Christmas displays light up Valley’s landscape
This holiday season various areas across the state have used their creative juices and put together dazzling displays for everyone, young and old, to enjoy.
Below is a list comprised of spectacular light displays found in the valley. Take some time this holiday season and create a new tradition by going out with family and friends to see some Christmas lights.
1. Zoo Lights - Located at the Phoenix Zoo, Zoo Lights has 2.5 million animal-themed lights, 12,000 lights in each tree and themed music. This year’s theme is “Patterns of Light in the Night,” which is all about what happens after animals go to sleep. Admission is $8 and Zoo Lights is open thru Jan. 7 at 6 to 10 p.m.
2. Glendale Glitters, Enchanted Evenings - Located at Historic Murphy Park, Glendale Glitters has millions of mulit-colored lights creating a “sparkling canopy” over 10 square blocks and an animated light show choreographed to traditional holiday melodies. Glendale Glitters is open every Saturday and Friday at 6 to 10 p.m.
3. Santa’s Theme Park - Located at Firebird Raceway, the mile-long showground features rides, a dozen light shows every night, an ice skating rink and 74-foot tall Christmas tree. Admission is $18.95 with $3 off if three cans of food are donated.
4. Las Noches de las Luminarias - Located at the Desert Botanical Gardens, thousands of luminarias light up the trails, buildings and court yard.
5. Temple Garden Christmas - Located at the Mesa Temple, thousands of lights adorn palm trees and various flower gardens. Throughout the temple grounds, the nativity story is on display. Admission is free and the temple is open till 10 p.m.
6. Holiday Mountain - Located at the Val Vista Lakes Clubhouse, the Holiday Mountain is a forest full of lights with Santa available for portraits. The Holiday Mountain is open from 6 to 10 p.m., Friday thru Saturday and 6 to 9 p.m. on Sundays.
7. Fantasy of Lights - Located along Mill Avenue, thousands of lights are displayed through the streets of Tempe. Street entertainment is also playing at Mill Avenue.
8. Winter Wonderland - Located out at Queen Creek, more than a million lights are on display along with hayrides and a marshmellow roast.
9. The Natal Circle Display - Located at 600 W. Natal Circle, all the neighbors within one cul de sac put up a huge light display, including a trip through Bethlehem, for the whole valley to enjoy. Bring can food for their can food drive for the United Food Bank.
10. The Mesa Village Trailer Park - Located at E. Allred Avenue, the whole park lights up with lights strung up palm trees and across the trailers.
11. Circle G Ranches - Located at E. San Pedro Avenue, the mansions that aline the neighborhood, one of which used to be Danny Anige’s, are full of lights and cut out characters.
12. Bob Rix’s House - Located at 15th Street and Brill Street, Bob Rix puts up an animated display of lights outside as well as inside. This year’s theme is an animated gingerbread house.
Volume 44, Issue 7. Today is
Photos by Scott Seligman