Celebrate the Season at Arizona Boardwalk
Butterfly Wonderland Introduces Glistening Gardens, SeaTREK Santa Splashes Down at OdySea Aquarium’s Winter Waterland®,
and Free Seasonal Courtyard Events Await Holiday Shoppers and Visitors
Arizona Boardwalk welcomes guests eager to create magical holiday memories by offering a variety of festive events, incredible shopping, and dining opportunities alongside nine marquee family attractions that visitors of all ages can enjoy!
The fun kicks-off Black Friday and runs through the first week of January at Arizona Boardwalk, where the entire complex sparkles in cheerful décor and the sounds of holiday music! The NEW Glistening Gardens at Butterfly Wonderland, and the ever-popular Winter Waterland® at OdySea Aquarium, complement the FREE family-friendly holiday events in the entertainment destination’s courtyard, making Arizona Boardwalk the spot for holiday merriment and cheer!
New! Glistening Gardens at Butterfly Wonderland
Nov. 25 through Jan. 7
This holiday, step into the enchanting 'Glistening Gardens' at Butterfly Wonderland. This seasonal escape transports guests to the rainforest as they leisurely stroll with family and friends through an all-new illuminated holiday display inside the Conservatory. Thousands of lights line the garden paths in this cozy, lush indoor setting. Fluttering butterflies take center stage, surrounded by sparkling meadow grass, firefly lights, fairy-lit birch trees, and festive decorations. The glistening Butterfly Conservatory is sure to ignite the holiday spirit in everyone. It's the perfect holiday experience for all!
Special Holiday Appearances to Enhance the Glistening Gardens Experience:
- Guest appearance by Butterfly Fairy Leslie Campa
November 25, December 2, 9 and 16
11:00a.m. - 2:00p.m.
- Native American flutist Aaron White
November 25 and December 9
11:00a.m. - 2:00p.m.
- Classical violinist Jonathan Levingston
Butterfly Conservatory
November 19 and December 17
11:00a.m. - 2:00p.m.
Giving Tree featuring Adopt-A-Student Program & Holiday Gift Store Items
Snag-a-tag from the Giving Tree at Butterfly Wonderland to Adopt-A-Student for the holidays. A $12 donation provides an underserved student with a rainforest adventure – an educational field trip made possible through the Butterfly Wonderland Foundation. Tags for other holiday gift store items are available for purchase as well!
Butterfly Wonderland Holiday Gift Store
Give the gift that loved ones can unwrap all year long: the gift of “experience”! Create adventure and memories with one (or more) of the following:
- Butterfly Wonderland Gift Cards
- Annual Passes
- General Admission Tickets
Visit the Butterfly Wonderland online Holiday Gift Store today for exciting, educational, and fun experiences all year long!
WINTER WATERLAND® at OdySea Aquarium
Nov. 24 through Jan. 7
The holiday season has arrived at OdySea Aquarium! Enjoy two floors of holiday décor, music, and more in the Southwest’s largest aquarium! Don’t miss the Valley’s only salt-water Santa – SeaTREK Santa – as he makes a splash at OdySea Aquarium from Black Friday through Dec. 31, sharing the limelight with a some of his favorite ocean pals and lots of festive activities for the whole family to enjoy!
SeaTREK Santa Underwater Appearances
It’s a festive aquatic spectacle seeing jolly SeaTREK Santa make waves underwater at OdySea Aquarium! Engage with this merry swimming Santa at the captivating Deep Ocean exhibit where his daily appearances take place amid a mesmerizing array of sharks, rays, and other fascinating marine animals. Catch the holiday excitement on select dates, spanning from Thanksgiving weekend to New Year's Eve.
SeaTREK Santa Scavenger Hunt
Fa la la la-find the SeaTREK Santas! The challenge for prizes is on as guests search for all SeaTREK Santa pictures throughout the aquarium!
Mail Letters to SeaTREK Santa
Write or draw a holiday wish to SeaTREK Santa right at OdySea Aquarium! Stationery and crayons to craft a letter to the big man himself will be available for young guests who can then drop their letters in the OdySea Aquarium North Pole mailbox. Best of all, SeaTREK® Santa will respond to these letters too!
SeaTREK Santa Photos
Capture the magic of a visit to OdySea Aquarium this holiday season with a professional Magic Memories SeaTREK Santa photo! Taken with green screen technology at the entrance of the Aquarium, these photos make a wonderful keepsake or can be converted into photo holiday greeting cards at home when a digital package is purchased. Individual photos will be available as well.
OdySea Voyager Holiday Experience
Hop on the OdySea Voyager's saltwater sleigh and “ride” through four festive animal exhibits decked with lights, holiday music, and décor accompanied by delightful narration from SeaTREK Santa himself! Guests – both young and young-at-heart – will truly enjoy this unique holiday experience. A must-see!
Giving Trees featuring Adopt-A-Student Program
Snag-a-tag from one of two giving trees at OdySea Aquarium to Adopt-A-Student for the holidays. A $15 donation to the OdySea Aquarium Foundation provides an underserved student with a free field trip to OdySea Aquarium.
OdySea Aquarium Holiday Gift Store
Give the gift that loved ones can unwrap all year long: the gift of “experience”!!! Create adventure and memories with one (or more) of the following:
- OdySea Aquarium Gift Cards
- Annual Passes
- VIP Holiday Experience
- General Admission Tickets
- Animal Encounter Gift Certificates – Sloth Encounter, Penguin Encounter, SeaTREK
Visit the OdySea Aquarium online Holiday Gift Store today for exciting, educational, and fun experiences all year long!
New! OdySea Aquarium Unveils a Giant Gift of Aquatic Amazement
OdySea Aquarium has unwrapped an enormous early holiday gift for visitors! Behold the grandeur of one of the nation's largest jellyfish exhibits, unveiling the mesmerizing dance of Pacific nettles. As the centerpiece of the Jellyfish in Motion Gallery, home to several species of jellies, this colossal 30-ft x 11-ft aquarium captivates visitors! Step into a realm of enchantment as fascinating jellies gracefully delight guests of all ages. The new Pacific nettles exhibit is sure to create an unforgettable experience for the entire family this holiday season.
Experience the special excitement of the holiday season at Arizona Boardwalk! Enjoy the FREE festive events for kids of all ages.
FREE Scottsdale Sparkle Black Friday Market
Nov. 24 - 26
10:00a.m. - 4:00p.m.
Kick-off this holiday season with some great shopping from over 80 talented vendors! Kids can enjoy music, face painting, glitter tattoos, character appearances, sand art projects and more. This is a FREE outdoor event, with no admission or activities fee required.
FREE Yamaha Music School Event
Dec. 3
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
East Valley and North Phoenix Yamaha Music School will have student performers, music and fun!
FREE Scottsdale Sparkle Christmas Market
Dec. 9 - 10
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Enjoy holiday shopping from over 80 talented vendors! Kids can enjoy music, face painting, glitter tattoos, character appearances, sand art projects and more.
Candlelight Open Air Holiday Special: Featuring “The Nutcracker” and More
Dec. 15, 21, and 22
6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Candlelight Concerts brings a NEW holiday inspired concert to the Arizona Boardwalk! Encounter the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience under the gentle glow of candlelight during the most wonderful time of the year. Tickets start at only $25.
FREE Family Fun Holiday Fair & Marketplace
Dec. 16 - 17
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Take professional photos with Santa Claus, play in a snow blizzard, live entertainment, bounce houses and slides, face painting, coloring contests and much more!
FREE Movies at the Boardwalk: “The Little Mermaid”
Dec. 30
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Come experience “Movies at the Boardwalk,” a free family event with music, games, and tons of prizes. There will be plenty of options to grab a bite before the movie begins at dusk. Other pre-movie activities include character meet & greets, jellyfish crafts, Plinko game for kids and the chance to enter to win a Loungefly Daughters of Triton purse and Little Mermaid card holder. Come early to claim a spot, as space is limited. Bringing personal folding chairs and blankets is highly recommended.
FREE Winterfest
Jan. 6
10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Take photos with Anna and Elsa, play under falling snow and enjoy bounce houses, slides, and obstacle courses. Other activities include face painting, coloring contests, music, dancing, and interactive games for kids of all ages!
