Glendale Glitters

Amazing! ! We came to Glendale Glitters last year just my husband and I. we now make it an annual tradition brining our grandchildren, as there are a ton of activities for the kids. lots of fun.

Don’t bother on the first night. O.M.G. Wall to wall people, no craft booths anymore, but hey, there’s a both so you can sign up for Cox, or a timeshare! Only thing that saved this night is that we were with good friends! In general, to be fair, I’m generally put off by downtown Glendale. To many signs indicating that customers are a pain in the ass. Pratts Pets is worth it, and there’s a great comic book store, but other than that, it’s a bunch of antique shops with no idea how to treat customers.

It was so much fun lots of attractions, but I wish the vendors were more spread out. It felt as if the lines were within the walkways. Lots of people had strollers, so it felt very crowded with traffic. But then again, this was on a Friday night. Overall we had a really good time.

It’s all about the lights and that was about it during this year’s version of Glitters. The main section is that square area near the library. The rest of the 16 block area is just normal, holiday lights. The midweek crowd was sparse as we cruised to a parking spot right in the heart of the action. The antique stores are really the only other thing to visit as I did not see hot cocoa, santa, etc during midweek. If you walk very slowly and take a bunch of photos, you may be able to kill an hour. Some mexicans are selling various items on a cart, but with no english spoken or signs telling me what to buy, those are vendors to avoid. Glitters is good, but something seems to be missing to make it special.

My family and I went on opening night this year for our first visit. I don’t know if there are better days to go, but it was terrible that night. It was so crowded in the main area where most of the lights were that we could barely move. We were swept away in a sea of people, and it was a very claustrophobic feeling. There were so many smokers lighting up as they walked right in front of us, and the cigarette smoke choked us.
My son wanted to try some of the kiddie attractions, but we could not even see where the lines were. Just more crowds of people all close together, not in any sort of a cohesive line.
I’m SO glad we ate before we got there, because the lines for the food vendors were insanely long. There were a few restaurants open, but they looked to be full as well.
We were able to shop at the stores on the side streets, away from the main area. They have some nice things, but I’d much rather go to those shops when it’s not busy.
Bottom line– It was crowded, not fun, and we don’t plan on going to Glendale Glitters again.

This use to be such a nice place to come to and walk around, see the lights and listen to the carolers. Now it is such a crowded mess. To many vendors and rides. They ruined a good thing. Will never go back.

Went on a Sunday. Horrible. NO restroom facilities NONE. Very few restaurants open. Antique shops don’t let anyone use the restrooms. Subway would not even allow paying customers to use them. Even the ice cream shop was closed. People were selling things out of coolers. Finally found a pizza place to use restroom if we got pizza. Wished we hadn’t. Wonder if the workers were using same restroom. Big fail Glendale. Would not take out of town guests here!

We love Glendale Glitters and it has become our annual tradition for several years now. Being from NYC, this is the closest thing I can have in AZ to Rockerfeller Center and I think they get better and better every year with it. We usually park several blocks north of the lights (there is a free lot off 59^th if you get there just before dark, otherwise the further north you go, free street parking can be found, then paid parking can always be found for $ 5).
We take the short walk thru Catlin Court, stopping at several of the shops along the way. The historic homes and buildings around this area are amazing. On special nights there will be plenty of food truck type choices for eating, they have table set ups right in the street and some nights they even show a movie to watch while you sit down and eat. There are a few indoor restaurants around the park but waits will be long. The food truck lines go much faster.
Plenty of clean indoor bathrooms in the municipal buildings on event nights, not sure if they are open if you go on an off night. Plenty of fun for the kids, entertainment, so many lights to see, make sure to grab some hot cocoa while you walk around… it’s a lot of fun.
If you don’t want the crowds, go later or when nothing is planned and just enjoy the lights.

So terrible. Insanely packed and so many venders that ruin the experience. Get rid of the venders have a few hot cocoa stands and let people enjoy the Christmas lights without being distracted by venders and bounce houses. I had to focus the whole night on how to walk through the ridiculous crowd!

I went last night for the first time and it was a nice evening – viewing Christmas lights, visiting some shops with interesting and moderately-​priced gift items, and mingling with a pleasant crowd of people. My friend, who likes shopping far more than I do, headed off on her own & we agreed to meet at a certain time at Shelley’s Bakery, a nice little place near the spot where we entered the FREE event. I enjoyed coffee and a book that I had purchased earlier, then we met & returned to the FREE parking lot at the college via the FREE and very comfortable shuttle bus. The whole thing, including the bus was well organized & the bus driver (who said he was from Michigan & wearing a UM sweatshirt) was very nice & entertaining on the ride back.

I really don’t understand how Glendale Glitters has such low ratings. Let’s dispense with the ridiculous expectations and accept it for what it is — a free viewing of Christmas lights. I’m grateful to the City of Glendale for taking the time to put up all these lights and incurring the electric expense at no cost to me. I think the lights are beautiful, it’s nice to walk around and feel the spirit of the season. During the weekends they usually have carriage rides and other vendors selling food and light up toys. Or sometimes it’s a huge event with live music, a bunch of kiddie rides and hot air balloons. Regardless of what is going on, it’s still free, you don’t have to pay for anything.

I went the big event on the last night of Glendale Glitters. It was my first time and I went with a friend and her 5 year old twin girls.
I am a sucker for hot air balloon glows. So, when I have heard about Glendale Glitters for years, I decided this last night wrap-​up celebration was about time I made it happen. My friend is always looking for free or inexpensive things for kids to enjoy, so I invited them to join me.
I found free street parking easy enough to find with only a little driving around.
First of all, I was shocked how big the event actually was in size. The streets around Glendale town square were filled with people. It was not TOO many people, but definitely more than I expected. There were a half dozen bands playing music scattered around. There were paid rides and the typical festival food vendors.
A radio station was there with a booth with free spin art for the children, and APS was there with free filtered glasses to create a psychedelic effect to the huge amount of christmas lights lining the downtown streets. I would have liked for a few more booths with free activities for children, like face painting.
The hot air balloon flames scared the one of the girls that came with me. However, I always fine the glowing balloons beautiful in the night.
Overall, I enjoyed going. The finale event was a nice outing for a family young and pre-​teen children or a couple looking for a nice stroll around the historic downtown Glendale.

Glitters is proof that people share many traits with species such as moths or crows – you put a bunch of shiny lights somewhere, and we’ll come flocking without a game plan. I mean, just what is there to do here? It’s not like the Historic District of Glendale is the most happening place.
Mostly, it’ll just be a bunch of kids walking around. If you take anyone under the age of 12 here, they’ll have a blast. I know I did when I was a little one. While there are many attractions for them, it’s a bit lacking for the adult crowd. Yeah, it’s a little romantic in the sense that for a brief moment, you feel as though you’re in an actual winter wonderland. Other than that, it’s the same vendors that show up for every Glendale event.
On the last day, the hot air balloon show is amazing, however. Go there. Every year. This isn’t necessarily a festival for me, but I have to bump it from 3 to 4 stars because of what a nice gig it can be for a young family. That, and all the restaurants and bars extend their hours. You know how I feel about that. ;-)

1 star for lovely lights, 1 star for awesome balloons, 1 star for free entry and 1 star for $ 1 hot chocolate (vs. $ 5 at the lemonade stand). As I’m new to the area I am happy to do all of the «touristy» stuff some locals may not appreciate. As the posters advertise, it’s a lovely display of holiday lights strewn about various types of trees and it’s a «block party» so be prepared to walk and see lots of kiddies enjoying the few carnival rides and games. The hot air balloons were my favorite, for a free event it’s definitely worth checking out, and we arrived at 7pm on the last night and found lots of free nearby parking. Thanks Glendale :)

Pretty lame. Nothing but a bunch of vendors. Stupid stuff like Dish tv or car rentals. The kids didn’t even really enjoy it. Nothing like it used to be. Just completely commercialized. :(

This is my second time coming here when the lights are up. The first time was at the end of the year a few years back so it was dead with no vendors and a little bit of lights to see. Today it was super packed with people! I loved it! So many lights everywhere! They sell funnel cakes, do face painting, sell hot cocoa, have pony rides, can feed farm animals etc!

This was an okay event. The lights were indeed beautiful. Wish there was more diversity of vendors instead of the overabundance of food vendors. Food is great but this is an opportunity for people to buy local made gifts for people this holiday season. Parking was atrocious but I came earlier to avoid the struggle and found free parking nearby. Overall it was a decent event, free and definitely family friendly.

What a waste of time. We came on the last day, the Glendale Glitters «and Glow». This reminded me of a carnival but without the rides. The crowds were horrific, parking sucked, and there were lots of disgusting, fried food eateries and cheap vendors lining the park. My husband, 15 mo old son and I got some kettle corn and quickly left.

The weather was just a bit chilly, but it was an enjoyable experience.
The park tends to experience a bit of gridlock occasionally, and people seem to forget how to keep it moving.
There needs to be a few more porta potties around the park, but otherwise the city does a pretty decent job with this event.

2.5 Stars
Glendale Glitters in my opinion has run its course. My family and I have been going to this event for ten years and nothing has changed. I understand nostalgia but at some point we all need to grow and this event needs to as well! Surrounding businesses and at least one church that I went to attempted to twist my arm for ten dollars to park in their parking lots. The city of Glendale needs to ensure visitors are not being gouged to park at this city event. The city has the same food and merchandise vendors at the Glitters and the Chocolate Festival. Allowing an area for some food trucks and maybe representatives from the sporting teams in the city would be a quick injection of exciting change! Anymore ideas I will start charging a consulting fee. I sure hope this review makes it to the event planners.