Phoenix is abuzz with festive events this holiday season.
Between now and the end of December, families can immerse themselves in winter wonderlands, walk through holiday light displays and visit Santa Claus.
Sip hot cocoa around a fire table at Jingle at the JW Desert Ridge, ice skate at one of the Valley rinks or admire light displays at Zoolights.
There are free and ticketed events on weekdays and weekends, plus activities for children and adults alike. For ticketed events, be sure to book ahead: winter festivities are popular in the Phoenix area and fill fast.
Here’s what to know.
Experience Jingle at JW Desert Ridge
JW Marriot Desert Ridge will host its first ever winter display with an ice skating rink, cozy fire tables, a snow play area, a virtual ski experience, a whimsical gondola photo station, an après ski pop-up bar and holiday dining. Starting Dec. 15, the hotel will have a “Jingle Jump zone for kids.” After Christmas, the resort will host a “Family Pajama Party.”
Activities are daily, starting at 5 p.m. on weekdays and 4 p.m. on weekends.
The cost varies by activity and can be booked on the JW Marriot website.
Visit the Sippin’ Santa holiday pop-up bar
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour in downtown Phoenix has been transformed into the popular Sippin’ Santa holiday tiki bar until Dec. 28. Fan-favorite cocktails such as the “Jingle Bird” made with bourbon, pineapple rum, Campari, pineapple, lime and “Jingle Mix,” are back along with several brand-new cocktails such as “Frosty the Merman” made with rye, vanilla-clove syrup, lime, pear, apricot and allspice liqueurs.
More: Get in the Christmas spirit at festive pop-up bars in Phoenix and Scottsdale
Enjoy Zoolights at Phoenix Zoo
This year, Phoenix Zoo will offer walking and driving options for its annual ZooLights display.
The Phoenix Zoo will feature a twinkly, winter wonderland of lights until Jan. 12, 2025.
Zoolights has a new light show, cozy s’mores pits and hot cocoa to sip while you stroll through a 200-foot-long light tunnel or get your photo with Santa.
The event runs nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. It costs $30 online ($25 for zoo members), $35 at the gate ($30 for members). Children ages 2 and under are free.
Prefer driving instead of walking? Drive-thru Zoolights is open on Jan. 13 and 14 this season.
Go ice skating at AZ Ice
If you prefer to ice skate indoors, AZ Ice has three indoor ice skating locations that offer public skating year-round.
The Arcadia location, 3853 E. Thomas Road, has one ice surface, a restaurant, bar and coffee shop.
The Gilbert and Peoria locations each have two ice surfaces, two restaurants and a bar.
Public skate times vary daily. Check the schedules and prices at azicearcadia.com, azicegilbert.com and azicepeoria.com.
Holiday ice rinks 2024: Here’s where to skate outdoors in metro Phoenix
Drive around and look at Christmas lights
Got a toddler (or several) who’s difficult to wrangle? Buckle ’em up, hand ’em a sippy cup of hot cocoa and drive around viewing lights for free.
An annual drive to look at over-the-top holiday lights is a tradition for many families in greater Phoenix. The Arizona Republic rounds up the best lights displays in metro Phoenix.
Check out the list to find displays in your area.
Christmas lights 2024: Use our Phoenix-area holiday map to see the best displays
Get out of town at the Flagstaff North Pole Experience
Sick of Phoenix and want a change of scenery? Visit the North Pole Experience in Flagstaff.
It starts with a trolley ride at Little America Hotel, whisking you through a magic portal to the North Pole.
From there take a tour of the big man’s workshop and visit Elf University, the mailroom and Sleigh Hangar. Enjoy some of Mrs. Claus’ fresh-baked goods, and spend some personal time with Santa. Each child receives a 2024 heirloom teddy bear.
Prices vary from $52-76. For more information, visit northpoleexperience.com.
More: Christmas 2024: Biggest holiday events in Prescott, Flagstaff, Sedona
Arizona Republic reporters and contributors Endia Fontanez, Meredith G. White, Wendy Killeen and Roger Naylor contributed to this story.
Taylor Seely covers Phoenix for The Arizona Republic / azcentral.com. Reach her at tseely@arizonarepublic.com or by phone at 480-476-6116.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 6 Christmas things to do in Phoenix this December