Dec5Sat
APS Electric Light Parade
Central Avenue, Phoenix · Central Ave. and Montebello Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85013
- When
- Saturday, Dec 5
- Time
- Evening
- Price
- Free to watch
December 2026Phoenix · Valley of the Sun
December in Phoenix with little kids.
30 things to do with kids up to age 6 in and around Phoenix in December 2026, sorted by week. Each listing links to its own page and to the organizer’s page, and we add more as new dates are posted.
7 listings
Dec 1 to Dec 6
Dec5Sat
APS Electric Light Parade
Central Ave. starting at Montebello Ave. · Phoenix
- When
- Saturday, Dec 5
- Time
- Evening
- Price
- Free
Dec5Sat
Breakfast with Santa at HD SOUTH
HD SOUTH · 10 S. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85296
- When
- Saturday, Dec 5
- Time
- 8:30–11am
- Price
- Early bird pricing now; $20 per person after Nov 2; under 2 free
Dec5Sat
Santa at Stroll in the Glow, Fountain Hills
Avenue of the Fountains · Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
- When
- Saturday, Dec 5
- Time
- 5–8pm; Santa arrives by fire truck before 6pm
- Price
- Free photos
Dec5Sat
Stroll in the Glow and Avenue Lighting
Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 · Fountain Hills
- When
- Saturday, Dec 5
- Time
- 5–8pm; lighting about 5:45pm
- Price
- Free
Dec5Sat
Tumbleweed Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights
Downtown Chandler · Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, Chandler, AZ 85225
- When
- Saturday, Dec 5
- Time
- Evening; tree lit after the parade, about 8pm
- Price
- Free
Dec6Sun
Santa Cares at Chandler Fashion Center
Chandler Fashion Center, Macy’s Court · 3111 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85226
- When
- Sunday, Dec 6
- Time
- 9–10:30am
- Price
- Free visit; photo packages for sale
4 listings
Dec 7 to Dec 13
Dec9Wed
Holidays at Heroes with Santa
Heroes Regional Park Library, Yucca Room · 6075 N. 83rd Ave., Glendale, AZ 85303
- When
- Wednesday, Dec 9
- Time
- 2-3pm
- Price
- See event page
Dec12Sat
Mrs. Claus at Fountain Hills Library
Fountain Hills Library, Reading Lounge · 12901 N. La Montana Dr., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
- When
- Saturday, Dec 12
- Time
- 10-11am
- Price
- No registration required
Dec12Sat
Pancakes & Pajamas with Santa
Marshall Way Bridge, Scottsdale Waterfront · 7124 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85251
- When
- Saturday, Dec 12
- Time
- 9–10:30am
- Price
- $30 per person; every guest needs a paid seat
Dec12Sat
Santa at Christmas in the Park, Litchfield Park
Litchfield Square Park · 279 N. La Loma Ave., Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
- When
- Saturday, Dec 12
- Time
- Santa photos 11:30am–2:30pm
- Price
- Free
5 listings
Dec 28 to Dec 31
Dec31Thu
Countdown Crew Noon Year's Eve Party at El Mirage Library
El Mirage Library – Library Event Room · 13513 N. El Mirage Rd., El Mirage, AZ 85335
- When
- Thursday, Dec 31
- Time
- 11:30am–12:30pm
- Price
- Free; no registration needed
Dec31Thu
Happy “Noon” Years Eve at Glendale Main Library
Glendale Public Library – Main Library · 5959 W. Brown St., Glendale, AZ 85302
- When
- Thursday, Dec 31
- Time
- 11:15am–noon
- Price
- Free
Dec31Thu
Noon Year’s Celebration at Mesa Main Library
Mesa Public Library – Main Library · 64 E. First St., Mesa, AZ 85201
- When
- Thursday, Dec 31
- Time
- 11:15am–noon
- Price
- Free
Dec31Thu
Noon Year's Eve Party at Juniper Library
Phoenix Public Library, Juniper Library (Meeting Room) · 1825 W Union Hills Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85027
- When
- Thursday, Dec 31
- Time
- 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
- Price
- Free
Dec31Thu
Noon Year's Eve Party at Surprise Regional Library
Surprise Regional Library – Coyote Program Room · 16089 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise, AZ 85374
- When
- Thursday, Dec 31
- Time
- 11:30am–12:30pm
- Price
- Free; no registration needed
14 listings
Open for weeks at a time
Light displays, exhibits and other runs that last longer than a week. Check each page for the nights or days they’re closed.
Dec1to 24
Santa at Scottsdale Fashion Square
Scottsdale Fashion Square, Palm Court · 7014 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251
- When
- Nov 6 to Dec 24
- Time
- Mall hours; Dec 24, 9am–6pm
- Price
- Visits free; photo packages extra
Dec1to 31
World of Illumination (Camelback Ranch)
Camelback Ranch · 10710 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85037
- When
- Nov 12 to Jan 3
- Time
- 6–10pm
- Price
- From $39.99 per vehicle; tickets online only
Dec1to 24
Santa at Chandler Fashion Center
Chandler Fashion Center, Macy’s Court · 3111 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85226
- When
- Nov 13 to Dec 24
- Time
- Varies by day; Christmas Eve 9am–6pm
- Price
- Visits free; photo packages for sale
Dec1to 24
Santa at SanTan Village
SanTan Village, Children's Play Area near Dillard's · 2218 E. Williams Field Rd., Gilbert, AZ 85295
- When
- Nov 13 to Dec 24
- Time
- Mall hours
- Price
- Visits free; photo packages extra
Dec1to 24
Santa at Superstition Springs Center
Superstition Springs Center, Center Court near JCPenney · 6555 E. Southern Ave., Mesa, AZ 85206
- When
- Nov 13 to Dec 24
- Time
- Mall hours
- Price
- Visits free; photo packages extra
Dec1to 31
World of Illumination Reindeer Road (Tempe)
Tempe Diablo Stadium · 2200 W. Alameda Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282
- When
- Nov 13 to Jan 3
- Time
- 6–10pm
- Price
- From $39.99 per vehicle; tickets online only
Dec1to 24
Photos with Santa at Scottsdale Quarter
Scottsdale Quarter · 15279 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254
- When
- Nov 20 to Dec 24
- Time
- See the online schedule
- Price
- Packages $44.99, $49.99 and $54.99
Dec1to 24
Santa at Kierland Commons
Kierland Commons, Center Plaza · 15210 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254
- When
- Nov 20 to Dec 24
- Time
- See the online schedule
- Price
- Visits free; photo packages extra
Dec1to 31
ZooLights
Phoenix Zoo · 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008
- When
- Nov 25 to Jan 15
- Time
- 5:30–10:30pm
- Price
- $35; members $30; Member Mondays $10; 2 and under free
Dec1to 31
Glendale Glitters
Murphy Park, Historic Downtown Glendale · 5850 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301
- When
- Nov 27 to Jan 1
- Time
- 5–10pm
- Price
- Free
Dec1to 30
Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park · 7301 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85250
- When
- Nov 27 to Dec 30
- Time
- 5:30–9:30pm
- Price
- $15 ages 3 and up; 2 and under free
Dec1to 31
Las Noches de las Luminarias
Desert Botanical Garden · 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008
- When
- Nov 27 to Jan 3
- Time
- 5–9:30pm
- Price
- Adults $39.95–$44.95; kids 2–17 $18.95 (members $16.95)
Dec1to 30
Mesa Arizona Temple Christmas Lights
Mesa Arizona Temple grounds · 101 S. LeSueur, Mesa, AZ 85204
- When
- Nov 27 to Dec 30
- Time
- 5–10pm
- Price
- Free admission and parking
Dec5to 19
Santa’s House in Downtown Chandler
Dr. A.J. Chandler Park · 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler, AZ 85225
- When
- Dec 5 to Dec 19
- Time
- Dec 5 4:30–9pm; Dec 12 and 19 9am–1pm; Dec 15 6–8pm
- Price
- Free family photo
Guides
More December guides for Phoenix
Christmas lights in PhoenixKeep planning
More for little kids in Phoenix
November: 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 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 hours
Christmas 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 Thursday
Good questions
December in Phoenix: the FAQ
30 dated listings so far, including APS Electric Light Parade (Dec 5), APS Electric Light Parade (Dec 5), Breakfast with Santa at HD SOUTH (Dec 5) and Santa at Stroll in the Glow, Fountain Hills (Dec 5). The rest are below, by week. We add more as organizers post their dates.
APS Electric Light Parade (Dec 5), APS Electric Light Parade (Dec 5), Santa at Stroll in the Glow, Fountain Hills (Dec 5), Stroll in the Glow and Avenue Lighting (Dec 5) and Tumbleweed Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights (Dec 5), plus 10 more marked Free below. For free days and places that never charge, see free things to do in Phoenix.
23 start this December: APS Electric Light Parade (Dec 5), Breakfast with Santa at HD SOUTH (Dec 5), Santa at Stroll in the Glow, Fountain Hills (Dec 5), Tumbleweed Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights (Dec 5) and Santa Cares at Chandler Fashion Center (Dec 6), plus 18 more below.
Yes, at the same address. After Dec 31, 2026 it switches to December 2027, starting with the events that come back every year.
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 Monday and Thursday. How we choose and check.
The checked list, every Thursday.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Phoenix that weekend.
