Nov23Mon
Desert Ridge Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
The District at Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85050 · Phoenix
- Time
- 6–9pm
- Price
- Free
Thanksgiving 2026Phoenix · Valley of the Sun
Thanksgiving weekend in Phoenix, with little ones.
There’s no Thanksgiving Day parade on our Phoenix list, but Fountain Hills Thanksgiving Day Parade is Thursday, Nov 26 at 9:30am. In all we found 14 Thanksgiving-weekend outings in and around Phoenix: two turkey trots with kids’ races and 12 Black Friday weekend picks, and nine are free. We also list one place and whether it’s open on Thanksgiving Day.
The quick answersChecked
Is there a parade?No 2026 parade posted yet. We check weekly.Not yetTurkey trot with a kids’ race?Phoenix Turkey Trot Tot Trot · Tot Trot at 9:40am (+1 more)2 racesWhat’s open Thursday?The place we checked is closed. Plan a park morning.0 of 1 openAnything free this weekend?Mesa Arizona Temple Christmas Lights · 5–10pm (+8 more)9 free
Wednesday night to Sunday
The weekend at a glance.
Everything below, laid out by day. Tap any outing to jump to its details.
Wednesday
Nov 25 · Thanksgiving Eve
Thursday
Nov 26 · Thanksgiving
Friday
Nov 27
Saturday
Nov 28
Monday to Wednesday, Nov. 23–25
Thanksgiving week with little kids
Many schools are off all week. The full Monday-to-Wednesday list goes up with the weekly update on Monday, Nov. 23; what’s already posted is below.
Need something today?This week’s full list for Phoenix has every checked outing by day.This week in Phoenix
Wednesday night
Thanksgiving Eve in Phoenix
Parades and lightings the night before Thanksgiving, from each organizer’s page.
Nov25to Jan 15
ZooLights
Phoenix Zoo · 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008
- Time
- 5:30–10:30pm
- Price
- $35; members $30; Member Mondays $10; 2 and under free
With littles: Light display opening this weekend. Sensory Friendly ZooLights is Dec 8 (separate ticket).
Nov25Wed
Free Santa photos at the Tempe Marketplace tree lighting
The District at Tempe Marketplace · 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85281
- Time
- 6–8pm; tree lit at 7pm
- Price
- Free
With littles: Santa visits opening this weekend. Santa poses for free photos until 8pm after the tree lighting.
Nov25Wed
Tempe Marketplace Holiday Tree Lighting
The District at Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85281 · Tempe
- Time
- 6–7:30pm; tree lit at 7pm
- Price
- Free
More to come.Tree lightings and holiday openings often post closer to the holiday. We add them every Thursday.Get the Thursday emailThursday morning
Thanksgiving parade in Phoenix
Start time, route and what to know with a stroller, from the organizer’s page.
No 2026 parade posted yet.
Email me when it’s postedWe check the organizers every week. The 14 outings below are confirmed on their official pages.
Run it off
Turkey trots with kids’ races
Kids’ races, family walks and stroller rules, from each race’s own page. Kids’ turkey trots in other cities.
Nov26Thu
Phoenix Turkey Trot Tot Trot
Wesley Bolin Plaza · Downtown
- Time
- Tot Trot at 9:40am; Gobbler Dash 7:30am
- Price
- Not listed
With littles: A non-timed 50-yard dash for ages 6 and under, with a youth shirt and finisher medal.
Nov26Thu
Fountain Hills Turkey Trot 5K Run & Fitness Walk
Fountain Park · Fountain Hills
- Time
- Thanksgiving morning; check the town page for the start time
- Price
- Not listed
With littles: The 35th year of this 5K run and walk, which loops the fountain at Fountain Park. The town's Thanksgiving Day Parade follows.
Thanksgiving Day
More on Thursday
Other things to do with little kids on Thanksgiving Day itself.
Nov26Thu
Fountain Hills Thanksgiving Day Parade
Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 · Fountain Hills
- Time
- 9:30am
- Price
- Free
With littles: The 42nd year of the parade, themed around America's 250th birthday, with marching bands and floats. Santa rides at the end.
More to come.Tree lightings and holiday openings often post closer to the holiday. We add them every Thursday.Get the Thursday email
Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday
Open or closed Thursday and Friday
Holiday hours from each place’s own hours page. “Not posted” means the page doesn’t list Friday hours yet. Worth a quick check that morning.
PlaceThursdayFridayNoteChecked
Friday, Nov. 27
The day after Thanksgiving
Tree lightings, parades, light-display openings and Santa arrivals on Black Friday.
Nov27to Jan 3
Las Noches de las Luminarias
Desert Botanical Garden · 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008
- Time
- 5–9:30pm
- Price
- Adults $39.95–$44.95; kids 2–17 $18.95 (members $16.95)
With littles: Light display opening this weekend. Nights: Nov 27–29; Dec 4–6, 11–13, 16–23, 26–31; Jan 1–3. The garden closes at 4pm on luminaria days.
Nov27to Dec 30
Mesa Arizona Temple Christmas Lights
Mesa Arizona Temple grounds · 101 S. LeSueur, Mesa, AZ 85204
- Time
- 5–10pm
- Price
- Free admission and parking
With littles: Light display opening this weekend. The Visitors' Center at 455 E. Main St. shows more than 200 nativities.
Nov27to Jan 1
Glendale Glitters
Murphy Park, Historic Downtown Glendale · 5850 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301
- Time
- 5–10pm
- Price
- Free
With littles: Light display opening this weekend. Opening weekend Nov 27–28 adds vendors, carolers and Santa.
Nov27to Dec 30
Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park · 7301 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85250
- Time
- 5:30–9:30pm
- Price
- $15 ages 3 and up; 2 and under free
With littles: Light display opening this weekend. Admission covers a train ride and the carousel. Tickets went on sale Oct 27 through ActiveNet, and it sells out every year.
Nov27Fri
Merry Main Street Kick-off and Tree Lighting
Downtown Mesa · 1 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201
- Time
- 5–10pm
- Price
- Free
With littles: Santa visits opening this weekend. A holiday market around Mesa's Christmas tree, then a holiday program and the tree lighting. It opens the month-long Merry Main Street with its real ice rink.
Nov27Fri
Merry Main Street Kick-off and Christmas Tree Lighting
Downtown Mesa, 1 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201 · Mesa
- Time
- 5–10pm
- Price
- Free
Saturday and Sunday
Thanksgiving weekend with little kids
Parades, lightings, light displays and other easy outings Saturday and Sunday.
Nov28Sat
Fantasy of Lights Street Parade and Tree Lighting
Mill Avenue and CenterPoint Plaza · Mill Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281
- Time
- 4–8pm; parade at 6pm
- Price
- Free
With littles: Santa visits opening this weekend. The parade rolls down Mill Avenue at 6, then the 36-foot tree is lit at CenterPoint Plaza. Photos with Santa and a letters-to-Santa station follow. Viewing spots are first come, first served.
Nov28Sat
Scottsdale Quarter Tree Lighting: A Starlit Holiday
The Quad at Scottsdale Quarter, 15279 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254 · Scottsdale
- Time
- 5:30–7:30pm; tree lit at 7pm
- Price
- Free
Every year
Thanksgiving events that come back 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
Phoenix Turkey Trot Tot TrotKeep planning
More for little kids in Phoenix
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
Noon Year’s Eve in PhoenixKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas 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 includedThis week in PhoenixDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Thanksgiving in Phoenix: the FAQ
We haven’t found 2026 details for a Thanksgiving parade in Phoenix yet. We check again every Thursday and add it as soon as the organizer posts it.
Phoenix Turkey Trot Tot Trot: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Fountain Hills Turkey Trot 5K Run & Fitness Walk: Thu, Nov 26, 2026.
On Thanksgiving Day (Thu, Nov 26, 2026) our list has Phoenix Turkey Trot Tot Trot, Fountain Hills Turkey Trot 5K Run & Fitness Walk and Fountain Hills Thanksgiving Day Parade. Times, prices and the official links are on each card.
Closed on Thanksgiving: Children’s Museum of Phoenix. Check the venue page the morning of, since holiday hours can change.
No. Its hours page lists it as closed Thanksgiving Day. Holiday hours can change, so check the hours page that morning.
On Friday, Nov. 27: Las Noches de las Luminarias, Mesa Arizona Temple Christmas Lights, Glendale Glitters and Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park and 2 more. Times and prices are on each card.
Fantasy of Lights Street Parade and Tree Lighting: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 4–8pm; parade at 6pm, Mill Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281. Merry Main Street Kick-off and Tree Lighting: Fri, Nov 27, 2026, 5–10pm, 1 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201. Free Santa photos at the Tempe Marketplace tree lighting: Wed, Nov 25, 2026, 6–8pm; tree lit at 7pm, 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85281. Times come from each organizer’s page.
Monday to Wednesday (Nov. 23–25): Desert Ridge Annual Holiday Tree Lighting. The full list for that week goes up Monday, Nov. 23.
ZooLights, Las Noches de las Luminarias, Mesa Arizona Temple Christmas Lights, Glendale Glitters and Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park and 7 more. Dates and times are on each card.
Mesa Arizona Temple Christmas Lights, Glendale Glitters, Fantasy of Lights Street Parade and Tree Lighting, Merry Main Street Kick-off and Tree Lighting and Free Santa photos at the Tempe Marketplace tree lighting are free to watch or attend. More free ideas are on free things to do in Phoenix.
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 Thursday through Thanksgiving week. How we choose and check.
Holiday plans every Thursday.
One short email every Thursday evening: the best things to do with little kids in Phoenix that weekend, Thanksgiving week included.
