7 Christmas Towns In Arizona That Will Fill Your Heart With Holiday Cheer
By Melissa Mahoney|Published November 07, 2023
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
Arizona may not be the first state you think about when the Christmas season begins but it’s actually quite a wonderful place to be this time of year. From cities to small towns, we really know how to get into the holiday spirit here! And there’s no better place to visit than one of the following Christmas towns in Arizona. From dazzling light displays to festivals, these towns really know how to deck the halls, and in a few instances, the palm trees, to celebrate the season!
Flagstaff is best known for Snowbowl and being the snowiest town in Arizona. But there's something else it's known for. Each year, the Little America Hotel puts on the most festive event in the state. The North Pole Experience is as close to the North Pole as you can get. Kids can hang out in Santa's Workshop and meet the jolly old elf himself. If you spend the night here, you can even have breakfast with Santa. This is absolutely the best Christmas hotel with one of the best Christmas festivals in Arizona!
For those of you who've been, you know that Lake Havasu turns into a winter wonderland in Arizona during the holiday season. This charming town, along with the London Bridge, will make you feel transported to a European Christmas village. With millions of twinkling lights, its Annual Boat Parade of Lights on the Channel, Santa, ice skating, and more, Lake Havasu City hosts some of the best Christmas events in Arizona.
Known as "Arizona's Christmas City," Prescott is a true delight when it comes to the holiday season. Visit Courthouse Square to view the dazzling lights and Christmas tree, head to Heritage Park Zoo for its Wildlights festivities, check out Valley of Lights at Fain Park, and shop for gifts at the many boutiques in town. You must visit the Christmas capital of Arizona this season!
Glendale's downtown area puts on a magical display of Christmas lights that are set to dazzle! The event, Glendale Glitters, is a free event that will be held Nov. 24-25, 2023, will feature a stunning display of lights along with vendors, holiday music, a visit from Santa, and more! Throughout the season, you can enjoy events and festivities that are family-friendly and fun if you're looking for things to do for Christmas in Arizona.
It may come as no surprise that Arizona's capital city is a festive place to be during the holidays as well. Not only is there a variety of holiday-themed theatrical performances and ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo, but the extraordinary and unique Lights of the World which is the largest holiday lights show in the U.S. It's certainly worth spending some time in Phoenix this holiday season.
I live in Scottsdale and I can honestly say that it's one of the most festive places to be during the holidays. Between the elaborate neighborhood light displays, the Scottsdazzle festivities in Old Town, the Enchant Light Maze at Salt River Fields, and, my personal favorite, Christmas at the Princess, my kids and I truly enjoy spending the holidays here. So, if you're looking for places to go for Christmas in Arizona, you can't go wrong with Scottsdale.
Downtown Tucson is an enchanting place during the Christmas season. And with events like Old Tucson's Yuletide and neighborhood light displays like the Winterhaven Festival of Lights, you'll celebrate the season in such a festive way here!
Do you have any favorite Christmas towns in Arizona? If so, which one? Let us know in the comments. Happy holidays!
Searching for the perfect holiday gifts for your loved ones this season? Be sure to check out our Holiday Gift Guide for some great ideas!
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