Arizona is the perfect place to head to on your next winter break; ensure you’ve organized your airport transfer well in advance of your trip so you can land in Arizona fully prepared for adventure and exploration!
Whether you’re looking to explore the food scene of the U.S. state, or you want to head straight in and visit the world-famous Grand Canyon, Arizona has something to offer everyone.
If you’re looking for inspiration on the best Arizona winter activities, then keep reading this guide for more information!
The Polar Express Train Tour
Synonymous with winter is of course, Christmas, so what better activity to enjoy in Arizona than a ride on The Polar Express Train?
One of the most beloved Christmas films for kids of all ages is “The Polar Express”, and a ride with The Grand Canyon Tour Company is a sure-fire way to ignite the Christmas spirit during your trip to Arizona!
The train departs from the Williams Depot to “The North Pole” on a 1.5-hour round trip and is a beautiful way to enjoy the classic retelling of the story as the children drink a scrumptious mug of hot chocolate and cookies!
ZooLights
The ZooLights festival hosted by the Phoenix Zoo has become somewhat of a tradition over the festive period for both locals and tourists alike over the last 25 years.
There are so many fascinating festive things to see at night at the Zoo, including a three-story Christmas tree and a stunning lakeside music show.
It’s an ideal winter activity to enjoy in Arizona if you’re near Phoenix during the holidays.
The North Pole Experience
If you’re traveling to Arizona with children over the winter holidays, then a stop in Flagstaff is an absolute must.
Here you’ll find a magical North Pole Experience that’s been specifically designed with children in mind. From a trolley ride to the “North Pole Forest” to a personal tour of “Santa’s mailroom” to the “Elf University”, there are so many magical experiences kids can enjoy.
The kids will also get to enjoy a special visit from Santa, so make sure they’re on the Nice list this year!
Glendale Glitters
This annual holiday tradition is perfect for families of all ages; you and the kids are sure to enjoy watching the incredible display of over 1.5 million LED lights across 16 blocks in Downtown Glendale.
If you’re in the neighborhood of Glendale between Thanksgiving and January, then you must add a visit to Glendale Glitters to your itinerary!
World Lantern Festival
As well as the amazing ZooLights Festival, Phoenix also boasts the impressive World Lantern Festival from November until January.
You can enjoy watching a modern-day adaptation of the Chinese tradition of floating lanterns, however, Phoenix’s offering uses modern lights and technology instead.
While admiring the beautiful lights, you can also enjoy a vast array of cuisines and cultures. There’s even family-friendly carnival games and rides to entertain the whole family throughout winter too!
Arizona Snowbowl
If you want to enjoy winter like a true Arizonan, you need to head to the western slope of Mount Humphreys; also known as the Arizona Snowbowl.
Here you can enjoy over 777 acres perfectly designed for skiing and sledding.
It’s a great place to enjoy winter in Arizona, and regardless of whether you’re a novice or an expert skier, you’re sure to enjoy exploring the abundant snow-capped mountains that Flagstaff has to offer.
CitySkate
The CitySkate ice rink is open from the end of November until January and is the only real outdoor ice skating rink in Phoenix.
This makes it the perfect place to enjoy a lap or two around the ice in Downtown Phoenix, before heading to a nearby cafe for a heart-warming hot chocolate or coffee.
Winterhaven Festival of Lights
Similarly to Glendale Glitters, the Winterhaven Festival of Lights in Tucson, Arizona is one of the biggest, best and longest-running light festivals in the whole of the U.S.!
Every year, the Winterhaven residents deck out their homes with thousands of festive lights and decorations, making it a truly magical way to enjoy the holidays.
Everyone is sure to enjoy the spectacular lights and decorations that have been carefully constructed by homeowners in the Winterhaven community. You can even enjoy a group tour of the lights by bike, bus or even a hayride wagon!
Arizona is a great place to visit during winter as there are so many things to see and do, including seeing a festive light show, going skiing or sledding or even paying a visit to Santa.
This guide has only covered a handful of winter and Christmas-themed things to do in Arizona, but there’s so much more to enjoy in many of the state’s cities and towns!
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