When Scottsdale Lights Up: Holiday Decorations and Lights 2026
The week it flips, from the resorts to the street
- No. 1Pool closes Nov 16
- No. 3Nov 27, 11 AM to 3 PM
- No. 5Nov 28, 5:30 to 7:30 PM
By John Apolinar
A reader asked me when Scottsdale starts looking like Christmas, especially the hotels and what you can see from outside. I checked the venues' own pages. The malls are already in it. Fashion Square and Kierland Commons have free Santa visits through Dec. 24, and Fleurs de Villes NOËL is at Fashion Square Nov. 11 to 15. Hotel Valley Ho closes its pool Nov. 16 to build the rink. Christmas at the Princess opens Friday, Nov. 20 at 4 PM. The rink opens Nov. 23. Railroad Park's Holiday Lights and the Four Seasons holiday market both start Nov. 27. Saturday, Nov. 28 is the big public night. Scottsdazzle lights its 36-foot tree at the Waterfront from 7 to 9 PM and Scottsdale Quarter lights its tree at 7 PM. The 40-foot elf on the Frank Lloyd Wright Spire at Scottsdale Promenade is a yearly tradition. It went up the first week of December in 2025 and the 2026 date isn't announced yet. Most of it stays up through New Year's. The full event list is in the Christmas in Scottsdale guide.
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In this guide 5 spots
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The spots
Ranked by Scottsdale ScoopOld Town Scottsdale
Ho Holidays at Hotel Valley Ho
Pool closes Nov 16, rink opens Nov 23 Hotel Valley Ho closes the OH Pool on Nov. 16 to build a roller rink over it. The rink opens Nov. 23 and runs through Jan. 3. From Nov. 23 to Dec. 20 the sessions are Monday through Thursday 4 to 9 PM and Friday through Sunday noon to 4 PM and 4:30 to 9 PM. From Dec. 21 to Jan. 3 it's daily noon to 4 PM and 4:30 to 9 PM. It's closed Dec. 3 for a private event. Tickets are $25 with skates. Kids 5 and under are free and hotel guests get in free.
The short list: Pool closes Nov 16Rink Nov 23 to Jan 3Closed Dec 3.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Christmas at the Princess
Opens Nov 20 at 4 PM Christmas at the Princess opens Friday, Nov. 20, 2026 at 4 PM and runs through Jan. 2, 2027. Hours are Monday through Thursday 5 to 10 PM and Friday through Sunday 4 to 11 PM, then daily 4 to 11 PM starting Dec. 17. The Village is closed Nov. 30 for a private event. It's 65 acres of lights with a real ice rink and a Ferris wheel.
The short list: Opens Nov 20 at 4 PMThrough Jan 2, 2027Village closed Nov 30.
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
Four Seasons Troon North holiday market
Friday, Nov 27 The holiday market at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North is Friday, Nov. 27 from 11 AM to 3 PM. It's free. Gingerbread house classes for kids at Proof are Dec. 12, 19 and 20 at 2:30 PM and they're $95 per child under 12.
The short list: Nov 27, 11 AM to 3 PMFree marketGingerbread Dec 12, 19 and 20.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Opens Nov 27 Railroad Park's Holiday Lights train starts Friday, Nov. 27 and runs through Dec. 30, 2026. It's dark Dec. 24 and 25. Trains run 5:30 to 9:30 PM and tickets are $15 for ages 3 and up. They sell out, so buy early.
The short list: Nov 27 to Dec 305:30 to 9:30 PMDark Dec 24 and 25.
Scottsdale Quarter
Tree Lighting at Scottsdale Quarter
Saturday, Nov 28 Scottsdale Quarter lights its new tree on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at The Quad. They light it at 7 PM. It's free.
The short list: Nov 28, 5:30 to 7:30 PMTree lit at 7 PMFree.
The method
How I picked these
I only used dates I could confirm on a venue's own site, a ticket page or Experience Scottsdale in November 2026. If a 2026 date isn't posted, I say so instead of guessing.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Christmas at the Princess open?
It opens Friday, Nov. 20, 2026 at 4 PM and runs through Jan. 2, 2027. Hours are Monday through Thursday 5 to 10 PM and Friday through Sunday 4 to 11 PM, then daily 4 to 11 PM starting Dec. 17. The Village is closed Nov. 30 for a private event.
When does the elf go up on the Frank Lloyd Wright Spire?
The 40-foot elf at Scottsdale Promenade is a yearly tradition. It went up the first week of December in 2025. The 2026 date isn't announced yet.
When does Hotel Valley Ho's roller rink open?
The rink opens Nov. 23, 2026 and runs through Jan. 3. The pool closes Nov. 16 so they can build it. The rink is closed Dec. 3 for a private event.
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