If you’re looking for a way to feel more festive right before the holidays, enjoying local Christmas lights is the best way to go. Lucky for you, Scottsdale has plenty of festive locations from which to choose!
If you’ve already driven around DC Ranch and nearby neighborhoods and enjoyed all the lights on local houses, it’s time to give some Scottsdale landmarks a chance to impress you with their holiday spirit.
McCormick Stillman Railroad Park
This is the place to be if you have young children or are a train lover! This park – which is already a favorite among kids year round – really lights up around the holidays. In fact, from December 11 to January 2, you can see thousands of beautiful Christmas lights around the park when you go between 6:30-9 pm. Santa Claus visits nightly until December 23. Take a train ride for $4 per person or a carousel ride for $2 and marvel at the multitude of colorful lights you’ll see on the rides at McCormick Stillman Railroad Park during the holidays.
Butterfly Wonderland
Visiting Butterfly Wonderland in the summer before the kids go back to school will prove to be a completely different experience than in the winter, thanks to the Winter Wonderland display this holiday season. At this popular Scottsdale attraction, you can see more than 3,000 butterflies soaring amidst thousands of sparkling Christmas lights. There are also some breathtaking 7-foot angel statues, a sea of luminarias, and of course a giant Christmas tree. When you check out the lights at Butterfly Wonderland, you can also listen to live holiday music and buy tree ornaments to commemorate your family’s experience. The festivities will take place until Wednesday, December 23, from 10 am-4:30 pm each day.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
When you go to the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess this winter, you’ll be greeted by over 2 million lights, which you can view from the Princess Express train that glide through the Princess. You’ll see everything from a festive pirate ship, 3D whale, and swans to a candy cane forest, skating penguins, and a giant Loch Noss Monster. And that’s just the beginning! At this Scottsdale holiday event, there’s also a large Christmas tree with another 70,000 lights, in addition to a petting zoo, carousel, s’mores, holiday music, and an ice skating rink for you to enjoy with your family and friends. The event goes until January 3, but you can get pictures with Santa for only $10 until December 23.
If you’ve enjoyed the DC Ranch Christmas events in 2015, it’s time to branch out to other Scottsdale locations and take a look at some amazing lights. Be sure to report back and let us know which one was your favorite!
Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team – RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-360-0281
don@scottsdalerealestate.com
