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The Flagstaff Travel Guide is an annual publication featuring the accommodations, restaurants, activities and useful travel information for the Flagstaff area.
Get The GuideChristmas & Winter Holidays
Reminiscent of a cherished Norman Rockwell piece of art, historic downtown is adorned in tens of thousands of sparkling lights, lamp posts are decked with wreaths, and a retired steam engine provides a beautiful glistening backdrop for must-have holiday photos.
Top Christmas & Winter Holiday Events in Flagstaff
1. Lights at the Station
Bundle up and grab the mittens to capture the magic of the holiday lights at the station located in the heart of historic downtown. This light display is free to all during the holiday season. Be sure to take a short stroll east of the Visitor Center to the corner of Route 66 and San Francisco to the 1911 Baldwin Steam locomotive, Old Two Spot, offering a dazzling light display.
- Snowflake Festival: Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 10am–1pm
- FREE event at the Flagstaff Visitor Center — Pictures with Santa (take your own or pay $1 for a polaroid), games and crafts, cozy winter art market, and collecting donations for: Northern Arizona Law Enforcement Toy Drive (new packaged toys only)
- Winter Wonderland Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides: Weekends Dec. 7 to Jan. 5 from 1-4pm
- FREE carriage rides will be provided by the Flagstaff Visitor Center to add an extra bit of magic to your holiday season. Carriages will start with a pick-up at the Visitor Center and the magic will take riders through Historic Downtown Flagstaff
2. Holiday of Lights Little America Hotel
Lighting up the holidays! In November, Little America Hotel will flip the switch and turn on millions of beautiful holiday lights covering the grounds in a stunning display for all to enjoy through January 2025.
3. Holiday Events Downtown
The Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance (FDBA) sponsors free family holiday events for visitors and the community to enjoy the historic downtown.
December First Friday ArtWalk Featuring Annie's Omnium & the Foxglove Flower Shop
Downtown Flagstaff
December 6, 2024
5 - 8 pm
Don't miss this opportunity to find unique and beautifully crafted gifts while enjoying the cheerful atmosphere of the First Friday Art Walk in December. Located at Mountain Sports Flagstaff, attend for an evening of art, community, and holiday spirit!
Breakfast with Santa
Weatherford Hotel
December 7, 14, 21, 2024
9 - 11 am
Breakfast with Santa is a series of three events put on by the Downtown Flagstaff Business Alliance and The Weatherford Hotel. This is a ticketed event at $45 plus tax. Guests can enjoy a hot breakfast buffet, holiday crafts, cookie decorating, and Christmas tunes. Santa will be there and will read a Christmas story and lead a sing-a-long. Guests are encouraged to dress up in holiday attire or wear cozy pajamas to look festive for photos with Santa.
Find the link for tickets here!
Winter Wonderland & Tree Lighting
Heritage Square
December 7, 2024
2 - 8 pm
This event is FREE, family-friendly, and so much FUN!! There will be hot cocoa, s'mores, crafts, live music and MORE! The Tree Lighting takes place at 5:45pm. Make sure to stick around and grab a selfie with Santa!
Window Decorating Contest
Downtown Flagstaff
December 1-31, 2024
Local businesses will decorate their windows, and the public can vote for their favorites through the Downtown Flagstaff website. It’s a great way to enjoy some festive spirit and support local businesses!
12 Bars of Christmas
Downtown Flagstaff
December 14, 2024
2 - 7 pm
Take a day off from the stress of the holiday season and treat yo' self! This isn't your average pub crawl... Bust out your Christmas attire, ugly sweaters, Santa gear, and get ready for a jolly good time.
Holiday Parade of Lights
Downtown Flagstaff
December 14, 2024
6 pm - 8 pm
Presented by the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce
This annual extravaganza brings the community together in a dazzling display of lights, floats, and festive cheer. Families, friends, and visitors line the streets as the parade winds through downtown Flagstaff. It's a time-honored tradition that marks the beginning of the holiday season, filling the air with joy and excitement.
Howlidays
Heritage Square
December 8, 2024
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
This free event offers the opportunity for pet owners to get pictures of their pets with Santa. Weather permitting, High Country Humane and Coconino Humane Association will be present with adoptable dogs and information on their respective organizations. Donations are encouraged but not required.
Winter Movie Series
The Orpheum
December 7, 14, 21, 2024
9:30 am
The Winter Movie Series is an event produced by the Downtown Flagstaff Business Alliance and The Orpheum Theater. The FREE event takes place the first three Saturdays of December, each showing a different holiday movie to enjoy. Along with the film, the DBA will have holiday-themed crafts to enjoy before the show. Plus, the classic concessions will be available for purchase!
Mark your calendars for these magical Saturdays:
- Saturday, December 7th: Home Alone (1990) Kick off the series with the hilarious holiday adventures of Kevin McCallister in this family favorite. RSVP Here!
- Saturday, December 14th: Elf (2003) Laugh along with Buddy the Elf as he spreads Christmas cheer in this modern holiday classic. RSVP Here!
- Saturday, December 21st: The Polar Express (2004) All aboard for an enchanting journey to the North Pole! Along with this magical film, expect a special surprise guest appearance that will delight audiences of all ages. RSVP Here!
Noon Year's Eve
Heritage Square
December 31, 2024
10 am - Noon
Ring in the New Year with a FREE and family-friendly event! Kick off this event with a selfie-station, cookie decorating, crafts and more! At noon this event will feature a pinecone drop and a sparkling apple cider toast to cheers to the new year! This event is presented by the Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance with a HUGE thank you to the Weatherford Hotel for the noon pine cone drop! This event allows families to ring in the New Year without having to stay out till midnight! With crafts and fun activities all day until 5 p.m. this is a can't miss event!
The Great Pinecone Drop
The Weatherford Hotel
December 31, 2024
10 pm & 12 am
Take to the streets and marvel at the excitement the town of Flagstaff brings on this wintery night! Show up, bring some family and/or friends, and enjoy New Year’s Eve Flagstaff style! Another option is to stay at the Weatherford Hotel or get a reservation at one of their many dining rooms. It's a great opportunity to have a "front row seat" to the drop as you watch it descend from the very balcony you're standing on!
Downtown Flagstaff is the place to be this holiday season!
4. Little America Breakfast with Santa
Flagstaff Enjoy a festive-filled morning with the big man himself. Reserve your tickets today for breakfast and a photo opportunity with Santa. The Little America Breakfast Buffet is served from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM on select days throughout November and December. Book your tickets today!
5. North Pole Experience
North Pole Experience
November 15 - December 24, 2024
Delight in the magic of the holiday season at Santa's enchanting, 400-year-old workshop. Join us for an unforgettable North Pole experience inside the toy factory, Mrs. Claus' Bakery, Elf University, Santa's Sleigh hanger, and family time and photos with St. Nick himself.
6. Christmas Dinner
Little America Hotel Flagstaff
Share in the joy at Little America Hotel with a family-style take-out menu for two to four people or a prix-fix dinner in the beautiful Silver Pine Restaurant for in-person dining. Menu items will feature seasonal soup, salad, an amazing choice of entrees, and delicious dessert options including Little America’s renowned bread pudding with rum sauce.
DoubleTree by Hilton Flagstaff
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Tis the season at Woodlands! Plan your Holiday 3-Course Dinner at Woodlands located at the DoubleTree by Hilton Flagstaff, just off Historic Route 66! Rekindle family connections and celebrate together to make the day perfect. Traditional Christmas offerings are accompanied by an assortment of decadent desserts. Reservations are required. Please call 928-773-8880. Happy Holidays from the DoubleTree by Hilton Flagstaff.
7. Theatrikos Holiday Show
Elf: The Musical
November 29 - December 22, 2024
Based on the beloved holiday film, a young human boy is accidentally raised as an elf and sets out to spread the true spirit of Christmas. This candy cane twirling modern-day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. After all, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.
8. The Polar Express, Grand Canyon Railway, and Hotel
Polar Express Grand Canyon Railway
November 8 - December 30, 2024
Based on the classic children’s book The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg, Grand Canyon Railway will take you on a journey to the North Pole! Departing from Williams (33 miles West of Flagstaff), this enchanting train will arrive at the North Pole, where Santa Claus and his reindeer merrily wait to hand out presents. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided by Santa’s chefs during the train ride.
Grand Canyon Railway also offers the Ultimate Polar Express experience, which allows families and businesses to rent an entire train car for a private trip to the North Pole! This experience is highly customizable and is the perfect way to make holiday memories that will last a lifetime.
Polar Express Link
Ultimate Polar Express Link
