Christmas Events for Kids in Lake Havasu City (2026)

The Lake Havasu City area has 2 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from 12 Days of Christmas in Lake Havasu City on November 27 to Lake Havasu Parade of Lights in Lake Havasu City, on December 12. 2 of them are free, and every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in Arizona, part of our guide for every state.

The short version

  • 2 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Lake Havasu City for 2026, in Lake Havasu City
  • First: 12 Days of Christmas, Lake Havasu City, November 27. Runs latest: 12 Days of Christmas, Lake Havasu City, through December 23
  • Free: 12 Days of Christmas and Lake Havasu Parade of Lights
  • Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it

Christmas events for kids in Lake Havasu City

2 confirmed events for kids in Lake Havasu City, soonest first.

Santa visitFree

12 Days of Christmas

  • When: Friday, November 27, 2026 to Wednesday, December 23, 2026 (Wednesdays through Saturdays), 5 to 8 pm
  • Where: London Bridge Resort, Kokomo Backyard, Lake Havasu City
  • Cost: Free
  • Ages: All ages
Details, tips and host

London Bridge Resort hosts its 12 Days of Christmas in the Kokomo Backyard on Wednesday through Saturday evenings from late November until December 23. The evenings run from 5 to 8 pm, and admission is free.

The resort lists activities for all ages, including writing letters to Santa, making s'mores and face painting. It is an easy, relaxed stop for families who want a few holiday activities after dinner without buying a ticket. The listing does not name set start times for individual activities, so plan to drop in and stay as long as the kids are having fun. The resort phone number is (928) 855-0888 if you want to confirm what is happening on a given night.

Parent tip: Drop in any Wednesday to Saturday evening; call the resort at (928) 855-0888 to confirm activities for your night.

Host
London Bridge Resort (opens in a new tab)
Address
London Bridge Resort, Kokomo Backyard, 1477 Queens Bay, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom London Bridge Resort (opens in a new tab)

Holiday paradeFree

Lake Havasu Parade of Lights

  • When: Saturday, December 12, 2026
  • Where: Lake Havasu State Park viewing area, Bridgewater Channel, Lake Havasu City
  • Cost: Free
  • Ages: All ages, children must be with an adult
Details, tips and host

The Lake Havasu Parade of Lights takes place on Saturday, December 12, 2026, with the viewing gate opening at 4 pm. There is no charge to attend, and free parking is available at English Village, 422 English Village. Viewers watch from the Lake Havasu State Park area along the Bridgewater Channel.

The event page also lists a companion event, The Dock Glow at London Bridge Resort, on Friday, December 11. It does not give start times for either event, so check the Go Lake Havasu page before you go. All children must be accompanied by an adult at the state park viewing area, and dogs are not allowed on the white sand beach.

Parent tip: Mooring along the Bridgewater Channel beaches is prohibited from 4 pm on parade day, and details are subject to change, so check the page first.

Host
Go Lake Havasu (opens in a new tab)
Address
Lake Havasu State Park viewing area, Bridgewater Channel, 422 English Village, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Go Lake Havasu (opens in a new tab)

Look inside the book

Story time with Santa in Lake Havasu City? Bring Rally home.

Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $16.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Every event above was confirmed on the host’s own page, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Arizona Christmas train rides page.

Lake Havasu City Christmas events for kids at a glance

Kids’ Christmas events
2 confirmed for 2026
Cities
Lake Havasu City
Season
November 27 to December 23, 2026
Free events
2
Kinds of events
Santa visit and holiday parade
Last checked
See every event on a December calendar

Plan your December

When each Lake Havasu City Christmas event for kids happens

The first is 12 Days of Christmas in Lake Havasu City on November 27; the last runs to December 12. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.

Looking further afield? Our Arizona Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event in the state, and we have city guides for Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Scottsdale, Chandler, Flagstaff, Casa Grande and Yuma. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.

A story for the drive home

A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first ride on a California train, hand-painted in watercolor. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

2026 Christmas events are coming in late November

More Christmas events arrive in late November: unlock the list and we'll email you as soon as we confirm them.

The story of Christmas in Lake Havasu City

In Lake Havasu City, Christmas arrives on the water and in the sunshine. Boats decked with lights glide along the Bridgewater Channel, and a resort at London Bridge turns its backyard into a holiday gathering.

How Lake Havasu City celebrates

Lake Havasu City celebrates with warm weather traditions. The Lake Havasu Parade of Lights sends decorated boats along the Bridgewater Channel, and spectators watch from the Lake Havasu State Park beach area near English Village. At Wheeler Park, next to the city library on McCulloch Boulevard, an annual Christmas tree lighting features greetings from the Mayor and a visit from Santa, who is escorted by the Lake Havasu City Fire Department. London Bridge Resort adds its own 12 Days of Christmas evenings with activities for all ages. We could not confirm when each tradition began.

Christmas last year in Lake Havasu City

We could not confirm the details of the 2025 season, so this page leans on the current published schedule. For 2026 the city's tourism site lists the Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 12, with a companion Dock Glow event at London Bridge Resort the night before. It also lists 12 Days of Christmas at London Bridge Resort from November 27 to December 23, with free evenings from 5 to 8 pm on Wednesdays through Saturdays. The parade has no admission charge, and the viewing gate opens at 4 pm.

Fun facts about Christmas in Lake Havasu City

Christmas here can include s'mores and face painting. London Bridge Resort's 12 Days of Christmas lists letters to Santa, s'mores and face painting among its activities. At the Parade of Lights, no boats may moor along the Bridgewater Channel beaches once the viewing begins. The Wheeler Park tree lighting brings a fire department escort for Santa, and the park sits in a roundabout beside the library. Dogs are not allowed on the white sand beach during the parade.

Trains and Christmas near Lake Havasu City

Lake Havasu City is known for a bridge, not a railroad, but Arizona has train stops for families within a day trip. The Kingman Railroad Museum sits in a restored 1907 depot on Route 66, with model trains in several scales and real trains passing outside. The Arizona State Railroad Museum in Williams is building toward a planned museum and shows a cornerstone boxcar at Glassburn Park. Grand Canyon Railway runs a vintage train from Williams to the South Rim. Check each host for current holiday hours before you go.

Traditions today

  • Lake Havasu Parade of Lights: Decorated boats travel the Bridgewater Channel while families watch from the state park beach.
  • The Dock Glow: A companion lights event at London Bridge Resort the night before the parade.
  • Wheeler Park Christmas tree lighting: An annual lighting with greetings from the Mayor and a visit from Santa.
  • 12 Days of Christmas at London Bridge Resort: Free evenings with letters to Santa, s'mores and face painting.
  • Fire department escort for Santa: Santa arrives at the tree lighting escorted by the Lake Havasu City Fire Department.

A fact for kids

In Lake Havasu City, Christmas lights can float. At the Parade of Lights, decorated boats glide along the Bridgewater Channel while families watch from the beach.

Questions about Christmas in Lake Havasu City

What is the main Christmas tradition in Lake Havasu City?

The Lake Havasu Parade of Lights is the main tradition we found, a boat parade along the Bridgewater Channel with free viewing at the state park beach near English Village. The 2026 listing shows it on Saturday, December 12. A tree lighting and resort evenings round out the season.

When is the Lake Havasu Parade of Lights in 2026?

The 2026 listing shows the Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 12, with a companion Dock Glow event at London Bridge Resort on Friday, December 11. The viewing gate opens at 4 pm on parade day. Details can change, so check the Go Lake Havasu page before you go.

Does the Parade of Lights cost money?

No. The tourism page states there is no charge to attend the Parade of Lights, and free parking is listed at English Village. Boat owners who want to take part should check the organizers for their own rules. Families can bring chairs and blankets to the beach area.

Can small children go to the boat parade?

Yes, but they must be accompanied. All children at the Lake Havasu State Park viewing area must be with an adult, and dogs are not allowed on the white sand beach. Evening temperatures can drop, so bring a jacket. Check the start time with the host before you travel.

Where is the Wheeler Park tree lighting?

Wheeler Park is at 1801 McCulloch Blvd N, in the roundabout beside the Lake Havasu City Library. The annual lighting features greetings from the Mayor and a visit from Santa, who is escorted by the fire department. The page lists no dates, so confirm with Radio Central at 928.855.9336.

Who brings Santa to the tree lighting?

The Lake Havasu City Fire Department escorts Santa to the Wheeler Park tree lighting, according to the tourism listing. It is a fun detail for kids who like fire trucks. The event page does not list a date, so confirm details before planning your trip.

What is 12 Days of Christmas at London Bridge Resort?

It is a free holiday gathering in the Kokomo Backyard at London Bridge Resort, held Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 8 pm. For 2026 the listing runs November 27 to December 23. Activities for all ages include letters to Santa, s'mores and face painting.

What can kids do at London Bridge Resort at Christmas?

The 12 Days of Christmas listing mentions letters to Santa, s'mores and face painting. Admission is free, and the evenings run from 5 to 8 pm Wednesday through Saturday. Call the resort at (928) 855-0888 to confirm activities for the night you want to visit.

What happened at Christmas in Lake Havasu City last year?

We could not confirm the details of the 2025 season. The most reliable information we found is the 2026 schedule: a Parade of Lights on December 12 and 12 Days of Christmas at London Bridge Resort from November 27 to December 23. See our Lake Havasu City Christmas events guide on this page.

What is The Dock Glow?

The Dock Glow is a companion event to the Parade of Lights at London Bridge Resort, listed for Friday, December 11, 2026. The page gives no start time or cost, so check with the host before going. The Parade of Lights follows the next evening.

Is Christmas warm in Lake Havasu City?

Lake Havasu City is in the Arizona desert, so Christmas season days are usually mild, but evenings by the water can feel cold. The traditions here reflect that, with outdoor boat parades and resort evenings. Pack layers for kids, especially for the parade viewing after dark.

How can I explain the boat parade to my kids?

Tell them it is like a parade on water. Boats decorate with lights and glide along a channel while people watch from the beach. It is a good chance to talk about how people in a lake town celebrate Christmas differently from towns with snow.

What should we bring to the Parade of Lights?

Bring warm layers, blankets or chairs, and snacks. The viewing gate opens at 4 pm, and the parade is in the evening. Children must stay with an adult, and dogs are not allowed on the white sand beach. Plan to park at English Village, where parking is free.

Where do you park for the Parade of Lights?

The listing gives 422 English Village as the address, with free parking. The Bridgewater Channel is at 1340 Beachcomber Blvd N. Since the viewing gate opens at 4 pm, arriving early helps families find a spot. Details are subject to change, so check the page.

Are there other Christmas lights in Lake Havasu City?

Yes. Beyond the Parade of Lights, the Dock Glow at London Bridge Resort and the tree lighting at Wheeler Park add to the season. For more current options for kids, see our Lake Havasu City Christmas events guide on this page, since schedules change each year.

Where can I find this year's Lake Havasu City Christmas events?

See our Lake Havasu City Christmas events guide on this page for current kid friendly options. The Go Lake Havasu site also lists local events. Dates change each year, so confirm times, prices and any rules with the host before you head out.

Is Lake Havasu City good for toddlers at Christmas?

Yes, the free 12 Days of Christmas evenings are a relaxed choice, with face painting, s'mores and letters to Santa and no ticket needed. The boat parade is in the evening and can run late, so toddlers may do better with a short visit. Bring layers and a stroller.

Are there train attractions near Lake Havasu City?

We did not find a rail museum in Lake Havasu City, but Kingman Railroad Museum is a day trip away in a restored 1907 depot on Route 66, with model trains in several scales. Grand Canyon Railway in Williams runs a vintage train to the South Rim. Check each host for holiday hours.

What is the Kingman Railroad Museum?

It is a volunteer museum in Kingman's restored 1907 depot on Route 66. It has donated railroad memorabilia, O, HO and N scale model trains, and real trains pass outside. Check the museum for current hours and admission before you drive over.

What is a good Christmas tradition to start in Lake Havasu City?

Try a lakeside evening. Arrive early at the Parade of Lights, bring blankets and cocoa, and let each child pick a favorite boat. If you have extra time, add a free evening at London Bridge Resort for s'mores and face painting. It is simple and repeatable.

Sources

  1. Lake Havasu Parade of Lights (2026), Go Lake Havasu
  2. 12 Days of Christmas, Go Lake Havasu
  3. Wheeler Park Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Go Lake Havasu

Lake Havasu City Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask

What are the best Christmas events for kids in Lake Havasu City this year?

We confirmed 2 for the 2026 season, and 2 of them are free. Good places to start: 12 Days of Christmas (Nov 27 to Dec 23) and Lake Havasu Parade of Lights (Dec 12). Every event on this page has the times, the cost and a link to the host.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in Lake Havasu City?

Yes, every event on this page is free. Some free events still need a reservation, so check the listing before you go.

Where can kids meet Santa in Lake Havasu City?

Bring your own camera; most visits allow photos.

Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Lake Havasu City?

Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Lake Havasu City Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 4, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

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