Wander With Wonder – Discovering Wow Moments Around the World or Across the Street
While Arizona might not resemble a Norman Rockwell painting during the holidays, many argue the spirit of the season is more colorful and varied in the Grand Canyon State than anywhere else in the United States. There are plenty of Arizona holiday celebrations for the entire family to enjoy — without worrying about getting caught in a snowstorm or blizzard. Here, we share five of the most-loved holiday celebrations around the state that will make your spirits merry and bright.
Annual Boat Parade of Lights
The Christmas Boat Parade of Lights in Lake Havasu City takes place each December (watch the Lake Havasu website for the current date). Folks line up along the beach to watch the beautiful spectacle as up to 50 boats and kayaks, all adorned in bright lights, line up in Thompson Bay, make their way through the Bridgewater Channel, under the London Bridge, loop into Windsor Bay, and return through the channel. The best viewing is on Rotary Beach and Windsor Beach, in the English Village, or on the London Bridge. Throughout the holiday season, you can gather on London Bridge and enjoy seeing over 500,000 lights as they set the water aglow.
Arizona’s Christmas City Celebrations
Prescott, dubbed Arizona’s Christmas City, has a multitude of holiday festivities. Events kick off with the Holiday Light Parade and the annual Courthouse Lighting. After the lighting, the nearby Sharlot Hall Museum hosts the Frontier Christmas Open House, where you can experience Christmas in the state’s oldest cabin. One of the most highly anticipated nights during the holidays is Acker Night, when music is celebrated throughout downtown. You’ll find bell ringers, singing Santas, and shops and galleries filled with local live music.
Decorations on Prescott’s Courthouse Square warm the chilly evening. Photo courtesy Michael Wilson
Spend a wild holiday season at Wildlights and Animal Sights at Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary on Fridays and Saturdays through December. Also, throughout December, drive the one-mile loop in Fain Park to see the spectacular light show in the Valley of Lights.
The Annual Christmas Parade takes place in early December each year. The two-hour parade—complete with Santa—winds its way through the Prescott streets.
Prescott businesses decorate their vehicles with lights for the parade. Photo courtesy City of Prescott
Christmas at the Princess
Christmas at the Princess is an annual holiday celebration at the AAA Five-Diamond Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. This magical celebration brings ice skating, a dizzying 3 million lights, music, and snow to the desert. A massive four-story musical tree lights up the season from Thanksgiving through early January each year.
Lagoon Lights include the Pirate Ship during Christmas at The Princess. Photo courtesy Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
The enchanted winter wonderland features fun holiday characters, including Peppermint the Penguin, Selfie Elfie, and Christmas Princess Noel. Take a spin on real ice at the desert ice skating rink, then jump onboard the Princess Express Train to see the lagoon lights. There’s a Menorah lighting, Christmas carousel, nativity garden, and photos with Kris Kringle himself. Grab a hot cocoa, make s’mores at the fire pits, and get into the holiday spirit.
Party with Peppermint Penguin at Christmas at The Princess. Photo courtesy Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Las Noches de las Luminarias
Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix celebrates winter for 21 days, beginning Thanksgiving weekend with Las Noches de las Luminarias.
Las Noches de las Luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden. Photo courtesy of Visit Phoenix
During the event, 8,000 luminaria bags—brown paper bags with candles—are lit by hand, and thousands of twinkling lights decorate the garden. Visitors can grab a cup of hot cocoa or spiced cider and amble along the lit paths, listening to live entertainment.
North Pole Experience
North Pole Experience is an interactive visit inside Santa’s Workshop every year from mid-November through December in Flagstaff. Families jump onboard the trolley at Little America Hotel for a magical ride through Santa’s portal.
Santa’s Workshop at The North Pole Experience. Photo courtesy The North Pole Experience
Elves keep things lively along the way, but once the trolley arrives, kids are wide-eyed as they enter Santa’s Workshop. They help make toys, sample cookies, and cocoa at Mrs. Claus’s Bakery and enjoy a private visit with Santa, complete with a free photo and commemorative teddy bear.
The Polar Express
Grand Canyon Railway brings the children’s book The Polar Express to life every holiday season, from mid-November through early January. Passengers board the train in Williams for an unforgettable journey to the North Pole. Guests enjoy a reading of The Polar Express, sing songs with Santa’s elves, munch! cookies, and sip hot cocoa.
The train runs from Williams to the Grand Canyon. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose
At the North Pole, Santa hops on board for the return ride to Williams. As the train chugs its way home under the starry skies, Santa visits every child and shares a special gift. The round-trip takes 90 minutes but offers memories of a lifetime.
The post 5 Best Arizona Holiday Celebrations appeared first on Wander With Wonder.