The Fairmont Christmas At The Princess Blog

Top 2024 Insider Tips For A Very Merry Christmas At The Princess From Santa's Elves

Teresa Thompson, Director of Resort Experience

Planning on attending this year's Christmas at the Princess festival? We look forward to welcoming you to our favorite holiday tradition in Scottsdale.

With so much to do, and so many memories to make, we've asked Santa's favorite elves to give us their top seven tips for how to make the most of your Christmas at the Princess experience! View our Christmas at the Princess Gallery for inspiration on your next visit.

1. When is the Best Time to Visit Christmas at the Princess?

Early in the season and weekdays throughout the festival tend to be lighter in attendance. Be sure to check the Christmas at the Princess page for all the special events to make your visit even more special! On peak nights, allow an extra 20-30 minutes in travel time.

2. How Can I Make the Most of My Visit?

When booking online, we encourage guests to book early before their preferred dates sell out. You can book everything all at once online here. Don't forget to purchase your family's Ice Passes, parking pass and Photos with Santa session!

3. What Are My Dining Options During Christmas at the Princess?

Reservations Only

Dining at the Princess is a must on the elf list! Reservations are recommended for dining at Bourbon Steak, La Hacienda and Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar, as the restaurants do reach capacity during the holiday season.

Make a Reservation Online for:

• Bourbon Steak
• La Hacienda
• Toro Scottsdale

To make a reservation, call 480.585.2694.

Walk-In Options

Ironwood American Kitchen and The Lodge are walk-in only and no advance reservations are needed. 

We understand budgets are important to families, today more than ever. We work hard to provide a variety of food and beverage options for all guests visiting Christmas at the Princess. Elf favorite? Mrs. Claus' fresh-baked cookies!

Dinner entrees at the resort's signature outlets range from $25 to $45+. Concessions pricing at Kringle's Kitchen, Mrs. Claus' Cookies, Twinkle Town, The Village and The Lodge range from $5 to $16+. There is no cash accepted at the event. We would encourage our guests to check our site prior to our events to make sure they are best prepared to enjoy the evening.

4. What if it Rains the Night I Have Tickets?

Just as we do at the North Pole, please check the weather before you get in your sleigh! Scottsdale nights are known for being beautiful, but if wintery weather does come our way, the festival will continue. Please plan accordingly. A $20 fee will apply for all date changes (subject to availability).

5. How Can I Make My Night Even Better?

VIP fire pits and igloos are the ultimate luxury experience and are very popular! Be sure to reserve yours in advance online here.

6. What Are My Options for Visiting?

Enjoy endless combinations of holiday fun! For the best value, share the ride and save on parking! Another perk? Children under 3 receive complimentary access to the event!

Or, here's a fantastic value: dine in one any of the resort's restaurants, and with a $85 spend, you receive complimentary valet (a $120 value)!

Or, an even better value? Spend the night with a holiday package and enjoy VIP lane access to all of the attractions.

Yuletide Bliss A Magical Christmas Overnight Stay at the Princess

The holiday season is a time of joy, wonder, and togetherness. And there's no better place to experience the magic of Christmas than at the Princess, creating unforgettable memories for families, friends, and loved ones.

From the moment you step foot on the resort grounds, you are greeted with a captivating atmosphere that transports you to a winter wonderland. The entire resort is adorned with sparkling lights, ornate decorations, and lush greenery, creating a magical and festive setting that ignites the holiday spirit in guests. The magnificent Christmas trees, the twinkling lights, and the cheerful carolers all contribute to an atmosphere of warmth and joy that can only be fully experienced through an overnight stay.

Three Ways to Play

Stay

The most important element you get with an overnight stay is time. You have time to enjoy rest and relaxation, pools, spa treatments, dinner reservations or in-room dining. It truly is the absolute best way to enjoy Christmas at the Princess. Overnight resort guests receive:

• Complimentary nightly admission to the festival
• VIP wristbands to use the express lane at the attractions (excluding ice skating or photos with Santa)

Book Your Stay

Dine

From casual to fine dining, enjoy holiday-themed menus. Whether it's savoring a delectable holiday feast, enjoying seasonal cocktails, or indulging in scrumptious desserts, the culinary delights are an integral part of the Christmas at The Princess experience. With an overnight stay, you have the freedom to explore the full range of dining options, allowing you to sample a diverse array of delectable holiday treats and share memorable meals with loved ones.

• Make a Reservation at Bourbon Steak
• Make a Reservation at La Hacienda
• Make a Reservation at Toro Scottsdale

General Admission

General admission offers a magical and festive experience for visitors of all ages. Guests are greeted by the glittering lights of the stunning Christmas tree, the air is filled with the sweet melodies of holiday carols, creating a joyful atmosphere that resonates throughout the picturesque surroundings. General admission provides a delightful opportunity for everyone to embrace the holiday season in a truly festive setting at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, including:

• Starlights: An Electric Symphony
• Twinkle Town: Saddle Up Ride, Train Station Ride, Alpine Slide Ride, Lolli Swings Ride, Deck the Halls Ride
• The Village: The Chair Lift Ferris Wheel, Nordic 9 Mini Golf, Snow Mountain Real Ice Slide
• Complimentary Fire Tables at S’mores Land, Twinkle Town and Winterland
• Princess Express Trains
• Enchanted Plaza Shows
• A Christmas Wish
• Letters to Santa
• 50+ Photo ops
• Narrated Nativity Show

Whether you stay, dine or come for one night, you must also pay for self- or valet-parking.

Buy Tickets

New for 2024

Starlights: An Electric Symphony

Wish upon a star and experience a mesmerizing glowshow, as the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess unveils its all-new Starlights spectacular – a showstopper unlike anything else in Arizona! From the creative genius behind nationally acclaimed Light Engineer superstar, Matt Johnson, comes STARLIGHTS – An Electric Symphony. Renowned for his innovative work featured across TV, radio, and magazines worldwide, and as the winner of ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Show, Johnson’s latest masterpiece promises an unforgettable experience composed of stardust, dreams and all things magical. This incredible electric symphony immerses guests in a kaleidoscope of color and energy, transforming the resort’s wondrous lagoon into a radiant techno wonderland. Watch in awe as millions of vibrant lights and animated displays dance in perfect harmony with festive beats, illuminating the water with dazzling brilliance. Cutting-edge technology blends with joyful sound and starlight in this 8-minute show, elevating holiday spirit to new heights!

Santa's Insider Tip: Best places to watch are Princess Upper East and West Decks

Complimentary with General Admission tickets

Aurora Ice: Christmas Classics

Enter a frosty wonderland where everything is made of real ice and your favorite holiday classics come to life. It’s a chilly, picture-perfect experience that adds a dash of holiday magic to your family photos, making your festive memories truly unforgettable!

Slip into an ultra-warm faux fur parka and leave the desert heat behind!

$20 per person

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Princess Express Train

Enjoy more than seven million dazzling lights during your stroll or ride on the Princess Express Train through the resort’s majestic lagoons where graceful swans abound, along with brand-new installations, including a 12-foot 3D hippo, octopus, and hot air balloon, plus a 15-foot princess. Don’t forget to grab a tasty beverage at Comet’s Caboose, located just outside the train depot.

Complimentary with Guest Admission tickets

Signature EXPERIENCES

Guests can immerse themselves in a wide array of festive experiences:

• Enchanted Plaza Experience—Featuring a Four-Story Musical Tree & Animated Light Show
• Desert Ice Skating Rink (additional tickets required)
• VIP Fire-side Experience (reservations required)
• Photos with Santa
• More than 10 Million Holiday Lights
• Magical Holiday Characters
• Winterland—Seasonal Cocktails with Fire Table Seating, 15-foot Snow Globe Photo Op and Snowflake Photo Op
• Nativity Garden with Narrated Light Show
• The Village—Featuring The Chair Lift Ferris Wheel, complimentary Fire Tables, S'mores Land and more
• Twinkle Town—Christmas-themed rides and Twinkle's Takeout
• Princess Express Trains

More Time for Shopping

Don’t feel rushed to get your shopping in. From buying matching Christmas pajamas for the whole family to window shopping, cherish the art of gift-giving, and enjoy holiday shopping at:

• The Christmas Shoppe
• Well & Being Spa: A Lifestyle Boutique
• Studio F Designs Floral
• Provisions
• Anna J
• Maverick
• estado
• Lilly Pulitzer
• Same River Twice

Relaxation and Rejuvenation

Unwind in the world-class spa with treatments that bring you tidings of comfort and joy, take a dip in one of the six the pools, heated to a perfect 82 degrees or simply enjoy a tranquil moment by the complimentary fire pits in Winterland or The Village.

There are so many ways to get in the holiday spirit at the Princess this year, and an overnight stay is the best. Christmas is a time for reconnecting with loved ones, creating cherished memories, and immersing oneself in the spirit of the season.

Unveiling the Miracle of Lights: What's New for Christmas at the Princess 2023

As the holiday season approaches, anticipation is building for the enchanting festivities at the Princess. This year, we are unveiling a host of new experiences and enhancements for an even more memorable and magical Christmas celebration.

Christmas at the Princess: The Miracle of Lights

Christmas, at its heart, has always been a celebration of light. From the shimmering bulbs that adorn our homes and streets to the warm glow of candles during midnight services; every flicker and gleam reminds us of the magic this season brings. It's not just about the physical luster, but the inner light of joy, hope, love, and unity that it kindles within each of us.

Aurora Ice Lounge + Chill

Step into Scottsdale’s only glacier—Aurora Ice—a one-of-a-kind game and lounge experience where everything is made of real ice! Slip into an ultra-warm faux fur parka and leave the desert heat behind as you step into an Arctic wonderland. Chilled to a brisk zero degrees and bathed in the soft glow reminiscent of the Aurora Borealis, better known as the Northern Lights, Aurora Ice is the coolest new place to chill out.

• Cozy up to your favorite someone and savor a welcome craft cocktail worth melting for at the ice bar and take-home a custom Aurora Ice cup
• Enjoy a range of frosty fun games including Zamboni races, shuffleboard and more, offering fun-filled competition
• Immerse yourself in the Arctic's magnificence, brought to life through hand-chiseled ice sculptures and picture perfect photo ops

$30 per adult | $15 per child

Located in Winterland

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Enchanted Plaza Shows

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind, 7-minute HD video that projects against the resort’s facade telling the story of our new holiday character, Cocoa the Bear, and his journey to find a shining Christmas star along with a Christmas tree strung up with 70,000 LED lights that twinkle and dance to 18 classic holiday songs. If you’re searching for that quintessential holiday experience in Scottsdale, look no further!

Shows every 30 minutes in the Enchanted Plaza from 5-10pm nightly.

Cocoa the Teddy Bear

Our newest loveable character, Cocoa, is made of magic! One night in the North Pole, Santa's elves were making a fresh batch of candy canes and accidentally spilled candy glitter everywhere – even in Santa’s workshop! Landing on a very lucky Teddy Bear, he came to life and was filled with laughter and Christmas spirit. Kept warm by a hat and scarf made by Mrs. Claus, Cocoa joins Santa on a magical adventure to place the star atop the Christmas tree.

Snap a pic with Cocoa as he walks around Christmas at the Princess

Nordic 9 Mini Golf

Embark on an exciting alpine adventure at our ski-themed mini golf course, where each hole is a snowy slope filled with ski slopes, an avalanche, and igloo views. Celebrate the winner with a photo at the Last Resort Podium at hole 9.

Complimentary with General Admission Tickets

Interactive Bubble Sword Experience

Discover holiday magic around every corner, as your Christmas Quest interactive mode sword works as your interactive guide. Featuring two settings, interactive and bubble sword mode the Christmas Quest Illumination Edition Bubble Sword – Christmas Quest, featuring bubbles and flashing lights.

$55 each | Purchase

Princess Express Train

Enjoy more than seven million dazzling lights during your stroll or ride on the Princess Express Train through the resort’s majestic lagoons where graceful swans abound, along with brand-new installations, including a 12-foot 3D hippo, octopus, and hot air balloon, plus a 15-foot princess. Then, travel through a 17-foot infinity tunnel, which features over 256 million color combinations from special LED bulbs. Don’t forget to grab a tasty beverage at Comet’s Caboose, located just outside the train depot.

Complimentary with General Admission Tickets

Spectacular Light Displays

Our designers have channeled their inner elves, meticulously crafting spectacular new displays in our workshop just in time for the holidays! Behold larger-than-life installations, from 14’ polar bears and toy soldiers to immaculately trimmed trees gracing our grand lobby and the bright lights of palm trees lining Princess Drive! Don't miss La Hacienda Plaza's new signature tree and wreaths, perfect for those unforgettable holiday photos with friends and family.