MerryMapThe Best Christmas Lights in Phoenix
Phoenix has the rare advantage of comfortable December nights, and the season leans into it. Glendale Glitters fills sixteen downtown blocks for free, the luminaria walks at the Desert Botanical Garden light the cactus beds by candle, and the farms out in Queen Creek and Surprise turn into full evening outings. Add the drive-thru World of Illumination courses and the cul-de-sacs across Mesa and Chandler that decorate as a block, and there is a lot to see without a coat. Below are the displays worth the drive this season.
49 displays mapped · 2026 season · updated September 26, 2026
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Big light shows, farms & public displays
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ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo
Papago Park · 455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
A 34-year-running walk-through at the Phoenix Zoo with millions of lights, illuminated animal lanterns, and a 50-foot floating tree show synced to music on the lake.
Ticketed showTicketed5:30–10:30pm nightly; late Nov–mid-JanView on the map -
World of Illumination (Glendale)
Desert Diamond Casino · 9431 W Northern Ave, Glendale, AZ 85305
A drive-through animated light show synchronized to Christmas music, staged in the Desert Diamond Casino lot with a cosmic-sleigh theme this season.
Ticketed showTicketedNightly; Nov 18–Dec 31View on the map -
World of Illumination (Tempe)
Tempe Diablo Stadium · 2200 W Alameda Dr, Tempe, AZ 85282
The Tempe Diablo Stadium edition of World of Illumination, a drive-through course of synchronized lights and activities including a Santa social sleigh.
Ticketed showTicketedNightly through Dec 31View on the map -
Christmas at the Princess
7575 E Princess Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess resort's ticketed holiday overlay with more than 16 million lights, an ice rink, igloos, and a giant Ferris wheel.
Ticketed showTicketedNightly; through Jan 3View on the map -
Desert Farm Lights
14629 W Peoria Ave, Surprise, AZ 85355
An 18-acre ticketed farm park with millions of lights, a candy-cane maze, train and horse-drawn carriage rides, and an outdoor ice rink.
Ticketed showTicketed5–10pm Sun–Thu, 5–11pm Fri–Sat; Nov 20–Dec 27, closed Christmas DayView on the map -
Vertuccio Farms Christmas Fest
4011 S Power Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212
A ticketed farm light display built around a 30-foot synchronized Christmas tree, with play areas, mini golf, a petting zoo, and s'mores fire pits.
Ticketed showTicketedGates 5:30pm; closes 9:30pm Sun–Thu, 10pm Fri–Sat; Dec 1–23View on the map -
Christmas at Schnepf Farms
24810 S Rittenhouse Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142
A ticketed farm holiday park with an illumination train ride through the light displays, ice skating, bounce houses, and fireside s'mores.
Ticketed showTicketed5–10pm nightly (Twilight tickets 7:30–10pm); closed Christmas DayView on the map -
Christmas on the Farm at DH Farms
West Valley · 2209 N 99th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85037
A West Valley farm turned into a ticketed North Pole attraction with a synthetic ice rink, an animated light show, and a petting zoo.
Ticketed showTicketedNightly; through Dec 28View on the map -
Winter Wonderland Arizona
A free, donation-supported neighborhood display of roughly 250,000 lights choreographed and synced to Christmas music.
Ticketed showFree6–10pm nightly, Dec 1–31View on the map -
Glendale Glitters
Historic Downtown Glendale / Murphy Park · 5850 W Glendale Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301
A free 33-year downtown tradition where over a million lights wrap Murphy Park and the historic district, with carolers, shops, and Santa visits.
Park / publicFree5–10pm nightly; Nov 28–Jan 1View on the map -
Las Noches de las Luminarias
Papago Park · 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
A ticketed Desert Botanical Garden tradition with roughly 8,000 hand-lit luminaria bags, living plant displays, and nightly entertainment.
Park / publicTicketedEvenings; Nov 28–Dec 30, closed Christmas EveView on the map -
Stroll in the Glow
Avenue of the Fountains
A free one-night festival lighting more than 60,000 bulbs along the Avenue of the Fountains, with live music, food, and a fire-truck Santa arrival.
Park / publicFree5–8pm, Dec 6, 2025 (lighting ~5:45pm)View on the map -
North Phoenix Outlets Tree Lighting
Anthem · 4250 W Anthem Way, Phoenix, AZ 85086
An outlet-mall tree lighting built around one of the tallest Christmas trees in the country, free to view every night through the season.
Park / publicFreeLit nightly after a late-Nov lighting ceremonyView on the map -
Candy Cane Lane at Peoria Sports Complex
A ticketed family holiday event at the sports complex with food, crafts, bounce houses, and Santa photos.
Park / publicTicketed4–10pm; opens late Nov, $5 admissionView on the map -
Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade
Tempe Town Lake
A free annual event where local boaters deck their vessels in Christmas lights and parade across Tempe Town Lake after dark.
Park / publicFreeOne evening in DecemberView on the map -
Phoestivus
Downtown Phoenix
A free, dog-friendly downtown holiday market marking its 16th year, with more than 140 vendors and activities for all ages.
Park / publicFree4–10pm, one December eveningView on the map -
Historic Downtown Chandler Holiday Lights
Downtown Chandler / Dr. A.J. Chandler Park
Chandler's historic downtown square strings lights and a community tree around the park for free public viewing throughout December.
Park / publicFreeLit nightly through the season after a late-Nov kickoffView on the map
Synchronized homes & decorated neighborhoods
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Desert Foothills Boulevard of Lights
Ahwatukee (Chandler Blvd, 24th St to Desert Foothills Pkwy)
Volunteers spend weeks lighting the trees and cacti lining this Ahwatukee boulevard in millions of white lights for a free evening drive.
Neighborhood streetFreeEvenings through early JanuaryView on the map -
Moon Valley Christmas Eve Luminarias
Moon Valley
A North Phoenix neighborhood tradition where residents line their streets and driveways with hand-lit luminarias, bonfires, and a home-decorating contest.
Neighborhood streetFreeChristmas Eve only, from duskView on the map -
Voltaire Avenue
Paradise Valley Mall area (Tatum Blvd & Thunderbird Rd)
Homes on the 4600–4800 block of East Voltaire Avenue flicker their lights in sync with holiday music broadcast on 98.1 FM.
Neighborhood streetFreeNightly through ChristmasView on the map -
Calle Tuberia
Arcadia (44th St & Camelback Rd)
A 30-plus-year Arcadia tradition with roughly 50,000 lights, animated window characters, and free hot cocoa collected alongside a donation box.
Neighborhood streetFree6–10pm nightlyView on the map -
E Grovers Ave & N 56th Street
Montevina
A themed, animated Montevina neighborhood display of roughly 25,000 lights that also collects canned food for a local drive.
Neighborhood streetFreeNightly through the seasonView on the map -
55th Street Cul-de-sac
Four homes on this Scottsdale cul-de-sac deck out together and set up a large sleigh photo prop for visiting families.
Neighborhood streetFreeNightly through the seasonView on the map -
Grayhawk Christmas Street
Grayhawk (E 76th Way)
Homes along this Grayhawk street coordinate their light displays and collect canned food for a neighborhood drive each December.
Neighborhood streetFreeNightly through the seasonView on the map -
Candy Cane Lane
4325 W Purdue Ave cul-de-sac
Multiple houses on this Glendale cul-de-sac sync their lights to 87.9 FM, with the organizing homeowner sometimes dressed as the Grinch handing out candy canes.
Neighborhood streetFree6–11pm nightlyView on the map -
Lights on Lark
Lark Ln
Neighbors on this Queen Creek street go all-out with coordinated lights and decorations, drawing visitors from across the Valley each year.
Neighborhood streetFreeNightly through the seasonView on the map -
Upland Drive Christmas Lights
West Upland Dr
Neighbors along this Chandler street pool more than 20,000 lights with carriage rides and a costumed Santa's theater for visitors.
Neighborhood streetFreeEvenings through the seasonView on the map -
Orchard Lane Christmas
W Orchard Ln
Fourteen Chandler homes decorate together with over 100,000 lights along a walkable cul-de-sac, with weekend Santa photos and a food drive.
Neighborhood streetFreeEvenings through the seasonView on the map -
Natal Circle Delight
Country Club Village
Fourteen homes on this Mesa cul-de-sac combine roughly 80,000 lights into one of the neighborhood's most festive coordinated displays.
Neighborhood streetFreeEvenings through Dec 31View on the map -
Papillon Circle Lights
N Papillion Cir
Neighboring homes on this Mesa circle run manger scenes, a flying sleigh, and candy-cane forests, with canned-food donations collected for charity.
Neighborhood streetFreeEvenings through the seasonView on the map -
Arroyo Circle Lights
S Arroyo Cir
An entire Mesa cul-de-sac joins in with roughly 110,000 lights, flowing-river effects, and occasional live band performances on select nights.
Neighborhood streetFreeEvenings through the seasonView on the map -
Santa Train
Ahwatukee · 541 E Mountain Sky Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85048
A 40-plus-year Ahwatukee tradition centered on a circling model train, animated Ferris wheel, and a Rudolph-hoists-Santa display, with donations to Phoenix Children's Hospital.
Famous houseFreeNightly until 11pm; late Nov–Jan 1View on the map -
Phoenix Winter Wonderland
West Phoenix · 4237 W State Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85021
David Chuchla's home display, decorated for more than 30 years, invites visitors to tour the elaborate indoor and outdoor holiday scenes.
Famous houseFree6–10pm nightly through Dec 29View on the map -
North Phoenix Lights
18639 N 1st Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85027
A single-house display near Central and Union Hills with more than 150 vintage blow-mold figures, glowing nutcrackers, and thousands of lights.
Famous houseFreeNightly; music starts ~Dec 10View on the map -
Shepard Family Christmas
21st Street & Osborn · 2101 E Mitchell Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85016
A family home display of roughly 26,000 classic-style Christmas lights near 21st Street and Osborn.
Famous houseFreeEvenings through the seasonView on the map -
ReinDeer Valley Christmas
3302 W Adobe Dam Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85027
A North Phoenix home display of roughly 26,000 classic Christmas lights themed around Santa's reindeer.
Famous houseFreeEvenings through the seasonView on the map -
Makela Family Light Show
104 W Marco Polo Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85023
A synchronized home light show with about 30,000 lights choreographed to holiday music.
Famous houseFreeEvenings through the seasonView on the map -
The Deepdale Arcade
501 E Deepdale Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85022
A roofline lit up as a 3,000-pixel LED arcade screen where visitors use glowing joysticks to play Pong and Pac-Man, with high scores posted online.
Famous houseFreeEvenings through the seasonView on the map -
Meci Family Lights
6988 W Firebird Dr, Glendale, AZ 85308
An elaborate automated home display featuring a 24-foot RGB tree, a Santa's-factory scene, walking elves, and a 15-foot animated dragon.
Famous houseFree6–9pm Mon–Thu, 6–10pm Fri–Sun through Dec 20; Santa visits most Fri/SatView on the map -
Scary Christmas House
4431 W Escuda Dr, Glendale, AZ 85308
A Nightmare Before Christmas-themed home display built for fans of the film's spookier take on the holidays.
Famous houseFreeEvenings through the seasonView on the map -
Lewis Lights on Palmaire
2901 W Palmaire Ave, Glendale, AZ 85051
A home light display where Santa and Mrs. Claus make Sunday appearances to hand out free hot cocoa and candy canes to visitors.
Famous houseFreeEvenings; Santa appears SundaysView on the map -
Winter Wonderland (Cholla St)
W Cholla St
A Glendale home display built around a snow-and-winter theme, one of several coordinated stops on the city's west-side lights route.
Famous houseFreeEvenings through the seasonView on the map -
Mesa Christmas
1610 E Hermosa Vista Dr, Mesa, AZ 85203
A longtime Mesa home tradition with computer-animated lights synced to music and video, tuned in on 107.5 FM.
Famous houseFree6–9pm nightly, Thanksgiving through ChristmasView on the map -
The Biggest Little Christmas in Phoenix
18639 N 1st Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85027
A densely packed home display of more than 150 vintage blow molds, 120 glowing nutcrackers, and two dozen elves.
Famous houseFreeNightly through the seasonView on the map -
Vivid Avenue Lights
E Vivid Ave
An 11,000-light synchronized pixel show with eight leaping arches, dancing trees, and a 15-foot rooftop Mega tree.
Famous houseFreeEvenings through the seasonView on the map -
Piedra Street Lights
S Piedra
A 45,000-light synchronized home display wrapping the front, sides, and back of the house, with a spinning Mega tree and large lit cross.
Famous houseFreeEvenings through the seasonView on the map -
Milky Way Lights
W Milky Way
A Chandler home display of over 100,000 lights featuring a starfield-themed set piece reaching skyward.
Famous houseFree6–10pm through the seasonView on the map -
Arrowhead Drive Lights
N Arrowhead Dr
A Chandler home wrapped in over 75,000 lights with a rooftop Santa and reindeer, a 30-foot tree, and a visitor photo booth.
Famous houseFreeEvenings through Dec 31View on the map -
La Donna Drive Winter Wonderland
E La Donna Dr
A Tempe home display with a Santa's-workshop scene, a full nativity, and more than 100 vintage blow-mold characters.
Famous houseFreeEvenings through Dec 31View on the map
Phoenix Christmas lights: FAQ
- When do Christmas lights turn on in Phoenix?
- Most displays light up in late November and run nightly through late December or early January, typically from dusk (about 5:30pm) until 9 to 10pm. The ticketed venues (ZooLights, World of Illumination, the farm events) publish exact dates and sell timed-entry tickets.
- Which Phoenix Christmas lights are free?
- Glendale Glitters, the downtown Chandler and Tempe events, and every home display and decorated street are free. ZooLights, World of Illumination, Las Noches de las Luminarias, Christmas at the Princess, and the farm events are ticketed.
- What are the synchronized “dancing lights” homes?
- Homes across the Valley program their lights to run in time with music broadcast on a low-power FM channel. Park out front, tune your car radio to the station listed at the display, and watch from the car.
- Do I need a jacket?
- Rarely. Phoenix evenings in December usually sit in the 50s, which makes the walk-through venues and outdoor markets far more pleasant here than in most metros. A light layer after sundown is plenty.