# Christmas lights in Phoenix for little kids, 2026

> Nine Christmas light displays in and around Phoenix have 2026 dates: 2 drive-thrus and 7 walk-throughs. Four are free. For an early bedtime, the earliest evening start is 8 p.m. at Tumbleweed Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights. They’re spread over six areas, with the most in Phoenix.

- Last checked: 2026-10-30
- 9 listings with 2026 dates; 0 without posted dates
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/christmas-lights/
- Santa (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/santa/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/llms.txt

## Drive-thru Christmas lights

- **World of Illumination Reindeer Road (Tempe)** at Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282. When: Nightly Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: 6–10pm. Price: From $39.99 per vehicle; tickets online only. Official page: https://www.worldofillumination.com/locations/tempe-arizona-diablo-stadium-christmas
- **World of Illumination (Camelback Ranch)** at Camelback Ranch, 10710 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85037. When: Nightly Nov 12, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: 6–10pm. Price: From $39.99 per vehicle; tickets online only. Official page: https://www.worldofillumination.com/locations/glendale-arizona-camelback-ranch-christmas

## Walk-through lights and light trails

- **ZooLights** at Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008. When: Nov 25, 2026 – Jan 15, 2027. Time: 5:30–10:30pm. Price: $35; members $30; Member Mondays $10; 2 and under free. Sensory Friendly ZooLights is Dec 8 (separate ticket). Official page: https://www.phoenixzoo.org/events/zoolights/
- **Las Noches de las Luminarias** at Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008. When: Select nights Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: 5–9:30pm. Price: Adults $39.95–$44.95; kids 2–17 $18.95 (members $16.95). Nights: Nov 27–29; Dec 4–6, 11–13, 16–23, 26–31; Jan 1–3. The garden closes at 4pm on luminaria days. Official page: https://dbg.org/events/las-noches-de-las-luminarias/
- **APS Electric Light Parade** at Central Avenue, Phoenix, Central Ave. and Montebello Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85013. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: Evening. Price: Free to watch. The 39th lighted parade; it starts at Central and Montebello. Official page: https://www.phoenix.gov/calendar/parks-events/39th-annual-aps-electric-light-parade.html
- **Tumbleweed Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights** at Downtown Chandler, Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, Chandler, AZ 85225. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: Evening; tree lit after the parade, about 8pm. Price: Free. The tumbleweed tree stays up through early January. Official page: https://www.visitchandler.com/events/holiday-events/
- **Mesa Arizona Temple Christmas Lights** at Mesa Arizona Temple grounds, 101 S. LeSueur, Mesa, AZ 85204. When: Nightly Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026. Time: 5–10pm. Price: Free admission and parking. The Visitors' Center at 455 E. Main St. shows more than 200 nativities. Official page: https://mesatemple.org/christmas/
- **Glendale Glitters** at Murphy Park, Historic Downtown Glendale, 5850 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301. When: Nightly Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027. Time: 5–10pm. Price: Free. Opening weekend Nov 27–28 adds vendors, carolers and Santa. Official page: https://www.glendaleaz.gov/Play/Special-Events/Events
- **Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park** at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85250. When: Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026 (closed Dec 24–25). Time: 5:30–9:30pm. Price: $15 ages 3 and up; 2 and under free. Admission covers a train ride and the carousel. Tickets went on sale Oct 27 through ActiveNet, and it sells out every year. Official page: https://www.therailroadpark.com/event/holiday-lights/

## Light displays that come back every year

- [ZooLights](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/events/zoolights-phoenix-zoo/): next dates Nov 25, 2026 – Jan 15, 2027
- [Glendale Glitters kickoff with Santa](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/events/glendale-glitters-kickoff-with-santa-murphy-park/): next dates Nov 27–28, 2026
- [Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/events/holiday-lights-at-mccormick-stillman-railroad-park/): next dates Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026
- [Las Noches de las Luminarias](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/events/las-noches-de-las-luminarias-desert-botanical-garden/): next dates Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
- [Mesa Arizona Temple Christmas Lights](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/events/mesa-arizona-temple-christmas-lights-grounds/): next dates Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026
- [APS Electric Light Parade](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/events/aps-electric-light-parade-central-avenue/): next dates Dec 5, 2026
- [Tumbleweed Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/events/tumbleweed-tree-lighting-and-parade-of-lights-downtown-chandler/): next dates Dec 5, 2026

## Christmas trains near Phoenix

- [Christmas train rides near Phoenix](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/christmas-trains/index.md): Holiday lights trains, Polar Express rides and more, 5 with 2026 dates, ages, prices and booking notes.

## More holiday outings in Phoenix

- [The Nutcracker with kids in Phoenix](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/nutcracker/index.md): 5 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances.
- [Christmas markets in Phoenix](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/christmas-markets/index.md): 5 markets and winter wonderlands with 2026 dates, hours and stroller notes.

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### Are there free Christmas lights in Phoenix?
Yes. APS Electric Light Parade, Tumbleweed Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights, Mesa Arizona Temple Christmas Lights and Glendale Glitters are free in 2026.

### What’s the cheapest Christmas light show in Phoenix?
Going by the lowest posted 2026 price: ZooLights ($35; members $30; Member Mondays $10; 2 and under free); Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park ($15 ages 3 and up; 2 and under free); Las Noches de las Luminarias (Adults $39.95–$44.95; kids 2–17 $18.95 (members $16.95)). Check whether a price is per car or per person before you compare.

### Drive-thru or walk-through: which is better with little kids?
With a baby or a sleepy toddler, a drive-thru is easiest: they stay buckled in and warm. Two of the 9 displays can be driven, including World of Illumination Reindeer Road (Tempe) and World of Illumination (Camelback Ranch). Walk-throughs (seven here) are better for kids who want to run around.

### What time do the Christmas lights start in Phoenix? We have an early bedtime.
The earliest evening starts: Tumbleweed Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights at 8 p.m., Las Noches de las Luminarias at 9:30 p.m. and Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park at 9:30 p.m. The first hour after opening is the easiest with an early bedtime.

### Which light shows are best for kids under 3?
Little ones get in free at ZooLights (2 and under free); Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (2 and under free). With a baby, a drive-thru keeps everyone warm in the car.

### How do you check these Christmas lights listings?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).