10 Family Things to Do in Sedona This Holiday Season
The holidays with kids can feel like a checklist: events, gifts, travel, meals and somehow fitting in some actual fun. Sedona flips that. Here, the holiday season means sunny afternoon hikes, a magical train to the North Pole, thousands of glowing lanterns and evenings under some of the darkest skies in Arizona.
Whether your kids are toddlers or teens, here are 10 family-friendly things to do in Sedona this holiday season, plus tips to keep the whole trip running smoothly.
Holiday Season at a Glance
| Activity | Best for | Distance from Village of Oak Creek | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tlaquepaque Tree Lighting | All ages | About 15 minutes | Free |
| Holiday Sweet Stroll | All ages | About 15 minutes | Free |
| The Polar Express | Ages 2 to 10 | About 1.5 hours | Ticketed |
| Bell Rock Pathway | All ages | About 5 minutes | Red Rock Pass |
| Jeep tour | Ages 5 and up (check operator) | Uptown Sedona | Ticketed |
| Montezuma Castle | All ages | About 25 minutes | $10 per adult, kids free |
| Flagstaff snow day | All ages | About 1 hour | Varies |
| The Nutcracker | Ages 4 and up | About 25 minutes | Ticketed |
| Stargazing night | Ages 5 and up | Right outside | Free |
| Red Rock Scenic Byway and Chapel | All ages | About 10 minutes | Free |
1. Meet Santa at the Tlaquepaque Christmas Tree Lighting
When: Friday, December 4, 2026, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. · Cost: Free
The holiday season in Sedona officially begins at Tlaquepaque North, where a big Christmas tree lights up against the red rocks. Expect music, holiday cheer and a visit from Santa. Arrive a little early so little ones can get a good view.
Family tip: Tlaquepaque's Spanish-style courtyards and fountains are fun to explore before the lighting. Grab dinner nearby afterward.
2. Shop and Snack at the Holiday Sweet Stroll
When: Saturday, December 19, 2026, from 3 to 7 p.m. · Cost: Free to attend
Tlaquepaque’s Holiday Sweet Stroll fills the arts village with holiday shopping, sweet treats and festive decorations. Families wander the Spanish-style courtyards while shops and galleries share seasonal goodies, so it’s an easy afternoon out with kids and a good chance to finish the gift list.
Family tip: Arrive early, while it’s still light and warm, and plan for parking because it’s one of the village’s busiest afternoons. Stay for dinner at one of Tlaquepaque’s restaurants.
3. Ride The Polar Express
Where: Williams, about 1.5 hours from Sedona · When: Select nights from November to early January, at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
The Grand Canyon Railway turns into The Polar Express every holiday season. The 90-minute ride to the "North Pole" includes hot cocoa, cookies, a reading of the story and a visit with Santa. Kids come in pajamas, and grown-ups often do too.
Family tip: Dates sell out months ahead, so book first and plan the rest of your trip around it. Note that the train does not go to the Grand Canyon itself.
4. Hike the Bell Rock Pathway
Where: About 5 minutes from Kokopelli Inn · Difficulty: Easy
The Bell Rock Pathway is wide, sandy and mostly flat, making it one of the best family hikes in Sedona. It reaches the base of Bell Rock in about a mile from the southern lot. Older kids love scrambling up the lower ledges. December's cool, sunny afternoons are perfect for it.
Family tip: Want more? Continue on the Courthouse Butte Loop, about 4 miles around with very little climbing. Read our Bell Rock vs. Cathedral Rock guide for more detail.
5. Bounce Through the Red Rocks on a Jeep Tour
Nothing gets kids grinning like an open-air jeep ride over slickrock. Sedona's jeep tours, including the famous pink jeeps, climb, tilt and bump through red rock country while guides share stories about the landscape and wildlife.
Family tip: Age and car seat rules vary by operator and route, so check before booking. Midday tours are warmest in December. Bring jackets because the jeeps are open-air.
6. Explore an 800-Year-Old Cliff Dwelling at Montezuma Castle
Where: Near Camp Verde, about 25 minutes away · Cost: $10 per adult 16 and older, kids free
Montezuma Castle is a five-story cliff dwelling built into a limestone cliff more than 800 years ago. A short, flat, paved loop makes it easy for strollers and little legs. Your admission also covers nearby Tuzigoot National Monument for seven days.
Family tip: Pick up a free Junior Ranger book at the visitor center. Kids complete the activities and earn a wooden badge. The monument is closed on Christmas Day.
7. Have a Snow Day in Flagstaff
Where: About an hour north of Sedona
Sedona rarely gets much snow, but Flagstaff, at about 7,000 feet, often does. Spend the day sledding or building a snowman, then head back to sunny Sedona for the night. Ski fans can check conditions at Arizona Snowbowl. While you are there, Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered in 1930, is a great stop for curious kids.
Family tip: Snow is never guaranteed, so check the forecast and road conditions at az511.gov before you go. Only sled in designated areas.
8. See The Nutcracker
Where: Sedona Performing Arts Center
When: Saturday, December 19, The Nutcracker 2026
Local dance academies and musicians put on a community production of The Nutcracker each December. Seeing local kids on stage makes it especially fun for young audiences.
Family tip: Matinee shows are perfect for younger kids. Buy tickets early, because performances can sell out.
9. Count Shooting Stars During a Stargazing Night
When: Any clear night. The Geminid meteor shower peaks around December 13 to 14.
Sedona is an International Dark Sky Community, so the stars here are spectacular. Kids can spot planets, constellations and, during the Geminids, shooting stars. You do not need a tour. A blanket, warm layers and a dark spot are enough.
Family tip: Give everyone's eyes about 20 minutes to adjust to the dark. Turn off phone screens or switch them to red light.
10. Drive the Red Rock Scenic Byway to the Chapel of the Holy Cross
Where: About 10 minutes from the Village of Oak Creek · Cost: Free
State Route 179 between the Village of Oak Creek and Sedona is the Red Rock Scenic Byway, with Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte and Cathedral Rock all in view. Stop at the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a striking chapel built right into the red rock buttes. The views from the ramp are worth the trip even for non-religious visitors.
Family tip: Parking at the chapel is limited, so go early in the day or late afternoon.
A Simple 3-Day Family Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive from Phoenix and check in. Walk the Bell Rock Pathway before sunset, then end the night with stars.
Day 2: Visit Montezuma Castle in the morning. Take an afternoon jeep tour. Catch the tree lighting (December 4) or the Holiday Sweet Stroll (December 19) at Tlaquepaque.
Day 3: Drive to Flagstaff for snow play, then ride The Polar Express in Williams that evening. Kids will sleep the whole drive back.
Tips for Sedona With Kids in Winter
- Dress in layers. Mornings can be below freezing, but afternoons are often in the 50s.
- Plan around the early sunset. It gets dark around 5:20 p.m. in December.
- Book the big stuff first. The Polar Express and Nutcracker tickets go fast.
- Pack snacks and water for every outing. The dry air makes everyone thirsty.
- Keep one easy day. Pool time, a slow breakfast and a nap can save the trip.
Planning the drive? Read our Phoenix to Sedona guide. Want more holiday ideas? See Sedona in December: Weather, Events, and What to Pack.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do in Sedona with kids in December? Family favorites include the Tlaquepaque Christmas Tree Lighting with Santa, the Holiday Sweet Stroll, easy hikes like the Bell Rock Pathway, jeep tours and nearby day trips to Montezuma Castle and Flagstaff.
Is Sedona good for kids? Yes. Sedona has many easy trails, outdoor adventures, nearby national monuments and free holiday events that work well for families.
How far is The Polar Express from Sedona? The Polar Express departs from Williams, about an hour and a half from Sedona by car.
Where can kids see snow near Sedona? Flagstaff, about an hour north, gets much more snow than Sedona and is the closest place for reliable snow play in winter.
Make Kokopelli Your Family's Holiday Basecamp
The best family trips are the ones where the logistics disappear. At Kokopelli Inn Sedona, you are minutes from the Bell Rock Pathway, right on the Red Rock Scenic Byway and an easy drive to Tlaquepaque, Montezuma Castle and I-17 for day trips.
Mornings start with a small continental breakfast, and evenings end around the outdoor fire pit. Parking and Wi-Fi are free, and pet-friendly rooms mean nobody gets left behind (a pet fee applies, so mention your pet when you book). Bringing the whole extended family? We can set up a room block so everyone stays close together.
Give your family a holiday they will remember.
Check Availability or call 928-399-4756 to ask about family and group stays.
