Scottsdale knows how to do Christmas right – and here’s a list of all the places you can go to dive into the holiday season.
Where to See Christmas in Scottsdale - December 2018
Scottsdale is known as a spectacular place to enjoy the holidays. This season, check out:
- Christmas at the Princess
- Christmas in the Rainforest
- FISHMAS at OdySea
- Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
- Illumination AZ
- Las Noches de las Luminarias
- Polar Express
- Scottsdazzle
- Zoo Lights
- Christmas Movies at the Quarter
- The Christmas Story – The Play
- The Magical Christmas Train
Christmas at the Princess
Celebrate Christmas at the Princess at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. The whole resort transforms into a winter wonderland until December 30, and you can catch amazing light shows, skate on real ice or visit Santa’s secret headquarters.
Website: https://www.scottsdaleprincess.com/Seasonal-Events/Christmas-at-the-Princess
Website: https://www.scottsdaleprincess.com/Seasonal-Events/Christmas-at-the-Princess
Christmas in the Rainforest
Spend a holiday afternoon at Christmas in the Rainforest, Butterfly Wonderland’s spectacular holiday event. Christmas in the Rainforest ends on December 28, so you have a couple more weeks to enjoy the splendor of Latin American, African and Asian butterflies.
Website: https://butterflywonderland.com/
Website: https://butterflywonderland.com/
FISHMAS at OdySea
FISHMAS is a great way to kick off the season with or without children. Enjoy the South Pole penguin exhibit, hot chocolate and holiday cookies, and special holiday evenings with discounted admission. SeaTREK Santa will be there every day between the 21st and 25th, too.
Website: http://www.odyseaaquarium.com/
Website: http://www.odyseaaquarium.com/
Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Scottsdale Christmas just isn’t Christmas without a train ride through the holiday lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. Santa’s going to be there, too.
Website: http://www.therailroadpark.com/?post_type=event&p=200
Website: http://www.therailroadpark.com/?post_type=event&p=200
Illumination AZ
Illumination AZ is taking place in two locations this year – in North Phoenix and at Diablo Stadium in Tempe. You’ll be immersed in a mile-long drive through millions of holiday lights synchronized to music for a completely amazing experience.
Website: https://worldofillumination.com/
Website: https://worldofillumination.com/
Las Noches de las Luminarias
Check out Electric Desert | A Light and Sound Experience by Klip Collective at Las Noches de las Luminarias – this will be the biggest event they’ve held yet. Dine at the garden, enjoy nine entertainment ensembles and marvel at more than 8,000 hand-lit luminaria bags.
Website: https://www.dbg.org/events/las-noches-de-las-luminarias-0
Website: https://www.dbg.org/events/las-noches-de-las-luminarias-0
Polar Express
The Grand Canyon Railway’s Polar Express brings the enchantment of the North Pole to a 1-hour. 30-minute ride in Williams. Reservations are necessary for this magical experience.
Website: https://www.thetrain.com/special-events/the-polar-express/
Website: https://www.thetrain.com/special-events/the-polar-express/
Scottsdazzle
Dive into holiday concerts at the canal, shop the holiday farmer’s market, or join Santa on the Scottsdale wine and ale trails during Scottsdazzle, the year’s most renowned holiday event.
Website: http://scottsdazzle.com/
Website: http://scottsdazzle.com/
Zoo Lights
Stroll through spectacularly shimmering displays of holiday lights throughout the Phoenix Zoo. There’s a three-story tree, light displays and lakeside music-in-motion shows the whole family will enjoy. You can even encounter live reindeer this year.
Website: http://phoenixzoo.org/event-items/zoolights/
Website: http://phoenixzoo.org/event-items/zoolights/
Christmas Movies at the Quarter
Watch Christmas movies at the Quarter – on the 14th, you can catch The Polar Express, and on the 21st you’ll see the Nightmare Before Christmas.
Website: https://scottsdalequarter.com/events-news/event/christmas-movies-at-the-quarter-a-christmas-story
Website: https://scottsdalequarter.com/events-news/event/christmas-movies-at-the-quarter-a-christmas-story
