Arizona may be known for its deserts, but when the holiday season comes around, the state becomes a winter wonderland that offers countless attractions for all ages and price ranges. From light shows, to toboggan hills and s'mores by the fire, there is something for everyone without the need for a snowstorm.
Christmas At the Princess
Christmas At the Princess offers a range of activities including a train ride through the resort that is decked out in lights, ferris wheel rides, ice slides, a 9-hole mini-golf experience, light shows and more. After the activities, you can head to S'moresland at The Village where you can toast marshmallows around a campfire in a Christmas tree forest. This event offers more than 50 photo opportunities and runs until Jan. 4.
Christmas At the Princess is located at 7575 E. Princess Dr. and is open Monday through Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Beginning Dec. 18 extended hours will run from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Desert Farm Lights
The Desert Farm Lights event claims to be the biggest Christmas party in Surprise, Arizona. With over 20 different activities including a candy cane light maze, train rides, carousel rides, a 90-foot fun slide, the Grinch's lair, bungee trampolines, Christmas movies and more. This event will end on Dec. 29.
Desert Farm Lights is located at 14629 W. Peoria Ave. and is open Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Holiday Snow Fest
This festival brings something rare for Arizonans, over 2,000 pounds of real snow falling every day. The Holiday Snow Fest includes a 20-foot toboggan hill and even a mini hill for children under 4 feet. There are snowman building stations, s'mores-making stations and snowball throwing contests. Igloo bars are open to all ages with festive drinks and holiday cocktails for guests over 21. There will be Santa meet-and-greet and photo opportunities, cabin light shows, a 30-foot Christmas tree and a holiday vendor village. This festival will run until Jan. 4.
Holiday Snow Fest is located on 7555 N. Pima Rd. and the hours range depending on the week see their hours of operation calendar to plan your visit.
Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide
This event features over seven million lights and various activities including unlimited train rides, parades, stunt shows, snow shows, live entertainment, Christmas movies, holiday shopping and more. There is a gingerbread house light show, Santa and Town characters meet and greet opportunities and Old Town car rides. The Pratt Brothers offer an exhibition that shares their story called "Dare to Dream," along with a new miniature Christmas village full of nostalgia, charm and interactive surprises. This event will run until Dec. 29.
Pratt Brothers Christmas is located at 5700 W. North Loop Rd. and open on select dates from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Pioneer Winter Wonderland
This winter wonderland offers 36 free attractions and expects to host over 350,000 people over the 60 plus days it is open. General admission includes live cowboy shows, parades, choir performances, outdoor movies on a 33-foot screen, a warp tunnel of lights and Santa's reindeer ranch. You can even enjoy a horse carriage trip or a ride the train with a pair of 3D glasses to enhance the experience. Or, if that's boring to you, you can solve Christmas-themed escape rooms and there is also a North Pole-themed carnival. This event has free parking and a shuttle service available and will be open until Jan. 5.
Pioneer Winter Wonderland is located at 3901 W. Pioneer Rd. and is open Thursday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
World of Illumination
Looking for an activity that requires less physicality? Then the World of Illumination is a must! This experience is a drive-through holiday light spectacular with over a million lights synchronized to music. There are two themes available to Phoenix residents. Tempe offers an Enchanted Safari show and Glendale offers a show with a Rockin' Christmas theme. Both events run until Dec. 29.
World of Illumination Enchanted Safari is located at 2200 W. Alameda Dr. and Rockin' Christmas is at 9431 W. Northern Ave. They are open Tuesday through Sunday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and open on certain Mondays.
Edited by Senna James, Abigail Beck and Madeline Schmitke.
Reach the reporter at nrodri74@asu.edu.
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