50+ Scottsdale Christmas Events & Holiday Activities (2025)

The holiday season sparkles with merry activities in the Valley of the Sun, especially with this array of Scottsdale Christmas events. Celebrate the 2025 winter holidays with displays of festive lights, family-friendly amusements, special dining experiences, Hanukkah happenings, New Year’s Eve celebrations, and other revelries.

As a longtime Scottsdale resident, I’ve got the scoop on all there is to do. I have personally experienced many of these offerings and take great care to update this list each year, ensuring it reflects the most current, accurate, and delightful ways to celebrate. Enjoy a jolly season with more than 50 things to do during Christmastime in the Scottsdale and Phoenix area!

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The Santa Social

Get into the holiday spirit at the complimentary Santa Social on November 29, 2025, at Scottsdale Quarter from 2 to 8 PM. Enjoy kids’ crafts, hot chocolate, and live DJ entertainment. Meet beloved Christmas characters and snap a photo with Santa (fee applies). Face painting and caricatures add to the cheer. At 5:45 PM, gather for the tree lighting. Then settle in for an outdoor screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Enter the $5 raffle to support Phoenix Children’s and win prizes up to $1,500.

Jingle & Jazz Tree Lighting Spectacular

The Jingle & Jazz Tree Lighting Spectacular is the official start of the holiday season in Scottsdale. Enjoy a live jazz performance, dance showcases, kids’ activities, and dazzling décor. Hot cocoa and seasonal treats, such as holiday cookies and festive cupcakes, are available for purchase. Also, be sure to pose for a complimentary photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The night culminates with the lighting of a 36-foot-tall Scottsdazzle tree. Attend this free event on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 7 to 9 PM at the Scottsdale Waterfront.

Christmas at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

My family loves Christmas at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess so much that we attend every year. My advice: go early in the evening for festivities with fewer crowds and shorter lines. You may be dazzled by a beautiful sunset, too.

The Fairmont Princess transforms into a fantastical winter wonderland from November 22 through December 31, 2025. The event takes place Monday through Thursday, from 5 pm to 10 pm, and Friday through Saturday, from 4 pm to 11 pm.

Fairmont Festivities

Two highlights are the Ice Pass Express train ride (replacing the Princess Express Train) and the stunning Starlights: An Electric Symphony lagoon show. In The Village, ride a Ferris Wheel, tube down Snow Mountain, and play Nordic Nine Mini Golf. Twinkle Town offers kid-friendly rides like a holiday-themed carousel and a Santa Sleigh Ride. While most attractions are included with your wristband, there is an extra charge to skate and spin on the Desert Ice Rink, which is made with real ice.

New for 2025, the Aurora Ice Lounge is an add-on photo experience featuring immersive lighting, icy décor, and cozy seating perfect for capturing festive memories. As in years past, you can also purchase photos with Santa.

Tickets & Parking at the Fairmont

Purchase tickets in advance since this event often sells out. Children 3 years old and younger receive free entry. Save money on Christmas at the Princess when you buy tickets through Groupon.

General Admission tickets do not include self-parking, which is available for purchase separately or as part of a package. Valet Parking includes admission for up to four guests. Better yet, do as my family does and take an Uber or Lyft to the resort.

Fairmont Holiday Dining & Drinks

Book dinner at one of the resort’s four on-site restaurants to take advantage of complimentary valet parking when you spend $85 on food and beverages. Probably most tempting for kids is the Mexican cuisine at La Hacienda. Pan-Latin cuisine is available at the upscale Toro. Also, look for classic American fare at the elegant Bourbon Steak and the more casual Ironwood American Kitchen.

No reservations are necessary at my favorite dining spot, the festive pop-up holiday restaurant, The Lodge. Purchase other holiday treats from food booths, like Christmas cookies and mini cinnamon doughnuts. S’mores kits are also available for roasting around plentiful fire pits. Purchase holiday cocktails and mocktails throughout the resort, too.

Fairmont Overnight Holiday Packages

To make the most of these family-friendly events, book an overnight stay at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort during Christmas time. Guests receive complimentary general admission to Christmas at the Princess, as well as VIP Express wristbands, which reduce wait times for rides and attractions (excluding ice skating and Santa photos).

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Holiday Lights

Climb aboard the miniature Paradise Pacific Railroad for a sparkling tour of the North Pole. The annual McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Holiday Lights is a magical experience with festive light displays and twinkling tunnels. Sprinkling faux snow allows desert dwellers a chance to get a brief taste of a white Christmas in Scottsdale, too!

Attend this event from 5:30 to 9:30 pm, November 28 through December 30, 2025. There are four available timed entry slots: 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 pm. Advanced reservations are required through the City of Scottsdale website. Children aged 2 and younger enter for free.

Purchase photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus every Friday and Saturday (excluding December 5). Look also for special photo ops with The Grinch on December 19, 21, and 26.

Food and drinks are available for purchase at Hartley’s General Store. New for 2025: Purchase a s’more kit to roast marshmallows by a fire pit.

In addition to these festivities, a spin on the Charros Carousel is a must, no matter the season. Kids also love a large playground with plenty of slides and climbing structures, as well as an enchanting, smaller Old West-themed play area.

Nutcracker Ballet by Ballet Arizona

Sugar Plum Fairies dance into your dreams with Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet by Ballet Arizona from December 12 to 27, 2025. Save money by booking your Nutcracker Ballet tickets through Groupon.

The Phoenix Symphony Orchestra accompanies the famous Christmastime ballet at Symphony Hall. Of this performance, Alistair Macaulay of the New York Times said, “Ballet Arizona’s ‘Nutcracker’ is one of the three finest productions of the nearly 20 I’ve seen across America.”

Phoenix ZooLights

For a dazzling holiday lights display, reserve tickets for the beloved Phoenix ZooLights. Zoogoers will be treated to millions of twinkling lights, a multitude of glowing animal sculptures, and a 200-foot-long light tunnel. Hot cocoa and other treats like kettle corn are available for purchase.

Phoenix ZooLights runs November 26, 2025, through January 16, 2026, from 5:30 to 10:30 pm. Sensory Friendly ZooLights takes place on December 15, with smaller crowds, quieter music, reduced flashing lights, and other modifications. You can enjoy the lights displays from the comfort of your car on January 18 with Cruise ZooLights.

Winter Waterland at OdySea Aquarium

The OdySea Aquarium at Arizona Boardwalk gets a holiday makeover and transforms into a Winter Waterland each year. This year’s festivities run November 28, 2025, to January 4, 2026. Admission to Winter Waterland is free with regular admission.

The aquarium’s Winter Waterland features holiday decorations and a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt for kids. Additionally, Voyager, the world’s only rotating aquarium exhibit, is narrated by Santa as it spins through four separate watery habitats that feature animals like sea lions and sharks. You can also pay an additional fee to help Santa’s elves prepare for the holidays during a virtual reality experience.

SeaTREK Santa

The best part is seeing Santa Claus underwater in the Deep Ocean Theater! Children squeal with joy when he magically appears after a reading of “The Night Before Fishmas” at designated times.

SeaTREK Santa makes appearances November 28 through December 18 at noon, Mondays through Thursdays, and noon plus 5 pm Fridays through Sundays.

From December 19 through January 4, look for Santa under the sea at noon and 5 pm. (No appearance on Christmas Day. Only noon appearance on New Year’s Day.)

Glistening Gardens at Butterfly Wonderland

Also located at the Arizona Boardwalk entertainment center, Butterfly Wonderland is adorned with seasonal decorations like snowflakes, Christmas trees, Santa’s reindeer, and holiday lights.

Glistening Gardens runs November 28, 2025, through January 4, 2026. The beautiful Butterfly Conservatory glows with sparkling meadow grass, firefly lights, and fairy-lit birch trees. Listen for live musical performances in the garden or pose with a butterfly fairy on select dates during the holiday season. New this year, take your own photo with Santa on December 7, from 10 am to 1 pm.

Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden 

Wander through the stunning Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, where 8,000 glowing luminarias and twinkling lights luminate the paths among native plants. Enjoy live music and purchase holiday drinks and treats from outdoor bars. Then, snap a photo with Sonoran Santa and Mrs. Claus in the desert landscape. Don’t miss FRAMERATE: Desert Pulse, an immersive art experience that brings the Sonoran Desert to life in a whole new way. In 2025, Las Noches de las Luminarias takes place on select days, from November 28 to December 30.

Phoenix Symphony Holiday Concerts

The Phoenix Symphony offers many ways to experience the sounds of the 2025 holiday season. Book tickets through The Phoenix Symphony website.

Home Alone in Concert features a live orchestra performing the score of this holiday classic in sync with the film, presented November 28–30.

Together with the Phoenix Symphony Chorus, the symphony presents a mix of religious and secular songs of the season at Holiday Pops, performed December 5-7.

Experience Baroque and Classical masterpieces with Christmas Baroque on December 20-21.

The Phoenix Symphony & Chorus perform Handel’s Messiah at various Valley of the Sun locations, nightly December 12-14.

Christmas Candelight Concerts

Fever’s Candlelight Concerts feature impressive music performances by talented string ensembles amid hundreds of glowing (electric) candles. My teenage son and I were both enthralled by a recent Candlelight Concert featuring classical versions of songs by Queen and The Beatles.

This season, enjoy Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings from December 14 to December 21 at the Phoenix Art Museum. Candlelight: Christmas Special Featuring “The Nutcracker” & More will be held on December 27 at the Herberger Theater. Explore concert options and purchase tickets via the Fever website.

World of Illumination

Experience the wonder of the season from your own vehicle. Be dazzled by World of Illumination drive-through lights displays in the Valley of the Sun, November 14, 2025, to January 4, 2026. Tune in to a special radio station to enhance this experience with holiday music and sounds.

Rock out at the World of Illumination Rockin’ Christmas at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Tempe.

Or, experience the world’s largest animated drive-through light show at World of Illumination Cosmic Sleigh Ride at Desert Diamond Casino in Glendale.

Scottsdale Christmas Markets

What could be more festive than a Christmas Market? There are a few fabulous options for holiday shoppers in Scottsdale.

Merry Merchantile Market

The Merry Merchantile Market is an expansive Christmas market at the Scottsdale Civic Center. Attend on December 13, from 10 am to 5 pm and December 14, 2025, from 10 am to 4 pm. Expect 100+ vendors, holiday giveaways, live music, and a variety of food trucks at this free event.

Arizona Boardwalk Christmas Markets

Arizona Boardwalk (home to Odysea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, and more amusements) hosts the Scottsdale Sparkle Christmas Market on November 28-29, December 6-7, and December 13-14, 2025, from 10 am to 4 pm. In addition to more than 80 vendors selling crafts and gifts, enjoy live music, face painting, glitter tattoos, and special character appearances.

On December 13, look for a free Family Fun Holiday Fair & Marketplace from 12 to 5 pm. In addition to local vendor booths and the festivities above, look for bounce houses, cooking decorating, and an appearance by Santa Claus. Cap off the day with a holiday movie, starting at 5:30 pm.

Old Town Scottsdale Shopping

Find unique artwork, plus Southwest and Arizona-themed gifts and ornaments in Old Town Scottsdale.

Attend the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market on Saturdays from fall through spring to purchase handmade items, fresh produce, and tasty eats. On Saturdays from December 6 through December 20, 2025, shop for unique holiday gifts from 9 am to noon. Bring your pets and children for photos taken with Santa at the market.

Shop Scottsdale Saturday on November 29, 2025, celebrates shopping local with live strolling performances by the Jingle Belles.

Additionally, Gold Palette Artwalk provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy Old Town Scottsdale’s numerous art galleries during the holiday season from 6:30 to 9 pm on December 11, 2025.

Scottsdale Malls & Boutiques at Christmastime

Scottsdale is a shopper’s paradise, particularly during the holiday season. Here are just a few of my favorite retail options.

Kierland Commons & Scottsdale Quarter

Sister outdoor shopping districts, Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter, get dolled up with lights and trees for the holiday season. They also host strolling carolers, live holiday concerts, and other events.

Scottsdale Fashion Square

Shop till you drop at the largest shopping mall in Arizona, Scottsdale Fashion Square. With over 200 retail stores and restaurants, there are plenty of deals and decorations to be found.

Promenade Scottsdale

Find a giant Elf on the Shelf clinging to the Frank Lloyd Wright Spire during the holiday season at the Promenade Scottsdale. The 100-foot inflatable holiday display is located at the cross streets of Scottsdale Road and Bell Road (a.k.a. Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard).

This expansive strip mall features around 75 stores, including favorites like Old Navy and Nordstrom Rack. My favorite spot is Painted Tree, a creative community of numerous small, locally owned boutiques all under one roof. Plus, there’s an In-N-0ut Burger to satisfy shopping-induced hunger!

Photos with Santa in Scottsdale 

Kids and kids-at-heart can meet with Santa Claus at locations throughout Scottsdale. In addition to the many Santa sightings listed in this Scottsdale Christmas events directory, look for photos with Santa at Kierland Commons, Scottsdale Quarter, Scottsdale Fashion Square, and Biltmore Fashion Park. Purchase hardcopy and/or digital photos. Avoid long waits by making reservations in advance at WhereIsSanta.com.

Valley of the Sun Chanukah Celebrations

This year, Chanukah begins in the evening of December 14 and concludes on the night of December 22. This eight-day winter holiday commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd Century B.C. and is also known as the Festival of Lights. (Did you know there are 16 different ways to spell Hanukah?)

Giant Menorah Lighting & More

For years, Scottsdale Quarter has celebrated the first night of Chanukah, starting with a giant menorah lighting at 4:45 pm, along with live music and Hanukkah treats at this free event.

Oy to the World: A Hanukkah Musical Review

Enjoy a playful blend of Hanukkah songs, Broadway hits, and Jewish humor at Oy to the World: A Hanukkah Musical Revue, performed at ASU Kerr Cultural Center on Monday, December 1, 2025. Doors open at 6:45 pm, and the pre-show starts at 7 pm.

Hadassah Hahukkah Trivia Party

Sign up for a daytime Hanukkah celebration featuring a menorah lighting, holiday bites, and a lively holiday trivia game. Purchase tickets for this December 2, 2025 event, which starts at 10:30 am.

Chompie’s Chanukah Menu

Chompie’s is a local delicatessen that has been serving traditional New York-style Jewish cuisine in Arizona since 1979. Visit one of their several Valley locations for a tasty Chanukah menu, available onsite or to go. Enjoy potato latkes, matzo ball soup, brisket, Chanukah cookies, and more.

The Klezmatics: Toward the Light

Get tickets for the Toward the Light concert by the world-renowned klezmer band, The Klezmatics, on December 13, 2025, at 7:30 pm at the Musical Instrument Museum.

Chanukah in Carefree Nightly Menorah Lighting

Celebrate Chanukah in Carefree with nightly outdoor menorah lightings from December 14–21, 2025, at 5:30 PM, held at Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion and live-streamed on select evenings.

Find more Chanukah events on the Chabad of Scottsdale website.

Old Adobe Mission Christmas Events

While holiday shopping Old Town Scottsdale, be sure to stop by the Old Adobe Mission, Scottsdale’s oldest Catholic church and one of the few remaining adobe structures in the city. It was built by Mexicans who settled in Scottsdale in the late 1910s. Admire the Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style and handmade stained glass windows.

The Miracle of Roses Pageant

The Miracle of Roses Pageant takes place at the Old Adobe Mission each year. In 2025, the play will be performed on December 6 at 4 pm. Watch a reenactment of the miraculous appearances of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego near Mexico City, which occurred in 1531.

Live Nativity

On Saturday, December 20, from 6 to 8 pm, look for the Old Adobe Mission’s live nativity. Live actors and animals represent the birth of Jesus in this Christmas manger scene. A chorale concert commences at 7 pm.

Holiday Teas

Celebrate the holiday season with a holly jolly high tea for all ages.

Afternoon Holiday Tea at the Phoenician

For an upscale traditional English afternoon tea with a festive twist, reserve a table for Holiday High Tea at the sumptuous Phoenician Resort. Listen to live piano music as you nibble seasonal tea fare in their lobby, aglow with holiday lights and Christmas charm throughout the holiday season. Make your teatime even more festive by adding a glass of bubbly.

Reservations are required. The Phoenician will happily provide gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian menus with 24-hour advance notice.

Christmas Tea at the English Rose Tea Room

The English Rose Tea Room in Carefree hosts an annual Christmas Tea with merry treats and drinks among sparkling pink, white, red, and green holiday decorations. Formal Afternoon Tea for two comes with three tiers of tea sandwiches, scones, petit fours, and a small pot of tea to share. À la carte items are available, too.

In years past, the tea room hosted the Nutcracker Ballet Tea with dance performances by young ballerinas from local ballet schools. Instead, expect live performances by Santa & the Carol Singers, from Thanksgiving through Christmas in 2025.

Gingerbread Afternoon Tea at the Four Seasons Scottsdale

Guests and locals alike can book a Gingerbread Afternoon Tea at Onyx Bar & Lounge at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. This service combines the elegance of a traditional tea with a whimsical holiday twist. Make reservations December 4, 2025 to January 4, 2026.

Festive Live Theater Performances

The spirit of the holidays comes to life with live theater performances throughout the Valley of the Sun.

Don Bluth Front Row Theatre

It has been an annual tradition for my family to watch It’s a Wonderful Life at Scottsdale’s Don Bluth Front Row Theatre. Every seat is a good one at this venue because of its petite size. This Christmas classic runs from November 13 to December 23, 2025.

Arizona Broadway Theatre

We’ve also enjoyed watching Arizona Broadway Theatre‘s special holiday performances in Peoria. The holiday performance this year is It’s a Wonderful Life, running from November 14 to December 28.

Hale Centre Theatre

I was impressed by the swanky small theater and high-quality acting at Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert. Reserve seats for A Christmas Carol from November 28 to December 24. Also showing is Hi-Fi Holiday, a cozy tribute to favorite Christmas songs of yesteryear, from December 4 to 20, 2025.

Herberger Theater

At the Herberger Theater in Downtown Phoenix, celebrate the holiday season with a family-friendly performance of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, presented by Childsplay from November 15 to December 22, 2025. Swing by the Elves Workshop to make a holiday craft, snap a festive photo, or sip Mrs. Claus’ cozy hot chocolate. Every child receives a red nose!

Phoenix Theatre Company

Purchase tickets for the holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, at Phoenix Theatre Company. It runs from November 26 to December 28, 2025.

Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona

Build a spectacular holiday season at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona on weekends in December 2025, at Arizona Mills Mall in Tempe. Snap photos with a giant LEGO DUPLO sleigh. Then, embark on a scavenger hunt to find the hidden LEGO snowman throughout MINILAND. Get a chance to pose with LEGO Santa, too. In years past, families could pay extra to meet Gingy the LEGO Gingerbread Man and decorate gingerbread cookies.

Purchase discounted LEGOLAND Discovery Center tickets from our trusted partner, GetYourGuide. Holiday Bricktacular is included with regular admission.

Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Sea Life Arizona

Next door at the LEGOLAND Sea Life Aquarium at Arizona Mills Mall, enjoy holiday lights and décor on display during December 2025 throughout this LEGO-themed aquarium. Kids will also enjoy pop-up tanks where they can pose with the fish, touch sea life in tanks, and play in a huge indoor jungle gym. My husband and I went without children and had just as much fun as the youngest visitors to the aquarium.

Buy discounted LEGOLAND Sea Life Arizona tickets to experience Holiday Bricktacular during your visit with standard entrance tickets.

‘Tis the Season: Holidays at MIM

The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix is celebrating the season with decked halls and special events. ‘Tis the Season: Holidays at MIM is included with museum admission and takes place over December 6 and 7, 2025, from 9 am to 5 pm. Enjoy live global performances like mariachi, klezmer, and Renaissance carols. Additionally, families will enjoy handbell crafts, youth-led tours, and interactive workshops honoring Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Scandinavian traditions.

Revelers can also attend separately ticketed holiday concerts at MIM, such as Toward the Light by The Klezmatics on December 13, Irish Christmas in America on December 15, or A Winter’s Evening with Ryanhood on December 18.

Holiday Lights Segway Tours

For a unique way to take in the glow of the holidays, experience Old Town Scottsdale’s holiday lights and decorations via Segway.

Book Segway of Scottsdale‘s Christmas Lights Tour with holiday lights wrapped around each Segway and a hot chocolate stop mid-way, from November 25 to December 30, 2025.

Another festive option is the Scottsdazzle Holiday Lights Show with Scottsdale Segway Tours from November 25 to December 31, 2025.

Light the Night Sky Lantern Festival

Rooted in Asian cultures, lantern festivals symbolize hope, renewal, and the release of worries. The lighting or release of lanterns honors ancestors, welcomes new beginnings, or celebrates seasonal transitions.

Witness the sky light up with floating lanterns at Light the Night Sky Lantern Festival in Phoenix on November 29, 2025, from 4 to 8 pm. Enjoy live bands, a DJ, food trucks, and more. All adult passholders will receive a free lantern to release. (Lanterns are made of eco-friendly materials.)

Pancakes & Pajamas with Santa

Put on your best holiday PJs and pull up a seat at Pancakes & Pajamas with Santa. The event includes a yummy breakfast, a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus, and an arts and crafts activity. There will also be a holiday performance by Greasepaint Theatre. Every guest gets a gift to bring home.

JoyRides AZ Holiday Lights Tour

Sit back, relax, and take in the holiday lights displays in Old Town Scottsdale during a 75-minute tour in an open-air vehicle driven by a local guide with JoyRides AZ. Carts seat up to six guests with seatbelts. Infants are welcome if secured in a car seat.

Listen to your choice of holiday Bluetooth music and stop for photo opportunities along the route. JoyRides AZ Holiday Lights Tours are available from November 29 to December 30, 2025.

Pop-Up Holiday Restaurants & Bars

From over-the-top décor and themed cocktails to whimsical dining experiences, these limited-time spots bring seasonal cheer and plenty of photo-worthy moments.

50 Shades Presents Whoville

For a cheeky twist on the holidays, 50 Shades of Rosé in Old Town Scottsdale transforms into a naughty Whoville from November 7 to December 31, 2025. This immersive seasonal bar blends festive cocktails with cheeky PG-13 holiday humor. Picture Whoville dolls in hilariously compromising positions and a vibe that’s more sassy than sweet. My husband and I went last year and couldn’t stop laughing at the saucy scenes tucked into every corner.

Order merry cocktails like the Dropout & Mrs. Mint made with vanilla-infused vodka, white chocolate, cream, and peppermint schnapps. Santa Snacks are also available with options like soft pretzels & provolone fondue or steak frites with black truffle butter.

Bar Blitzen by Culinary Dropout

Culinary Dropout hosts an annual holiday pop-up bar called Bar Blitzen at its Tempe and Gilbert locations. Both are open from November 19, 2025, to January 3, 2026. The décor is decidedly festive with lights and greenery. A $6 cover charge benefits Boys & Girls Club of the Valley.

Cocktails & Candy Canes at Pubblico Italian Eatery

Running November 5, 2025 to January 4, 2026, Candy Canes & Cocktails at Pubblico Italian Eatery in Scottsdale turns the restaurant into a twinkling winter wonderland with fun décor and seasonal drinks. Ya Filthy Animal comes served in a plastic ornament to pour over ice, and the Sugar Cookie Martini makes a delicious dessert in a glass. Even though my husband is not usually a festive drink kind of a guy, he loved his Gingerbread Old Fashion. Order delicious Italian cuisine from their regular menu during this pop-up event.

Feliz Navidad Cantina at Salt + Lime Modern Mexican Grill

Salt + Lime’s Feliz Navidad Cantina kicks off December 5 and runs through December 24, 2025 at their Scottsdale location on Shea. This place gets very busy during the holiday season, so be sure to make reservations at 1-480-661-5463 before you go. (Call between 11 am and 4 pm.)

Expect floor‑to‑ceiling décor with more lights than ever, themed photo ops, and even a tented outdoor waiting area to keep the festive spirit alive before stepping inside. Enjoy a crafted menu of holiday‑inspired dishes and signature cocktails like Mistletoe Martinis and Christmas enchiladas. Families will appreciate screenings of holiday movies plus appearances by the Grinch and Santa.

Naughty List Pop-Up Bar at Grand Hyatt Scottsdale

For a spirited outing, the Naughty List Pop-Up Bar offers an adults-only escape with seasonal cocktails, cozy seating, and playful holiday décor.

Holiday Pub Crawls

Get your jollies during a holiday pub crawl in the Phoenix area.

The Official Christmas Bar Crawl

The Official Christmas Bar Crawl in Old Town Scottsdale on December 20, 2025, from 4 pm to midnight. Be sure to check in before 6 pm at Boondocks Patio & Grill. Expect exclusive drink specials, two to three included drinks, no cover charge at participating venues, and a complimentary stadium cup and lanyard. Free Santa hats will be given to the first 100 attendees at registration.

Scottsdale Santa Crawl (SantaCon)

Each year, Yuletide revelers don their Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and other holiday gear to make merry in Old Town Scottsdale during the Scottsdale SantacCon Bar Crawl. This year’s event takes place from 4 to 10 pm on December 13. Tickets include the cover charge at four+ popular bars plus drink specials.

Do The Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl

Cozy up in your silliest Hanukkah or Christmas sweater for Phoenix’s Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl on December 13, 2025. Use code UGLY2025 to get 25% off when you book by November 22. Contest prizes will be awarded throughout the event, which takes place from 4:30 to 9 pm in Downtown Phoenix.

Holidays at Omni Scottsdale Resort at Montelucia

Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia’s Christmas season commences with an Annual Tree Light Celebration from 6 to 8 pm on December 6, 2025. Enjoy a live drumline, firepit s’mores stations, Santa photos, complimentary cocoa, and a 20-foot tree lighting at the resort. This free event is open to both hotel guests and day visitors. A cash bar is available, too.

Save on a holiday season stay with the Magical Memories offer, featuring 15% off your stay and a $25 food and drink credit. In years past, Montelucia has provided guests with outdoor Christmas movie screenings and other holiday options, including Christmas and Hanukkah room decoration upgrades.

Another reason to love Omni Scottsdale at Montelucia? It tops my list of the best spa resorts in Scottsdale!

Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge Arizona

Children will adore Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge Arizona Indoor Waterpark & Resort in Scottsdale. Snowland takes place from November 24, 2025, through January 6, 2026.

Hotel guests enjoy Snowland kid-friendly activities, including photos with Santa, holiday story times, games, crafts, scavenger hunts, Snowland Yoga, Snowland Bingo, and Snowland Competition Games. Plus, all ages are invited to rock out to holiday music around the Christmas tree in the lobby during Frosty Fest Family Dance Parties.

Day Pass guests may not participate in Snowland activities at Great Wolf Lodge Arizona, with the exception of the immersive Snow Globes at Snowland, featuring cookie kits by Duff Goldman, a cocoa bar, and a choreographed light show. Anyone can book the Snow Globes at Snowland, for parties of one to 20.

Hotel Valley Ho’s Ho Holidays

Go retro at Hotel Valley Ho’s Ho Holidays with their Skate the Halls experience. From November 24, 2025, through January 4, 2026, lace up roller skates and glide past palm trees decked out in holiday lights. Sip themed cocktails, hot cider or hot cocoa and snack on Holly Jolly Bites like warm cookies or cheese fondue.

There’s a full lineup of themed nights like Rollin’ with Buddy the Elf and Ugly Sweater Skate-Off. Plus, enjoy a mix of Reindeer Games for kids and playful adults, including cornhole, scavenger hunts, cookie decorating, Giant Jenga, a photo station, and more.

Scottsdale New Year Celebrations

Ring in 2026 with festive food, music, spirits, parties, and more in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area.

Phoenix Symphony New Year’s Eve Performance

Celebrate the New Year on December 31 at a New Year’s Eve: All American Dance Party live musical performance at Phoenix Symphony Hall. The show starts at 7:30 pm and includes a complimentary champagne toast.

Special New Year’s Eve Restaurant Menus

Many of Scottsdale’s top restaurants offer celebratory New Year’s Eve menus. Be sure to check OpenTable and individual restaurant websites for the latest menus, pricing, and party details to ring in the New Year deliciously.

Stand-out options in years past have included a special prix-fixe menu at the elegant Fat Ox, a four-course meal with live music, party favors, and Champagne toast at Tommy V’s Urban Kitchen & Bar, and an upscale white attire Greek dinner at Cala Scottsdale. My husband and I appreciated the party vibe, holiday craft cocktails, special menu items, and music by a DJ at Culinary Dropout last year.

Kid-Friendly New Year’s Events

Children’s Museum of Phoenix hosts two New Year’s celebrations for kids on December 31, 2025 (9 am to noon or 1 to 4 pm). Sip sparkling cider, make colorful noisemakers, join a dance party, and count down to a festive balloon drop. Tickets for this special event must be purchased in advance.

Ring in Noon Year’s Eve at 12 pm with noisemakers and sparkling cider at LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Tempe on December 31, 2025.

Last year, the Phoenix Zoo hosted Happy Noon Year. This daytime celebration includes music, a noisemaker activity, sparkling cider, and a festive balloon drop in the zoo’s atrium. The event was offered in two sessions: morning and afternoon, and requires a separate ticket in addition to zoo admission. Alternatively, attend Phoenix ZooLights at 5:30 to 10:30 pm on December 31, 2025 or January 1, 2026.

Want to get cozy at home instead? Stay in this New Year’s Eve and set goals for 2026 in a fun and inspiring way with a family-friendly vision board party.

New Year’s Eve Parties

Scottsdale and Phoenix offer a wide range of themed New Year’s Eve parties on December 31. Learn more and reserve your spot on the EventBrite website.

Dance the night away at the CHIC W Scottsdale NYE or indulge in a luxurious evening at New Year’s Eve at The Phoenician. Hilton Scottsdale Resort is hosting a duo of parties, AZ Baby Boomers NYE 2026 and Phoenix Singles 2026 New Year’s Eve Party. For a glamorous night, head to Caesars Republic Scottsdale for the POSH Phoenix New Year’s Eve 2026 Party. Celebrate with cultural flair at Phoenix Bollywood NYE 2026 at Mill’s Modern Social Tempe.

Can’t settle on just one spot? There are also two Scottsdale pub crawls featuring various select nightclubs.

More to Do in Arizona

Find even more fun for the whole family with this list of activities in Scottsdale for kids.

Explore the charms of Arizona’s Christmas City with my guide to Prescott.

In winter, you’ll likely experience snow in Northern Arizona with these things to do in Flagstaff.

Learn the pros and cons of every season in the Valley of the Sun and discover the best time of year to visit Scottsdale.

Looking for a couples getaway in the Phoenix area? Take a look at these romantic things to do at The Buttes Resort in Tempe.

Save These Scottsdale Christmas Events

For future reference, save this list of things to do in Scottsdale during the holiday season. Just pin the image above to Pinterest. I hope you’ll follow me on Pinterest while you’re at it!

Which of these Scottsdale holiday events appeals most to you? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!

A Note from Colleen: I spend a lot of time carefully updating this list of Scottsdale Christmas events each year to bring you the best holiday activities in the Phoenix area. I received monetary compensation from Experience Scottsdale in 2020 related to this story. Over the years, I have also accepted complimentary admission to Christmas at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, and World of Illumination. All opinions are mine, as always. If you would like to add an activity, please email me.

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