December in Arizona is a little magical.
You can have breakfast surrounded by desert cactus and, a few hours later, find yourself among pine trees and possibly snow.
You can hike in the sunshine.
You can see millions of Christmas lights.
You can eat a Southwestern dinner.
And you can finish the year at a New Year’s Eve celebration unlike anything else.
What are the best things to do in Arizona in December?
The best December activities include visiting Sedona and the Grand Canyon, experiencing Flagstaff’s winter scenery, seeing holiday lights, visiting Prescott’s Christmas events, exploring Phoenix and Scottsdale, attending holiday markets, eating seasonal food and celebrating New Year’s Eve.
Here are 30 ideas.
1. Visit Sedona
December brings fewer crowds and a completely different atmosphere to the red rocks.
2. Visit the Grand Canyon
Winter can make the canyon especially dramatic.
Check conditions before traveling.
3. Visit Flagstaff
If you want snow in Arizona, Flagstaff is one of the first places to consider.
4. Experience the North Pole Experience
Flagstaff’s North Pole Experience is scheduled for November 20 through December 24, 2026, combining a trolley ride, Christmas lights and Santa’s workshop experience.
5. Visit Prescott
Prescott embraces its identity as Arizona’s Christmas City with holiday lights, a parade and courthouse festivities.
6. See Christmas lights
Arizona has holiday-light experiences throughout the state.
7. Visit ZooLights
The Phoenix Zoo’s holiday lights are a long-running seasonal attraction.
8. Visit a holiday market
December markets are perfect for finding gifts while supporting local artists and businesses.
9. Explore Tempe
The 58th Annual Fall Festival of the Arts is scheduled for December 4–6, 2026, with hundreds of artists and craftspeople.
10. Visit Oro Valley
Oro Valley’s Holiday Festival of the Arts and Tree Lighting is scheduled for December 5–6, 2026.
11. Explore Phoenix
Museums, restaurants and holiday events make Phoenix a strong December base.
12. Spend a day in Scottsdale
Shop, eat, explore galleries and enjoy the desert.
13. Take a winter hike
December is excellent hiking weather in many low-desert areas.
14. Visit the Desert Botanical Garden
Experience the desert landscape with seasonal programming and evening lights.
15. Go stargazing
Winter nights can be spectacular.
16. Visit Tucson
Enjoy food, desert scenery and winter sunshine.
17. Explore Bisbee
Small-town Arizona feels especially inviting during the holiday season.
18. Visit Jerome
Combine history, art and holiday shopping.
19. Explore Arizona wine country
December can be a beautiful time for a wine-country weekend.
20. Eat Sonoran food
Don’t let Christmas cookies be your only holiday food.
21. Try Arizona ingredients
Look for prickly pear, chile, mesquite, local produce and other Southwestern flavors.
22. Have Christmas dinner somewhere special
Make the meal part of the trip.
23. Take a scenic drive
Arizona’s winter light is beautiful.
24. Visit Route 66
December gives the historic highway a festive atmosphere in many communities.
25. Visit a small Arizona town
Prescott, Bisbee, Jerome and others offer very different holiday experiences.
26. Go birdwatching
Arizona’s diverse habitats make winter a great time to explore nature.
27. Visit a museum
If the weather changes, have a cultural backup plan.
28. Take a family road trip
Arizona’s diversity makes it easy to build a multi-stop holiday adventure.
29. Celebrate Christmas in the desert
Yes, cactus can be festive.
30. Celebrate New Year’s Eve
Arizona has some wonderfully unusual traditions.
Flagstaff lowers an illuminated pine cone, Prescott lowers a giant cowboy boot and Williams celebrates with a Route 66-themed car drop.
Is December a good time to visit Arizona?
Yes.
December can be one of the best months to explore the state’s desert regions, while northern Arizona offers a chance to experience winter weather.
Does it snow in Arizona in December?
Yes, particularly at higher elevations including Flagstaff and other northern and mountainous areas.
The same state can offer desert sunshine and snow within a relatively short drive.
Final thoughts
December proves that Arizona isn’t one climate, one landscape or one experience.
That’s why I love it.
You can have a desert Christmas.
A mountain Christmas.
A Southwestern Christmas.
Or all three.
Chef Joe Muscarello
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