What is there to do in Scottsdale for Christmas?

Plenty. Scottsdale trades snow for sunshine, so the holidays mix festive events with warm-weather adventure: desert light shows like Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden, Old Town's Scottsdazzle programming, resort ice rinks and light displays like Christmas at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, holiday parades in nearby Carefree and Glendale, and daytime desert tours and hikes in perfect 65-to-70-degree weather. Always confirm this year's dates, as event schedules shift annually.

What is the weather like in Scottsdale at Christmas?

Mild and sunny. December days in Scottsdale typically run in the mid-60s to low-70s with cool evenings in the 40s. It's some of the best weather of the year, ideal for outdoor holiday events by night and desert adventures or hikes by day. Bring layers for the evening chill.

Is Scottsdale a good place to spend the holidays?

Yes, especially if you want a sunny, outdoor-friendly alternative to a cold-weather Christmas. You get festive lights, resort dining, and holiday events without the snow, plus prime-season desert tours, golf, spas, and hiking. It's a popular warm-weather holiday escape for exactly that reason.

Things to Do in Scottsdale for Christmas & the Holidays

Name: Desert Dog Offroad Adventures
Address: 17212 E. Shea Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ, 85268, US
Telephone: (480) 837-3966
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.9

Christmas in the desert hits different. Instead of shoveling snow, you’re strolling Old Town in a light jacket, watching thousands of luminarias glow against saguaros, and spending sunny 68-degree afternoons out on the trails. Scottsdale leans all the way into the holidays with light shows, resort ice rinks, festive Old Town programming, and some of the best weather in the country. Here’s how to make the most of the season, plus a few dates worth confirming for this year.

Walk Through a Desert of Lights

The Valley’s signature holiday tradition is Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden in nearby Phoenix, where thousands of hand-lit luminarias and twinkling lights turn the desert garden into something magical. It’s the kind of only-in-Arizona holiday scene you won’t find anywhere with snow. Tickets sell out, so book early.

Prefer your lights with a side of wildlife? ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo is a Valley institution: millions of lights, animal-shaped displays, and a walkable loop the whole family loves.

Celebrate in Old Town with Scottsdazzle

Downtown Scottsdale throws itself a month-long party called Scottsdazzle, with tree lightings, holiday markets, strolling carolers, festive window displays, and special events across the Old Town Entertainment District. It pairs perfectly with a holiday dinner and a walk through the galleries and shops. For where to eat and drink while you’re there, see our guides to the best brunch spots in Old Town and Old Town Scottsdale nightlife.

Ice Skating in the Desert

Yes, really. Several Scottsdale resorts build outdoor ice rinks for the season, and the biggest production is Christmas at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, an all-out holiday wonderland with a skating rink, millions of lights, a musical light show, s’mores, and rides. Even if you’re not staying there, it’s worth a night out. Book timed entry ahead.

Catch a Holiday Parade

The West’s holiday spirit comes out in the parades:

Carefree Christmas Festival & Electric Light Parade, just north of Scottsdale, a charming small-town celebration with a lit night parade.
Glendale Glitters, the Valley’s massive downtown light display over in Glendale.
APS Electric Light Parade in central Phoenix, a beloved Valley tradition of illuminated floats.

Dates move each year, so check the current schedule before you plan around one. Our events calendar tracks what’s happening around Scottsdale and Phoenix.

Spend the Sunny Days Outside

Here’s Scottsdale’s holiday secret weapon: the daytime weather. December runs mild and sunny, mid-60s to low-70s, which is genuinely some of the best weather of the year for getting outside. While half the country is snowed in, you can spend the afternoon on a desert trail or behind the wheel of a side-by-side.

Winter is actually prime season for a Sonoran Desert tour, cool, comfortable, and clear. A guided desert tour makes a memorable holiday outing for visiting family or a group of friends in town for the season. Our U-Drive guided ATV and sand buggy tours welcome all ages and fitness levels, and our VIP private tours are an easy way to keep a big family group together. Here’s why the cooler months are the best time to ride.

The Easiest Gift on Your List

Stuck on what to get the person who has everything? Skip the sweater. An experience gift is the move, and a desert adventure is one they’ll actually remember. Our gift cards cover any tour and never expire, so you can hand over a real Sonoran Desert adventure without picking the date for them. For more ideas, see our roundup of the best adventure experience gifts in Arizona.

Plan Your Scottsdale Holiday

The magic of Christmas in Scottsdale is the mix: festive lights and holiday tradition by night, warm sunshine and desert adventure by day, no snow boots required. Line up a light show or two, a night in Old Town, and a daytime desert tour, and you’ve got a holiday the whole crew will remember.

Want to add an adventure to the itinerary or find a gift they’ll love? Call us at (480) 837-3966, book a desert tour, or grab a gift card, and we’ll help make the season one to remember.