If you want to end your 2018 holiday season with a bang, there’s no better way than a Christmas lights road trip. From strolling through Downtown Prescott and admiring the vibrant lights to driving through neighborhoods set ablaze with millions of glittering bulbs, this is the perfect winter vacation for the whole family.
The entire trip is just under twelve hours, so you’ll definitely want to spend the night in a few cities. A map with exact addresses and directions can be found here. Happy Holidays!
Google Maps
- Bearizona (Williams)
Facebook/Bearizona You won’t see any real bears here this holiday season, but there are plenty of lighted versions set up in all sorts of adorable scenarios. Watch them climb trees wrapped in multicolored glittering bulbs, swim in faux rivers, and traipse around the entire park. You can’t miss this wild display!
- Little America Hotel (Flagstaff)
Facebook/NorthPoleExperience This annual tradition is one of Arizona’s most dazzling light displays. Pine trees surrounding the hotel are illuminated from dusk to 10 p.m. each night through January 6. You can also participate in the North Pole Experience, which takes you on an enchanting journey to Santa’s Workshop.
- Cottonwood
Facebook/CottonwoodOTA Old Town Cottonwood couldn’t be more charming at Christmastime. Main Street is filled with wreaths and garland hanging overhead, and old-fashioned buildings illuminate the night from floor to ceiling. It might be a small community, but nobody would think that when the holiday season rolls around.
- Clarkdale
Facebook/ClarkdaleAZ Much like Cottonwood, the tiny town of Clarkdale puts on an impressive show this time of year. Main Street and the entirety of downtown come alive with gorgeous light displays all season long.
- Jerome
Facebook/Jerome Chamber of Commerce Jerome might be the most infamous ghost town in Arizona, but don’t count it out for Christmas! Visitors and locals alike gather at Upper Park each night to admire the tree and sidewalk luminarias and spread holiday cheer.
- Downtown Prescott
Flickr/michaelpwilson Of course, Arizona’s official Christmas town has to be a stop on the trip! The entirety of downtown Prescott, including Yavapai County Courthouse, turns into an absolute winter wonderland this time of year.
- Valley of Lights at Fain Park (Prescott Valley)
Facebook/PrescottValleyChamber Enjoy a breathtaking one-mile light display from the comfort of your own vehicle at Fain Park. It takes about 30 minutes to complete and you can visit from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly through December 30.
- Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary (Prescott)
Facebook/HeritageParkZoo With an admission fee of just $6 per person, this wildlife preserve is a must-see holiday attraction. Take a leisurely stroll and marvel at all the amazing displays, listen to holiday tunes, and sip on a steaming mug of hot cocoa.
- Lake Havasu City
Facebook/Visit Lake Havasu City This charming English Village glimmers with Christmas magic, from downtown shops to boats sailing by underneath the London Bridge. Pop into an antique store and pick up a few last-minute gifts, or simply walk around and take in all the sights.
- Tucson
YouTube/Sly Dog Production The Winterhaven neighborhood takes holiday decorating into its own hands. Every house is completely decked out, and hayrides are offered for visitors to experience the displays in style.
Check out this virtual tour of the festive Winterhaven neighborhood shared on YouTube by Sly Dog Productions:
Google Maps
Facebook/Bearizona
You won’t see any real bears here this holiday season, but there are plenty of lighted versions set up in all sorts of adorable scenarios. Watch them climb trees wrapped in multicolored glittering bulbs, swim in faux rivers, and traipse around the entire park. You can’t miss this wild display!
Facebook/NorthPoleExperience
This annual tradition is one of Arizona’s most dazzling light displays. Pine trees surrounding the hotel are illuminated from dusk to 10 p.m. each night through January 6. You can also participate in the North Pole Experience, which takes you on an enchanting journey to Santa’s Workshop.
Facebook/CottonwoodOTA
Old Town Cottonwood couldn’t be more charming at Christmastime. Main Street is filled with wreaths and garland hanging overhead, and old-fashioned buildings illuminate the night from floor to ceiling. It might be a small community, but nobody would think that when the holiday season rolls around.
Facebook/ClarkdaleAZ
Much like Cottonwood, the tiny town of Clarkdale puts on an impressive show this time of year. Main Street and the entirety of downtown come alive with gorgeous light displays all season long.
Facebook/Jerome Chamber of Commerce
Jerome might be the most infamous ghost town in Arizona, but don’t count it out for Christmas! Visitors and locals alike gather at Upper Park each night to admire the tree and sidewalk luminarias and spread holiday cheer.
Flickr/michaelpwilson
Of course, Arizona’s official Christmas town has to be a stop on the trip! The entirety of downtown Prescott, including Yavapai County Courthouse, turns into an absolute winter wonderland this time of year.
Facebook/PrescottValleyChamber
Enjoy a breathtaking one-mile light display from the comfort of your own vehicle at Fain Park. It takes about 30 minutes to complete and you can visit from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly through December 30.
Facebook/HeritageParkZoo
With an admission fee of just $6 per person, this wildlife preserve is a must-see holiday attraction. Take a leisurely stroll and marvel at all the amazing displays, listen to holiday tunes, and sip on a steaming mug of hot cocoa.
Facebook/Visit Lake Havasu City
This charming English Village glimmers with Christmas magic, from downtown shops to boats sailing by underneath the London Bridge. Pop into an antique store and pick up a few last-minute gifts, or simply walk around and take in all the sights.
YouTube/Sly Dog Production
The Winterhaven neighborhood takes holiday decorating into its own hands. Every house is completely decked out, and hayrides are offered for visitors to experience the displays in style.
So, who’s up for the trip? Which places on the list have you been to already? Tell us your thoughts!
For more Christmas cheer in Arizona, check out Christmas In These 9 Arizona Towns Looks Like Something From A Hallmark Movie.
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