She created Wander In Arizona to share first-hand information about traveling to the many fantastic cities, trails, national parks, monuments and more as she continues to explore.
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The Christmas lights in Prescott transform this charming Arizona mountain town into a spectacle that would make even Santa’s elves do a double-take.
As I stand here on Courthouse Square, watching my breath form tiny clouds in the crisp December air, I can’t help but marvel at how our little slice of the Southwest has mastered the art of holiday illumination.
Some say it’s the altitude that makes our lights sparkle brighter; I say it’s the special brand of holiday magic that only a frontier town can conjure.
You haven’t truly experienced festive lighting until you’ve seen a saguaro cactus wrapped in LED strands, looking like nature’s own Christmas tree having an identity crisis.
From the twinkling thoroughfares to the holiday light displays that probably show up on NASA satellite imagery, Prescott’s seasonal sparkle game is strong enough to make the North Pole jealous.
And yes, I’ve heard the locals call it everything from “Prescott’s Luminous Extravaganza” to “That Time of Year When Our Electric Bills Make Us Cry.”
In this post, I’ll show you exactly where to find Prescott’s most dazzling displays (and the best hot chocolate spots to warm up between light-hunting adventures).
Click here for the complete guide to all Prescott Christmas events.
OTHER GUIDES TO HELP YOU PLAN ARIZONA WINTER TRIPS:
18 BEST CHRISTMAS DESTINATIONS IN ARIZONA YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT
15 TOP SCOTTSDALE CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
10 PRESCOTT CHRISTMAS EVENTS TO ENJOY WITH KIDS
27 BEST CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN ARIZONA TO VISIT THIS YEAR
FLAGSTAFF IN WINTER – WHAT TO DO AND SEE
A COMPLETE GUIDE TO EXPERIENCE PHOENIX CHRISTMAS
BEST CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN SCOTTSDALE
WATCH THE FABULOUS CHRISTMAS PARADE
It is the show-stopper among all Christmas lights in Prescott which you should not miss.
If you think Black Friday crowds are intense, wait until you see Downtown Prescott on parade day.
For over 40 years, this Christmas spectacular has been drawing crowds faster than free hot chocolate on a cold day, earning its spot as Arizona’s most unmissable holiday event.
Picture this: nearly a hundred floats meandering through historic streets, marching bands playing everything from “Jingle Bells” to that one Christmas song you can’t get out of your head until February, and enough community groups to make a small army – complete with wagging tails and tiny elves (or as we call them, excited kids in costume).
Pro tip: Bring chairs and blankets, unless sitting on frozen concrete is your idea of holiday fun.
And trust me, you’ll want to be comfortable because this parade is the official “OK, now it’s Christmas” moment in Prescott.
It’s like someone flips a giant festive switch, and suddenly everyone’s humming carols.
The grand finale? A meet-and-greet with the jolliest couple from the North Pole themselves.
Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Claus take time from their busy toy-making schedule to hang out with the kids.
Though between you and me, I suspect they’re really here for Prescott’s famous Christmas cookies – even Santa needs a break from elf-made treats.
Timings – 1 PM to 3 PM
SEE THE COURTHOUSE LIGHTING SPECTACLE
Prescott, one of the oldest cities in Arizona, is currently a modern town with a mining past that takes holiday celebrations seriously.
A Prescott Arizona Christmas is a magical Christmas indeed. But Christmas celebrations go back to the late 19th century in this beautiful city.
One of the top Christmas lights is the annual Courthouse Lighting, a longtime tradition that draws thousands of people to downtown Prescott.
Every December, on the first Saturday, large crowds gather in the often-chilly night air as the spectacle unfolds.
The Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza is illuminated with thousands of lights, a tradition lasting over 60 years.
Watch the switch being flipped as the historical Courthouse radiates.
Along with the decorations on the courthouse building, dozens of trees around it are also lit up colorfully.
Although the Courthouse Lighting happens in early December, the decorations remain through mid-January, more than a month-long attraction in downtown Prescott.
Even if you do not attend the lighting event, be assured that the historic building looks nearly as magical on a random winter night.
Timings – 6 PM
VISIT FRONTIER CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
Ever wondered how cowboys celebrated Christmas? Spoiler alert: It wasn’t all tumbleweeds and cactus wreaths.
The Frontier Christmas Open House at Sharlot Hall Museum is where history meets holiday cheer, and trust me, these folks knew how to party – Victorian style.
After you’ve had your fill of the Courthouse lighting show (and picked your jaw up off the ground), take a leisurely stroll to the museum.
Here’s where things get interesting: imagine luminaries lighting your path like 19th-century Christmas lights, minus the tangled cords and blown fuses.
The interactive displays are like a time machine with tinsel – one minute, you’re checking your smartphone; the next, you’re learning how pioneers decked their halls without Amazon Prime.
But here’s the real kicker – live music fills the air while you stuff your face with historical holiday treats.
And speaking of shopping, their gift store is packed with heritage-style crafts and Victorian-themed goodies that’ll make your modern relatives say, “Wait, they had Christmas before electricity?”
Yes, you can experience Christmas cookies the way your great-great-grandparents did, along with cider and hot chocolate that’ll make your local coffee shop’s offerings seem positively contemporary.
However, I suspect the pioneers didn’t have to resist the urge to post their cookies on Instagram.
VALLEY OF THE LIGHTS
One of the lighting events that is a popular part of Prescott Christmas is the Valley of the Lights.
Beginning from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Eve, Fain Park off 5th Street is lit up with brilliant Christmas displays.
Drive along for a mile taking in the artistic displays of lights!
Timings – 6 PM to 10 PM
TAKE YOUR KIDS TO HERITAGE PARK ZOO
During the Christmas week between December 23rd to December 29th year every year, Prescott’s quaint Heritage Park Zoo hosts a spectacular holiday zoo lights event known as Wild Lights.
It is one of the fun Prescott Christmas things to do with your kids.
This small park, spanning only 10 acres, turns magical with festive holiday decorations, music, and spectacular holiday light displays, including animal-themed wire displays.
Check out the animals, all being rescued, including a black bear, tiger, mountain lion, Mexican wolf, coyote, lemur, bobcat, and various birds and reptiles.
The holiday light display will be opened to the public every Friday & Saturday evening beginning November 23 and running until New Year’s Eve.
Timings – 6 PM to 9 PM; Entry fees – $6
SEE THIS INDOOR HOLIDAY ATTRACTION
If you are looking for more colorful Christmas lights in Prescott, head to Enchanted Christmas, an amazing Indoor Holiday Light Attraction at Gateway Mall.
Feel the holiday spirit in the many themed rooms decorated with at least half a million lights, click family pictures to frame them on your walls back home.
The most spectacular highlight of Enchanted Christmas is the massive Department 56 Christmas Village, which includes buildings from Dickens Christmas, New England, Christmas in the City, Snow Village and North Pole Series.
There’s even a Polar Express train running through the village!
You can join one of the many night tours in Prescott that will take you through its eerie past as you explore many haunted neighbourhoods filled with landmarks home to ghosts and grim tales.
WHERE TO STAY?
Hampton Inn Prescott – Hampton Inn Prescott is minutes from Buckey Casino and historic Prescott town centre.
Popular attractions, including Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monument are within driving distance of the Prescott Hampton Inn. This hotel has hundreds of excellent reviews. Find more details here to book.
