We found 11 Christmas parades and tree lightings in and around Phoenix with 2026 dates: four parades and seven tree lightings and lighting nights, all free to watch. Each one has the date, start time, price and a link to the organizer’s page.
By date
Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.
Tree lighting · 6–9pm25NovWedTempe Marketplace Holiday Tree LightingTree lighting · 6–7:30pm26NovThuFountain Hills Thanksgiving Day Parade
Parade · 9:30am27NovFriMerry Main Street Kick-off and Christmas Tree LightingTree lighting · 5–10pm28NovSatScottsdale Quarter Tree Lighting: A Starlit HolidayTree lighting · 5:30–7:30pm28NovSatFantasy of Lights Street Parade and Tree LightingParade · 4–8pm30NovMonGilbert Water Tower Holiday LightingTree lighting · 6–8:30pm5DecSatAPS Electric Light ParadeParade · Evening5DecSatChandler Parade of Lights and Tumbleweed Tree LightingTree lighting · Tree lit right after the parade, about 8pm5DecSatStroll in the Glow and Avenue LightingTree lighting · 5–8pm12DecSatChristmas in the Park Hometown ParadeParade · 10amNothing matches that filter yet.
Christmas parades
Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.
Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 · Fountain Hills
Good to know: The 42nd year of the parade, themed around America's 250th birthday, with marching bands and floats. Santa rides at the end.
Mill Avenue and CenterPoint Plaza, Mill Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281 · Tempe
Old Litchfield Rd. to Litchfield Square Park, 279 N. La Loma Ave., Litchfield Park, AZ 85340 · Litchfield Park
Tree lightings
Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.
The District at Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85050 · Phoenix
The District at Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85281 · Tempe
Downtown Mesa, 1 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201 · Mesa
The Quad at Scottsdale Quarter, 15279 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254 · Scottsdale
Water Tower Plaza, Downtown Gilbert, AZ · Gilbert
Downtown Chandler · Chandler
Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 · Fountain Hills
More to come.Tree lightings are often announced late. We recheck every week through early December.Email me when one’s addedBefore you go
SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.Every year
Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in Phoenix
Desert Ridge Annual Holiday Tree LightingNext: Nov 23, 2026Tempe Marketplace Holiday Tree LightingNext: Nov 25, 2026Fantasy of Lights Street Parade and Tree LightingNext: Nov 28, 2026Scottsdale Quarter Tree Lighting: A Starlit HolidayNext: Nov 28, 2026Gilbert Water Tower Holiday LightingNext: Nov 30, 2026Christmas in the Park Hometown ParadeNext: Dec 12, 2026Keep 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 in
Indoor 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 napChristmas 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 hoursChristmas break in PhoenixWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Birthday party places in PhoenixStarting prices, ages and what’s included
This week in PhoenixDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Fountain Hills Thanksgiving Day Parade: Thu, Nov 26, 2026, 9:30am (Fountain Hills). Fantasy of Lights Street Parade and Tree Lighting: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 4–8pm; parade at 6pm (Tempe). APS Electric Light Parade: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, Evening (Phoenix). Christmas in the Park Hometown Parade: Sat, Dec 12, 2026, 10am (Litchfield Park).
Desert Ridge Annual Holiday Tree Lighting at The District at Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85050: Mon, Nov 23, 2026, 6–9pm. Tempe Marketplace Holiday Tree Lighting at The District at Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85281: Wed, Nov 25, 2026, 6–7:30pm; tree lit at 7pm. Merry Main Street Kick-off and Christmas Tree Lighting at Downtown Mesa, 1 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201: Fri, Nov 27, 2026, 5–10pm. Scottsdale Quarter Tree Lighting: A Starlit Holiday at The Quad at Scottsdale Quarter, 15279 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 5:30–7:30pm; tree lit at 7pm.
All of the ones we list are free to watch: Desert Ridge Annual Holiday Tree Lighting, Tempe Marketplace Holiday Tree Lighting, Fountain Hills Thanksgiving Day Parade and Merry Main Street Kick-off and Christmas Tree Lighting. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.
Daytime ones are easiest with toddlers: Fountain Hills Thanksgiving Day Parade and Christmas in the Park Hometown Parade. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.
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 30, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Phoenix that weekend, parades included.
