Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 29, 2025
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Downtown Tempe’s holiday season officially begins with this beloved tradition. The Fantasy of Lights Street Parade + Tree Lighting brings Mill Avenue to life with festive energy, live entertainment, and holiday magic for all ages.
Come early to enjoy snack and drink vendors, live music, and a family-friendly atmosphere — and to secure your spot along Mill Avenue, as all parade viewing is first come, first served. At 6:00 PM, the parade steps off with dazzling floats, performers, and holiday characters lighting up the streets.
After the parade, the celebration continues at CenterPoint Plaza with the official lighting of Downtown Tempe’s 36-foot-tall holiday tree. Stick around for more live music, photos with Santa, and a letter-writing station where kids can send their wishes straight to the North Pole.
Whether you’re keeping a tradition alive or starting a new one, this event is the perfect way to kick off the season in Downtown Tempe.
What You Can Explore
Holiday Magic Captured
Parade Route
The parade steps off at 3rd Street and Mill Avenue, travels south along Mill Avenue, then turns west onto 7th Street, passing through CenterPoint Plaza, before heading north on Maple Avenue and concluding at 5th Street between Maple Avenue and Ash.
Event Schedule
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Event starts and Centerpoint Plaza opens for live entertainment from DJ Nasdak joined by this year’s emcee, Ethan Hoover, from Arizona Theatre Company before and after the parade. Enjoy a variety of snack and drink vendors along Mill Ave, write letters to Santa (be sure to say hello to the Chick-Fil-A cow!) and more!
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Enjoy the Marcos de Niza Chamber Singers as they carol the streets before the parade
6:00 PM: Parade steps off starting at Mill Ave & 3rd Street
Following the parade: The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place in Centerpoint Plaza and free photos with Santa!
8:00 PM: Event ends
Find your way to the Street Parade!
With a little planning, it's easy to get to and through Downtown Tempe.
Downtown Tempe offers several choices for parking- and plenty of it.
Special Event Parking:
$10 Event Parking is available at the following locations:
- 201 S. Ash Parking Garage
- Emerson Garage
- Hayden Square Garage
- Hayden Square West Surface Lot
- Mission Palms North Lot
- Mission Palms South Lot
- West 6th Parking Garage
Tempe TRiP provides an interactive parking map that helps guide you to the best parking options. View all parking locations, in the palm of your hand, from a desktop or mobile view.
To help you arrive with ease, we’ve included a Street Closure Map outlining all parade-related closures around Mill Ave. Take a quick look before driving in so you know which routes are open and the best way to reach your parking destination.
The most hassle-free way to get to the Fantasy of Lights Street Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony is to ride the Valley Metro Rail. Light rail provides free parking at 13 Park-and-Ride locations, so you can ride the train directly to 3rd & Mill.
Park & Ride Locations:
- Metro Parkway- 250 spaces
- 19th Ave/Dunlap Avenue – 415 spaces
- 19th Avenue/Montebello Avenue – 794 spaces
- 19th Avenue/Camelback Road – 410 spaces
- 7th Avenue/Camelback Road – 123 spaces
- Central Avenue/Camelback Road – 135 spaces
- 38th Street/Washington Street – 189 spaces
- Dorsey Lane/Apache Boulevard – 190 spaces
- McClintock Road/Apache Boulevard – 300 spaces
- Price - 101 Freeway/Apache Boulevard – 693 spaces
- Sycamore Street/Main Street – 802 spaces
- Mesa Drive/Main St – 448 spaces
- Gilbert Rd/Main St- 250 spaces
You can exit at 3rd & Mill, or at the Tempe Transportation Center (one block easy of 5th/Mill).
Get Involved Event Applications Volunteer Sponsor
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors!
ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTED BY
LETTERS TO SANTA PRESENTED BY