Christmas in Sedona

To say Christmas in Sedona is magical is an understatement. Red rock cliffs, evergreen junipers, and desert cacti dusted with light snow set the scene for an enchanting, peaceful season. From illuminated courtyards and hot cocoa under the stars to family Christmas activities in Sedona like easy winter hikes and kid-friendly tours, the holidays here are unforgettable.

Top Holiday Highlights

  • Tlaquepaque holiday lights, carolers & Santa visits
  • The Magical Christmas Journey™ festive train ride
  • Family-friendly winter hikes with red rock views
  • Evening luminarias, stargazing & cozy dinners

3-Day Family Itinerary – Christmas in Sedona

Day 1 – Christmas Eve: Red Rock Adventures & Lights

Morning
  • Bell Rock Pathway – easy family hike, wide trail and epic photos.
  • Huckaby Trail – moderate, creek and canyon views for older kids.
  • Pre-trail cocoa/coffee at a convenient trailhead café.
Midday
  • Stroll Uptown Sedona for festive décor and last-minute gifts.
  • Casual family lunch with red rock views.
Afternoon
  • Chapel of the Holy Cross – panoramic glow at golden hour.
  • The Magical Christmas Journey™ – storybook train ride to the “North Pole.”
Evening
  • Family dinner (reserve ahead for Christmas week).
  • Wander Tlaquepaque’s Festival of Lights – thousands of luminarias, live music, and holiday cheer.

Day 2 – Christmas Day: Outdoor Fun & Relaxation

Morning
  • Leisurely brunch (vegan-friendly and kid-approved options available).
  • Red Rock State Park – easy nature paths, creek views, and picnic areas.
Afternoon
  • Family Jeep Tour – scenic overlooks, geology & history, lots of fun.
  • Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive (89A) – photo stops at overlooks like Midgley Bridge.
Evening
  • Festive Christmas dinner (book early).
  • Stargazing at Airport Mesa – crystal-clear night skies over the red rocks.

Day 3 – After Christmas: Relax, Shop & Savor

Morning
  • Red Rock Crossing at Crescent Moon – iconic Cathedral Rock reflections.
  • Pick up pastries or breakfast treats for a creekside picnic.
Midday
  • Browse local art galleries and holiday craft markets.
  • Optional: short family spa or yoga session to unwind.
Evening
  • Casual dinner with outdoor heaters and views.
  • Live music or a cozy movie night to wrap up your Sedona Christmas getaway.

More Family-Friendly Christmas Activities in Sedona

Holiday Carriage Rides

Clip-clop through decorated districts for classic Christmas charm and unforgettable photos.

Cookie Decorating & Crafts

Kid-approved workshops and pop-up markets with handmade ornaments and gifts.

Stargazing Programs

Sedona’s dark skies make winter constellations pop—bundle up and look up.

Horseback Riding

Guided red rock rides for beginners and families seeking a calm outdoor adventure.

Hot-Air Balloon Sunrise

See the red rocks glow as the day begins—magical holiday sunrise views.

Winter Hiking & Biking

Cool temps and clear skies make trails especially enjoyable with fewer crowds.

Travel Tips for a Stress-Free Sedona Christmas
  • Book early: Hotels, restaurants, trains, and jeep tours sell out for Christmas week.
  • Pack layers: Chilly mornings, sunny afternoons; bring hats, gloves, and sunglasses.
  • Wear sturdy footwear: Shaded trails can be muddy or icy—consider trekking poles.
  • Hydrate & protect: Dry air and bright sun call for water and sunscreen year-round.
  • Respect the land: Stay on marked trails and practice Leave No Trace principles.

Photo-Ready Moments

Golden hour at Chapel of the Holy Cross • Luminarias at Tlaquepaque • Cathedral Rock reflections at Red Rock Crossing • Night sky at Airport Mesa

Christmas in Sedona – Family FAQ

  • Is Christmas a good time to visit Sedona with kids? - Yes. Cooler weather, festive lights, and family activities like train rides, easy hikes, and jeep tours make Sedona perfect for a holiday getaway with children.
  • Will there be snow in Sedona at Christmas? - Light snowfall is possible but not guaranteed. Even without snow, the red rocks and holiday lights create a magical winter atmosphere.
  • Do we need reservations for Christmas week? - Yes. Book lodging, special dinners, train rides, and jeep tours well in advance to secure preferred times and seating.

Christmas & Holiday Events in Sedona

BOOK YOUR STAY NOW


FAMILY-FRIENDLY THINGS TO DO OVER THE WINTER HOLIDAY

Arizona Private Tours

Arizona Private Tours is the leading private tour agency in Northern Arizona. We specialize in safe & sanitary custom tours. We pick up guests in Flagstaff and spend our day exploring scenic Arizona in an intimate setting with an expert guide in comfort. Our luxury SUV's will take you and
Arizona Private Tours is the leading private tour agency in Northern Arizona. We specialize in safe & sanitary custom tours. We pick up guests in Flagstaff and spend our day exploring scenic Arizona in an intimate setting with an expert guide in comfort. Our luxury SUV's will take you and up to 6 guests on a completely customizable tour of Northern Arizona. For majestic private Grand Canyon tours to Verde Valley Wine tours & ghost towns in the Sedona area, we cover it all. Let us create the custom tour of your dreams and know that we want to make this a day that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Wildland Trekking

Go on an epic journey in Sedona or to the Grand Canyon! Services include 1 to 8 day hiking adventures, tasty backcountry cuisine, and quality gear served up by America's most experienced and knowledgeable Grand Canyon guides. 25+ years experience in adventure travel.

The Blazin’ M Ranch - A Western Themed Frontier Town, Dinner, and A Show

Join us at the Blazin’ M Ranch for an evening of western activities, dinner, and an unforgettable show! The Blazin’ M Ranch features an authentic Western Themed Town located in Cottonwood, Arizona. You’ll find fun family activities and the best chicken and ribs in Arizona, along with

Join us at the Blazin’ M Ranch for an evening of western activities, dinner, and an unforgettable show! The Blazin’ M Ranch features an authentic Western Themed Town located in Cottonwood, Arizona. You’ll find fun family activities and the best chicken and ribs in Arizona, along with foil-wrapped potato, cowboy beans, our prickly pear coleslaw, flying biscuits and a delicious homemade dessert.

After dinner the Blazin’ M Cowboys entertain ya’ with their award-winning musical talents mixed with cowboy poetry and humor with a 1 hour show from 7:30pm - 8:30pm!


Northern Light Balloon Expeditions

Founded in 1974, Northern Light Balloon Expeditions/Sedona Balloon Flights is Sedona's original and most experienced hot air balloon company. We offer sunrise flights in smaller seven passenger and larger 14 passenger balloons, with free pick-up service from most Sedona hotels. We will do
Founded in 1974, Northern Light Balloon Expeditions/Sedona Balloon Flights is Sedona's original and most experienced hot air balloon company. We offer sunrise flights in smaller seven passenger and larger 14 passenger balloons, with free pick-up service from most Sedona hotels. We will do our best to accommodate balloon size requests, but we can’t guarantee placement. As one of only two companies permitted to fly in the area, Northern Light Balloon Expeditions provides guests with a unique and exclusive experience. We offer online reservations 24 hours a day, or phone reservations from 9am to 5pm, Arizona time, seven days a week. Please contact us today to secure your spot as we are limited by weight allowance and passenger count.

Grand Canyon South Rim Self-Guided Driving Tour

Witness one of the natural wonders of the world in all its glory. The Grand Canyon is so massive, and awe-inspiring that you simply must see it with your own two eyes to truly understand its scale. This value-for-money self-guided tour takes you to all the best vistas and hiking trails. Ex
Witness one of the natural wonders of the world in all its glory. The Grand Canyon is so massive, and awe-inspiring that you simply must see it with your own two eyes to truly understand its scale. This value-for-money self-guided tour takes you to all the best vistas and hiking trails. Explore Grand Canyon at your own pace with over 60 stories laid out on a 45-mile route.
  • Fully Guided Personal Tours
  • Professionally Narrated Stories
  • Works Offline
  • Fun Facts
  • Tour At Your Own Pace
  • Location Aware, Plays Automatically
  • Don’t Miss Any Sightseeing Points
  • No Groups. No Tips

  • Sedona Tour from Phoenix & Scottsdale

    Tour the magical red rocks of Sedona and visit Native American ruins during this Sedona Tour from Phoenix & Scottsdale. Highlights include spending the day surrounded by the stunning red rock landscapes of Sedona, see ancient Sinagua cliff dwellings at Montezuma Castle National Monument

    Tour the magical red rocks of Sedona and visit Native American ruins during this Sedona Tour from Phoenix & Scottsdale. Highlights include spending the day surrounded by the stunning red rock landscapes of Sedona, see ancient Sinagua cliff dwellings at Montezuma Castle National Monument. Visit Bell Rock, Airport Mesa and Chapel of the Holy Cross. Options available for shopping, galleries, restaurants in Uptown or T'laquapaque and off-road Jeep tours or guided hike add-ons.


    Grand Canyon South Rim Tour from Phoenix & Scottsdale with Sedona

    Take in unforgettable views of classic southwestern landscapes. Explore the Grand Canyon South Rim in this incredible tour from Phoenix & Scottsdale that covers the deepest and widest parts of the Grand Canyon. This day tour of the South Rim spends approximately three hours in Grand Canyon
    Take in unforgettable views of classic southwestern landscapes. Explore the Grand Canyon South Rim in this incredible tour from Phoenix & Scottsdale that covers the deepest and widest parts of the Grand Canyon. This day tour of the South Rim spends approximately three hours in Grand Canyon National Park and some time in Sedona.

    Best Grand Canyon Day Tours

    Voted on Trip Advisor as the most popular Grand Canyon day tour. This is the best way to enjoy the Grand Canyon without doing any strenuous hiking. Nearly five millions people come to see the Canyon each year and many spend much of their time trying to figure out what to do. Our profess

    Voted on Trip Advisor as the most popular Grand Canyon day tour. This is the best way to enjoy the Grand Canyon without doing any strenuous hiking. Nearly five millions people come to see the Canyon each year and many spend much of their time trying to figure out what to do. Our professional guides will make sure you get the most out of your trip. While touring in comfort you will learn about the geology and history of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The day tour includes short walks to some incredible "less-used" outlooks, a looking into some of the areas most impressive historic buildings, and time to browse resident art galleries and gift shops.


    Sedona & Red Rock State Park Self-Guided Driving Tour

    Tap into the energy of the Earth in beautiful Sedona! Locals call this a cathedral without walls, and it only takes one look to understand why. Surrounded by towering buttes and spires of bold red rock and bisected by a canyon that’s green all year-’round, Sedona is like nowhere else on th
    Tap into the energy of the Earth in beautiful Sedona! Locals call this a cathedral without walls, and it only takes one look to understand why. Surrounded by towering buttes and spires of bold red rock and bisected by a canyon that’s green all year-’round, Sedona is like nowhere else on the planet. Explore Sedona at your own pace with over 53 stories laid out on a 15-mile route.
  • Fully Guided Personal Tours
  • Professionally Narrated Stories
  • Works Offline
  • Fun Facts
  • Tour At Your Own Pace
  • Location Aware, Plays Automatically
  • Don’t Miss Any Sightseeing Points
  • No Groups. No Tips

  • Sedona UFO Tour Guided By Contacted Scientist

    At sundown, all participants caravan 3 miles to a parking area with a dark sky. 3rd gen night vision goggles are distributed to see what can't be seen with the naked eye. Satellites, airplanes and UFOs are seen every night.

    Personal UFO Tour: With 3 or more in a

    At sundown, all participants caravan 3 miles to a parking area with a dark sky. 3rd gen night vision goggles are distributed to see what can't be seen with the naked eye. Satellites, airplanes and UFOs are seen every night.

    Personal UFO Tour: With 3 or more in a party, the Sedona UFO Tour Guide comes to you with the gear and the information that has made Michael THE guide to hire for a UFO Tour.

    Conversations with a Contactee: Michael will buy lunch and spend an hour sharing his ET contact story, and answering the attendees' questions.


    Villas at Poco Diablo, a VRI Resort

    This Sedona hotel features fireplaces in all rooms and an outdoor pool and hot tub for guest use. Cathedral Rock is less than a 10-minute drive from the property. Tennis courts and barbecue facilities are on site at Sedona Poco Diablo. A laundromat is available for guest convenience.

    More

    This Sedona hotel features fireplaces in all rooms and an outdoor pool and hot tub for guest use. Cathedral Rock is less than a 10-minute drive from the property. Tennis courts and barbecue facilities are on site at Sedona Poco Diablo. A laundromat is available for guest convenience.


    Villas of Sedona, a VRI Resort

    Equipped with the comforts of home, this condominium-style property is situated in the heart of Sedona, Arizona's beautiful Red Rocks, and offers breathtaking scenery along with all of today's modern conveniences.

    Equipped with the comforts of home, this condominium-style property is situated in the heart of Sedona, Arizona's beautiful Red Rocks, and offers breathtaking scenery along with all of today's modern conveniences.


    Sedona Springs Resort, a VRI Resort

    Surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of Sedona, Arizona, and only a short distance away from numerous area attractions and historical sites, this property offers guests all the comforts of home while traveling.

    Sedona Springs Resort is ideally situated close to a variety of re

    Surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of Sedona, Arizona, and only a short distance away from numerous area attractions and historical sites, this property offers guests all the comforts of home while traveling.

    Sedona Springs Resort is ideally situated close to a variety of recreational activities and popular points of interest. Take a tour of the Grand Canyon, go hiking at Red Rock State Park, or view ancient Native American ruins, all located nearby.