We are fortunate to have many festive light displays in the West Valley near Estrella to view during the holiday season! Whether it’s residential homes, entire neighborhoods or large commercial light displays, a few recommendations are listed below. Additionally, many of the displays accept donations to assist local charities providing another reason to gather family and friends to enjoy this seasonal tradition.
Estrella in Goodyear, one of Arizona’s largest active master-planned communities with more than 21,000 residents, has scores of residents who love to decorate their homes for the holiday season. It’s always a delight to see what the residents come up with every year. Located in the midst of the Sierra Estrella Mountains, it makes for stunning, festive views throughout December.
Location: 17750 W. Elliot Rd., Goodyear
When: All holiday season
2. Tree Lighting at the Goodyear Civic Square Park
Don’t be square, be at the Goodyear Civic Square to see the tree lighting on Dec. 2. There’s a three-weekend holiday celebration featuring a new theme each week, including Light Up the Holidays, Santa’s Workshop and Storybook Christmas.
Location: 1900 N Civic Sq., Goodyear
When: Dec. 2, 5-9 p.m.
3. Christmas Castle in Estrella
Be sure to view the impressive holiday display in the Estrella Park community at the home of Liz Bray and Bob Sanda who transform their home each year into a castle with holiday-decorated towers. Synchronized music too! It takes the family about eight months to plan the display which includes seasonal messages based in Christian teachings.
Location: 13204 S. 176th Ave, Goodyear
When: Through New Year’s Eve.
4. Lights in Verrado
Welcome in the holiday season at the home of the Williams-Rutt family, who have 26,400 LED pixels covering items and surfaces like giant snowflakes, icicles, a large mega-tree, and a row of candy canes lining the edge of the front yard during hourly light shows. Visitors are welcome to bring a chair or blanket and sit on the sidewalk or curb across the street. You can also watch/listen to the show from your car by tuning to FM 93.9. The family has partnered with All Faith Community Services located in downtown Buckeye and will be accepting non-perishable food donations and cash/check during the show this year.
Location: 3131 North Evergreen Street, Buckeye
When: Friday, December 3rd – Thursday, December 30th. The show will run for approximately 35 minutes beginning at 6, 7, 8, and 9 p.m.
5. Holiday Nights in Lights at The Wigwam
Bring the entire family to walk The Wigwam’s festive light path Fridays in December before Christmas Day. End the night with carols, s’mores, and hot chocolate. Help support Goodyear Fire Department charities by bringing an unwrapped toy and receive a free hot chocolate and cookie at Wigwam Bar.
Location: 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park
When: Dec. 2 – 23, 6 -8 p.m.
Historic Downtown Glendale provides a spectacular light display each evening from November 21 through January 7 at Murphy Park, as well as many festive and free holiday events. On Friday, December 16, your family can enjoy the Illumination version of ‘Dr. Suess’ The Grinch’ with food trucks onsite. There’s also the opportunity to donate to ‘Light the World’ Giving Machines in Murphy Park where you can choose to donate to carefully selected local and global charities. Additionally, the Hometown Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 10 supports Hope for Hunger, a Glendale-based food bank.
Location: Murphy Park, N. 59th Ave. and W. Glendale Ave., free parking at City Hall Parking Garage and Bank of America Parking Garage
When: 5 p.m. until 10 p.m., from November 21 through January 7
Seasonal scares! This Glendale home exhibits a strong Nightmare Before Christmas theme, with Jack Skellington and crew celebrating throughout the brightly decorated yard. Donations go to help sponsored families for Christmas.
Location: 4431 W. Escuda Drive, Glendale
When: Nov. 26 until Dec. 28
8. Peoria Old Town Holiday Festival
On Dec. 10, enjoy the tree lighting ceremony, live entertainment, and all sorts of holiday fun at Johnny E. Osuna Memorial Park. The festival takes place south of Peoria and Grand Avenues, including Osuna Park and the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts. Parking and admission are free.
Location: Johnny E. Osuna Memorial Park, south of Peoria and Grand Avenues
When: Dec. 10 from 5-9 p.m.
9. Christmas at the Princess, Scottsdale
There’s no end to the activities at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, many of which revolve around the resort’s Christmas tree with 70,000 LED lights that twinkle to 18 classic holiday songs in the Enchanted Plaza. Your family will find Santa, holiday characters, a nativity garden, a Princess Express Train, s’mores and so much more. November 18 through January 2. Christmas at the Princess is a ticketed event with limited availability and often sells out. Tickets can be purchased on their website.
Location: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess: 7575 East Princess Drive, Scottsdale
When: Nov. 18- Jan. 2
Have a fantastic time without ever leaving the dock, with live music, fine dining, and holiday gatherings at the Scorpion Bay Marina at Lake Pleasant in Peoria. You’ll see many boats decorated in holiday cheer around the marina docks. It’s also a great place to host a custom event or rent a double-decker private charter that comes complete with a captain and crew, bar, stereo system, and seating for 40 passengers.
Location: 10970 W, Peninsula Blvd, Peoria
When: All holiday season
Looking for more festive homes?
Phoenix with Kids provides The Ultimate List of Holiday Lights in Phoenix: https://www.phoenixwithkids.net/ultimate-list-of-holiday-lights-phoenix/
Phoenix New Times has a list as well: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arts/best-holiday-light-displays-phoenix-2021-christmas-lights-tempe-mesa-scottsdale-glendale-gilbert-peoria-chandler-ahwatukee-12473517
Dress warmly, pack the hot cocoa or coffee and enjoy strolling or driving past these magical holiday light displays all month long.
Find your new home at Estrella.com and discover why 7,400 families already call this diverse, welcoming West Valley master-planned community home. Located in Goodyear, Arizona amongst pristine mountains and a dramatic desert landscape, Estrella amenities include multiple Residents’ Clubs, resort-style pools and a waterpark, 72 acres of lakes, 50-plus miles of paths and trails, the Yacht Club of Estrella, the award-winning Nicklaus Design course at the Golf Club of Estrella, community welcome center Casa Lucero, and more than 40 neighborhood parks.
