Today we’re sharing our ultimate East Valley holiday events for families this season.
We’ve narrowed down our favorite signature holiday events, and added in the best FREE holiday fun, plus a few winter break day trips to keep things interesting.
Keep reading for our Arizona holiday bucket list for families.
You all know we love a good seasonal bucket list, and we’re so excited to hack your festive, holiday fun planning with this printable guide to help you maximize the holiday season with your kids.
Our list takes you from holiday lights with the admission price to daytime Santa festivities for younger tots, plus our picks for winter break fun.
A big thank you to The Village Parent Happiness Center in Mesa for sponsoring our holiday bucket list this year, just one more way they make things easier on parents and fun for kids.
The Village offers parent/child classes, mommy work spaces with supervised childcare, parenting education, indoor play space and more. Located on Recker/Brown in Mesa, be sure to visit them this holiday season!
XO,
East Valley Moms
PS: Having a holiday block party? Get FREE coffee provided by mill, a food recycler. They’ll bring a food recycler to your party, you’ll get one FREE for six months and you’ll help reduce food waste that goes into landfills. Let them know about your block party here.
The Best FREE Holiday Events in the East Valley
- FREE Santa Photos at Bass Pro Shops, offered daily through December 24; must reserve in advance online
- A Very Merry Playdate at Epicenter, hosted by East Valley Moms. Wednesday, December 11, 9:30 – 11 a.m. Join us for a FREE playdate with story time, live sing-a-longs, holiday character visits and more festive fun!
- Holiday Movies in the Park at Merry Main Street in Mesa: December 6 showing Elf; December 13 showing How the Grinch Stole Christmas, December 20 showing A Christmas Carol. Details here.
- Stroll in the Glow: December 5, 5-8 p.m.; The Stroll will feature the traditional “lighting of the Avenue” around 5:45, on the Avenue of the Fountains – including the official Town of Fountain Hills Christmas Tree!
- Free Arts Friday: Gifts Galore themed arts event for kids ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Friday, December 13.
- Queen Creek Christmas Parade: On Saturday, Dec. 7, the morning event will feature the ‘A Storybook Christmas’ parade, starting at Queen Creek Town Center.
- Santa Express Train Rides: In the tradition of that magical train, carrying children to meet Santa Claus, join us as we zoom down Merry Main Street in Mesa. In our special Light Rail car, we will sing songs, enjoy cookies, and best of all meet Santa! December 13-15, 5-9 p.m. Wear your festive pajamas or dress to the nines to make memories this Christmas season with the Mesa Santa Express
Holiday events that’ll have you home for nap time
Holiday events at The Village
The Village Parent Happiness Center is hosting weekly holiday festivities, each just $10 (free for their members). Each week has a different theme, learn more about each week’s fun here.
✉️ December 13th: Letters to Santa Play Date, 9 a.m. – noon
🎅 December 19th: Christmas Pajama Play Date, 9 a.m. – noon
🎄 December 21st: Christmas Party and Family Play Date, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Cost: $10 per child | Free for members
Reserve Your Spot: Online at www.villageparenthood.com
Snow Week at Arizona Science Center
Every December, Arizona Science Center fills its outdoor courtyard with snow for a week of thrilling science and experimentation. Bundle up and join us for all the outdoor fun—building snow people, tossing snowballs and zipping down our slippery snow hill. Head inside for an icy experience with demonstrations and activities that explore states of matter, weather and the winter season. It’s the coolest week to learn about science!
Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience
Deck the halls with tons of COLOR! and enjoy holiday fun the Crayola way! Make handmade gifts from the heart, complete a seasonal scavenger hunt and more! It’s a holiday hullabaloo with SNOW much to do! Daily during regular admission hours at Crayola Experience Chandler. Details here.
Shamrock Farms Joy to the Herd
Shamrock Farms is transforming its working dairy farm and tour into a winter wonderland with the return of its much-loved “Joy to the Herd” holiday event on the weekend of December 7-8. The fun runs from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
The event includes special added features including visits with Santa (and Roxie the spokescow), holiday crafts, face painting and more, along with a stop at the brand-new Roxie’s Calf Barn Exhibit!
Play & Stay’s PJ Party
Head to Play & Stay on December 13, 9 – 11:30am for a morning of festive fun for just the price of regular play admission. Party details here.
🎄 Wear your cozy festive pj’s!
🎁 Professional pic with Santa included! 10am – 11:30am
❄️ Holiday Craft & Activities
🎄 Cookie decorating
Santa & Snow Flurries at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix
Get ready for a magical winter weekend at the Museum on December 7th and 8th. Your little ones can share their wishes with Santa and dance under enchanting snow flurries in our Atrium! Details here.
Our winter wonderland schedule of events includes:
- Santa Visits from 10:00am-12:00pm and 12:30pm-2:00pm each day
- Snow flurries will occur every 15 minutes throughout both days
- The Art Studio will provide hands-on holiday projects all-day
- Sock Skating is open daily through December 29th
FREE fun before nap time
- A Very Merry Playdate at Epicenter, hosted by East Valley Moms. Wednesday, December 11, 9:30 – 11 a.m. Join us for a FREE playdate with story time, live sing-a-longs, holiday character visits and more festive fun!
- Jingle Mingle at the Mall playdate with East Valley Moms at Superstition Springs Center, December 7 9:30 – 11 a.m. in the courtyard next to TJ Maxx and Cheesecake Factory.
- Free Arts Friday: Gifts Galore themed arts event for kids ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Friday, December 13.
- Queen Creek Christmas Parade: On Saturday, Dec. 7, the morning event will feature the ‘A Storybook Christmas’ parade, starting at Queen Creek Town Center.
Ultimate East Valley holiday traditions
If you’re new to the area, these are the beloved classic holiday experiences and attractions that are essential to the East Valley.
Vertuccio Farms Holiday Fest
Vertuccio Farms Holiday Fest runs December 4th – 23rd. The event runs daily & gates open at 5:30 pm. The event will close at 9:30 pm Sunday – Thursday and will close at 10:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Explore the farm, visit a 25 foot tall corn stalk Christmas tree and experience:
Light Displays: Christmas lights illuminate the Farm as you visit our craft barn and write a letter to Santa; Family-Friendly Atmosphere: The play area is open this year so let the kids enjoy our tube slides, jump pads mini golf, ping pong and corn hole fun; Furry Friends: Snuggle up to our furry friends at our petting zoo, or take a pony ride; Fire Pits with Smores: Warm up at the fire pits with smores area.
Fantasy of Lights boat parade at Tempe Town Lake
The Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade is the Valley’s most unique holiday event and celebrated tradition. Enjoy holiday shopping, festive eats and treats, a dazzling boat parade featuring boats of all shapes and sizes, and a spectacular fireworks show. This event is free and family-friendly.
Mesa Temple Lights
The Mesa Temple Christmas Lights return in 2024 from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM each evening from Friday, Nov. 29, through Monday, Dec. 30. Come and enjoy a wonderful feeling of peace and Christmas enchantment at the Mesa Temple & Visitors’ Center. See the Christmas lights and feel the spirit of Christmas at the International Nativity Display. All activities are open to the public, free of charge, and family-friendly.
Full review with tips for bringing your family coming soon on the blog!
ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo
Get in the holiday spirit as millions of twinkling lights transform the Zoo into a dazzling spectacle, guiding you through the illuminated pathways alongside animal habitats and Zoo trails. November 27 – January 12, 2025. 5:30 – 10:30 p.m. nightly. Tickets.
Full review with tips for brining kids coming soon to the blog!
Live Family-Friendly Holiday Performances
Don’t miss out on holiday live performances! Here are our favorites:
The Nutcracker by Southwest Youth Ballet Theatre: Dec 20, 7 p.m.; Dec 21, 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Dec 22 3 p.m. at Higley Center for the Performing Arts. With live music by Chandler Symphony Orchestra.
The Arizona Nutcracker at Madison Center for the Arts: Dec 21-22, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Meet Santa and the cast of the ballet after each 1 p.m. performance.
Elf Jr. by East Valley Children’s Theatre: December 5-15 at the Mesa Arts Center; performances at 2, 4 and 7 p.m. on select days. See the classic movie performed live on stage, by kids, for kids.
Gilbert Live Nativity: FREE, December 8-9 featuring live animals, actors and car audio available in English and Spanish.
The Nutcracker by Ballet Etudes: A feast for the eyes and ears with colorful costumes paired with Tchaikovsky’s original score, Ballet Etudes’ Nutcracker is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season with the entire family. Chandler Center for the Arts November 29 – December 8 and Mesa Arts Center December 14 – December 22.
Winter Break Camps for kids in the East Valley
- Bouldering Project Az: For kids 4-12, half day and full day options available. December 23 – January 6. Daily sign-ups available, not required full full week registrations. details here.
- FC Barcelona Winter Soccer Camp: Returning to Arizona this winter (December 27-30). The camps (9 AM – 3 PM) will be led by elite coaches from Spain (Barcelona Academy), offering a safe, enjoyable, and educational environment for campers to learn and train. Boys and girls aged 6-14 of all skill levels will have the chance to train using the unique Barça Methodology that has developed world-class players like Leo Messi and Lamine Yamal. ⏰ Use the exclusive promo code EVMFCB to receive a $100 discount exclusively for our East Valley community before November 30th!
2024 Tree Lighting Ceremonies in the East Valley
All tree lighting ceremonies across the East Valley are free! Here’s a city breakdown of when each celebration is. Check our FREE events calendar for details on each ceremony.
Thank you again to The Village for making this guide possible through their sponsorship. Utilize this incredible space before they are forced to move from their current space on January 31. That’s still so much time to utilize this incredible resource for working parents.
