Both trains and Christmas lights are rife with nostalgia, so combining them is a surefire way to enchant your inner child. This holiday season, take a ride through thousands of dazzling lights on the Paradise & Pacific at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale. It’s such a fun and festive way to celebrate the most wonderful time of year!

For many families in the Valley, Christmastime simply isn’t complete without a trip to the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park.

Facebook/McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Every year, right around Thanksgiving, the park transforms into a winter wonderland of lights and displays galore. The festivities run thru January 3, with three available time slots at 6 p.m., 7:15 p.m., and 8:30 p.m.

Hop aboard the Paradise & Pacific Railroad and watch with wide-eyed wonderment as the holiday magic whirls by.

Facebook/McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park You’ll ride through multicolored light tunnels and zip past trees wrapped from top to bottom in glittering bulbs.

Snow? In Scottsdale? Perhaps a miracle will take place as you near the winter village with charming, Old World buildings elegantly decorated for the season.

Facebook/McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park With flurries falling all around, it truly feels as if you’re no longer in the desert.

No two seasons of Holiday Lights are exactly the same, so no matter how many times you’ve been, you never know quite what to expect.

Facebook/McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Switching up what holiday characters are featured in the displays, setting the lights to a different beat…so much can change from year to year!

As the lights dance to and fro, kids — and kids at heart — will be absolutely captivated.

Facebook/McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Once the train arrives back at the station, you’ll see the iconic McCormick-Stillman Christmas tree in all its glory. With lights, ornaments, wreaths, and a shining star on top, the classic Christmas symbol is the perfect ending to a magical ride.

In addition to reservations being required this season, the train and other rides will be capped at 50 percent capacity.

Facebook/McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Anyone over the age of five needs to wear a mask on the train, as well as while waiting in line, riding the carousel, and indoors.

Tickets are $15 each and include unlimited train and carousel rides during your chosen time block, plus access to the holiday photo pod garden.

Facebook/McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Children two and under get in free, and those under six don’t need a mask.

Visit the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park website or Facebook page to learn more and/or purchase tickets.

Facebook/McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

Every year, right around Thanksgiving, the park transforms into a winter wonderland of lights and displays galore. The festivities run thru January 3, with three available time slots at 6 p.m., 7:15 p.m., and 8:30 p.m.

You’ll ride through multicolored light tunnels and zip past trees wrapped from top to bottom in glittering bulbs.

With flurries falling all around, it truly feels as if you’re no longer in the desert.

Switching up what holiday characters are featured in the displays, setting the lights to a different beat…so much can change from year to year!

Once the train arrives back at the station, you’ll see the iconic McCormick-Stillman Christmas tree in all its glory. With lights, ornaments, wreaths, and a shining star on top, the classic Christmas symbol is the perfect ending to a magical ride.

Anyone over the age of five needs to wear a mask on the train, as well as while waiting in line, riding the carousel, and indoors.

Children two and under get in free, and those under six don’t need a mask.

Have you ever taken a Christmas lights ride on the Paradise & Pacific? If so, was it as magical as the pictures make it out to be? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! Check out our previous article for another Christmas train in Arizona that’ll make your holiday season magical.

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Address: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85250, USA