If you’re wondering where to see Santa this year around Carefree and Cave Creek, you won’t have to go far. From cowboy charm to cozy small-town moments, these local events bring holiday magic to life right here in the desert. And if you’re up for one extra-special stop, there’s a Scottsdale favorite that takes the North Pole experience to a whole new level.

Kiwanis “Christmas for the Kids” – Carefree

When: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10 AM–4 PM
Where: Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion, Downtown Carefree
Cost: Free

Carefree’s biggest family event of the season brings Santa and Mrs. Claus to town for a day packed with fun. Kids can meet Santa, play games, and even win prizes. You’ll also find hay rides, treats, and that small-town holiday feeling that makes this community so special.

For more info: Visit Kiwanis Website

“Cowboy Santa” at the Cave Creek Museum

When: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10 AM–12 PM
Where: Cave Creek Museum
Cost: Free (registration recommended)

If you like your Santa sightings with a little Western flair, this one’s for you. At the Cave Creek Museum’s annual Christmas in the Hills, kids can make ornaments, sing carols, and take photos with Cowboy Santa complete with boots, hat, and spurs. It’s one of the most charming family holiday events in Cave Creek.

For more info: View the Cave Creek Museum Event Calendar

Santa Summit Hike – Black Mountain, Cave Creek

When: Saturday, December 20, 2025, 9 AM – 12 PM
Where: Trailhead at Schoolhouse Rd & Military Rd
Cost: Free

Want to earn your cookies and cocoa? Join the local tradition of the Santa Summit hike up Black Mountain. Dozens of Santas make their way up the trail together, taking in incredible desert views before heading to Local Jonny’s for a post-hike coffee or mimosa. It’s part holiday fun, part community workout, and totally Cave Creek.

For more info: View the Facebook Event

Christmas at the Princess – Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

When: November 21, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Where: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Cost: Ticketed

If you’re looking for the ultimate Christmas experience, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess delivers pure magic. Think millions of lights, an outdoor ice rink, festive train rides, s’mores fire pits, and nightly Santa visits in his glittering workshop. It’s a pricier outing and a little bit of a commute from Cave Cree 7 Carefree, but truly one of Arizona’s most spectacular holiday destinations, perfect for families and couples alike.

For more info: Christmas at the Princess Santa Experiences

Make It a Season to Remember

Whether you’re meeting Cowboy Santa in Cave Creek or skating with him at the Princess, these local favorites capture what makes winter in the desert so special: sunshine, small-town charm, and a community that knows how to celebrate. Grab your camera, bundle up lightly, and make some memories you’ll want to relive every year.

Main photo by May Gauthier