What to do with kids in Phoenix over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by four museums, zoos and play places: four say they’re open on Christmas Day and four on New Year’s Day. Plus 15 dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between.
Dec 24 · Dec 25 · Jan 1
Holiday hours from each place’s own page, side by side. Many are standing rules (“closed Christmas Day”) that hold year to year, but a quick check that morning is worth it.
“Not posted” means the place’s own page doesn’t say. Call or check the morning of.
Day by day
Pick a day to see what’s on. Many places close early on Dec 24 and Dec 31, so check each card’s times.
Chandler Fashion Center, Macy’s Court · 3111 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85226
Good to know: Closed Thanksgiving.
Scottsdale Fashion Square, Palm Court · 7014 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Good to know: Sensory Santa is Dec 6, 9–10:30am. Pet nights are on the schedule too.
SanTan Village, Children's Play Area near Dillard's · 2218 E. Williams Field Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85295
Good to know: Cowboy Santa Nights run 5–7pm on Nov 17, Nov 24, Dec 1 and Dec 8.
Superstition Springs Center, Center Court near JCPenney · 6555 E. Southern Ave., Mesa, AZ 85206
Good to know: Book a time online to skip the line.
Kierland Commons, Center Plaza · 15210 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Good to know: Sensory Santa is Dec 6, 9–10am.
Scottsdale Quarter · 15279 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Good to know: Reservations are encouraged.
Phoenix Zoo · 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008
Good to know: Sensory Friendly ZooLights is Dec 8 (separate ticket).
Desert Botanical Garden · 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008
Good to know: Nights: Nov 27–29; Dec 4–6, 11–13, 16–23, 26–31; Jan 1–3. The garden closes at 4pm on luminaria days.
Mesa Arizona Temple grounds · 101 S. LeSueur, Mesa, AZ 85204
Good to know: The Visitors' Center at 455 E. Main St. shows more than 200 nativities.
Murphy Park, Historic Downtown Glendale · 5850 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301
Good to know: Opening weekend Nov 27–28 adds vendors, carolers and Santa.
Tempe Diablo Stadium · 2200 W. Alameda Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282
Camelback Ranch · 10710 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85037
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park · 7301 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Good to know: Admission covers a train ride and the carousel. Tickets went on sale Oct 27 through ActiveNet, and it sells out every year.
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge · 5350 East Marriott Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85054
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess · 7575 E. Princess Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Good to know: The rink is part of the resort’s holiday festival.
Phoenix Public Library, Juniper Library (Meeting Room) · 1825 W Union Hills Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85027
Good to know: Planned for kids from birth to 5, with dancing and crafts before a midday countdown. It's an easy way to celebrate with little ones who won't last until midnight.
Glendale Public Library – Main Library · 5959 W. Brown St., Glendale, AZ 85302
Good to know: For ages 0–5: story time, a craft and a “Noon” Year’s Eve disco dance-off.
Mesa Public Library – Main Library · 64 E. First St., Mesa, AZ 85201
Good to know: A party just for kids with crafts and music, presented with the Mesa Family Resource Center. Dress up in your sparkliest clothes.
Surprise Regional Library – Coyote Program Room · 16089 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise, AZ 85374
Good to know: Crafts and a dance party storytime that counts down to noon. It's aimed at ages 3 to 6, though younger and older siblings are welcome. An adult needs to stay with each child.
El Mirage Library – Library Event Room · 13513 N. El Mirage Rd., El Mirage, AZ 85335
Good to know: The library's third Noon Year's Eve has an astronaut and galaxy theme, with space crafts, music and a countdown to noon. Kids can come dressed in astronaut gear or cosmic colors.
Phoenix Zoo · 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008
Good to know: Sensory Friendly ZooLights is Dec 8 (separate ticket).
Desert Botanical Garden · 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008
Good to know: Nights: Nov 27–29; Dec 4–6, 11–13, 16–23, 26–31; Jan 1–3. The garden closes at 4pm on luminaria days.
Murphy Park, Historic Downtown Glendale · 5850 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301
Good to know: Opening weekend Nov 27–28 adds vendors, carolers and Santa.
Tempe Diablo Stadium · 2200 W. Alameda Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282
Camelback Ranch · 10710 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85037
Open on New Year’s Day: Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Arizona Science Center, Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Garden.
Rainy-day backup
These don’t post holiday hours yet, so check before you go. More on our indoor play page.
Keep planning
November: things to do in PhoenixEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in PhoenixEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in PhoenixFree days, free events and places that never charge
Free museum days in PhoenixFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets inIndoor play in PhoenixIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in PhoenixBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in PhoenixHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in PhoenixParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in PhoenixKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in PhoenixParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in PhoenixPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in PhoenixBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in PhoenixChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursBirthday party places in PhoenixStarting prices, ages and what’s included
This week in PhoenixDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
Children’s Museum of Phoenix (Not listed), Arizona Science Center (Not listed), Phoenix Zoo (Closed Christmas Day during the day; ZooLights is open that evening, 5:30–10:30pm), Desert Botanical Garden (Closed Christmas Day) post that they’re open on Christmas Day.
On the calendar: Santa at Chandler Fashion Center, Santa at Scottsdale Fashion Square, Santa at SanTan Village and Santa at Superstition Springs Center.
Children’s Museum of Phoenix (Not listed), Arizona Science Center (Not listed), Phoenix Zoo (Not listed), Desert Botanical Garden (Not listed).
On the calendar for Jan 1: ZooLights, Las Noches de las Luminarias, Glendale Glitters and World of Illumination Reindeer Road (Tempe) and one more. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.
ZooLights, Las Noches de las Luminarias, Mesa Arizona Temple Christmas Lights, Glendale Glitters and World of Illumination Reindeer Road (Tempe). Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 26, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Phoenix, through the holidays.
