Holiday Lights in Scottsdale 2026
Scottsdale's holiday-lights season runs from the week of Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov 26, 2026) into early January. We checked 5 light displays, tree lightings, parades and festivals in Scottsdale against their official sites, plus 3 holiday events from venue, library, city and ticketing calendars.
2 of the attractions are free, and every card says what the official site lists for dates, hours and prices. Those change, so confirm on the organizer's page before you go. We add city calendars' events as they're posted.
Holiday light displays (2)
Walk-through light shows, luminarias and lit-up downtowns. Dates, hours and prices are as posted on each official site.
Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027, nightly
Christmas at the Princess
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess · 7575 E Princess Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
The resort's holiday festival across 65 acres: light shows in the Enchanted Plaza, ice skating, a big traveling Ferris wheel, s'mores by the fire, holiday characters and photos with Santa (extra fee). Rain or shine.
- Hours:
- Mon–Thu 5–10 pm · Fri–Sun 4–11 pm · daily 4–11 pm from Dec 17
- Price:
- Ticketed (buy ahead; it often sells out) · parking extra: self-park $35, valet $120 if bought before you arrive
Official site ↗Checked Oct 19 on the official site
Nov 27 – Dec 30 (no Holiday Lights Dec 24–25)
Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park · 7301 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85250
The park turns into a winter wonderland of lights and festive displays, seen from the Paradise & Pacific Railroad. Warm up at S'more Land ($8 s'mores kits). Wristbands are required for entry and rides; tickets are sold online through ActiveNet (sales open Oct 27 at 8 am) and the event sells out every year.
- Hours:
- 5:30–9:30 pm
- Price:
- $15 per person ages 3 and up, includes train and carousel rides · 2 and under free · members $5 off
Official site ↗Checked Oct 19 on the official site
Tree lightings (2)
City and neighborhood tree-lighting nights, most of them free.
Sat, Nov 28
Annual Tree Lighting at Scottsdale Quarter
The Quad at Scottsdale Quarter · 15191 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
“A Starlit Holiday”: a light-up violinist, the Jingle Belles, ballet dancers, dancing toy soldiers and the Grinch, then Scottsdale Quarter lights its all-new holiday tree at 7 pm, followed by the season's first snowfall. Gourmet hot chocolate bar, holiday photo ops and free crafts for kids; professional Santa photos are for purchase, and $5 raffle tickets support Phoenix Children's.
- Hours:
- 5:30–7:30 pm · tree lighting at 7 pm
- Price:
- Free (Santa photos for purchase; VIP lounge tickets sold separately)
Official site ↗Checked Oct 26 on the official site
Sat, Nov 28
Scottsdazzle Tree Lighting Spectacular
Scottsdale Waterfront Canal Bank · 7135 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdazzle's opening night, celebrating Scottsdale's 75th: the 10-piece band Phat Cat Swinger, a Toyland play area for little ones, treats from Old Town vendors, Santa and Mrs. Claus, a pop-up makers' market and the lighting of the 36-foot Scottsdazzle tree. On-street parking in Old Town is free.
- Hours:
- 7–9 pm
- Price:
- Free
Official site ↗Checked Oct 19 on the official site
Holiday markets & festivals (1)
Holiday markets, festival nights and month-long downtown celebrations.
Nov 28 – Dec 31
Scottsdazzle in Old Town Scottsdale
Old Town Scottsdale, Scottsdale
The city's holiday season in Old Town: seasonal décor and sparkling lights along the streets plus a calendar of events, many free, such as Meet Santa at the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market, Winter at the Waterfront nights, a Starlight Movie Night, a public Hanukkah celebration and a Live Nativity and Choir Concert.
- Price:
- Many events free; some ticketed
Official site ↗Checked Oct 19 on the official site
Holiday shows & concerts (3)
The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, holiday concerts and touring Christmas shows. Ticket prices are from the seller's listing.
Sun, Nov 29, 2:00 PM · +1 more date through Nov 30
Oy to the World: A Hanukkah Musical Revue
ASU Kerr · check pricesKid-friendly
Thu, Dec 10, 7:30 PM
Charles Lewis Quintet +1: Holiday Jazz
ASU Kerr · check pricesKid-friendly
Sun, Dec 13, 3:00 PM
A Christmas Evening in Ireland
ASU Kerr · check pricesKid-friendly
Dates not confirmed yet
Regulars we'd list, but their official sites don't confirm 2026 dates yet. We add them once they do.
- Glistening Gardens at Butterfly Wonderland ↗Not on Butterfly Wonderland's events page for this season yet. (checked Oct 26)
Holiday Lights in Scottsdale: FAQ
When do the holiday lights start in Scottsdale in 2026?
Christmas at the Princess (Nov 20–Jan 2) and Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (Nov 27–Dec 30). Dates are from each official site; check there before you go.
Are there free Christmas lights in Scottsdale?
Yes. Annual Tree Lighting at Scottsdale Quarter (Nov 28) and Scottsdazzle Tree Lighting Spectacular (Nov 28) are free, as listed on their official sites.
When are the 2026 tree lightings in Scottsdale?
Annual Tree Lighting at Scottsdale Quarter (Nov 28) and Scottsdazzle Tree Lighting Spectacular (Nov 28).
Which holiday light events haven't posted 2026 dates yet?
Glistening Gardens at Butterfly Wonderland (Scottsdale). We list them under "Dates not confirmed yet" with their official links and add them once their sites confirm 2026 dates.
How do I know if an event is OK for kids?
Cards say Kid-friendly when the organizer lists the event for families or all ages, and 21+ or Adults only when it's for grown-ups. Light displays and tree lightings here are all-ages unless the card says otherwise.
More in Scottsdale
Holiday Lights nearby
Events come from venue, library, city and ticketing calendars and update several times a day. Seasonal attractions are checked by hand against each official site (date shown on the card). Spot something wrong? Tell us.