10 Must-See Holiday Displays in Arizona

Arizona never came to my mind when considering a holiday getaway until I moved to the Flagstaff area. This city is a snow lovers dream with a ski resort, a nordic center, and many great sledding parks. I have also taken many daytrips to Phoenix and lived in Tucson for 2 years, and I can say that every area of the state really offers a lot of Christmas cheer.

Despite the warm weather, Southern Arizona offers a variety of festive activities to enjoy all holiday season long. In fact, even traditional activities like ice skating are not off limits. The Phoenix area is home to several great outdoor rinks and a spectacular zoo light festival. And Tucson, is home to the most amazing neighborhood light display.

If the holiday activities just do not feel the same to you without cold snowy weather, you can easily head up north just a few hours for pine trees, ski resorts, and the high likelihood of a White Christmas. Flagstaff, the hub of Northern Arizona, lies just 2 hours north of Phoenix, yet sees over 90 inches of snow per year. With snow capped peaks, a ski resort & Nordic Center, and rustic cabin rentals, many Phoenix residents choose this mountain oasis for their Christmas vacation destination.

From the largest zoo lights festival on the country, to a unique desert Tumbleweed tree unlike anything you have ever seen before, this state is just jumping with holiday joy. As a winter and Christmas buff, I really enjoyed the mix of traditional and unique Christmas traditions in both the northern and southern portion of the state. A resident of both Flagstaff and Tucson at one point, I have included activities throughout the state in my guide. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

1. Phoenix Zoo Lights

Coyote by a cactus Christmas lights at the Phoenix Zoo

With 4 million lights, the Phoenix Zoo Lights celebration is the largest holiday light display in the state, and one of the biggest in the Southwest. Tourists come from all over and it can get pretty crowded. This spirited festival includes, not only millions of colorful lights, but also a wonderful synchronized show, a special 4D holiday show, and even a creative section devoted to Southwestern themed decor. I love all the cacti and desert themed displays – it really gives it that special local pop.

2025: Dates & Times: Nov. 26th-Jan.16th. Hours: 5:30-10:30pm
Sensory night: Dec. 15th
Drive through: Jan. 18th (separate ticket required)
Address: 455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix
Admission: $30 member, $35 non member

Check out my zoo lights guide for more pics and info.

2. Little America Holiday Lights

Little America Holiday Lights in Flagstaff

The Little America Hotel in Flagstaff is home to an especially colorful light display consisting of a million LED lights. This makes it the largest holiday light event in Northern Arizona. The display is well organized and attractive with just about every pine tree along the short path adorned with pretty lights. While living in the city, I frequently strolled the grounds on my way to the Flagstaff Athletic club. It’s a wonderful free event for anyone in the community, as well as visitors.

Be sure to bundle up temps are pretty brisk this time of year. Nighttime temps often drop into the 20’s-30’s. And, it is not all that unusual to be walking amongst snow covered grounds. It’s all part of the fun! Grab a hot espresso or chocolate from a local roaster (Late for the Train is my favorite) and enjoy a quiet, crisp stroll with the scent of ponderosa pines adding a special holiday ambiance you will not find elsewhere in the state.

2025 Dates & Times: mid November- January. Lights on at dusk
Address: 2515 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff
Admission: Free

More holiday events at Little America

3. Prescott Courthouse Lights

Prescott, Arizona courthouse Christmas lights

In “Arizona’s Christmas City,” you will be treated to a colorful display of almost 1 million lights spread across the beautiful tree-lined grounds of the historic Yavapai County Courthouse. The display is amongst the most beautiful I’ve seen in recent years. 2025 marks the 71st anniversary of this wonderful event. This small city is known for its’ quaint small town ambiance, and lovely Victorian architecture. It’s just 2 hours north of Phoenix, but must frostier this time of year, not to mention less suburban.

With a whole lineup of fun holiday activities, small town charm, and even the slight chance of December snow, the feeling of Christmas is definitely in the air in Prescott. Mike and I took a lot of daytrips to this charming small town to enjoy the Christmas ambiance and many local shops and restaurants. Be sure to check out the full lineup of holiday activities in Prescott.

2025 Dates & Times: Lighting on Dec. 6th at 6pm (music starts at 5) and will stay on through mid January
Address: 120 S Cortez St, Prescott
Admission: Free

4. Mesa LDS Temple Lights

The LDS Temple in Mesa is home to a quiet & attractive display, consisting of hundreds of thousands of colorful lights, plus nativity scenes. The addition of a few gorgeous illuminated palm trees gives the event a special desert charm. Unlike other Phoenix area events, this event is a bit more low-key. Thus, it draws less crowds, making it a perfect choice for a holiday date night.

2025 Dates & Times: Nov. 28th-Dec 30th, from 5-10pm
Address: 525 E. Main Street Mesa
Admission: Free

5. Bearizona

Wild Wonderland at Bearizona in Williams

This festive display known as Wild Wonderland takes place at Northern Arizona’s popular drive-thru wildlife park, Bearizona. It’s not the largest event in the state & it is a bit pricey for what you get, however, this unique & beautifully organized display is well worth a visit if you happen to be traveling in or around Williams, “the Gateway to the Grand Canyon,” in December. By the way, a winter visit to the Grand Canyon is the best time to visit due to the dramatic drop in crowds and rare opportunity to see the canyon dusted with snow.

In addition to a fun, colorful display of pines, you’ll get to see a few animals (bobcats and baby bears are pretty active at night), watch a fantastic synchronized show accompanied by your favorite holiday tunes, and take lots of festive family photos. You will even get to watch foxes and baby bears open their Christmas presents! Williams is another chilly Northern Arizona city, so grab a hot cocoa to warm up and enjoy the rare-for-Arizona wintry setting.

For more fun in Williams, check out my full guide. There is a cute downtown here lined with quirky Rt. 66 memorabilia shops and some local restaurants. As a bonus, the town goes all out with Christmas lights!