Chandler Holiday Event Guide

In Chandler, Arizona, it really is the most wonderful time of year and is especially inviting to visitors with its mild winter weather and plenty of decorations, activities and festive events that feature holiday music, dazzling lights, amazing food, and tumbleweeds (it is Arizona, after all!).

In addition to great shopping and the wonderfully decorated hotels, spending the holidays in Chandler is sure to get you into the holiday spirit when you are attending one of the many uniquely, Arizona holiday traditions that are perfect for a family outing, a date night, or a fun outing with friends. Be sure to check out our Chandler hotel deals page for current discounts and special offers.

Christmas Lights in Chandler

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Tumbleweed Tree and Santa's House in Chandler

 

Chandler Tumbleweed Tree Lighting

Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, Downtown Chandler
December 2, 2023 4:30 - 9 p.m.

Holiday traditions abound, but make plans to visit the most iconic tree in all of the Southwest - the Chandler Tumbleweed Tree. It is proudly displayed in the historic park in Downtown Chandler and is hard to miss at more than 30 feet tall. It's about as Arizona as it gets and this uniquely Chandler tradition makes the perfect backdrop for your holiday photos. The official tree lighting takes place on the first Saturday in December and has been a tradition since 1956. 

SugarlandDowntown Chandler Sugarland

November 28, 2023 - January 2, 2024

Are you a fan of the Candyland board game? Well, you're in luck! Experience a life-sized sugar-filled experience. Snap a selfie in the candy sleigh, slide down the fruit roll-up slide, climb over giant marshmallows spilling out a life-size cup of hot chocolate, and dance through the candy canes any time of the day or night-- the perfect backdrop for family holiday photos.

Insider Tip: Make your way to Sugarland's Canal of Lights over the Commonwealth Canal on Commonwealth Avenue to see more than 500 colorful lights timed to dance holiday music from 5 – 10 p.m. daily. 

Menorah in Downtown Chandler

Menorah Lighting

The Chabad of the East Valley will host a Community Menorah Lighting event on the sixth day of Chanukah on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, from 5 – 6 p.m. in Downtown Chandler. While the Menorah will be lit every night in Hanukkah, visitors will enjoy a magic show and music at this evening celebration.

ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo

ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo

November 22, 2023 - January 14, 2024, 5:30 - 10:30 p.m.

Each year the Phoenix Zoo celebrates the holidays with ZooLights, a bright Arizona holiday tradition perfect for a family outing or a romantic stroll.  Fun for all ages, ZooLights is a dazzling display featuring millions of lights and more than 700 dazzling light displays, and several music and light shows synchronized to 15 thousand lights. ZooLights is open nightly to the public from November 22, 2023 - January 14, 2023 from 5:30 - 10:30 p.m. Advance general admission tickets start at $30 for ages 3 and up when pre-purchased, and $35 per person at the door.

Las Noches de las Luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden

Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden

  • November 24-25, 2023
  • December 1-2, 2023
  • December 8-9, 2023
  • December 15-16, 2023
  • December 19-23, 2023
  • December 26-30, 2023

Each year, the Desert Botanical Garden features a southwestern holiday tradition, Las Noches de las Luminarias. Visitors make their way through the 140-acre garden guided by 8,000 hand-lit luminarias while enjoying live music played by local musicians staged throughout the garden trails for an event you won’t want to miss. The 2023 Las Noches de las Luminarias will be held on selected days, November 24th through December 30thThe garden will close at 4:00 p.m. on each day of Luminaria. Advance reservations are required. Adult tickets start at $39.95 and $16.95 for children.

Where to See Santa

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Santa Visits in Chandler

Santa at Chandler Fashion Center

The magic of the holiday season comes alive with a visit to Santa’s winter wonderland at Chandler Fashion Center. Santa will be there starting November 10th and is located at the Macy's Court. A visit with Santa is always free and photo packages are available for purchase. 

Schedule Your Spot to Meet the Big Guy

Pre-Booking your visit is recommended to help reduce wait time and it's easy. And if you take your photo with Santa on a Monday through Thursday, every child will receive a FREE Ferris wheel ride from SCHEELS!

  • Pre-book now and receive a FREE personalized video from the North Pole after your visit. All guests who pre-book will also receive a personalized call from Santa before your visit.
  • Show up at your designated time.
  • Share your wish list with Santa and his helpers.
  • Make a lasting memory and get your photo taken with Santa.

Chandler Fashion Center Santa Photo Hours

  • Pet Nights (2023 Dates: November 13th, 20th, 27th and December 4th) : 4 - 7 p.m.
  • Sensory Santa- for those who need a calm and sensory-friendly environment (December 3, 2023): 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
  • November 10 - 22, 2023:
    • Monday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
    • Sunday: Noon - 6 p.m.
  • November 24 - December 15, 2023
    • Monday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 8 p.m.
    • Sunday: - Noon - 6 p.m.                                                                                                    
  • December 24, 2023 (Christmas Eve): 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • CLOSED Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

Santa Visits Casa Paloma

Santa at The Shoppes at Casa Paloma

Santa visits The Shoppes at Casa Paloma - Please join Santa and his Holiday Crew for a meet and greet every Saturday in December from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located near Bath & Body Works. Bring your camera to capture these memories!

  • Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 9, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 16, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 23, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Santa in Downtown Chandler at Santa's House

Hosted by the City of Chandler, stop by Santa's house in Downtown Chandler for a Free family photo during select hours in Dr. A.J. Chandler Park.

  • Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 4:30 - 9 p.m.
  • Thursday, December 7, 2023 from 5 - 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 9, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 16, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Holiday Carolers in Chandler

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Holiday Carolers Singing at The Shoppes at Casa Paloma

Holiday Carolers at The Shoppes Casa Paloma

It's a special time of year when you can shop West Chandler's premier outdoor shopping mall and enjoy holiday carolers at The Shoppes at Casa Paloma.

  • Sunday, December 3, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 10, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 17, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Santa's Pub Crawl

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Sippin' Santas Pub Crawl in Downtown Chandler

Downtown Chandler
December 9, 2023 -  self-guided pub crawls starting at 10:30 a.m.

  • Santa's VIP List Ticket - starts at 10:30 a.m. - Noon
  • Nice List is Noon - 3 p.m.
  • Naughty List is 3 - 6 p.m.

The Sippin’ Santas Pub Crawl takes over Downtown Chandler on Saturday, December 9, 2023 and features more than two dozen Downtown Chandler hot spots.   Enjoy $4 drink specials, food, and fun at Arizona's jolliest bars and restaurants in town. Tickets start at $20 or be on Santa's VIP list for $40.  Enjoy live entertainment, endless Santa selfies with the "Sugarland" holiday decorations, and the best specialty drinks in town on this self-guided pub crawl with your friends. 

There are THREE sessions with staggered registration taking place at Maple House.

Must be 21+ to participate. Please drink responsibly.

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