15 holiday lights and events around Arizona

Whether you prefer your holidays with a chill in the air or desert balmy, whether you like an old-fashioned celebration or one with Southwestern flavor, you have plenty to choose from in Arizona. So break out the coats and scarves — or shorts and sandals, depending on your direction — and head for the festivities. Here’s a small sampling of what you can find.   

Flagstaff

You would think someone as busy as Santa might not appreciate visitors, but he's as jolly as ever when welcoming guests to the North Pole Experience. Tour the big man’s workshop, Elf University, the mail room and Sleigh Hangar. Enjoy a snack at Mrs. Claus’ bakery — you just know that woman has a way with cookies. The North Pole Experience starts with a trolley ride from Little America Hotel. The entire adventure lasts about 90 minutes. Bonus: the hotel property is adorned with more than a million lights.

Details: $38-$55, $34-$49 for ages 18 months-17 years, 2515 E. Butler Ave. 480-779-9679, www.northpoleexperience.com.

Holiday tours are conducted at Riordan Mansion State Historic Park all through December. Adorned in turn-of-the-century style with wreaths, garlands and greenery plus a towering fir tree, the mansion offers a charming and fragrant glimpse into the past. Reservations recommended.

Details: Holiday tours are held Dec. 1-31. Park is open 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursdays-Mondays. $10, $5 for ages 7-13. 928-779-4395, azstateparks.com/Parks/RIMA.

Williams

The Polar Express chugs out of Williams bound for the North Pole, which is surprisingly close thanks to a “magic tunnel.” Squirmy, pajama-clad kids barely have time to finish hot chocolate and cookies before they arrive at Santa’s doorstep, where he waits with his reindeer. Mr. Kringle boards the train and passes out gifts. Round-trip train ride lasts about an hour.

Details: $34-$45, $24-$35 for ages 2-15. www.thetrain.com.

Prescott

This mountain hamlet didn’t earn the nickname of Arizona’s Official Christmas City without knowing how to bring the festivity, and they get started early. The World’s Largest Gingerbread Village is already up. More than 100 gingerbread buildings — a metropolis of sugary goodness — are set amid electric-train displays in the lobby of the Prescott Resort and Conference Center.

Details: 24 hours daily through Jan. 1. 1500 E. State Route 69. Free. 928-227-2313, www.prescottresort.com.

Prescott’s colorful Christmas Parade rolls through downtown at 1 p.m Dec. 5, when the streets teem with kids, animals and marching bands. At 6 p.m. that day, the dramatic courthouse lighting takes place after music and the reading of the Christmas story.

Details: Free. 928-445-4567, www.visit-prescott.com.

With Courthouse Plaza wreathed in luminarias, downtown merchants open their doors to host more than 100 entertainers of every genre for the Acker Musical Showcase. Browse the shops while sampling treats and reveling in the musical buffet. Lights and music engulf the cozy downtown. Be sure to donate to the musicians’ tip bags. All money goes to performing-arts scholarships.

Details: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 11. 928-778-5460, www.ackernight.com.

While you’re in the area, don’t miss the stunning Valley of Lights. Set in Fain Park, this 1-mile drive features a galaxy of twinkling lights and animated displays.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Nov. 27-Dec. 30. Free. 2200 N. Fifth St., Prescott Valley. 928-772-8857, www.pvchamber.org.

Sedona

Area artists showcase their work during Festival of the Trees Dec. 3-5 at Tlaquepaque Arts & Craft Village. More than 45 Christmas trees and gingerbread houses decorated in fun and exotic ways will be on display for a silent auction. Proceeds benefit Toys for Tots and other local charities.

The celebration continues on Dec. 13 when 6,000 luminarias are spread throughout Tlaquepaque’s courtyard. The Festival of Lights takes place from 3-8 p.m. Specially designated luminarias honoring cancer survivors can be purchased in advance by calling 928-282-4838. Visitors can ride the free trolley from the Uptown Municipal Parking Lot.

Details: Both events are free. 336 State Route 179. www.tlaq.com.

While in Sedona, stroll through Tinsel Town. The picnic ramadas of Posse Ground Park are adorned in lights and animated decorations Dec. 3-Jan. 3. Hours are 6-9 p.m.

Details: Free. 525 Posse Ground Road. 928-282-7098, www.sedonaaz.gov/parks.

Camp Verde

Those who want to slow down and savor an old-fashioned holiday season can visit Fort Verde State Historic Park. From Dec. 5-Jan. 3, the former army post's buildings are decorated in Victorian style with wreaths, garlands and fresh-cut trees. There will be a Victorian ornament workshop from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 5, and docents in period clothes will lead candlelight tours of Officers Row from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 11-12.

Details: 125 E. Hollamon St. $5, $2 for ages 6-13. 928-567-3275, azstateparks.com/Parks/FOVE.

There will be a Christmas craft bazaar at the Camp Verde Community Center Gym, 51 E. Hollamon St., from noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 12. The Christmas Parade of Lights starts at 6 p.m. on Main Street.

Details: Free. 928-554-0851, www.visitcampverde.com.

Lake Havasu City

More than 500,000 lights draped over London Bridge and throughout the English Village set the water aglow. The Festival of Lights makes such an enchanted scene that Santa stops by from 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays to spread around even more jollity.

Things get even showier during the Boat Parade of Lights Dec. 4-5. Starting at 6:30 p.m. dozens of brightly decorated boats will cruise through Bridgewater Channel under London Bridge. Visit the docks in front of London Bridge Resort, where the parade floats will be lit up nightly at dusk.

Details: 6-10 p.m. daily Nov. 27-Jan. 1. Free. 928-453-3444, www.golakehavasu.com.

Tucson

Holiday Nights at Tohono Chul Park are the very essence of a Southwest Christmas. Hundreds of thousands of lights drape saguaros, ocotillos and paloverde trees as luminarias guide visitors along shimmering pathways through the park’s 49 acres. Seasonal music adds to the festive atmosphere. The Tohono Chul Tea Room will be open for dinner, serving a holiday menu.

Details: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19. $16, $3 for age 12 and younger. 520-742-6455, www.tohonochulpark.org.

Globe

The Festival of Lights at Besh Ba Gowah Archaeological Park and Museum is one of Arizona’s signature holiday events. Some 1,800 luminarias are perched atop the walls of this ancient Salado Indian village, adding a magical glow to the falling dusk. Live music, cultural entertainers, hot cider and refreshments are part of the evening.  

Details: 5-9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20. 1324 S. Jessie Hayes Road, Globe. Free. 928-425-0320, www.globemiamichamber.com.

Find the reporter at www.rogernaylor.com. Or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RogerNaylorinAZ or Twitter @AZRogerNaylor.