Arizona Festive Holiday Travel Ideas

Adding a little warmth to the holidays

Phoenix, Ariz.- Celebrate the holidays in Arizona like never before! If you’ve been dreaming of a festive holiday getaway, look no further than the Grand Canyon State.

Whether a family vacation, a romantic couple’s retreat, or a solo trip, Arizona offers a wide range of holiday festivities and events to get you through the season!

Tucson

Calling all Tamale Lovers!

Casino Del Sol presents the 16th Tucson Tamal and Heritage Festival on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at AVA Amphitheater from 10 am – 5 pm. This festival is free and open to the public, welcoming all to celebrate the rich flavors, aromas, and variations of tamales from the Southwest and Mexico. Featuring a tamale contest, live local entertainment, food vendors, artisan vendors, farmers market vendors, and other family fun, there is something for everyone!

Phoenix and Scottsdale

Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix
Visit the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix and experience the Garden’s trails filled with thousands of glistening hand-lit luminarias accompanied with live music performances, and entertainment.

Scottsdazzle
If you enjoy live entertainment, music, seasonal décor, activities, events and even more, you should consider adding Scottsdazzle to your bucket list. Scottsdazzle is hosting a month-long holiday extravaganza for its 6th year in a row. Dine, shop, and explore the festive fun that Old Town, Scottsdale has to offer.

The 9th Annual Christmas Lights Segway Tour
If you’re a fan of Segways or have always wanted to ride one, what is better than a Segway tour through gleaming Christmas lights with a pit stop for hot cocoa along the way? Located in Scottsdale, this tour is 4.5 miles and is approximately 1 and 1/2 hours long.

Christmas at the Princess, Fairmont Scottsdale
The list of magical holiday activities is endless at Christmas at the Princess. The Winterland is a land of twinkling white lights where you can take a photo in a life-sized snow globe, warm up with fire pit seating, and be welcomed with a 32-foot-long infinity tunnel at the entrance. You can also enjoy an ice bar stocked with seasonal and yummy beverages! The resort’s Fragrance Garden transforms into a Nativity Garden, featuring a narrated light and music show sharing the story of Christmas. If you just can’t get enough of Christmas lights, Christmas at the Princess has all that you can imagine. At Twinkle Town, adventure through a magical land filled with twinkling lights, the Polar Glide 70ft ice slide, Christmas Carousel, Lolli Swings, delectable bites, and beverages as you take in incredible sweeping views of the resort. Don’t forget to say hello to our newest holiday friend Twinkles, Santa’s brightest Christmas Light!

Do you want to experience the North Pole way of living? Visit the Desert Ice Skating & Fire Pits. Made with real ice, the resort’s 6,000 sq. ft. Desert Ice

Skating Rink provides you the opportunity to experience a classic winter tradition surrounded by the beauty of the desert, featuring Fire & Ice Rink-Side VIP Fire Pits. Continue basking in the North Pole lifestyle by traveling through La Hacienda Plaza to an enchanting land where you can roast marshmallows around a campfire in a Christmas Tree Forest and take a glittering whirl on Frosty’s Ferris Wheel. Hungry for something a bit heavier than marshmallows? Visit the Lodge Alpine Bar & Kitchen with craft-style favorites, surrounded by warm chimineas in a cozy and outdoor setting. The menu includes rye pretzels, loaded tater tots, elk burgers, crispy chicken schnitzel, bison meatloaf, and more!

Flagstaff

The Weatherford Hotel’s 23rd Annual Pinecone Drop for New Year’s Eve
Located in Flagstaff at the Great Pinecone Drop, thousands gather in the streets to count down into the New Year as the Pinecone lowers, followed by a spectacular fireworks display as friends and family welcome the new year!

The Arizona Snowbowl
Arizona Snowbowl is a spectacular escape for group or family reunions as well as a couples destination. Whether you are looking for a memorable wedding, casual business retreat or a dinner with dancing, Arizona Snowbowl can arrange an event for you to remember. Offering a wide range of meal options, from boxed lunches to elegant plated dinners, and scenic views at 9,300 feet, there are options for all!

Williams

Polar Express Train Tour in Williams
Live out a childhood dream and take a ride on the Polar Express Train Tour in Williams, that will transport you right into the movie. The 1.5-hour tour includes a reading of the classic story!

Prescott

The 39th Annual Christmas Parade, Downtown Prescott
Love a festive Christmas parade? The 39th Annual Christmas Parade, located in Downtown Prescott will be sure to exceed your expectations with live music, performances, and visits from Santa’s elves, the Grinch, Santa himself, and more!

Clarkdale

The Magical Christmas Journey
Your Magical Christmas Journey to the North Pole embarks from the Verde Canyon Railroad depot in Clarkdale. At the depot, you will meet Flurry, the bald eagle, and receive a lesson on “wing-flapping” before entering the miniature village of tiny houses. There will be eagle wings for children to wear and soar through the tiny Christmas town. Onboard the 1- hour round-trip train excursion, elves and car attendants in their seasonal outfits will be entertaining riders and serving seasonal specialty drinks. Upon arrival to the North Pole, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, accompanied by their elves, will welcome you to their winter wonderland. Here you can see Santa’s Workshop, Mrs. Claus’ Bakery, the Reindeer Flight School, and the Ugly Sweater Factory!

Lake Havasu City

Lake Havasu Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
Along the Colorado River, in the city of Lake Havasu, there will be a Christmas Boat Parade of decorated boats of all sizes. Led by the Havasu Fire Department fireboat spraying its water cannons, about 30 boats will sail covered in glistening lights, ranging from tiny tug boats to 52-ft yachts.

An extravagant holiday adventure like no other awaits you in Arizona. From the Polar Express Train to the enchanting villages gleaming with lights, Arizona is the place to feel the ultimate holiday spirit.

Somerton
The 14th Annual Somerton Tamale Festival will take place on Saturday December, 18, 2021 in the Yuma Valley. The event is sponsored by the El Diablito Alumni Chapter of Arizona State University who, in partnership with many local sponsors, have helped students achieve their goal of attending college for the past nineteen years by providing over $400,000 in scholarships to local students. The event pays homage to the cultural tradition of preparing and enjoying tamales with family during the holidays. The all-day event features music, cultural dances, and a variety of tamales that attract thousands of visitors from near and far.