Phoenix's Holiday Light Displays: From the Zoo to the LDS Temple

Rarely will a flake of snow ever drop in the Sonoran desert of Arizona. That does not mean the overheated citizens of Phoenix cannot celebrate the magic of Christmas like any other town in the country. The following are several holiday lights displays that bring heaping helpings of Christmas cheer to the Valley of the Sun.

APS Festival of Lights

Begins November 24. More information at www.downtowntempe.com

A tree lighting ceremony, the arrival of Santa Clause, fireworks, music performances and an electric-light parade kick of the Fantasy of Lights. Downtown Tempe, AZ, specifically the Mill Avenue district is splashed in holiday lights making the neighboring Arizona State University resemble a winter wonderland for those out of state students who might be missing winter's chill. On the other end of Mill Avenue is Tempe Town Lake where the annual Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade takes place.

The parades and accompanying events are free and parking is generally free wherever you can find it. Typically held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the APS Festival of Lights is the official introduction to Christmas for the city of Tempe.

Arizona LDS Temple Visitors Center

Begins the week after Thanksgiving and runs through December. More information at www.lds.org

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple in Mesa provides one of the Valley's largest and longest running holiday lights displays. The visitor's center plans nightly music performances from local schools, churches and families as well as artwork, exhibits and tours.

Everything is free to the public. Parking is limited so it is recommended to come early. Performances begin at 7 pm; the visitor's center is open from 9 am to 9 pm.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Holiday Lights

More information at www.therailroadpark.com

From December 14 through January 5, visitors to one of Scottsdale's best-kept secrets can take a train ride through more than 100,000 lights. The railroad park includes several playgrounds, covered areas and many railroad exhibits and interactive goods.

The park runs their special holiday festivities from 6:30 to 9 pm. Admission is free. Train rides are $2.00 and carousel rides are $1.00. Children under three ride free.

Phoenix ZooLights

Begins Thanksgiving Day. More information at www.phoenixzoo.org

The Phoenix Zoo opens its popular ZooLights event to the general public on Thanksgiving Day. Zoo members will have enjoyed the festivities for a week already. With over 2.5 million lights, hundreds of custom-lighted animal displays and numerous carnival rides and shows, the ZooLights event is one of the largest events that draw one of the biggest crowds to any holiday event in the Valley.

Children 2 and younger are free but everyone else will need to cough up some dough. $8 for non-members, $6 for members. That is on top of the general zoo admission. Group tickets and special packages are available.