There’s something different about Christmas in the pines. The air smells like pine and woodsmoke, the mornings are crisp, and when it snows, the whole forest goes quiet and white. Munds Park puts you right in the middle of it — and close enough to make a full holiday weekend out of northern Arizona’s best family traditions.
Here are a few favorites to build a trip around:
1. The Polar Express — Grand Canyon Railway, Williams
This is the one kids talk about all year. The Polar Express leaves the Williams depot in the evening, and the ride to the North Pole takes about 90 minutes round trip.
Expect singing chefs, hot chocolate and cookies served on board, and a visit from Santa himself. Pajamas are very much encouraged.
Good to know: The 2026 season runs November 6, 2026 through January 3, 2027, with evening departures at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. on select dates. Book early — December weekends fill fast, and you’ll want to check the official Grand Canyon Railway site for the exact night and seat class you want.
2. The North Pole Experience — Little America, Flagstaff
If the Polar Express is the train ride to Santa, this is the step inside Santa’s workshop.
Families board a trolley at Little America in Flagstaff and ride through a magic portal to Santa’s 400-year-old workshop. Inside, kids build toys with the elves, visit the Toy Hall of Fame, graduate from Elf University, stop by Mrs. Claus’s Bakery, write letters in the mail room, and get private, one-on-one time with Santa.
Good to know: The North Pole Experience runs November 20 through December 24, 2026. The experience lasts about 1 hour and 40 minutes, and you’ll want to arrive at least 45 minutes before your scheduled trolley departure for check-in. Tickets are for specific dates and times, so book ahead.
Little America’s grounds are also dressed in more than a million Christmas lights for the season, so plan a little extra time for an evening stroll after your visit.
3. Grand Canyon Deer Farm — Williams
For a slower, hands-on stop the kids will love, head to the Grand Canyon Deer Farm just east of Williams.
You don’t just look at the animals here — you walk among them, pet them, and feed them right from your hand. Along with deer, you’ll meet reindeer (yes, Santa’s kind), miniature horses, donkeys, llamas, bison, wallabies, and even a camel.
Good to know: Winter hours are generally 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, weather permitting. The farm is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, so plan around those dates and check ahead before you go.
4. Downtown Flagstaff at Christmas
Flagstaff does the holidays the old-fashioned way — lights, music, and a downtown you can walk.
A few free, family-friendly highlights for 2026:
- Snowflake Festival — Saturday, December 5, 2026, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Flagstaff Visitor Center. Pictures with Santa, kids’ crafts, a Christmas art market, and a toy drive.
- Winter Wonderland & Tree Lighting — Saturday, December 5, 2026, 2:30 to 7 p.m., Heritage Square. Hot cocoa, s’mores, crafts, live music, and Santa, with the tree lighting at 6:15 p.m. This one is free and made for families.
- Holiday Parade of Lights — Saturday, December 12, 2026, 6 to 8 p.m., downtown Flagstaff. Floats, lights, and a classic small-town parade down historic downtown streets.
While you’re downtown, take a stroll past the Visitor Center lights and the lighted 1911 steam locomotive — it’s one of those must-have holiday photos.
Make a weekend of it
One easy way to do it: pick one big ticketed experience — the Polar Express or the North Pole Experience — and pair it with one free downtown Flagstaff event and a daytime stop at the Deer Farm. That leaves plenty of time in between for slow mornings, hot cocoa, and just being in the pines.
A few tips for a winter trip up here:
- Pack layers, hats, and gloves — mountain evenings get cold fast, even when the days are sunny.
- Check road and weather conditions before you head out, especially for evening events.
- Book ticketed experiences early. The train and the North Pole Experience both sell out on popular December dates.
Where to Stay: Christmas in the Pines
After a day of trains, reindeer, and lights, there’s nothing like coming back to a warm cabin in the pines.
Stay at one of our Munds Park cabins — Bluejay Getaway or Munds Park Cozy Cabin — and make the cabin part of the holiday itself. Light the fireplace, make cocoa, play games, and let the kids wake up to pine trees outside the window instead of a hotel hallway.
Munds Park is a perfect home base for all of it: close to Flagstaff’s holiday events, an easy day trip to Williams for the Polar Express and the Deer Farm, and quiet enough at night to actually feel like Christmas.
Book your holiday stay, and come spend Christmas time in the pines with us.
Dates and times are for the 2026 season as listed by the venues at the time of writing. Please double-check the official event pages before you travel, as schedules can change.
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