Are you headed to Arizona for your upcoming holiday? That’s a great choice! Not only can you enjoy the best winter wonderland, filled with ski slopes and snowshoeing trails, but you can take advantage of all that this beautiful town has to offer. You can head to some of the best restaurants and shops in the entire state — and the entire country!
Let’s check out the top Christmas things to do during your stay in Scottsdale. You can head to local events, do some of the best nearby activities, and check out some sights that you may not see during other times of the year.
Carefree Christmas Festival
People wait all year to go to the Carefree Christmas Festival! This annual festival is one of the best times for people to chill out, relax, and really enjoy the holiday cheer. Forget about any sad faces or crying children — the Carefree Christmas Festival in Scottsdale is a family-friendly event that is fun for people of all ages.
Not only can you take part in the traditional Christmas tree lighting ceremony, but you can take part in other holiday celebrations too! The holiday season isn’t just for Christmas — the Carefree Festival includes a Chanukah menorah lighting, fireworks displays, and holiday gift markets that are perfect for bringing back presents and souvenirs to your friends and family back at home.
Head here with your kids, young or old, to enjoy the play zone, dance performances, live holiday music, sing-along events, and breakfast with Santa! You can sit your kid on Santa’s lap and take a perfect photo that will never get old. Plus, enjoy the endless holiday foods during your time at this festival, including turkey, stuffing, candy popcorn, hot chocolate, and much more.
The best thing? It’s free! Just take public transportation or drive here from Scottsdale to enjoy walking around the downtown area, marveling at the Carefree Desert Gardens, and taking part in the holiday festivities.
Railroad Park Holiday Lights
If you come to Scottsdale with kids, then you may need to figure out the best things to do with children that are family-friendly activities. In this case, heading to the Railroad Park offers something fun for everyone! Check out the holiday lights and the lighting ceremony at the McCormick Stillman Railroad Holiday Park this upcoming Christmas season. If you went to the Carefree festival on night one, this should be night two! This event usually takes place all throughout December and includes tree lighting, live holiday music, live bands, informational museum, and a train ride for the kids.
The Stroll in the Glow Festival
Last but not least, we have the Stroll in the Glow Festival. This is one of the best things to do during the Christmas season in Scottsdale! Although other events may be on your mind, this one is a MUST go — seriously, it is the highlight of many locals’ year!
The Stroll in the Glow Festival is a magical and fun-filled event that brings in crowds from all over the state and the entire country. Held in the streets of Fountain Hills, this small and tiny town works its hardest to put on an incredible and exciting light display — sometimes amassing more than 70,000 lights — that makes everyone ooh and aah.
We love heading here and walking down the picturesque Avenue of the Fountains, taking photos of the light displays and listening to the holiday cheer throughout the streets. You can listen to some local live bands, munch on some holiday snacks, and go to the nativity scene to get some photos with your kids.
If you really want to try your luck at this whole “holiday” thing, then lace up your ice skates and try your luck at being Michele Kwan! Or you can put on your skate and hold onto the edge the entire time. No matter what, it will be a fun-filled and exciting activity for you and your friends or family!
Plan a Magical Scottsdale Christmas
Doesn’t Christmas time in Scottsdale sound like fun? We think so too! Coming here with your family, friends, or kids, makes this the best destination for the upcoming holiday season. Instead of just staying inside all December and January long, huddling together to avoid the cold weather and icy roads, we recommend going somewhere that truly celebrates the holiday season.
Christmas is a time that should be spent with family, doing outdoor activities, exploring new places, and enjoying one another’s company. We think that Scottsdale, Arizona is the best for all three. Plus, you can go to annual events that are sure to put you in the best holiday cheer! Check out Scottsdale Rentals to find the best properties for you and your group. We guarantee that we’ll help you have the best vacation of your entire year.
