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Christmas lights · Phoenix, AZ

Christmas lights in Phoenix

Christmas lights in the desert: the zoo, luminarias among the cactus at the botanical garden, and two big free displays — the Mesa Temple grounds and downtown Glendale.

4 displays · 2 free · 0 with 2026 dates announced

Where to see them

Walk-through: gardens, zoo, parks

Mostly ticketed per person, and on foot. Check the hours before you set out.

Park·Downtown MesaFree

Mesa Temple Christmas Lights

Thousands of lights and a large outdoor nativity on the temple's north lawn, running since 1979; the visitors' center shows more than 150 nativities from around the world.

2025 season
Nov 28 – Dec 30, 2025
5 – 10 pm nightly
Last year's dates — this year's aren't out yet.
Cost
Free
Where
Mesa Arizona Temple, 101 S. LeSueur, Mesa, AZ

Getting in and parking

  • Free parking is available nearby.

On the map

Checked 2026-09-23 · The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2025)

Walk-through·Historic Downtown GlendaleFree

Glendale Glitters

Millions of lights through the old downtown, with vendors and weekend Santa visits.

2025 season
Nov 28 – Dec 31, 2025
5 – 10 pm nightly
Last year's dates — this year's aren't out yet.
Cost
Free
Where
5750 W Glenn Dr, Glendale, AZ 85301

On the map

Checked 2026-09-23 · City of Glendale

Official site
Zoo·Papago Park

ZooLights

The zoo lit up for the season; one ticket is good for any public night.

2025 season
Nov 26, 2025 – Jan 16, 2026
5:30 – 10:30 pm
Last year's dates — this year's aren't out yet.
Where
Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008

On the map

Checked 2026-09-23 · phoenixzoo.org

Official site
Garden·Desert Botanical Garden

Las Noches de las Luminarias

Thousands of luminarias and lights along the desert garden paths.

Season
Select nights in December; this year's dates and prices are on dbg.org.
Where
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008

On the map

Checked 2026-09-23 · dbg.org

Official site

Before you go

Why some dates say 2025

Most displays announce the season in October or November. Until they do, we show last year's dates and say so, rather than guess this year's. Every card shows the day we last checked it and where the facts came from.

Santa services in the US

Christmas lights in other cities

Questions

Which Christmas lights in Phoenix are free?
Mesa Temple Christmas Lights (Downtown Mesa), Glendale Glitters (Historic Downtown Glendale). None of them sell tickets, but some charge for parking and the busiest neighborhoods have long lines, so check each card and go on a weeknight.
When do the Phoenix light displays open this year?
Most venues publish their dates in October and November. Until then this page shows last year's dates, marked as such.