Name of Experience	Event Dates	Location	Times	Private Charter Cost	Nearby Stay Booking	Website Address
Polar Express at Grand Canyon Railway	November–early January 2025	Williams, Arizona	Various	Starting at $8,000	Booking.com – Williams	Grand Canyon Railway Polar Express event

23) Parada del Sol Parade in Scottsdale

Scottsdale’s Parada del Sol Parade is a big deal. Since 1953, it’s drawn crowds from all over and brought the community together in Old Town.

You’ll see marching bands, dance groups, and horseback riders parading down the streets. Every year, the displays highlight different parts of Southwest culture.

For 2025, Barry Goldwater, Jr. takes the role of Grand Marshal. After the parade, the Trail’s End Festival takes over the street with live music, food stands, and plenty of activities for all ages.

Admission’s free, and the vibe is super welcoming for families and visitors. Here’s what you need to know:

Date	Address	Time	Cost	Where to stay nearby	Website
Feb 1, 2025	Old Town Scottsdale, AZ 85251	Parade: 9:30 AM – 12 PM Festival: 12 PM – 4 PM	Free	Hotels in Old Town Scottsdale on Booking.com	Official Parade Website

24) Tucson Winterhaven Festival of Lights 2025

If you’re in Tucson in December, take a walk through the Winterhaven Festival of Lights. Since 1949, neighbors here have gone all out decorating their homes with bright, creative displays.

You can explore on foot, by hayride, trolley, or even a group party bike. The festival fills the Winterhaven neighborhood with Aleppo pines and streets glowing with festive lights.

Local vendors pop up with hot drinks and snacks along the way. Entry is free, so it’s easy for families, couples, or anyone to join in.

The event runs from mid to late December, so you can fit it into your evening plans. Find a place to stay near Winterhaven on booking.com, and check the official event website for more details.

Dates	Address	Times	Prices	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
December 14–28, 2025	Winterhaven Neighborhood	6:00 PM–10:00 PM	Free	Booking.com hotels in Tucson	Winterhaven Festival of Lights details

25) Tempe Holiday Lights Boat Event

Every December, more than 50 boats decked out in bright decorations cruise along Tempe Town Lake. Families gather to watch the lights dance on the water and soak up the holiday spirit.

Food trucks line the area, serving up snacks and meals. There’s also a holiday market—super handy for last-minute gifts.

When the parade wraps up, fireworks cap off the night. The whole thing is free and open to everyone, so it’s a solid pick for people of all ages.

Want to plan your visit or just learn more? Head to the Downtown Tempe’s Holiday Boat Parade & Fireworks page.

Event Name	Date	Address	Time	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website Address
Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade	December 13, 2025	Tempe Town Lake, Tempe, AZ	4:00 PM – 9:00 PM	Free	Find hotels in Tempe	Event Information

26) Flagstaff’s North Pole Experience

Flagstaff hosts a holiday workshop that’s set up to look just like Santa’s headquarters. The tour kicks off at the Little America Hotel, where you hop on Santa’s trolley—covered in thousands of lights, of course.

Once you arrive, you’ll visit the toy shop, Mrs. Claus’ kitchen, Elf training school, and even the hangar with Santa’s sleigh. The whole experience lasts about one to two hours, mixing standing and short breaks so you won’t get too tired.

Meeting Santa for photos is a big highlight for kids (and honestly, adults too). The gift shop’s stocked with seasonal souvenirs, and you can sign up for the event newsletter to catch ticket releases—spots go fast every year.

Little America Hotel offers rooms, but there are other places to stay around Flagstaff if you want more options.

Quick Facts Table

Dates (2025)	Times	Location Address	Cost (2025)	Where to Stay	Website Address
TBA (usually late Nov – Dec)	Various	Little America Hotel, 2515 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86004	TBA (per person)	Little America Hotel on Booking.com	North Pole Experience

27) Flandrau Planetarium Winter Lights Show

Step inside the Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium in December for a festive light show. The event covers Christmas, Hanukkah, and other winter traditions, shining a spotlight on how people celebrate around the world.

You’ll sit under the dome, watching brilliant visuals dance across the ceiling while classic holiday music plays. The show even shares the origins of some popular Christmas songs and customs—kind of fun if you’re into trivia.

They’ve also planned special laser music nights. After the show, you can wander through Flandrau’s science exhibits, which stay open late for this event.

It’s a blend of holiday songs, history, and eye-catching visuals. If you want the basics, check the table below for dates, prices, and places to stay.

Dates	Address	Times	Price	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Dec 1-31, 2025	1601 E University Blvd, Tucson	9 AM – 10 PM	$16 adults, $12 children	Booking.com – Tucson Hotels	Flandrau Science Center

28) Gold Canyon’s Holiday Parade

Gold Canyon in December is all about its holiday parade. Streets come alive with floats, live music, and decked-out vehicles.

Local performers join in, marching as families gather along the route. Holiday lights, ornaments, and banners line the way, making the whole thing feel extra magical.

Santa Claus shows up to wave, which always gets the kids excited. The desert backdrop—cacti, mountains, twinkling lights—gives the parade a vibe you won’t find anywhere else.

Businesses and community groups help pull the event together, turning it into a real local celebration. There’s no ticket required, so anyone can show up. Check out the table for all the details if you’re thinking of going.

Event Name	Date	Time	Location	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Gold Canyon Holiday Parade 2025	December 7, 2025	6:00 PM – 8:00 PM	Gold Canyon Main Street	Free	Hotels in Gold Canyon	Gold Canyon Christmas Parade

29) Fort Verde State Historic Park

Holiday Festivities at Fort Verde

Fort Verde State Historic Park lets you step into Arizona’s past. Every December and early January, the park goes all-in with Victorian holiday decorations, showing off what celebrations looked like in the late 1800s.

The park sits in Camp Verde, a spot with deep military and local roots. You’ll wander past historic buildings dressed up with period decor, and costumed guides run living history demos—think military drills or Dutch oven cooking right there in front of you.

The event is interactive and always draws a mix of ages. Here’s what you need to know if you want to go:

Dates	Address	Times	Cost	Website	Where to Stay Nearby
Dec 2, 2025 – Jan 7, 2026	125 E Hollamon St, Camp Verde, AZ 86322	10:00 AM – 4:00 PM	Free	https://azstateparks.com/fort-verde/events	Cliff Castle Casino Hotel

30) Holidays at the Heard Museum

Phoenix in December? You might want to swing by Holidays at the Heard Museum. The event puts Native American culture front and center, with music and dance performances that reflect tribal traditions.

This year, they’re adding vibrant light displays all around the museum grounds. That new touch brings a festive glow and lets you see the art in a different light—literally.

The event splits into two schedules. December 6 and 7 are evening programs, running from 6 to 9 p.m.

Later in the month, you get a daytime option: December 27 to 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both versions offer performances, cultural displays, and plenty of seasonal decor.

Families like the variety, and if you’re visiting from out of town, there are plenty of hotels nearby. Details are in the table below.

Dates	Times	Location	Price	Nearby Hotel Search	Event Details
Dec 6-7, 2025	6 p.m.–9 p.m.	Heard Museum, Phoenix, AZ	Check website	Find hotels near Heard Museum	Read more about Holidays at the Heard
Dec 27-30, 2025	10 a.m.–4 p.m.	Heard Museum, Phoenix, AZ	Check website	Find hotels near Heard Museum	See Holidays at the Heard event details