Arizona’s best places to brighten your holidays
There are plenty of stunning holiday light displays in the Phoenix area, but what about elsewhere in the state? Whether you’re headed to the old mining town of Jerome, the historic Prescott area or the bigger cities of Tucson and Flagstaff, there are plenty of places to see dazzling light displays, enjoy parades, participate in festivals and more.
‘Tis the season to get out and ramble around Arizona to look at Christmas lights and holiday displays. Here are some of the very best.
Jerome
Hurry up the road to kick off the season Jerome-style with Jerome Lights Up the Mountain on Saturday, Nov. 24.
Festivities get rolling at 3:30 p.m. with a photo op with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the firehouse. Groups of Mingus Union High School students will be caroling through the town.
Merchants light the sidewalk luminarias at 5 p.m. and an hour later, as twilight begins to envelop the town, everyone gathers in Upper Park (above the steps on Main Street) for the lighting of the Christmas tree and pretty much the whole darned park. That’s just how Jerome does things. The lights will be on nightly throughout the season.
Details: Saturday, Nov. 24. Free. 928-634-2900, www.jeromechamber.com.
Prescott
As Arizona’s “Official Christmas City,” Prescott is almost as busy in December as the North Pole. There is something going on nearly every weekend and if there’s not, it’s worth the trip just to see Courthouse Plaza swaddled in lights.
The annual Christmas parade takes place from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. It’s such a big deal that even that holiday power couple the Kringles show up to pose for photos. The courthouse lighting is at 6 that evening, accompanied by plenty of pageantry and lovely music.
Details: Free. 928-445-2000, www.prescott.org. Music is the theme for another of Prescott’s beloved events. From 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, the 30th Acker Night fills Courthouse Plaza with song.
Downtown merchants open their doors to host more than 100 entertainers of every genre. The musicians donate their time and talents to raise money for scholarships, instruments and musical lessons for Prescott’s youngsters. Browse the shops, sample refreshments and revel in the musical buffet.
Details: Free; donations are accepted. 928-778-5460, www.ackernight.com.
Prescott Valley
While Prescott garners much of the holiday spotlight, neighboring Prescott Valley puts on an impressive show, too. From 6-10 p.m. nightly through Dec. 30, the Valley of Lights stretches for a mile through Fain Park.
Visitors drive into a galaxy of twinkling lights and animated displays. Stay warm and cozy in your vehicle while enjoying the holiday magic, except for one special night reserved for pedestrians.
Last year the Holiday Stroll was initiated and it proved so popular that it’s back on Tuesday, Nov. 27. Get out of your car, see the lights and displays up close and don’t forget your camera.
Details: Free; donations are accepted. 2200 Fifth St. 928-772-8857, www.pvchamber.org.
Sedona
N.
One of Arizona’s newest holiday traditions combines art and nature in surprising high-tech ways.
Sedona Northern Lights uses the famous red rocks as a canvas with the largest 3D projection mapping display to ever be performed on natural terrain in the United States.
From Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 13-16, holidaythemed 3D art will be projected onto Camelhead Rock (next to Snoopy Rock) and will be visible throughout Uptown Sedona, Gallery Row and from some areas in West Sedona.
The shows take place at the top of each hour from 6-9 p.m. and are accompanied by a soundtrack that can be heard at select viewing areas and by tuning to KAZM 780 AM.
Sedona Northern Lights is presented by PaintScaping, a Los Angeles company. It’s designed to celebrate sustainability, the area’s dark skies and leaves no harmful impacts on the environment.
Details: Free. 928-282-7722, www.visitsedona.com.
If you’re looking for something a bit more old-fashioned, show up on Saturday, Dec. 8. That’s when the Festival of Lights is held at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village. More than 6,000 flickering luminarias set the graceful courtyards ablaze from 3-8 p.m.
There is musical entertainment, free cider and a jolly old elf named Santa on hand through the afternoon. The lighting begins at the tolling of the bell at 5 p.m. Special luminarias honoring cancer survivors can be purchased at Patio del Norte.
Details: Free. 336 State Route 179. 928-282-4838, www.tlaq.com.
Lake Havasu City
There are plenty of Christmas parades across the state but not many of them floats. Lake Havasu City’s Boat Parade of Lights is in its 36th year and takes place at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
As many as 50 brightly decorated boats cruise through Bridgewater Channel under London Bridge all the way to Windsor Beach before returning. It’s not the kind of spectacle you expect to see in Arizona, making it all the more impressive.
Enhancing the event are the festive lights that adorn the English Village and London Bridge. More than 500,000 lights set the water aglow each evening through Jan. 5.
Details: Free. www.golakehavasu.com.
Flagstaff
The Luminaria Stroll is only in its third year but it’s the perfect antidote for anyone having trouble getting into the holiday spirit.
From 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, stroll through the charming downtown of this mountain community where the sidewalks are lined with thousands of luminarias. The Master Chorale of Flagstaff will be out caroling and the only thing that could make it more of a Hallmark moment is a gentle dusting of snow, which is a distinct possibility.
Details: Free. 928-275-2655, www.downtownflagstaff.org.
Before leaving Flagstaff, stop at Little America Hotel where more than a million lights blanket 500 acres of woodlands. The display will be up at least through New Year’s Day.
Details: Free. 2515 E. Butler 928-779-7900, flagstaff.littleamerica.com.
Tucson
Ave.
One of the oldest holiday traditions in Arizona wasn’t started by a city government or chamber of commerce but by a bunch of Tucson neighbors. The midtown neighborhood of Winterhaven has been wowing visitors since 1949 with lavish displays adorning homes and gardens.
The Winterhaven Festival of Lights is open from 6-10 p.m. Dec. 8-26. Walkers can stroll the streets at their own pace. Or sign up for a ride on a trolley, hayride wagon or pedal-powered group bike. Make a reservation by contacting the ride operators via the website. Autos are permitted only on Dec. 26.
In keeping with the spirit of the season, the Winterhaven Festival of Lights works to benefit the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. In 2017, Winterhaven residents donated $23,820 and 49,631 pounds of food.
Details: Free; donations of food or money are accepted. www.winterhavenfestival.org.
Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul botanical gardens are the very essence of a Southwest Christmas.
A million lights drape saguaros, ocotillos and paloverde trees as luminarias guide visitors along shimmering pathways through the park’s 49 acres. Seasonal music adds to the festive atmosphere, food is served in the Garden Bistro and museum shops are open for those looking for special gift items.
You’ll have half-dozen chances to partake in the magic. This year’s Holiday Nights are Nov. 30-Dec. 1, Dec. 7-8, and Dec. 14-15. Times for all are 5:308:30 p.m.
Details: $16, $3 for age 12 and younger. 7366 Paseo del Norte. 520-742-6455, www.tohonochulpark.org.