Christmas at the Princess 2023: What's new at this family-favorite holiday lights display

Michael Salerno, Arizona Republic
Updated ·4 min read

Christmas at the Princess, a beloved holiday experience and a signature annual event at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, is returning for its 14th year.

There's a lot more to see and do in 2023, including new light displays, an ice lounge and two new rides in the Twinkle Town area of the resort grounds. There will also be two 6,000-square-foot ice skating rinks, fire pits and places to enjoy sweet treats such as s'mores.

Christmas at the Princess is nationally recognized as a must visit holiday experience. USA Today readers ranked it No. 2 in a 2021 list of the top 10 Scottsdale attractions to visit in December.

And Christmas at the Princess is why CNN named Fairmont Scottsdale Princess one of 15 luxury hotels that go all out for Christmas and why Travel + Leisure featured the resort among the 20 best warm weather resorts in the world to visit at Christmas.

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When is Christmas at the Princess 2023 at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess?

Christmas at the Princess opens on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, and runs through Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024.

Hours are 5-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 4-11 p.m. Fridays-Sundays from Nov. 17 through Dec. 14. Hours are 4-11 p.m. daily from Dec. 15 through Jan. 6.

What does the Christmas at the Princess include?

Christmas at the Princess admission includes:

  • Access to light displays featuring more than 7.5 million lights.

  • Train rides aboard the Princess Express to view the light displays.

  • Attractions and activities in The Village, which has a 120-foot artificial snow slide called Snow Mountain, ice skating along the Alpine Ice Trail and, new for 2023, Nordic Nine Mini Golf. The Village also features S'moresland, where guests can toast marshmallows in a fire pit and make s'mores.

  • Complimentary fire pits, with refreshments available for purchase, are in the Winterland and Twinkle Town areas of the resort.

  • Encounters with costumed winter characters, including a graham cracker named Graham, a Christmas light named Twinkles and a yeti named Shivers.

  • A Nativity Garden with a narrated light and music show that shares the story of Christmas.

What's new for 2023 at Christmas at the Princess?

New for Christmas at the Princess 2023 is Aurora Ice, a lounge where everything is made of ice.

Guests are lent parkas to keep warm in the zero-degree temperatures inside Aurora Ice, where they can view hand-chiseled ice sculptures, sip on craft cocktails at an ice bar and play seasonal games.

Access to Aurora Ice costs extra; it costs $30 per adult and $15 per child. The cost includes one drink.

New light displays include two 20-foot-tall polar bears on Scottsdale Road, a new Christmas at the Princess sign and lights wrapped on the new palm trees along the center of Princess Drive leading into the resort, hotel spokesman John Glynn said.

Twinkle Town will feature two new rides, a sleigh and a Santa train, starting in December, he said.

The Enchanted Plaza area, home of the Christmas tree strung with 70,000 LED lights synchronized music, will feature a new seven-minute HD video show starring a new holiday character named Cocoa the Bear as he journeys to find a Christmas star. It will play every half hour from 6 to 9 p.m.

When does Santa Claus come?

Children can visit Santa Claus during Christmas at the Princess. They can have pictures taken with Santa and recite the "secret elf pledge" to spread Christmas cheer all year long.

Those who want exclusive access to Santa's workshop can try the VIP Ultimate Santa Experience, which costs $500 for up to four guests and includes activities like baking Christmas cookies and making crafts with Mrs. Claus.

Santa will be on hand Nov. 17-Dec. 24.

Is Christmas at the Princess free?

Christmas at the Princess is free for guests staying overnight at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and for children age 3 and younger.

How much does it cost to go to Christmas at the Princess?

For people who aren't staying at the resort, Christmas at the Princess admission is $35 per person. Admission does not include the cost of parking.

Some attractions, like ice skating and photos with Santa, cost extra.

A season pass for Christmas at the Princess, which includes four VIP wristbands, four unlimited ice skating passes and valet parking for one vehicle, costs $2,100.

How much is parking at the Fairmont Scottsdale?

Self-parking is $35 per vehicle. Valet parking is $120 per vehicle.

Details: 7575 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale. 480-585-4848, scottsdaleprincess.com.

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Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Christmas at the Princess 2023: What's new at Scottsdale holiday event