The Christmas at the Princess festival at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess features the resort’s four-story musical Christmas tree in Princess Plaza, more than 2 million Lagoon Lights, the Princess Express Train, the Desert Ice Skating Rink and the new Christmas Carousel.
Christmas at the Princess is open to the public throughout the season. Admission is complimentary for hotel and restaurant guests, then admission/parking for non-hotel guests is $30 for self-parking with up to 10 people per vehicle or $40 for valet after 5 p.m. without dining. Valet for local residents is complimentary when dining at any of the resort restaurants. The Princess Express Train, Christmas Carousel and Lagoon Lights are complimentary; there are fees for ice skating sessions and skate rental. The “Christmas at the Princess” festival runs through January 4, 2015.
Highlights include:
Enchanted Plaza: Local residents can see the four-story tree’s synchronized lighting and music show 6 p.m.– 9 p.m., nightly, throughout the holiday season. During the day, this stunning four-story tree is a visual experience, with dozens of glistening snowflakes and a five-foot snowflake tree topper. Add to that, a high-definition, one-of-a-kind animated video show features five delightful holiday scenes set to music and projected against the resort’s façade. This five-minute show plays promptly at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. nightly in the Enchanted Plaza through January 4, 2015.
Lagoon Lights: With more than 2 million LED lights illuminating the resort’s majestic lagoons, visitors stroll or ride the Princess Express train through a lit fantasy land to see graceful swans floating on the water, a buccaneer pirate ship, 14-foot poinsettias, a teddy bear, toy soldiers, a fishing Santa and a candy cane forest. Throughout the resort, 150 trees are wrapped in lights, many draped with icicles and snowflakes, along with a 10-foot lighted menorah, dreidels and the Star of David. New for 2014 are lit leaping arches mimicking a water show, Nessie the 30-foot Loch Ness Monster, 3-D giant reindeer, a 20-foot snowman, elves peeking around trees, as well as a family of four singing trees.
Train: As guests board the Princess Express Train, sponsored by Waste Management Phoenix Open, they are greeted by an enchanting curtain of falling snow, along with carolers on the weekends. The train depot is near the tennis courts and offers complimentary rides around the Lagoon Lights nightly for spectators of all ages.
Carousel: As holiday revelers arrive at the Princess, a new, not-to-miss attraction is the resort’s Christmas Carousel, where dozens of galloping horses glitter ‘round and ‘round. It will be open evenings and rides are complimentary.
Santa: Friday and Saturday nights are spent with Santa in his workshop, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., through December 20, where the young and young-at-heart can have their photo taken with Kris Kringle. Photos are just $10 and available for immediate pick-up.
Nativity Garden: The resort’s Fragrance Garden becomes the Nativity Garden, where an 88-foot narrated Nativity light show tells the story of Christmas. Seating is provided for the 10-minute show. Shows begin at 5 p.m. and occur every 10 minutes until 9 p.m., nightly throughout the festival.
Tree Lot: New this year, Moon Valley Nurseries will have a Christmas tree lot at the resort, where those enjoying the festival can also pick out and purchase their Christmas tree. Home delivery is also available.
Lagoon Lights, the Princess Express Train and the Christmas Carousel are complimentary throughout the season. The resort is located at 7575 East Princess Drive in Scottsdale. For more information, call (866)-540-4495 or visit Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
