Looking for some fun activities to get you out of the house this holiday season? Or maybe you need a few interesting ways to keep your kids entertained once winter vacation begins? Here are a few winter festivals happening over the next few weeks that you won’t want to miss!
- 12 Days of Christmas, Snowflake
Photo via snowflaketaylorchamber.org This festival actually lasts for most of the month in anticipation of Christmas day. Enjoy the annual town lighting and impressive nativity displays. The rest of the month includes a variety of Christmas programs, concerts, markets, and other activities. Dates: December 1-21 Information: Link
- Balloon Festival & Fair, Lake Havasu City
Cameron Photo/Flickr If you are looking for something to do after the new year, definitely consider attending the annual Havasu Balloon Festival! This fun festival will not only give you a chance to see the balloons rise over Bridgewater Channel but you can also ride them and watch bi-plane shows. Dates: January 13-15 Information: Link
- Carefree Christmas Festival, Carefree
Carefree Christmas Festival/Facebook Now in its ninth year, the Carefree Christmas Festival is one fun, free event that will help your entire family get into the Christmas spirit. Enjoy activities like watching a light parade, meeting Santa, and playing in the snow. Dates: December 9-11 Information: Link
- Cowboy Christmas Poetry Gathering, Wickenburg
Visit Wickenburg, Arizona/Flickr If you’re looking for a Christmas event that is a little more western, check out this two-day event in Wickenburg. Enjoy readings by notable cowboy poets and other entertainment. Dates: December 2-3 Information: Link
- Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade, Tempe
Nick Bastian/Flickr Celebrating more than two decades of family fun, Tempe’s Fantasy of Lights hosts a parade of motorized boats decorated just in time for the holidays. Date: December 10 Information: Link
- Festival of Trees, Flagstaff
The Arboretum at Flagstaff/Facebook If nothing quite gets you into the Christmas mood like seeing a beautifully decorated evergreen then you need to stop by this festival where you will see dozens of these trees at the Arboretum at Flagstaff. The trees are available through raffle and you can enjoy seeing these along with the Arboretum’s winter garden. Dates: Now-December 3 Information: Link
- Holidays at the Heard, Phoenix
Heard Museum/Facebook Held annually, this event brings Indigenous cultures and art into the holiday season with live performances, art demonstrations, and fresh fry bread. Dates: December 26-30 Information: Link
- Santa’s Hualapai Wonderland, Kingman
Kingman Visitor Center/Facebook Located a few miles southeast of Kingman at Hualapai Mountain Park, this festival takes you into the pines for winter fun with Santa. Enjoy hay rides, cookies, and hot cocoa with the big guy for a family-friendly event. Dates: December 3-4 Information: Link
- Luminaria Nights, Tubac
Tubac Chamber of Commerce/Facebook This tradition is one of the many luminaria displays happening around the state and shows off the beautiful, historic town. Enjoy walking the lit streets with some music and even a visit from Santa himself. Dates: December 2-3 Information: Link
- Red Rock Fantasy, Sedona
Holiday Central Sedona/Flickr Is there any more romantic place to see winter than in Sedona’s red rock country? You can enjoy a magical Christmas by attending this event which has an amazing number of activities happening all month long. Dates: December 1-January 1 Information: Link
- Tamale Festival, Somerton
El Diablito ASU Alumni Chapter/Facebook Sponsored by a group of ASU graduates, the Somerton Tamale Festival is one delicious event you need to attend! You can enjoy dozens of handmade tamales that are savory, sweet, or extra spicy, in addition to music and art. The best part is that proceeds help provide scholarships to ASU for local high school seniors. Date: December 17 Information: Link
Want to find some amazing light displays around the state? Check out our article, 12 Christmas Light Displays In Arizona That Are Pure Magic, for details!
Photo via snowflaketaylorchamber.org
This festival actually lasts for most of the month in anticipation of Christmas day. Enjoy the annual town lighting and impressive nativity displays. The rest of the month includes a variety of Christmas programs, concerts, markets, and other activities. Dates: December 1-21 Information: Link
Cameron Photo/Flickr
If you are looking for something to do after the new year, definitely consider attending the annual Havasu Balloon Festival! This fun festival will not only give you a chance to see the balloons rise over Bridgewater Channel but you can also ride them and watch bi-plane shows. Dates: January 13-15 Information: Link
Carefree Christmas Festival/Facebook
Now in its ninth year, the Carefree Christmas Festival is one fun, free event that will help your entire family get into the Christmas spirit. Enjoy activities like watching a light parade, meeting Santa, and playing in the snow. Dates: December 9-11 Information: Link
Visit Wickenburg, Arizona/Flickr
If you’re looking for a Christmas event that is a little more western, check out this two-day event in Wickenburg. Enjoy readings by notable cowboy poets and other entertainment. Dates: December 2-3 Information: Link
Nick Bastian/Flickr
Celebrating more than two decades of family fun, Tempe’s Fantasy of Lights hosts a parade of motorized boats decorated just in time for the holidays. Date: December 10 Information: Link
The Arboretum at Flagstaff/Facebook
If nothing quite gets you into the Christmas mood like seeing a beautifully decorated evergreen then you need to stop by this festival where you will see dozens of these trees at the Arboretum at Flagstaff. The trees are available through raffle and you can enjoy seeing these along with the Arboretum’s winter garden. Dates: Now-December 3 Information: Link
Heard Museum/Facebook
Held annually, this event brings Indigenous cultures and art into the holiday season with live performances, art demonstrations, and fresh fry bread. Dates: December 26-30 Information: Link
Kingman Visitor Center/Facebook
Located a few miles southeast of Kingman at Hualapai Mountain Park, this festival takes you into the pines for winter fun with Santa. Enjoy hay rides, cookies, and hot cocoa with the big guy for a family-friendly event. Dates: December 3-4 Information: Link
Tubac Chamber of Commerce/Facebook
This tradition is one of the many luminaria displays happening around the state and shows off the beautiful, historic town. Enjoy walking the lit streets with some music and even a visit from Santa himself. Dates: December 2-3 Information: Link
Holiday Central Sedona/Flickr
Is there any more romantic place to see winter than in Sedona’s red rock country? You can enjoy a magical Christmas by attending this event which has an amazing number of activities happening all month long. Dates: December 1-January 1 Information: Link
El Diablito ASU Alumni Chapter/Facebook
Sponsored by a group of ASU graduates, the Somerton Tamale Festival is one delicious event you need to attend! You can enjoy dozens of handmade tamales that are savory, sweet, or extra spicy, in addition to music and art. The best part is that proceeds help provide scholarships to ASU for local high school seniors. Date: December 17 Information: Link
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