Best Christmas Light Displays in the East Valley

Can you believe it’s Christmas time again? It’s definitely the happiest time of year in our home and I love everything about it! Decorating, celebrating, baking, spending time with family…it’s just the best! Every weekend we try to visit some of our favorite homes in East Mesa to check out some of the fabulous displays that neighbors have created. We have some awesome displays right here in Bella Via, but these are some of the best Christmas lights in the East Valley.

Santa Train in Phoenix, AZ

We’ve been visiting Frank Polimene’s home, called “The Santa Train” for almost over 25 years now. Back when we started going, it wasn’t as well known, and we had a hard time finding it since it is set back in the foothills of Ahwatukee. We were told that you could simply flash your lights from the car to activate the train, which was really cool.  Since then, it has become much more popular, the train runs more because everyone is out of their cars to see all the details.  It is definitely a “must-see” for our family every year.

• This fun display has a candy cane factory that fills the train, then real candy canes are dumped into the train for visitors to enjoy.
• Visit their site to read the story of how this display came to be. It really is a fun story!
• Candy canes for the kids are available until 9 p.m.
• Snowmaking every night at intervals depending on traffic until 10:00 p.m.
• Don’t miss the dancing Santa and the mouse that reads ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
• The Santa Train is located at 541 East Mountain Sky Avenue.
• Display Hours:  Open nightly until 11:00 p.m. through January 4th

Natal Circle

This is another long standing tradition in our family.  I remember taking our kids all bundled up in the stroller, to walk the cul-de-sac and see all the beautiful lights. Since our evenings are so mild, it is nice to walk and see all the beautifully decorated homes in this Rancho Del Mar community.  Typically the road is closed to traffic and includes more than a dozen homes.

• Natal Circle is located near Country Club and Guadalupe in Mesa. Take Guadalupe west, pass Country Club, then turn on Cherry Lane.  When you see the traffic, you’ll know you found it!
• Park outside the cul-de-sac on the street, or across from Natal Circle at Rancho Del Mar park.
• Display Hours:  Most displays are on nightly from 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. through January 1st.

Liberty Lane

The Richins family does a wonderful job coordinating this stunning display over 5 houses! This is definitely a must-see, and has been a family favorite for several years now. I love watching this one!

• Gorgeous synchronized light display set to music, including 5 different homes.
• The Richins’ home is located at 396 W. Liberty Lane in Gilbert.
• Display Hours:  Nightly, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., through January 1st.

Santa Rita Ranch Lights

This one is just a couple miles from us, but well worth the drive if you live in other parts of the East Valley! More than 20 decorated homes in this neighborhood are connected by a string of lights overhead, creating a beautiful experience for either walking or driving. Some homes go all out with decorations — the Rowley’s Holiday House — while others keep it more modest. Hours: Nightly, 6 to 10 p.m., from Dec. 1 through Jan. 1.

• 20 Individually decorated homes
• These homes are located in Santa Rita Ranch, near the corner of Signal Butte & Guadalupe.
• Rowley’s Holiday House is located at 10458 E. Osage Ave.
• Display Hours:  Nightly, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., through January 1st.

Parsons Residence

Mike and Stacie Parsons have a beautiful holiday display near our home in East Mesa, and you’ll definitely want to add this one to your list of favorites! It has tons of Disney characters, a stunning light show set to music, snow, and you can even write a letter to Santa!

• Beautiful light show set to music in Bella Via near Signal Butte and Warner
• The Parsons home is located 11161 East Starkey Avenue in Mesa.
• Display Hours:  5:30 – 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 5:30 – 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday

Robertson Residence

And finally, we’d love for you to stop by to see our decorated home! While we don’t have a huge holiday light display with music, we do have a lovely display that we’ve created over the last 23 years. Each piece is hand drawn, cut, and painted by our family.  Every year we try to add a new piece, so if you’ve been by before, see if you can figure out what is new for 2024! We’d love it if you stopped by!

• Beautiful lights and handmade cutouts
• The Robertson home is located 11102 East Rutledge Avenue in Mesa.
• Display Hours:  Every night until around 10:00 p.m.

Maps of Christmas Light Displays in Phoenix

There are a ton of great lists out there for beautiful displays all over the Phoenix area, so make sure you take time with your family and let me know which ones are your favorites!

• Gilbert Holiday Lights Map
• Biggest, Brightest Holiday Displays in Phoenix
• Metro Phoenix Best Christmas Lights 2024
• Ultimate List of Holiday & Christmas Lights

Enjoy all the fun and festivities of this holiday season, and Merry Christmas from our home to yours!