ZooLights Through Jan. 31, 2021, the Phoenix Zoo is transformed nightly into a holiday wonderland. It sparkles with millions of twinkling lights; dazzling animal sculptures; and the Wildlife Lantern Safari, featuring 66 hand-crafted animal sculptures. Created with metal frames and wrapped in a silk-like fabric, each lantern piece is decorated with hand-drawn details and illuminated from within. There is also a carousel, camel rides, and pop-up Zoo shops. And, special nights are reserved as “Cruise Nights,” where attendees can “Cruise the Zoo” and view the displays from their own vehicle. 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix; www.phoenixzoo.org
Holiday Lights at Salt River Fields Experience the dazzling show of nearly five million lights along a 1.2-mile-long display—complete with six holiday-themed “tunnels” of lights that encircle the award-winning Salt River Fields baseball facility, the Spring Training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. The lights are synchronized to music, with songs being simulcast directly into vehicles on a designated channel. There are also carriage rides. And, on Dec. 10, during the 7 p.m. hour, all lights will turn blue and white in a celebration of Hanukkah. Open Nov. 23-Dec. 31. 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale; www.holidaylightssrf.com
Holiday Lights At Scottsdale’s McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, take a train ride on the Paradise & Pacific Railroad through a winter wonderland of lights and displays set up around the destination from Nov. 27 through Jan. 3, 2021, 6-9:30 p.m. daily, except for Dec. 24, 25, and 31. There will be limited-capacity, one-hour blocks at 6, 7:15, and 8:30 p.m., and tickets must be purchased in advance. The train and carousel can be ridden multiple times during each time block. 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale; www.therailroadpark.com
World of Illumination Two World of Illumination drive-through display parks, each with its own adventure, are located in the Valley. In Tempe, find Arctic Adventure, while Glendale offers Rockin’ Christmas. Both feature hundreds of interactive displays and millions of animated lights to enjoy from the safety and comfort of your vehicle. Open through Jan. 3, 2021. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Tempe: 2200 W. Alameda Drive, Tempe/Glendale: 6797 N. 93rd Ave., Glendale; www.worldofillumination.com
Las Noches de las Luminarias On select nights at Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden through Dec. 31 (5:30-10:30 p.m.), view 8,000 flickering luminarias lining the Garden’s paths during the iconic Las Noches de las Luminarias.
(CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) COURTESY WORLD OF ILLUMINATION; COURTESY SCOTTSDAZZLE; ©MICHELLE GLICKSMAN; (PREVIOUS SPREAD) LEFT: COURTESY PHOENIX ZOO/DAVE SEIBERT; RIGHT: COURTESY SALT RIVER FIELDS
LIGHT DISPLAYS
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: WORLD OF ILLUMINATION; SCOTTSDAZZLE; CHRISTMAS AT THE PRINCESS
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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020