Let There Be Lights in Arizona

Getting into the holiday mood can be somewhat difficult in a place where the sun always shines and the temperatures rarely fall below 50 degrees.  What makes you realize that it is indeed the holiday season in Arizona are the many light festivals that take place from Tucson to Lake Havasu.  Here’s a sample of a few that will spark your holiday spirit.

Holiday Nights 2009 at Tohono Chul Park in Tucson
Recognized as one of the ten great botanical gardens in the world, Tohono Chul Park is a 49-acre oasis featuring nature trails, art exhibits, demonstration gardens, a greenhouse, and a Tea Room.  For the holiday season the park is lit with half a million lights and luminaria and offers a variety of festivities including live music, an ornament sale and cookies and hot cider.

Tohono Chul Park
7366 N. Paseo Del Norte, Tucson (map)
520-742-6455
November 27, 28 and December 4, 5
Daily 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Price: $8

APS Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade
A parade of nearly 50 boats adorned with thousands of holiday lights float down Tempe Town Lake. Holiday entertainment begins at 4 p.m and concludes with a fireworks display.

Tempe Town Lake
80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe (map)
480-921-2300
Saturday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m.
This event is free to the public.

ZooLights
A holiday must that is a delight to everyone in the family, The Phoenix Zoo boasts 2.5 million lights and 500 custom-made sculptures along with a new addition, their Komodo dragon, a dancing tree show, carousel and camel rides, and horse-drawn wagon rides.

Phoenix Zoo
455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix (map)
602-273-1341
Thursdays-Wednesdays, November 26-January 10
6:00-10:00 p.m.
Prices: $7-$10; free for children 2 and younger

Glendale Glitters
Glendale Glitters lives up to its name with a display of 1.5 million lights that illuminate downtown Glendale.  The celebration includes entertainment, food, holiday gifts, a kids’ winter wonderland, horse-drawn carriage rides, and visits with Santa Claus.

Glendale Glitters
59th and Glendale Avenues
623-930-2299
Thursdays-Wednesdays, November 27-January 16
6:00-10:00 p.m.
Free admission

Festival of Lights, Lake Havasu
The London Bridge, yes, that’s right the original London Bridge was taken apart and re-assembled where it now spans the Bridgewater Channel in Lake Havasu, Arizona.  During the holidays it is decked out along with the adjacent English Village for the Festival of Lights.  The bridge is a spectacular sight that has become Arizona’s second-biggest tourist attraction, after the Grand Canyon.

Lake Havasu City, Arizona (map)
November 27 through January 1
This event is free to the public.

Sedona’s Red Rock Fantasy
Los Abrigados Resort turns into a dazzling wonderful with almost 1 million lights amongst two-dozen themed displays.

Los Abrigados Resort
160 Portal Lane, Sedona (map)
800-521-3131
November 27 – January 2
5:00 p.m.
Price:  $5, $4 for Seniors, $2 for ages 4-12
Proceeds benefit local charities

Photo courtesy of flickr – Zoo train