There’s plenty of family-friendly holiday cheer to be had this month in the Phoenix area. We’ve handpicked five of the best looking events happening in December throughout the valley that will ensure you and your family are fully stoked for Christmastime.

Ongoing

Enchant Scottsdale at Talking Stick

Ever wanted to wander around one of those charming Christmas villages you see in those sappy Christmas romantic comedies you binge every December on cable? You’re in luck, the world’s largest Christmas light maze and village has come to the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, a one-of-a-kind holiday experience brought to you by the Hallmark Channel themselves. You’ll be transported to a magical land of holiday cheer and blandly handsome small-town hunks, plus huge Christmas displays as far as the eye can see. $20-$50. Various times. 7555 N Pima Rd. Scottsdale, AZ; enchantchristmas.com // @enchantscottsdale

Lights at the Farm at Vertuccio Farms

Arizona’s largest walk-through synchronized light show can be found at Vertuccio Farms, a charming collection of holiday displays decked out with state-of-the-art LED lights. Be sure to check out their 4,000-square-foot skating rink, made with NHL-grade synthetic panels, so you can get into the holiday spirit without worrying about the freezing cold or brutal snow. $15-$18. Various times. 4011 S Power Rd. Mesa, AZ; lightsatthefarm.com // @lightsatthefarm_mesa_az

The Magical Christmas Journey aboard Verde Canyon Railroad

Head north up to Clarkdale to celebrate the holidays with a distinct Southwestern flair at the Magical Christmas Journey on the Verde Canyon Railroad. Kids will be greeted by a live bald eagle before being whisked off to the North Pole aboard the holiday train, featuring onboard entertainment from their helper elves. Santa Claus awaits at the apex of the journey to his workshop, you’ll get to scope out the scene before Santa hops onto the train and visits with each child on board. $50-$70. 5:30 pm + 7 p.m. 300 N Broadway, Clarkdale, AZ; verdecanyonrr.com // @verdecanyonrail

Zoolights at the Phoenix Zoo

There’s nothing that puts us in the holiday mood quite like Zoolights, there’s something about the combination of live animals and massive holiday displays that warms our hearts. The latest edition of Zoolights at the Phoenix Zoo promises to be their biggest and best ever, with synchronized music and light shows, an “enhanced Santa experience,” and much more. $30-$35; 5:30-10:30 p.m.; 455 N Galvin Pkwy. Phoenix, AZ; phoenixzoo.org // @phoenixzoo

12.22 + 12.23, 12.29 +12.30

Christmas in the Rainforest at Butterfly Wonderland

Enjoy an all-new display of holiday decorations and lights while feeling the warm embrace of the Butterfly Wonderland’s balmy climate at their annual Christmas in the Rainforest event. Kids can enjoy a scavenger hunt and surprise animal guests while parents take in the natural beauty of thousands of butterflies fluttering around across holiday displays and wreathes imported from the butterflies’ homelands of Africa, Asia and Costa Rica. $27.95. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. 9500 E Via de Ventura Scottsdale, AZ; butterflywonderland.com // @butterflywonderlandaz

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