Looking for a way to jump into the holiday spirit? Why not take a photo with Santa and watch as twinkling lights illuminate a larger-than-life Christmas tree?
There are more than a dozen tree lighting events planned across the Valley. We've gathered them up and included them below. (Looking for light displays? We're working on that roundup right now!)
Do you have a spectacular at-home light display you want to share with everyone? Send an email to Josh.Frigerio@abc15.com with a photo of your display and address so we can include it!
Pollock Tempe Cinemas
Pollack Tempe Cinemas (Nov. 17)
On Thursday, Nov. 17, Michael Pollack will flip the switch to turn on more than 500,000 lights that illuminate the shopping center. The lights will be turned on at 6:30 p.m. and free screenings of Home Alone, Holiday Inn, Arthur Christmas and Scrooged will happen at 7 p.m. Doors to the theatres will open at 5:30 p.m. Seating is limited and expected to fill. View details here.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Christmas at the Princess (Nov. 22)
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess will light its four-story tall Christmas tree on Tuesday, Nov. 22. The tree has 70,000 lights that dance to 16 different holiday songs. From 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m., there will be various kids activities, including character meet-and-greets, ice skating performances, music and the tree lighting.
Westgate Entertainment District
Westgate's Holiday Tree Lighting(Nov. 22)
Get into the holiday spirit on Nov. 22 as Westgate Entertainment District lights its 33-foot holiday tree in the middle of Fountain Park. There will be ice skating and a visit from Santa. The tree lighting takes place at 6:30 p.m. More details here.
On Dec. 29, Westgate will have a Menorah lighting at 5 p.m.
Tempe Marketplace
Tempe Marketplace's Holiday Tree Lighting(Nov. 23)
On Nov. 23, Tempe Marketplace and 99.9 KEZ will light its 60-foot holiday tree. The tree lighting takes place at 6:30 p.m. followed by a snowfall at 7 p.m. There will also be an ice skating performance.Details here.
Downtown Glendale
Glendale Glitters (Nov. 25-26)
On Nov. 25, downtown Glendale will turn on its 1.5 million LED lights across 16 blocks to kick off the holiday season. The lighting ceremony will happen at 5:30 p.m. After that, there will be entertainment, food, pictures with Santa, a petting zoo and kids' activities until 10 p.m. The event happens again on Nov. 26 from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Details here.
Downtown Mesa
Downtown Mesa's Merry Main Street (Nov. 25)
Downtown Mesa will kick off the holiday season on Friday, Nov. 25 with its annual Merry Main Street festivities. The event goes on from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. There will be a tree lighting, ice skating, music and food trucks! Details here.
Mesa Temple Grounds
Mesa Temple Garden Lights (Nov. 25)
Mesa's Arizona Temple Grounds will turn on its lights on Friday, Nov. 25. It will be open each night from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. through Dec. 31. More details here.
The Wigwam Tree Lighting(Nov. 25)
The Wigwam will light its Christmas tree on Nov. 25. There will also be hot chocolate and performances from local school choirs. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and goes until 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Ahwatukee Festival of Lights(Nov. 26)
The Ahwatukee Festival of Lights will hold its kick-off party on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. in Desert Foothills Park. There will be rides and inflatables for the kids, a beer and wine garden, local vendors and a motorcycle parade. At dusk, the lights along Chandler Boulevard from 24th Street to Desert Foothills Parkway will be turned on. More details here.
Downtown Tempe's Fantasy of Lights Opening Night Parade (Nov. 26)
Head to Tempe's Mill Avenue for their Festival of Lights Parade with lighted floats, cars and marching bands. The parade starts at 6 p.m. near Mill Avenue at Rio Salado. More details here.
Scottsdale Quarter
Santa Social at Scottsdale Quarter(Nov. 26)
The Scottsdale Quarter shopping area will host its tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 26. Santa will visit from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. for free photos and there will be live music from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. The center's three-story tree will be lit at 6:30 p.m., followed by a screening of Home Alone. More details here.
Downtown Chandler
Chandler's Tumbleweed Tree (Dec. 3)
Chandler has one of the more interesting and festive holiday light displays in the Valley -- a 25-foot tree made from 1,000 tumbleweeds! The Tumbleweed Tree is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2016 and will ring in the holiday season on Dec. 3. The festival starts at 4:30 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. More details.
Goodyear
Goodyear's Home Plate for the Holidays (Dec. 3)
Goodyear will light its holiday tree on Dec. 3. From 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Goodyear Ballpark there will be 40 tons of snow for the kids to play in, live music, games and, of course, the tree lighting. The event is free. Tickets to go on the inflatables are $5 for three tickets or $10 for an unlimited wristband. More details.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad
The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Holiday Lights(Dec. 9)
Take a ride on Scottsdale's McCormick-Stillman Railroad on a winter wonderland of lights. Opening night is Dec. 9 from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. and will have live music, a tree lighting ceremony and a visit from Santa. Train rides are $4 and the carousel is $2. More details.
El Mirage Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration (Dec. 9)
El Mirage will hold its annual Christmas Tree lighting celebration on Dec. 9 from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. There will be six tons of snow, free photos with Santa, bounce houses, face painting, crafts, and music! More details.
Downtown Tempe's Festival of Lights Boat Parade (Dec. 10)
Tempe's Festival of Lights Boat Parade takes place from 4:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. on Dec. 10. More than 50 lighted boats will float along Tempe Town Lake followed by a fireworks show. The event starts at 4:30 p.m. with music, Santa, food trucks and the Four Peaks Beer truck. More details.
