Scottsdale Quarter, Kierland Commons and The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa sit close enough to walk between, and each runs the holidays differently. The two shopping centers bring in Santa a day apart, on Nov. 20 and Nov. 21, and the Westin's ticketed Santa events start in early December. The Quarter puts most of its energy into one free Saturday night. Kierland Commons keeps a free Santa at Center Plaza almost every day for five weeks. The Westin sells its holidays by the seat, with set times and per-person prices.
That gives a family in North Scottsdale three formats to pick from: one big free night, a free Santa you can drop in on, or a seat you book ahead.
Scottsdale Quarter goes big on Saturday, Nov. 28
The Annual Tree Lighting Event at Scottsdale Quarter runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, in The Quad. The center has named this year's version "a Starlit Holiday." The lineup includes a light-up violinist, the Jingle Belles, ballet dancers, dancing toy soldiers and an appearance from the Grinch. There's also a gourmet hot chocolate bar and free crafts for kids. The center lists the lighting itself for 7 p.m. sharp, and it's an all-new tree, lit for the first time this season.
Admission is free. Two things on the program cost extra. A $5 raffle ticket supports Phoenix Children's, with prizes valued up to $1,500, including a one-night stay at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and four tickets to Christmas at the Princess. A ticketed VIP lounge, sponsored by Moët & Chandon and styled like an après-ski bar, is sold separately. Christmas at the Princess runs from Nov. 20, 2026, through Jan. 2, 2027, at 7575 E. Princess Drive, so a winning ticket can be used while the season is still on.
The Quarter's Santa is built for planning ahead. The Photos With Santa season is listed from Nov. 20 to Dec. 24, with Santa arriving Nov. 21. His hours change from day to day, and the reservation page has the current openings. Reservations are encouraged, but the center says walk-ups are welcome. Photo packages come in four tiers:
- Basic, $44.99: six prints
- Standard, $49.99: six prints plus all digital images
- Premium, $54.99: nine prints, including a snow globe print
- Elite, $64.99: ten prints plus an exclusive third pose with Santa
The Quarter's other December date is about giving. Fill Santa's Sleigh runs Dec. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. Bring an unwrapped gift for The Foster Alliance. Santa photos that night cost extra.
Kierland Commons keeps Santa open most days
At Kierland Commons, Santa sets up at Center Plaza starting Nov. 20. The center's wording is direct: "A visit with Santa is always free and photo packages are available for purchase." If you're used to checking prices before you go, that changes the math. A family can stop by, say hello and leave without buying anything.
The schedule makes it easy to drop by. On weekdays from Nov. 23 through Dec. 11, Santa is at Center Plaza from 2 to 7 p.m. Weekend hours run longer, and Saturdays in mid-December go from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. From Dec. 18 through Christmas Eve, Santa starts as early as 9 a.m. Santa takes Thanksgiving Day off.
Kierland also runs two special sessions that the Quarter's calendar doesn't:
- Pet Nights: Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14, 4 to 7 p.m.
- Sensory Santa: Dec. 6, 9 to 10 a.m.
The Sensory Santa hour comes before the center gets busy on a Sunday morning. Pet Nights fall on three Mondays in a row. Both are ways to see Santa outside the regular crowd, and both are at Center Plaza.
The Westin Kierland sells the holidays by the seat
The Westin's holiday calendar works differently. Almost everything has a start time, a room and a price, and the resort's festive events page sells them in advance.
| Westin event | Dates | Where | Price as listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kierland Kampfire: Hayrides, S'mores and More | Nov. 25, 6 to 9 p.m. | Grand Vista Lawn | Free for resort guests; locals buy admission at the door, price not listed |
| Thanksgiving Buffet at Faro & Brag | Nov. 26, 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. | Faro & Brag | $135 adults, $65 ages 4 to 12, plus tax and service; reservations required |
| Elf Workshop | Starts Nov. 28, hours vary by day | Windsingers | Not listed |
| Santa Social | Dec. 5, 12 and 19, 5 to 6:30 p.m. | Mariposa Ballroom | $25 per child, $30 per adult |
| Breakfast with Santa | Dec. 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20, 9 or 10 a.m. seatings | Faro & Brag–Mariposa | $80 adults, $58 children |
| Noon Year's Eve | Dec. 31, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Ironwood Ballroom | Not listed |
The Santa Social ticket covers more than a photo. Adults 21 and over get one complimentary alcoholic drink, and the evening moves to a "S'mores & More" after-party on Windsinger's Lawn. The Elf Workshop is the easiest Westin event to fit into a regular week. It runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon on Sundays, 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays.
The resort also hosts smaller evening events that aren't holiday-themed. Plant & Sip, a one-hour succulent workshop that comes with a drink, runs 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 13 and Dec. 11 on the Grand Vista Lawn, and Nov. 27 on the Northern Sky Terrace. Country Line Dancing on Nov. 20, Dec. 4 and Dec. 18, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., is open to locals as well as guests.
Thanksgiving weekend shows the difference best
Over five days, the three approaches all play out on the same few blocks:
- Wednesday, Nov. 25: Kierland Kampfire at the Westin, 6 to 9 p.m. A few miles away, the Musical Instrument Museum hosts Mark O'Connor's An Appalachian Christmas with Maggie O'Connor at 7 p.m. Tickets are $54.50 to $59.50.
- Thursday, Nov. 26: Thanksgiving buffet at Faro & Brag. Santa is off at Kierland Commons. At WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima Road, the Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway runs Nov. 26 to 28.
- Friday, Nov. 27: Santa is back at Center Plaza at Kierland Commons. Plant & Sip runs on the Westin's Northern Sky Terrace. The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show plays MIM at 7:30 p.m., with tickets from $69.50 to $85.50.
- Saturday, Nov. 28: The Westin's Elf Workshop opens. Then the Quarter lights its new tree at 7 p.m., and the Blind Boys play a second MIM show.
- Sunday, Nov. 29: Kierland's Santa keeps Sunday hours, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the Kierland Pet Nights start the next evening.
If you only want one outing, Saturday night at the Quarter has the most going on for free. If you want several short visits spread across the season, Kierland Commons is set up for that. A sit-down meal with Santa means booking a seating at the Westin.
December fills up on weekends
The second weekend of December is the busiest. On Saturday, Dec. 5, the Westin holds its first Santa Social. On Sunday, Dec. 6, Kierland runs Sensory Santa at 9 a.m., the Westin serves Breakfast with Santa, and MIM hosts Irish Christmas in America at 5 and 7 p.m., with tickets from $44.50 to $54.50. The museum's other holiday shows are The Holidays with Canadian Brass on Dec. 10 at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m., for $64.50 to $74.50, and Mindi Abair's I Can't Wait for Christmas Tour on Dec. 20 and 21, for $49.50 to $59.50.
Breakfast before Santa, farther north on Scottsdale Road
Two recent openings north on Scottsdale Road make a good first stop. PHOENIX magazine's September openings roundup lists The Breakfast Table at 17757 N. Scottsdale Road, a breakfast-and-lunch spot in the former OEB Breakfast Co. space. OEB had been there for six years before closing. Next door at 17767 N. Scottsdale Road is Kuza, from Clive Collective. Phoenix New Times reported in mid-September that it was opening with a fall menu led by executive chef Erik Davila. At the Quarter, Hill House Home is listed as now open, for anyone finishing their holiday shopping between Santa stops.
Hosting this season may have you looking at your own home differently, from the patio where the family gathers to the rooms that fill up when relatives visit. If that has you wondering what it's worth this winter, Smith Real Estate can walk you through it. Request a Market Valuation, and we'll give you a clear, North Scottsdale-specific read before the new year.
