A cactus strung with Christmas lights in Arizona.

Hop in the car, take a drive around town, and see businesses and neighborhoods who have gone all-out to bring holiday cheer in the form of elaborate Christmas light displays.

The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale, Arizona, hosts train rides among more than 100,000 lights and displays. Nightly from 6:30 to 9:00 running from December 11th through January 2nd, excluding December 24th, 25th, and 31st. Train rides are $2.00 and carousel rides are $1.00 each with children under three riding free with a paying adult.

The Red Rock Fantasy in Sedona, Arizona, is entering its nineteenth year. The festival is open each evening (weather permitting) from November 19th through January 2nd, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children aged 5-12 and free for children 4 and under. Dozens of southwest-themed displays and millions (yes, millions!) of lights make this one of the premier Christmas light festivals in Arizona. The route begins at the Los Abrigados Resort & Spa lobby under the lighted Red Rock Fantasy arch, and is clearly marked with reflective strips. It takes approximately 60 minutes to complete the tour by foot, and assistance is offered by the resort staff for those who are physically challenged.

The lights strung on the Mill Avenue bridge.

The Mill Avenue shopping and college district in Tempe, Arizona, comes ablaze with Christmas lights every year from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. Visitors can walk along the sidewalks enjoying the sights, pop into a cafe or restaurant for a hot cup of coffee or a meal, then resume their stroll among the stores and boutiques. Get some Christmas shopping done while enjoying the festive atmosphere, sidewalk entertainment, and people-watching that is unique to Mill Avenue.

An impressive neighborhood display of Christmas lights can be found at Natal Circle in Chandler, Arizona. From the intersection of Arizona Ave. (Country Club Dr.) and Guadalupe, head west on Guadalupe, and turn north on Cherry Rd. Find a place to park, and walk around the neighborhood. Nearly every household has thrown themselves into the festive spirit of things. As a courtesy to everyone enjoying the Christmas light display, please drive with your parking lights only when making your way through the neighborhood.

Having a destination in mind is all well and good, but sometimes it’s just that much more fun to jump in the car with no particular direction in mind, turn down random streets, and enjoy the lights that your neighbors have worked on so hard to display for your enjoyment.

Photo credits (in order of appearance):
- “Christmas cactus” by Kevin Dooley on Flickr Creative Commons.
- “Mill Avenue Bridge two” by twak on Flickr Creative Commons.