Five million lights at the zoo.
Luminarias in the garden.
Boats on Tempe Town Lake.
The Valley's holiday season runs from mid-November to mid-January. The big light shows, parades and tree lightings in Central Phoenix and the East Valley for 2026, with dates, hours, prices and parking from each one's own page.
The season, soonest first
- Friday, November 13: World of Illumination opens.Drive-through, Tempe Diablo Stadium. Tuesday to Sunday through January 3.
- Friday, November 20: Christmas at the Princess opens.Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, through January 2.
- Wednesday, November 25: ZooLights opens.Phoenix Zoo, through January 15.
- Friday, November 27: Luminarias, the Mesa Temple lights and Merry Main Street.Desert Botanical Garden, the Mesa Temple grounds and Downtown Mesa's tree lighting. Glendale Glitters lights up Murphy Park the same night.
- Saturday, November 28: Tempe's street parade.Fantasy of Lights Street Parade and Tree Lighting, Downtown Tempe, 4 to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, December 5: two parades.The APS Electric Light Parade in Central Phoenix at 7 p.m., and Chandler's Tumbleweed Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights, 4:30 to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, December 12: the boat parade.Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade, Tempe Beach Park, 4 to 9 p.m., fireworks at the end.
- Wednesday, December 30, to Sunday, January 17: the lights go out.Mesa Temple December 30, Glendale Glitters January 1, the Princess January 2, Luminarias and World of Illumination January 3, ZooLights January 15, and Cruise ZooLights on January 17.
ZooLights, two miles of trail
- What is there.The Lake Lights Show with a 50-foot LED tree and six 24-foot trees, the Glow Garden, the new Wander the Wonder trail, a 200-foot light tunnel, a dinosaur trail, a three-story Christmas tree and nightly animal presentations. Most animals are not visible at night.
- Tickets.Good for any one public night, non-refundable. Members can buy up to six $10 tickets on select Mondays: November 23 (member preview), November 30, December 7 and 14, January 4 and 11. Group tickets start at 50.
- Santa.Photos with Santa November 25 to December 23, separate fee.
- Two special nights.Sensory Friendly ZooLights on Tuesday, December 8, with smaller crowds, quieter music and less flashing. Cruise ZooLights, a drive-through, on Sunday, January 17. Both need a separate ticket. phoenixzoo.org
Las Noches de las Luminarias, select nights
- Nights.November 27 to 29; December 4 to 6, 11 to 13, 16 to 23 and 26 to 31; January 1 to 3. 5 to 9:30 p.m.
- Tickets.General adult $39.95 to $44.95, member adult $37.95 to $42.95, general child (2 to 17) $18.95, member child $16.95.
- What is there.Thousands of luminarias, light displays, Super Bloom by Graphic Rewilding, holiday trees and wreaths, and live music from Traveler World Orchestra, Simply Three and Vinyl Station, among others.
- Santa and dinner.Photos with Sonoran Santa and Mrs. Claus on November 27 to 29 and December 18 to 23. Gertrude's by Tarbell's recommends reservations, through OpenTable. Members Weekend is December 4 to 6. dbg.org
The Princess and the drive-through
- Christmas at the Princess.Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Dr., November 20, 2026, to January 2, 2027. 5 to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday to Sunday, and 4 to 11 p.m. daily from December 17. 17 million lights, the Village and the Princess Express Train. General Admission from $35 a person, Premium from $70 with fire tables and a s'mores bar. christmasattheprincess.com
- World of Illumination, Reindeer Road.Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Dr., November 13, 2026, to January 3, 2027. Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays. Gates open at 6 p.m., last entry 10 p.m. From $39.99 per vehicle, not per person; the price varies by night. worldofillumination.com
The Mesa Temple lights and Merry Main Street
- Mesa Temple Christmas Lights.Temple grounds, 101 S. LeSueur, Mesa. Nightly 5 to 10 p.m. Admission and nearby parking are free. The International Nativity Exhibit at the Visitors' Center, 455 E. Main St., is open 5 to 10 p.m. daily.
- Getting there.A Valley Metro light rail stop is just west of the temple. Free parking may be available at the Park and Ride lot at the northeast corner of Mesa Drive and Main Street. Accessible parking is east of the north grounds on Hobson. mesatemple.org
- Merry Main Street.The kickoff and Christmas tree lighting is Friday, November 27, 5 to 10 p.m., centered at 1 N. Macdonald in Downtown Mesa. Free. The month-long season includes a 6,000-square-foot real ice rink. mesaaz.gov
On the street and on the lake
- Fantasy of Lights Street Parade and Tree Lighting, Tempe.Saturday, November 28, 4 to 8 p.m. Floats and lights through Downtown Tempe, then the tree lighting at Centerpoint Plaza, 660 to 740 S. Mill Ave. downtowntempe.com
- APS Electric Light Parade, Phoenix.Saturday, December 5, starting at 7 p.m. at Central Avenue and Montebello Avenue and ending at 7th Street and Indian School Road. Central Avenue from Camelback Road to Bethany Home Road, 7th Street from Indian School Road to Osborn Road and Camelback Road from 1st Avenue to 7th Street close from 5 to 11 p.m. Viewing is first come; bring chairs or blankets. Coolers are allowed, alcohol and glass are not. phoenix.gov
- Tumbleweed Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights, Chandler.Saturday, December 5, 4:30 to 9 p.m., Downtown Chandler, 3 S. Arizona Ave. Free. Arizona Avenue closes between Galveston Street and Chandler Boulevard from 6 to 9:30 p.m. chandleraz.gov
- Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade, Tempe.Saturday, December 12, 4 to 9 p.m., Tempe Beach Park. Free, with a holiday market, live music, photos with Santa, beer and wine gardens and a fireworks finale. Clear bag policy. downtowntempe.com
- Glendale Glitters.Murphy Park, Historic Downtown Glendale. The lighting ceremony is Friday, November 27, at 5:30 p.m., and the lights run nightly 5 to 10 p.m. through January 1. glendaleaz.gov
Thanksgiving week first: the turkey trots in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa and Gilbert are in the Thanksgiving guide.
The lights, answered
Is there a light festival in Phoenix, Arizona?
Several. ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo runs November 25, 2026, to January 15, 2027, and Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden runs select nights from November 27 to January 3. Christmas at the Princess in Scottsdale and World of Illumination in Tempe run through early January.
What time is Phoenix Zoo lights?
ZooLights runs 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. on public nights from November 25, 2026, to January 15, 2027. Dates and hours are subject to change, per the zoo.
How much does it cost to go to Phoenix Zoo lights?
General tickets are $35 and member tickets are $30. Children 2 and under are free. On select Mondays members can buy up to six tickets at $10 each. A ticket is good for any one public night and is non-refundable.
When is Las Noches de las Luminarias in 2026?
November 27 to 29; December 4 to 6, 11 to 13, 16 to 23 and 26 to 31; and January 1 to 3, from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at the Desert Botanical Garden. General adult tickets are $39.95 to $44.95 and child tickets, ages 2 to 17, are $18.95.
Does the Mesa Temple do Christmas lights?
Yes. The Mesa Temple Christmas Lights run November 27 to December 30, 2026, on the grounds at 101 S. LeSueur in Mesa. Admission and nearby parking are free.
What time do Mesa Temple lights turn on?
The lights run nightly from 5 to 10 p.m. The International Nativity Exhibit at the Visitors' Center, 455 E. Main St., is open the same hours.
What are the dates for Christmas at the Princess?
November 20, 2026, through January 2, 2027, at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 4 to 11 p.m. Friday to Sunday, and 4 to 11 p.m. daily from December 17.
How much does Christmas at the Princess cost?
General Admission starts at $35 a person and Premium Admission starts at $70 a person, on the resort's 2026 ticket page. Photos with Santa need a General Admission ticket plus a separate fee.
Is there a drive-through Christmas light show near Phoenix?
World of Illumination's Reindeer Road runs at Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Dr., November 13, 2026, to January 3, 2027, Tuesday to Sunday. Gates open at 6 p.m. with last entry at 10 p.m., from $39.99 a vehicle. ZooLights adds a one-night drive-through, Cruise ZooLights, on Sunday, January 17.
What time does the Phoenix light parade start?
The 39th APS Electric Light Parade starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at Central Avenue and Montebello Avenue and ends at 7th Street and Indian School Road. The run time varies, per the city.
Where do you park for the APS Electric Light Parade?
On city streets around the route, first come, first served; private lots nearby often charge. The city suggests Valley Metro light rail. Roads on the route close from 5 to 11 p.m.
When is the Tempe boat parade?
The Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade is Saturday, December 12, 2026, 4 to 9 p.m. at Tempe Beach Park, with a holiday market, Santa and a fireworks finale over Tempe Town Lake. It is free, and a clear bag policy applies.
When is the Chandler tumbleweed tree lighting?
Saturday, December 5, 2026, 4:30 to 9 p.m. in Downtown Chandler, 3 S. Arizona Ave., with the Parade of Lights. It is free.
December is part of living here
Luminarias in the garden and boats on the lake, an easy drive from home. If you are weighing where to live, I can walk you through the neighborhoods near the places you would go most and what is on the market there.
Checked 3 November 2026. ZooLights dates, hours, prices, Member Mondays, features, Santa, Sensory Friendly ZooLights and Cruise ZooLights: Phoenix Zoo. Las Noches de las Luminarias nights, hours, prices, entertainment, Santa and dining: Desert Botanical Garden. Christmas at the Princess dates, hours and address: Christmas at the Princess; ticket prices: the resort's 2026 ticket page; Santa photos: FAQ. World of Illumination: World of Illumination Tempe. Mesa Temple Christmas Lights, Nativity exhibit and parking: Mesa Arizona Temple. Merry Main Street kickoff and ice rink: City of Mesa. Tempe street parade: Downtown Tempe; boat parade: Downtown Tempe. APS Electric Light Parade route, start time, closures, parking and rules: City of Phoenix. Tumbleweed Tree Lighting: City of Chandler. Glendale Glitters: City of Glendale. Hero photo: Tempe Town Lake at night by Jimmy Larry, Unsplash, free license.