# Christmas parades and tree lightings in Phoenix, 2026

> 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-30
- 11 parades and tree lightings with 2026 dates
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/christmas-parades/
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## Christmas parades

- **Fountain Hills Thanksgiving Day Parade** at Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268, Fountain Hills. When: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Time: 9:30am. Price: Free. The 42nd year of the parade, themed around America's 250th birthday, with marching bands and floats. Santa rides at the end. Official page: https://www.experiencefountainhills.org/events/2026/thanksgiving-day-parade-2026-happy-birthday-america (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Fantasy of Lights Street Parade and Tree Lighting** at Mill Avenue and CenterPoint Plaza, Mill Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281, Tempe. When: Sat, Nov 28, 2026. Time: 4–8pm; parade at 6pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.downtowntempe.com/events/fol-street-parade-tree-lighting (checked 2026-10-26)
- **APS Electric Light Parade** at Central Ave. starting at Montebello Ave., Phoenix. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: Evening. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.phoenix.gov/calendar/parks-events/39th-annual-aps-electric-light-parade.html (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Christmas in the Park Hometown Parade** at Old Litchfield Rd. to Litchfield Square Park, 279 N. La Loma Ave., Litchfield Park, AZ 85340, Litchfield Park. When: Sat, Dec 12, 2026. Time: 10am. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.litchfieldpark.gov/1280/Christmas-in-the-Park (checked 2026-10-26)

## Tree lightings and lighting nights

- **Desert Ridge Annual Holiday Tree Lighting** at The District at Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85050, Phoenix. When: Mon, Nov 23, 2026. Time: 6–9pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://shopdesertridge.com/events/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Tempe Marketplace Holiday Tree Lighting** at The District at Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85281, Tempe. When: Wed, Nov 25, 2026. Time: 6–7:30pm; tree lit at 7pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://tempemarketplace.com/event/holidaytreelighting/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Merry Main Street Kick-off and Christmas Tree Lighting** at Downtown Mesa, 1 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201, Mesa. When: Fri, Nov 27, 2026. Time: 5–10pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.mesaaz.gov/Activities-Culture/City-Calendar/Merry-Main-Street-Kick-off (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Scottsdale Quarter Tree Lighting: A Starlit Holiday** at The Quad at Scottsdale Quarter, 15279 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254, Scottsdale. When: Sat, Nov 28, 2026. Time: 5:30–7:30pm; tree lit at 7pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://scottsdalequarter.com/events/tree-lighting/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Gilbert Water Tower Holiday Lighting** at Water Tower Plaza, Downtown Gilbert, AZ, Gilbert. When: Mon, Nov 30, 2026. Time: 6–8:30pm; lighting about 6:45pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/water-tower-holiday-lighting (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Chandler Parade of Lights and Tumbleweed Tree Lighting** at Downtown Chandler, Chandler. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: Tree lit right after the parade, about 8pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.visitchandler.com/events/holiday-events/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Stroll in the Glow and Avenue Lighting** at Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268, Fountain Hills. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: 5–8pm; lighting about 5:45pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.experiencefountainhills.org/events/2026/stroll-in-the-glow-2026 (checked 2026-10-26)

## Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

- [Desert Ridge Annual Holiday Tree Lighting](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/events/desert-ridge-annual-holiday-tree-lighting-district-marketplace/): next dates Nov 23, 2026
- [Tempe Marketplace Holiday Tree Lighting](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/events/tempe-marketplace-holiday-tree-lighting-district/): next dates Nov 25, 2026
- [Fantasy of Lights Street Parade and Tree Lighting](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/events/fantasy-of-lights-street-parade-and-tree-lighting-mill-avenue-centerpoint-plaza/): next dates Nov 28, 2026
- [Scottsdale Quarter Tree Lighting: A Starlit Holiday](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/events/scottsdale-quarter-tree-lighting-a-starlit-holiday-quad/): next dates Nov 28, 2026
- [Gilbert Water Tower Holiday Lighting](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/events/gilbert-water-tower-holiday-lighting-plaza/): next dates Nov 30, 2026
- [Christmas in the Park Hometown Parade](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/events/christmas-in-the-park-hometown-parade-old-litchfield-rd-litchfield/): next dates Dec 12, 2026

## 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

### When is the Christmas parade in Phoenix in 2026?
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).

### When is the Christmas tree lighting in Phoenix?
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.

### Are Christmas parades and tree lightings in Phoenix free?
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.

### Which are best for little kids?
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.

### How do you check these parades and tree lightings?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).