Cowboys and cactuses are likely not the first things that will spring to mind when you think of the festive season. However, that’s just some of what you can expect in Scottsdale, Arizona. The city will be the ideal place to celebrate many people’s favourite time of the year, thanks to its mixture of ultra-luxurious pampering, festive markets, incredible hiking trails, and festive-themed attractions.
Below, we look at some of the festive-themed attractions Scottsdale has lined up for the 2023 festive season:
Families seeking magic and wonder this Christmas are invited to visit Winter Wonderland Enchant (above), opening on November 24. From a larger-than-life light maze to live entertainment and ice skating trails, Scottsdale’s take on a Winter Wonderland is sure to leave travellers of all ages feeling enchanted.
Nearby, Zoolights’ display of hundreds of twinkling lights, including North America’s largest floating digital tree, a 200-foot-long light tunnel, and a reinvented Glow Garden, is spread across the 125 acres of the Phoenix Zoo; a perfect way to end a festive day.
For those with outdoor pursuits on the agenda, indulging in Christmas lunch will certainly feel like a well-deserved reward after a hike following one of Scottsdale’s 400 miles of hiking trails.
Perched high above the McDowell Mountains, ADERO’s signature restaurant is the perfect Christmas lunch spot.
Capturing the awe of its very name, CIELO (meaning sky) offers an expansive outdoor terrace and panoramic windows, showcasing the wide-open wonder of the Sonoran desert.
Offering a show-stopper set menu, including Winter Lobster Bisque and Rack Of Lamb Provocal, CIELO is sure to meet all of the families’ festive expectations this Christmas.
Where to stay:
Just in time for the festive season, The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess will be transformed into an enchanting winter wonderland.
Throughout the month of December, guests are invited to go ice skating in the desert, visit S’mores Land, ride the Princess Express Train, and wander through The Village.
New this year is Aurora Ice, an ice lounge bathed in an illumination reminiscent of the Aurora Borealis, better known as the Northern Lights.
Every night, a seven-minute light show is choreographed to match the four-story musical holiday tree – the perfect way to kick off an evening. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess truly becomes a holiday headquarters throughout the month of December, complete with 6.5 million sparkling LED lights, making it perfect for the family this festive season.
Prices for double rooms start from £450 per night over the Christmas period.
For more information on things to do and see in Scottsdale, please visit www.experiencescottsdale.com.
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