Upcoming Holiday Events 2025

With the holidays right around the corner, there are several events in the community to help local families get into the spirit of the holiday season.

 Eastmark Christmas - Let it Glow
o   When: December 13 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm
o   Location: Eastmark Great Park
o   Activities: A special event for Eastmark residents, the Eastmark Great Park will transform into a walkable winter experience that will be perfect opportunity to create new special holiday memories.
o   Cost: Free!

Merry Main Street and Christmas Tree Lighting 
o   When: starting November 28 until the end of December
o   Location: throughout Downtown Mesa
o   Activities: 6,000 square foot real ice rink, downtown shopping and dining, food trucks, live music on Fridays, Mesa’s official 40 foot tall Christmas tree, a 9 foot menorah is also on display for each night of Hanukkah. Check online for Breakfast with Santa times in December.
o   Cost: Free - (Winter Wonderland Ice Rink is extra)
o   Other fun facts:  visit Santa for FREE on Saturdays for kids and Sundays for pets – bring your cell phone or camera for pictures. There is also a Santa Express light rail car where riders can sing songs, enjoy cookies, and meet Santa. Ride the light rail to get to the event for free on Fridays from 5pm to 10pm and Saturdays until December 27. The kick-off Tree Lighting ceremony will be November 28 starting at 5:00pm and at 5:45pm the tree will be lit! 

Mesa Temple Christmas Lights
o   When: starting November 28 through December 30
o   Location: Mesa Mormon Temple North Lawn – 101 S. LeSueur Mesa, AZ
o   Activities: come enjoy the Christmas lights and nativity displays set up on the Temple campus north lawn from 5:00pm to 10:00om each evening.
o   Cost: Free!
o   Other fun facts: All activities are open to the public and family friendly. Parking is free nearby. Christmas nativity hours can be viewed during the day on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 1pm and nightly from 5pm to 10pm.  

Gilbert Water Tower Holiday Lighting
o   When: December 1 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm
o   Location: Water Tower Plaza - 45 W Page Ave, Gilbert, AZ
o   Activities: kick off the holiday season with the Gilbert Water Tower Holiday Lighting ceremony at the newly renovated Water Tower Plaza. The event will include live music, crafts, snow activities, inflatables, hot cocoa, gourmet cookies, and other snacks.
o   Cost: Free!
o   Other fun facts: Free parking is available in Downtown Gilbert. 

Holidays Around the World
o   When: December 2 from 4:30pm to 5:30pm
o   Location: Downtown Library – 22 S. Delaware Street Chandler, AZ – Copper Room 2^nd Floor
o   Activities: enjoy a festive journey around the globe to explore different holiday traditions! There will be various crafts and activities for an interactive, all ages event.
o   Cost: Free! 

Vertuccio Farms Christmas Fest
o   When: December 1 to December 23 starting at 5:30pm
o   Location: Vertuccio Farms - 4011 S. Power Rd, Mesa, AZ
o   Activities: take pictures with the 25-foot corn stalk tree and giant ornament. Santa will be available for photos on December 5-7 and 12-23 and the farm will also be decorated with lights and have a petting zoo and bonfires.
o   Cost: $15 per person
o   Other fun facts: the farm is also dog friendly so furry family members can visit as well. 

Christmas at Schnepf Farms
o   When: open Thursdays to Sundays November 28 to December 21, open Christmas week December 22 to December 28 (Closed Christmas Day) – 5:00pm to 10:00pm
o   Location: Schnepf Farms – 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road Queen Creek, AZ
o   Activities: seasonal food, festive outdoor fun, and family activities; ride the World of Illumination Express train, ride a hayride to visit Rudolph or visit Santa’s magic workshop. There is also an inflatable obstacle course, Christmas bonfires, snow globe mini golf, a carousel, and a beer and wine garden.
o   Cost: General Admission tickets start at $19.95 (ice skating is an additional cost)
o   Other fun facts: Military, Police, and Firefighter discounted tickets are available online for $15. Parking is free! - 

ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo
o   When: November 26 to January 16 from 5:30pm to 10:30pm
o   Location: Phoenix Zoo - 455 N. Galvin Parkway Phoenix, AZ
o   Activities: enter a winter wonderland of over 2 miles of sparkling tree-lined trails and life-like animal lanterns, this year featuring an all-new light show. There will also be firepits with s’mores and hot cocoa and photos with Santa. Don’t forget to stop by the Glow Garden with its glowing dance floor and interactive glow swings.
o   Cost: $35 for general admission ($30 for zoo members), children 2 and under are free
o   Other fun facts: a Sensory Friendly Night with smaller crowds, quieter music, and reduced flashing lights is scheduled for Monday, December 15. And Cruise ZooLights from your car on January 18.

World of Illumination – Tempe – Rockin’ Christmas
o   When: November 14 to January 4 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm
o   Location: Tempe Diablo Stadium - 2200 W. Alameda Drive Tempe, AZ
o   Activities: drive-thru light experience featuring over 1 million lights in a 20-to-30-minute visual experience with space themed displays and music
o   Cost: prices range from $49.99 to $39.99 depending on day per vehicle
o   Other fun facts: select an arrival window online to keep traffic flowing smoothly.

World of Illumination – Glendale – Cosmic Sleighride
o   When: November 14 to January 4 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm
o   Location: Desert Diamond Casino - 9431 N. Northern Avenue Glendale, AZ
o   Activities: drive-thru light experience featuring over 1 million lights in a 20-to-30-minute visual experience with space themed displays and music
o   Cost: prices range from $49.99 to $39.99 depending on day per vehicle
o   Other fun facts: select an arrival window online to keep traffic flowing smoothly - 

Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide
o   When: November 28 to December 28 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm
o   Location: Rawhide Western Town – 5700 W. North Loop Road Chandler, AZ
o   Activities: one of Arizona’s premier light shows, enjoy several lighted areas with synchronized lights and special effects. There will also be a snow show and a western stunt show.
o   Cost: General Admission starts around $33-$38 depending on day and VIP tickets are available for $73-$89
o   Other fun facts: Free parking and children 3 and under are free. Military discounted ticket are also available online - 

Downtown Chandler Holiday Magic
o   When: starting November 29 until December 30, 2025
o   Location: Dr. AJ Chandler Park – 3 S. Arizona Avenue Chandler, AZ
o   Activities: come see the Downtown Chandler area decorated for the season with a candy sleigh, giant gumdrops, candy canes, and more!
o   Cost: Free!
o   Other fun facts: don’t forget to visit the tumbleweed tree as well! 

Downtown Chandler Parage of Lights and Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Ceremony
o   When: December 6 from 4:30pm to 8:00pm
o   Location: Downtown Chandler 3 S. Arizona Avenue Chandler, AZ
o   Activities: join local businesses, community organizations, families and floats together for the parade of lights and tumbleweed tree lighting ceremony.
o   Cost: FREE!
o   Other fun facts: there are many free parking garages and lots in the Downtown Chandler area. The parade route beings at Frye Road and heads north to Erie Street along Arizona Avenue. 
 
Queen Creek Hometown Christmas 
o   When: December 5 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm and December 6 at 10:00am
o   Location: Queen Creek Town Center – 21802 S. Ellsworth Road Queen Creek, AZ
o   Activities: On the evening of December 5, join the community in lighting the tree, letters to Santa, pictures with Santa, live music, scavenger hunt, food trucks, and more!
On Saturday, December 6 there will be a parade featuring local band groups, businesses, equine groups and more. 
o   Cost: Free!
o   Other fun facts:  Best spot for parade viewing is on Ellsworth south of Victoria Lane. You can also vote for your favorite parade float on Saturday morning. 
 
Chandler Polar Express 
o   When: December 10 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm
o   Location: Tumbleweed Recreation Center – 745 E. Germann Road Chandler, AZ
o   Activities: adventure on a train ride through Tumbleweed Park to the final destination, the North Pole, with a chance to meet Santa for story time, crafts, games, and prizes.
o   Cost: $19 for Chandler residents, $26 for non-residents
o   Other fun facts: registration is available online.

Riparian After Dark 
o   When: December 12-22 from 5:30pm to 9:00pm
o   Location: Riparian Preserve – 2757 E. Guadalupe Road Gilbert, AZ
o   Activities: stroll around the 1.5 miles of trails and pathways in the park to enjoy the holiday lights and displays.
o   Cost: $5-$10 depending on the week
o   Other fun facts:  Local vendors will be available serving warm drinks and snacks. Tickets are available online. Parking is available at the surrounding library and lots. 

2025 Olivepalooza Harvest Celebration 
o   When: December 13-14 from 10:00am to 5:00pm
o   Location: Queen Creek Olive Mill – 25062 S. Meridian Road Queen Creek, AZ
o   Activities: this event celebrates the start of milling season and the arrival of olives on the estate
o   Cost: free admission and parking
o   Other fun facts: other events include farm tours, Olive Oil 101 classes, vendor tastings, live music and games, live cooking demos, and a food and wine garden. 

Sippin’ Santas Pub Crawl
o   When: December 13 from 12:00pm to 6:00pm
o   Location: Downtown Chandler – 3. S. Arizona Avenue Chandler, AZ 
o   Activities: enjoy specialty drinks, food and fun at various Downtown Chandler restaurants, including La Ristra New Mexican Kitchen, Cheba Hut, Crust Simply Italian, Murphy’s Law Irish Pub, San Tan Brewing, and The Brickyard Downtown
o   Cost: $20 for Nice or Naughty List - $50 VIP
o   Other fun facts: the Nice list kicks off from 12pm to 3pm and Naughty list runs from 3pm to 6pm. A VIP list allows you to enjoy the pub crawl all day from 12pm to 6pm. 

Swim with Santa
o   When: December 13 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
o   Location: Desert Oasis Aquatic Center – 1400 W. Summit Place Chandler, AZ
o   Activities: festive crafts, letters to Santa, photos with Santa as well as swimming with Santa in the heated pool
o   Cost: children ages 2 to 18 are $5, adults are $2.25
o   Other fun facts:  registration is required online.

Menorah Lighting Ceremony at San Tan Village
o   When: December 14 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
o   Location: San Tan Village near the Harkins
o   Activities: hosted by the Chabad Jewish Center of Gilbert, join in on the menorah lighting ceremony to celebrate light, joy, and community spirit. The menorah will remain on display throughout Hanukkah from December 14 to December 22.
o   Cost: Free! 

Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland 
o   When: December 20 at 7:30pm
o   Location: Mesa Arts Center – Ikeda Theater
o   Activities: this performance blends breathtaking acrobatics, arial feats, and holiday music into an unforgettable evening.
o   Cost: tickets start around $65.50
o   Other fun facts:  parking in nearby Downtown Mesa is $10 in the south lot or Sirrine Street Garage. VIP meet and greet tickets are also available online. 

Zoo Move & Groove 5k Run
o   When: January 17, 2026 – Race begins at 5:00pm
o   Location: Phoenix Zoo - 455 N Galvin Parkway Phoenix, AZ
o   Activities: a scenic journey through Papago Park and into the sparkling lights of ZooLights for this 5k distance race. Included in the cost is a commemorative race t-shirt, admission to ZooLights and a cup of hot cocoa.
o  Cost: $40 for early bird pricing, price increase after 12/8 is $50
o  Other fun facts: spectators can also add ZooLights only admission for $20.