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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 9, 2023 • 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: The Giving Advent Box (non-perishable food items) and Northern Arizona Law Enforcement Toy Drive (new packaged toys only)
- Skate at the Station: Saturday, December 9, 2023 - Sunday, January 7, 2024
- Open weekends from December 9-23, 10am to 6pm and open daily from December 26-January 7, weekdays 12pm to 6pm and weekends 10am to 6pm
- FREE skating rink at the Flagstaff Visitor Center for the holiday season! The rink is operated by the Shadows foundation, a Flagstaff non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping those affected by life threatening diseases. There will also be fun special events scheduled at the rink with a toy drive, food drive, and more! Sponsored by Coca-Cola.
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 2024.
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 ArtWalk and Santa Sighting
Downtown Flagstaff
December 1, 2023
Breakfast with Santa
Heritage Square
December 2, 9, and 16, 2023
9 - 11 am
Winter Wonderland & Tree Lighting
Heritage Square
December 2, 2023
2 - 8 pm
Window Decorating Contest
Downtown Flagstaff
December 1-31, 2023
12 Bars of Christmas
Downtown Flagstaff
December 9, 2023
2 - 7 pm
Holiday Parade of Lights
Presented by the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce
Howlidays
Heritage Square
December 10, 2023
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Winter Movie Series
The Orpheum
December 2, 9 and 16, 2023
9:30 am
Noon Year's Eve
Heritage Square
December 31, 2023
10 am - Noon
The Great Pinecone Drop
The Weatherford Hotel
December 31, 2023
10 pm & 12 am
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 17 - December 24
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
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. Monday, December 25, 2023. Reservations are required. Please call 928-773-8880. Happy Holidays from the DoubleTree by Hilton Flagstaff.
7. Theatrikos Holiday Show
A Christmas Carol: A Twisted Musical Comedy
November 24 - December 17, 2023
This is not your Grandmother’s A Christmas Carol. The most popular form of theatre in the UK; complete with audience participation and parodies of popular music. A traditional fairy tale for the kids with an adult level of humor for Mom and Dad.
*Masks are strongly encouraged but not required.
8. The Polar Express, Grand Canyon Railway, and Hotel
Polar Express Grand Canyon Railway
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
