Phoenix parents, we made it through the holidays! This first weekend of January (Jan 3-4) is the perfect time to ditch the screen and get out before the real routine kicks in. You absolutely have to hit up the 7th Annual Family Fun WinterFest for the faux snow flurry—the kids will lose it! And for a totally different vibe, don't miss the final days of the Tianyu Lights Festival for a magical, kid-friendly evening stroll.
Quick Picks
7th Annual Family Fun WinterFest!
Arizona Boardwalk
Free entry with snow flurries, character meet-and-greets, and bounce houses inside the Boardwalk.
POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION
Arizona Science Center
A huge, fascinating history lesson about a lost city that will keep teens and older kids totally glued.
Family Fun Days at The Square
The Square PHX
A free, drop-in Saturday morning with themed crafts and croquet on the lawn—low-key fun!
2026 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade
It's the big parade! Find a spot early along the route to watch the floats, bands, and the whole celebratory vibe. This is a major Phoenix tradition, so even if it's just for a bit, it’s worth seeing.
Why we picked it: This is the massive, iconic downtown spectacle that usually kicks off the New Year's weekend energy.
7th Annual Family Fun WinterFest!
Seriously, they have an indoor SNOW FLURRY event! Plus bounce houses, face painting, and the kids can meet Elsa and Anna. You can browse local vendors while they burn off energy.
Why we picked it: It's genuinely FREE and features 'falling SNOW FLURRY' indoors, which is peak fun for this time of year.
POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION
If you have older kids or teens, this is a must-see before it leaves—it's seriously intense history displayed beautifully. It's a great way to escape the heat/cold and actually learn something.
Why we picked it: It’s a world-class, limited-run exhibition that is definitely not a tourist trap.
Consciously Connected Kids – Emotional Regulation Exercises
If your little one struggles with big feelings, this free session focuses on emotional regulation exercises. Good for parents who want to learn some coping strategies alongside their toddler/preschooler.
Why we picked it: It's a free, locally focused workshop offering practical skills for parents of young children.
ZooLights
The zoo is decked out in millions of lights, and this is one of the final nights to catch the holiday magic! It's better than it sounds and a classic Phoenix winter activity.
Why we picked it: It's one of the last opportunities to see this beloved seasonal light display before it packs up.
Funny Business: Photography and Humor
This exhibit explores how artists use visual humor, which sounds way more interesting than it probably should. It's a great indoor option for the middle of the day when the sun is high.
Why we picked it: It's a unique, quirky art exhibition running that's perfect for getting tweens and teens engaged.
MLK Little League Tune up clinic
If your kid is already thinking about baseball season, this is a chance to get drills from former MLB players. Perfect for getting the sports bug out of their system before school restarts.
Why we picked it: It's a genuinely practical, local sports event focused on pre-season training.
Family Fun Days at The Square
This is one of those secret local gems—free drop-in fun with a themed craft and some lawn games like croquet. Perfect for a low-stress morning before lunch.
Why we picked it: It’s a free, chill, drop-in event that feels very 'local' and isn't over-the-top.
Tianyu Lights Festival
This is your *last chance* to see the lights—they have cool displays like Rainforest and Prehistoric Animals made of light. Go right at dusk for the best experience and grab some food court snacks.
Why we picked it: It is the absolute LAST DAY (Jan 4th) for this enchanting light display, making it a perfect weekend closer.
Glistening Gardens at Butterfly Wonderland
If you haven't caught this yet, it’s your final day to stroll through the rainforest conservatory with the holiday lights still up. It’s a nice, calm indoor break from the weekend rush.
Why we picked it: Sunday is the final day for this beautiful, indoor illuminated holiday display.
Animal Ambassador Meet & Greet
While you are at the Boardwalk, check out the free festival that has live animals like penguins and sloths visiting the courtyard! It’s a bonus little wildlife moment built into your weekend trip.
Why we picked it: A cool, bonus free animal encounter happening right next to the WinterFest area.
Butterfly Brushstrokes Painting Class
A slightly more 'grown-up' craft event where you paint a butterfly masterpiece. It's a structured, calm activity perfect for a Sunday night wind-down.
Why we picked it: It's an intimate, inexpensive painting class happening on the final weekend of the year's major attractions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Phoenix this weekend?
This weekend (Jan 03-04) there are a few genuinely free options: Check out the 7th Annual Family Fun WinterFest! at the Arizona Boardwalk for snow and games [id: phoenix-2], and don't miss the Family Fun Days at The Square on Sunday for crafts and croquet [id: phoenix-3].
What's a good rainy day activity for older kids?
If the weather turns, head to the Arizona Science Center to explore POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION [id: phoenix-4]. It’s a deep dive into history that will keep teens totally occupied and away from their phones.
Where can I take toddlers/preschoolers this weekend?
The best bet for the little ones is the 7th Annual Family Fun WinterFest! [id: phoenix-2] on Saturday for the bounce houses and character pics, or the very relaxed Family Fun Days at The Square on Sunday morning [id: phoenix-3] for simple crafts.