5 Things to do during the Holidays in Phoenix

Though Phoenicians won’t be waking up to a blanket of snow on Christmas Morning, there’s plenty of Christmas cheer in the Valley of the Sun! String your cacti with lights, and break out the ugly sweaters; you won’t want to miss any of these holiday festivities in Phoenix, AZ!

Best Things to do in Phoenix during the Christmas Season

Hit the ice at CitySkate Holiday Ice Rink

You don’t have to be Tara Lipinski to get out on the ice and have fun! While you may not imagine the desert to be conducive to outdoor skating, they make it happen at CityScape Phoenix! A perfect activity for a family outing, or a romantic date, everyone can enjoy this frosty fun (especially if you are ready to laugh at yourself a little bit!) CitySkate Holiday Ice Rink offers seasonal skating from November 26th through Early January. Check out the CitySkate website for information and skate times.

Have a cup of cheer at a pub crawl

“Spirits” will most certainly be bright as Santa-hat donning patrons bounce about the Scottsdale bars for a Christmas pub crawl. You have two chances to get in on the bar-hopping fun, as Old Town Scottsdale hosts both the Scottsdale Santa Crawl and the 12 Bars of Christmas pub crawls in December. Though you must be 21 or older to get in on this lively fun, those lucky enough to have a December birthday can get their ticket for both events for free (some restrictions apply.) It’s time to dust off those ugly sweaters and pray it’s cold enough to wear them!

Feel the festivity at Glendale’s Downtown in December

During the month of December, Downtown Glendale transforms into a winter wonderland (minus the snow, plus a few cacti.) A glittering light display, musical performances, a Christmas parade, handcrafted gifts, and of course Santa himself can all be found in Murphy Park during the holiday season. This jam-packed holiday event offers something for every family member. Be sure to check out the performance lineup to catch the incredible FREE holiday performances at the Murphy Park Amphitheatre!

Join Clara on her dreamland adventure with Ballet Arizona’s Nutcracker

It’s hardly Christmas without visions of sugar plums…even if no one born in the last century knows what that is. Enjoying the Nutcracker Ballet isn’t just for dancers, audiences young and old can be swept away into the magic of Clara’s mystical dream. The Phoenix Symphony brings to life Tchaikovsky’s timeless melodies as viewer’s marvel at stunning choreography and real falling snow. Grab tickets today to join Ballet Arizona for their production of The Nutcracker at Symphony Hall.

Take in the twinkling lights at Zoo Lights

Lions, and tigers, and Christmas lights; oh my! For thirty years, Christmastime brings millions of glittering lights to grace the Phoenix Zoo in all their luminous glory. Guests can opt to take in the lights either on foot, or from the comfort of their vehicle (and even drive-through guests enjoy hot cocoa for their journey!) Getting in on the holiday celebration doesn’t get much easier than that! Be sure to check the Zoo Lights website before you go, as some dates are not available throughout the season.

Explore more of what Phoenix has to offer during the Holiday Season!

If you’re interested in making Phoenix, AZ your home, then check out my YouTube video with even more fun things to do in Phoenix for the Christmas season!