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 in Arizona happening all throughout the chilly season that you won’t want to miss! How many of these cold-weather traditions did you already know about? Which ones are you adding to your to-do list? Let us know!

1. 12 Days of Christmas, Snowflake
Chic Bee/Flickr
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. Festivities typically begin on December 1st and go throughout the month. The whole town of Snowflake is wonderful always, but especially so in the winter.
2. Balloon Festival & Fair, Lake Havasu City
Havasu Balloon Fest/Facebook
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. The Balloon Festival and Fair is a must-do for every Arizonan.

Dates: January 18th - 21st, 2024
3. 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 9th, 2023
4. Festival of Trees, Flagstaff
Sergé/Flickr
If nothing quite gets you into the Christmas mood like seeing a beautifully decorated evergreen then you need to stop by The Festival of Trees in Flag, where you will see dozens of these trees at the Arboretum at Flagstaff. The trees are available through a raffle and you can enjoy seeing these along with the Arboretum’s winter garden.

Dates: December 9th, 2023

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5. Holidays at the Heard, Phoenix
Heard Museum/Facebook
Held annually, Holidays at the Heard brings Indigenous cultures and art into the holiday season with live performances, art demonstrations, and fresh fry bread. Yum!

Dates: December 27th-30th, 2023
6. Santa’s Hualapai Wonderland, Kingman
~Pawsitive~Candie_N/Flickr
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 9th, 2023
7. Luminaria Nights, Tubac
Visit Tubac
Luminaria Nights 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 1st-2nd, 2023
8. 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 16th, 2023

Want to find some amazing light displays around the state? Check out our article about some jaw-dropping Christmas light displays in Arizona that are pure magic for details!

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More to Explore

Winter Festivals in Arizona

Tori Jane | December 12, 2023

What are some must-do winter festivals in Arizona?  

Winter in Arizona is a truly magical time, and many of its cities and towns celebrate the season in their own ways. Every state has its must-do winter festivals, and the Copper State is no different. That being said, there are lots of must-do winter festivals in Arizona worth doing, like:  

  • The Havasu Balloon Festival – This one’s amazing! Every January, the town of Lake Havasu comes alive with colorful hot air balloons. It’s a must.  
  • The Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade – Every year in Tempe, this festival charms with, well, exactly what it sounds like!  
  • The Festival of Trees – This amazing Flagstaff tradition is a must-do for every Arizonan at least once.  

Learn more about another amazing winter festival in Arizona, the Parada Del Sol Parade.  

What is winter in Arizona like?  

Winter in Arizona is a truly magical time, with plenty to do, see, and experience – not to mention some of the best winter climate in the US! Arizona celebrates winter in different ways, and there are all kinds of things to do in Arizona during the winter, such as:  

  • Northern Arizona – A visit to Flagstaff, Sedona, Page, or any other Northern Arizona place is a must when covered in snow.  
  • Phoenix – Phoenix (and the Phoenix metro) is amazing during the winter. While other states complain about their –15 degrees, we’re over here with 65 degrees and sunny. Sorry everyone.  
  • Southern Arizona – Mt. Lemmon is one of the most amazing, low-key winter destinations in Arizona. It’s nothing short of awesome! 

Learn more about surviving a winter in Arizona. 

What are some things to do in Arizona for the winter?  

Of course, the list of things to do in Arizona for the winter doesn’t end with the above-mentioned items alone. The real list is so long that we can’t sum it up in a couple of short paragraphs, but there ARE a few more that are absolutely worth mentioning, including: 

  • Glendale Glitters – This adorable suburb of Phoenix gets decked out every year in hundreds of thousands of lights. It’s incredible!  
  • ZooLights – The Phoenix Zoo is always awesome, but it’s especially so when covered top-to-bottom with brilliant holiday lights.  
  • The Polar Express – Head up to Flagstaff with the kids for the ultimate Santa experience surrounded by the snowy wonder of Northern Arizona.  

Learn more about fun things to do in Arizona for the winter.  

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