Chandler Holiday Event Guide

Chandler Tumbleweed Tree Lighting

Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, Downtown Chandler
December 7, 2024 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. 

Downtown Chandler Sugarland

November 30, 2024 - January 5, 2025

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 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

November 27, 2024 - January 12, 2025, 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 27, 2024 - January 12, 2025 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 the Desert Botanical Garden

• November 29-30, 2024
• December 1, 2024
• December 6-7, 2024
• December 13-15, 2024
• December 18-23, 2024
• December 26-30, 2024

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 29th through December 30th. The garden will close at 4:00 p.m. on each day of Luminaria. Advance reservations are required. Adult tickets start at $36.95 and $14.95 for children.

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. 

• Pre-book now and receive free perks!
• 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 (2024 Dates: November 11th, 18th, 27th and December 2nd)
• Sensory Santa- for those who need a calm and sensory-friendly environment (Sunday, December 8, 2024): 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
• Story Time with Mrs. Claus - Fridays in December - December 6th, 13th and 20th from 11:00 a.m. - Noon
• November 8 - 27, 2024:
  • Monday - Friday: 2 - 7 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
  • Sunday: Noon - 6 p.m.
• November 29 - December 8, 2024: 
  • Monday - Friday: 11:00 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 8 p.m.
  • Sunday: - 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. 
• December 9 - December 23, 2024: 
  • Monday - Friday: 11:00 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 8 p.m.
  • Sunday: - 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.                                                                                             
• December 24, 2024 (Christmas Eve):  10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• CLOSED Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

Santa in Downtown Chandler at Santa's House

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

• Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 4:30 - 9 p.m.
• Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 5 - 7 p.m.
• Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Saturday, December 21, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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.

Downtown Chandler
December 14, 2024 -  self-guided pub crawls starting at 10:30 a.m.

• Santa's VIP List Ticket - starts at 10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• 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 14, 2024 and features more than two dozen Downtown Chandler hot spots.   Enjoy $5 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 $50.  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 various locations.

Must be 21+ to participate. Please drink responsibly.