The Mesa Mormon Temple is best known for its annual Christmas light display along with its nightly live performance with many live animals (including camels). The two block area of the temple is decorated with over 3 million Christmas lights and draped over tall palms, ponds and rose gardens. It's a big draw for people from all four corners in Arizona every year as well as visitors from other states. The event runs nightly from the last week in November through the first week in January. The temple is located just east of Stapley Road on the south side of Main Street in Mesa.
Glendale Glitters will celebrate its 10th year with a month long festival including over a million lights sprawled over 12 blocks in the heart of the city. There is a shuttle service to transport visitors from the parking areas to the center of the event. The lights and decorations are breathtaking. There are many live concerts and performances, food, live entertainment, visits from Santa, hot air balloons, horse and buggy rides pulled by Clydesdale horses and plenty of shopping opportunity. The event is located at 56th Avenue and Glendale Road in Glendale.
The Gilbert Islands Community located on Warner Road just west of Cooper Road in Gilbert holds its annual lighted boat shoe at it's three man-made lakes. Santa and Mrs. Clause also make a visit for photo opportunities. Cookies, hot cocoa and coffee are served to guests. The event is free of charge. Each of the three lakes hold its own boat parade on a specific Saturday night at sunset during the month of December. The residents homes sit on the lakes and many own house boats. Residents decorate their boats and enter the competition. The residents on the boats are known for tossing candy onto the shores where the spectators line up to view the parade. Many boats have families playing their instruments and singing Christmas songs.
Rawhide located in Scottsdale holds its annual "Christmas on Main Street" the month of December through the first week in January. Festivities include live music, fudge making, carolers, old wild west gun fights and falling snow along Main Street. There is also a petting zoo, many boutiques and interesting shops, fabulous steaks, old salon, and children's activities. This is a must for anyone visiting Scottsdale. Reservations are highly recommended.
Payson, Arizona is a wonderful place to head for exciting Christmas events. The festivities start with a courthouse tree lighting which takes place the first week in December. Main Street is lined with Christmas carolers, falling snow, live music and entertainment and local vendors with their artistic creations. Hot cocoa, coffee and cookies are offered along the Main Street walk-way. There are many shops filled with excellent gift items and tons of things for the kids to do.
The second week in December they hold their annual Christmas Tree decorating contest where guests can purchase tickets to go on a home tour which usually consist of 14 Payson homes. Then visitors can vote on the best decorated tree and home. Horse and buggy transport guests from one area to the next.
The city of Chandler holds its annual "tumbleweed" lighting ceremony the first week in December along with A.J. Park's 25 foot Christmas Tree lighting event. The evening starts out with a large light parade down Arizona Avenue in downtown Chandler and ends with a surprise visit from Santa on top of one of the town's fire trucks. The festivities also include food vendors, bounce toys for the kids, live entertainment, lots of shopping opportunities, live performances and plenty of fun things for the kids to do.
The annual Phoenix Light Parade sponsored by Arizona Public Service takes place in the downtown area at 19th Avenue and Indian School Road. This is one of the valley's largest Christmas Parades. The parade begins at sunset the first weekend in December.
Greasepaint in Scottsdale and Hale's Theater in Gilbert open their Christmas live performances the end of November and run through the first week in January. Some of the past plays have included, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "A Christmas Carol." Tickets must be purchased ahead of time.
