Phoenix, December 12, 2025
Phoenix, AZ, is brimming with festive cheer as the holiday season approaches. The city’s vibrant celebrations include festive parades, stunning light displays, classic performances, and interactive events. Highlights await at the APS Electric Light Parade, Desert Farm Lights, and the enchanting Ballet Arizona’s ‘The Nutcracker’. From cultural traditions at Las Noches de las Luminarias to winter wonderlands at Christmas at the Princess, the city offers something for everyone to enjoy. Community partnerships and local creativity shine through these holiday activities, inviting everyone to celebrate the season together.
Top 6 Christmas Activities in Phoenix for 2025
Your Guide to Festive Fun in Phoenix This Holiday Season
As 2025 draws to a close, Phoenix, AZ, shines with a variety of vibrant Christmas celebrations that highlight community creativity and spirit. From festive parades to enchanting light displays, these events offer locals and visitors alike the chance to engage with seasonal cheer, all while reminding us of the value of individual initiative and the strength of civic partnerships in coordinating successful events.
In an era where entertainment options are plentiful, these holiday activities in Phoenix effectively blend tradition with innovation. Local organizers showcase their commitment to enhancing community bonds, striving to create memorable experiences with minimal red tape. The result is a host of activities that foster personal connections and community pride during this joyful season.
1. APS Electric Light Parade
Date: December 6, 2025, at 7 p.m.
Location: Central Avenue, Phoenix
Highlights: Experience illuminated floats, marching bands, dancers, and community groups in this annual parade. This event is a true celebration of local talent and festive spirit, offering a vibrant display that engages the entire city.
2. Desert Farm Lights
Date: November 21–December 28, 2025 (closed Christmas Day)
Location: Surprise, AZ
Highlights: A 13-acre holiday wonderland featuring millions of lights, an ice rink, Santa, and a candy cane maze. This immersive experience emphasizes creativity and collaboration among local event planners and businesses.
3. Ballet Arizona’s “The Nutcracker”
Date: December 12–27, 2025
Location: Symphony Hall, Phoenix
Highlights: Enjoy the classic ballet performance accompanied by live music from The Phoenix Symphony. This annual spectacle showcases the profound impact of the arts on community culture and human achievement.
4. Las Noches de las Luminarias
Date: December 5–7, 2025
Location: Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
Highlights: Stroll through trails lined with traditional luminarias, enjoy live music, and savor holiday treats. This event draws on cultural traditions, offering a communal experience that celebrates Phoenix’s diversity.
5. Christmas at the Princess
Date: November 21, 2025–January 3, 2026
Location: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Highlights: Experience a winter wonderland with ice skating, rides, fire pits, s’mores, a holiday light lagoon, and larger-than-life décor. This event illustrates the partnership between the hospitality sector and community engagement, providing visitors with a unique seasonal experience.
6. Jingle at JW Desert Ridge
Date: November 21, 2025–January 3, 2026
Location: JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
Highlights: Enjoy ice skating, snow tubing, and a holiday lights stroll along the lazy river at the resort’s AquaRidge Waterpark. This event highlights local ingenuity in creating festive environments that attract families and foster community connections.
Conclusion
The holiday season in Phoenix offers an array of diverse and dynamic events that stand as a testament to the power of community, innovation, and individual initiative. Each of the highlighted activities not only brings joy and celebration but also showcases how local leadership and collaboration can create memorable experiences that foster community ties. As we prepare for the festivities, let’s embrace the opportunity to engage with our neighbors and support local initiatives that enrich our city’s cultural landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the APS Electric Light Parade?
The APS Electric Light Parade is an annual event featuring illuminated floats, marching bands, dancers, and community groups, held on December 6, 2025, at 7 p.m. along Central Avenue in Phoenix.
When is Desert Farm Lights open?
Desert Farm Lights is open from November 21 to December 28, 2025, excluding Christmas Day, featuring a 13-acre holiday wonderland with millions of lights, an ice rink, Santa, and a candy cane maze.
Where is Ballet Arizona’s “The Nutcracker” performed?
Ballet Arizona’s “The Nutcracker” is performed at Symphony Hall in Phoenix from December 12 to December 27, 2025, accompanied by live music from The Phoenix Symphony.
What is Las Noches de las Luminarias?
Las Noches de las Luminarias is an event at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, held from December 5 to December 7, 2025, featuring trails lined with traditional luminarias, live music, and holiday treats.
When is Christmas at the Princess held?
Christmas at the Princess is held from November 21, 2025, to January 3, 2026, at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, featuring a winter wonderland with ice skating, rides, fire pits, s’mores, a holiday light lagoon, and larger-than-life décor.
What is Jingle at JW Desert Ridge?
Jingle at JW Desert Ridge is an event at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, held from November 21, 2025, to January 3, 2026, featuring ice skating, snow tubing, and a holiday lights stroll along the lazy river at the resort’s AquaRidge Waterpark.
| Event | Date | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| APS Electric Light Parade | December 6, 2025 | Central Avenue, Phoenix | Illuminated floats, marching bands, community groups |
| Desert Farm Lights | November 21–December 28, 2025 (closed Christmas Day) | Surprise, AZ | Holiday wonderland, ice rink, Santa, candy cane maze |
| Ballet Arizona’s “The Nutcracker” | December 12–27, 2025 | Symphony Hall, Phoenix | Classic ballet with live music |
| Las Noches de las Luminarias | December 5–7, 2025 | Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix | Trails lined with luminarias, live music, holiday treats |
| Christmas at the Princess | November 21, 2025–January 3, 2026 | Fairmont Scottsdale Princess | Winter wonderland, ice skating, holiday light lagoon |
| Jingle at JW Desert Ridge | November 21, 2025–January 3, 2026 | JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa | Ice skating, snow tubing, holiday lights stroll |
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Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
