Can you believe Christmas is nearly just two weeks away from now? Where did the time go? If you have yet to get into the holiday mood, a visit to one of these Arizona towns and cities may be just what you need. Each place has its own unique month-long celebration they host so be sure to check out the different events they offer!
- Flagstaff
Seth Page/Flickr
North Pole Experience/Facecbook There are several key places to visit this Christmas in this mountain town. One of your first stops, if you have children, should probably be the North Pole Experience at the Little America Hotel where the kiddos can visit Santa’s workshop and get to know the elves, Mrs. Claus, and the jolly man himself. Right outside, the hotel is also showing off their annual light display (both events pictured above). Don’t forget to check out downtown as well! This Friday, Flagstaff is hosting its Snowflake Festival with games, giveaways, and plenty of other winter activities for the family.
- Glendale
Mandy Jansen/Flickr Glendale Glitters downtown is something always fun to do with the kids; the lights are beautiful, the small businesses open up their doors, and plenty of small events will be happening during the month. Don’t forget to check out the Hometown Christmas Parade this Saturday, December 12, at 11am for a small town feel in the Valley.
- Lake Havasu City
Visit Lake Havasu City, Arizona/Facebook At first glance, Lake Havasu City doesn’t seem like the place to travel for getting into the Christmas mood. However, one visit their annual Festival of Lights will have you changing your mind. This event is centered around the London Bridge where the area is decked out in twinkling lights and Santa visits every weekend. Plus, plenty of people will have their boats decorated just in time for the holidays.
- Mesa
Downtown Mesa, Arizona/Facebook Like any other town, you can hints of Christmas just about everywhere but one of the main place to visit just happens to be Main Street. They are having a month-long celebration complete with an ice rink, Santa visits, crafts, and movie screenings. For those looking for a more peaceful experience, you can visit the Mesa Mormon Temple which is renowned for its annual light display. Other churches in the city also feature their own light displays so check them out!
- Phoenix
CityScape Phoenix/Facebook Phoenix gets added to this list due to the sheer amount of Christmas-related events that happens each winter. ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo, Las Noches de Las Luminarias, concerts, ballets, and CityScape downtown even has an ice rink set up for the month.
- Prescott
Michael Wilson/Flickr Arizona’s own Christmas City as designated by former governor Rose Mofford gets all gussied up this time of year. This past weekend, the city hosted its annual Christmas and the lights at the courthouse have already been lit. Other activities include visiting the Gingerbread Village at the Prescott Resort and Conference Center, bazaars at the local arts center and activity center, and, of course, live entertainment.
- Tempe
Chris Cardinal/Flickr Seeing the lights along Mill Avenue is a sight for sore eyes and for those in the city looking for something that is still somewhat reminiscent of its small town roots. Another event to keep an eye out for, other than all the holiday concerts happening on the ASU campus, is the Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade at Tempe Beach Park this weekend. It will take place December 12 at 5pm so check it out if you’re looking for something a little different this weekend.
- Tucson
Megan McCormick/Flickr We’ve mentioned before about the Winterhaven Festival of Lights, a neighborhood light display. Don’t forget to visit Tohono Chul Park and the Tucson Botanical Garden for more beautiful light displays. Tucson will also be hosting their annual downtown Christmas parade on December 19 at 6pm.
These places look amazing! I know I can’t wait to visit these places in the next couple of weeks. Aside from a visit to one of these towns, how do you get into the Christmas spirit?
Seth Page/Flickr
North Pole Experience/Facecbook
There are several key places to visit this Christmas in this mountain town. One of your first stops, if you have children, should probably be the North Pole Experience at the Little America Hotel where the kiddos can visit Santa’s workshop and get to know the elves, Mrs. Claus, and the jolly man himself. Right outside, the hotel is also showing off their annual light display (both events pictured above). Don’t forget to check out downtown as well! This Friday, Flagstaff is hosting its Snowflake Festival with games, giveaways, and plenty of other winter activities for the family.
Mandy Jansen/Flickr
Glendale Glitters downtown is something always fun to do with the kids; the lights are beautiful, the small businesses open up their doors, and plenty of small events will be happening during the month. Don’t forget to check out the Hometown Christmas Parade this Saturday, December 12, at 11am for a small town feel in the Valley.
Visit Lake Havasu City, Arizona/Facebook
At first glance, Lake Havasu City doesn’t seem like the place to travel for getting into the Christmas mood. However, one visit their annual Festival of Lights will have you changing your mind. This event is centered around the London Bridge where the area is decked out in twinkling lights and Santa visits every weekend. Plus, plenty of people will have their boats decorated just in time for the holidays.
Downtown Mesa, Arizona/Facebook
Like any other town, you can hints of Christmas just about everywhere but one of the main place to visit just happens to be Main Street. They are having a month-long celebration complete with an ice rink, Santa visits, crafts, and movie screenings. For those looking for a more peaceful experience, you can visit the Mesa Mormon Temple which is renowned for its annual light display. Other churches in the city also feature their own light displays so check them out!
CityScape Phoenix/Facebook
Phoenix gets added to this list due to the sheer amount of Christmas-related events that happens each winter. ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo, Las Noches de Las Luminarias, concerts, ballets, and CityScape downtown even has an ice rink set up for the month.
Michael Wilson/Flickr
Arizona’s own Christmas City as designated by former governor Rose Mofford gets all gussied up this time of year. This past weekend, the city hosted its annual Christmas and the lights at the courthouse have already been lit. Other activities include visiting the Gingerbread Village at the Prescott Resort and Conference Center, bazaars at the local arts center and activity center, and, of course, live entertainment.
Chris Cardinal/Flickr
Seeing the lights along Mill Avenue is a sight for sore eyes and for those in the city looking for something that is still somewhat reminiscent of its small town roots. Another event to keep an eye out for, other than all the holiday concerts happening on the ASU campus, is the Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade at Tempe Beach Park this weekend. It will take place December 12 at 5pm so check it out if you’re looking for something a little different this weekend.
Megan McCormick/Flickr
We’ve mentioned before about the Winterhaven Festival of Lights, a neighborhood light display. Don’t forget to visit Tohono Chul Park and the Tucson Botanical Garden for more beautiful light displays. Tucson will also be hosting their annual downtown Christmas parade on December 19 at 6pm.
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