The holiday season is a time full of magic and wonder. Possibly the most magical part of the season is the beauty of Christmas lights. How many treasured family memories do you have involving holiday decorations and, most importantly, the twinkling, sparkling, brilliant lights? If you're searching to find the best Christmas holiday light tours in Phoenix, Arizona, look no further.
Out of all of the Christmas light displays out there, this list includes the best options for holiday light cheer that you can find in Phoenix.
Lights of the World
Lights of the World features over 10 million lights and lanterns and, according to their website, is the largest holiday lights show in North America. The Lights of the World festival is based on the traditional Chinese New Year Lantern Festival, a beloved ritual that has lasted over 2,000 years. There are 75 displays at Lights of the World, and each uses a unique combination of traditional Chinese lantern techniques and brand-new holiday light technology.
As if the 10 million lights and lanterns were not enough, Lights of the World serves authentic international foods and has holiday crafts available to help make unforgettable memories. There are also carnival rides and games and performances including music, acrobatics, dancing, and more holiday festivities.
Lights of the World has even been rated in the Top 5 “over-the-top Christmas lights” in America by USA Today. If you’re looking for big and bold, Lights of the World may be the holiday light tour for you.
Glendale Glitters
Glendale Glitters is located in downtown Glendale and features over 1.6 million Christmas lights in a display that covers 16 city blocks. The size of Glendale Glitters makes it Arizona’s largest free holiday light display, and a holiday tradition that many Phoenix-area families enjoy year after year.
Glendale Glitters is not just a light display, there are special events as well. First is the Glendale Glitters Spectacular Weekend, which will be held from November 27-28, 2020, this year. Then, at the end of the holiday season, Glendale Glitters throws a farewell extravaganza that is attended by an average of 75,000-90,000 people each year and includes live music and hot air balloons.
Usually, the finale features more than 20 hot air balloons, which are tethered and decorated in glowing holiday lights at various locations throughout downtown Glendale. Live music entertainment is provided by popular local bands of all genres, bringing the community together for fun, beauty, and holiday festivities. If you’re looking for the excitement of a community festival, and wouldn’t mind seeing some hot air balloons while you are at it, you should check out Glendale Glitters for your Christmas holiday lights tour.
Phoenix ZooLights
Attending Phoenix ZooLights is a popular family holiday tradition. The Phoenix Zoo is decorated with millions of holiday lights and animal sculptures throughout. ZooLights also features a Wildlife Lantern Safari, which includes 66 large animal-shaped lanterns, lit up with a holiday glow.
In years past, you could only view the ZooLights by walking through the Phoenix Zoo. For 2020, however, ZooLights has added a new way to experience the festivities — by driving through. While you can still opt for the classic walk-through option, you can also choose to experience “Cruise ZooLights” and observe the lights from the comfort and social-distancing of a vehicle.
In addition to the Wildlife Lantern Safari, 2020 Walk ZooLights will features the following attractions:
- Expanded walking trails
- Polar Paradise on the Tropics Trail
- A Music-in Motion light show
- Jengo and Tortuga, the Phoenix Zoo’s own talking giraffe and turtle
- Holiday food and drink
- The chance to take a photo with Santa
Cruise ZooLights includes the above attraction, with the exception of the Santa photo op. However, Cruise ZooLights offers a souvenir photo instead, as well as a complementary soundtrack to help your holiday lights driving tour feel truly Christmas-y.
Proceeds from Phoenix ZooLights will help support the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation and Phoenix Zoo, to help offset the costs of animal care and vital operations during the continuing financial difficulties caused by COVID-19. The money made will help the Phoenix Zoo rebuild its operating reserves, which have been damaged by the pandemic.
Animal lovers, if you want to support a good cause, have some family-friendly fun, and take in some picturesque Christmas views, Phoenix ZooLights will not disappoint.
World of Illumination
World of Illumination, which is known as the world’s largest animated light show, features three different drive-through theme parks in three different cities, two of which are in the Phoenix area. One of the three — Rockin’ Christmas — is open from November 6, 2020, to January 3, 2021, and is positioned at Westgate Shopping District in Glendale. The second park — Arctic Adventure — is located at the Tempe Diablo Stadium and is open from November 10, 2020, to January 3, 2021. Unfortunately, the last park is located in Marietta, Georgia, which is probably out of your family’s driving range for your holiday lights outing.
Each World of Illumination light displays features its own theme and is an immersive light and sound experience. The three parks display almost two million lights, and your family will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds from the cozy safety of a vehicle.
If you don’t want to leave your car, but you still want to experience beautiful, immersive, high-tech holiday lights and music, then the Rockin’ Christmas or Arctic Adventure World of Illumination parks could be your best bet.
Take a Luxury Limousine Lights Tour
Finally, if you want to make some truly elegant holiday memories, you can take the entire family for a luxury limousine Christmas holiday lights tour. The glimmering holiday lights will seem to shimmer even more from the extravagance of a limousine. You can enjoy the best light displays in the Phoenix area while creating a lasting memory your family will cherish for years to come. The entire family will enjoy traveling in style, and limousine holiday light tours can often be customized for your group’s specific needs.
If you want to go on a luxury limousine holiday lights tour, don’t wait until the last minute to book your tour! The schedules for these tours can fill up very quickly, and you don’t want to disappoint your family if there are no tours available. Instead, you should schedule a tour as soon as you know you want your family to experience a limousine holiday lights tour together, even if it’s weeks in advance.
Whether you decide to take in the sights from a luxury limousine or check out one of the best Christmas holiday light tours in Phoenix, Arizona, make this holiday season one to remember. Fortunately, you don’t have to pick just one tour! You have time to see all of holiday spirit Phoenix has to offer this year.