10 Holiday Events in the Phoenix Area

This is a guest post by Ron Goldberg. 

Santa is coming to the Valley. Are you ready? Here are ten events perfect for getting you and your loved ones in the Christmas spirit.

The Lights of Arizona:

Glendale Glitters — This award-winning light extravaganza in Historic Downtown Glendale is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. This display has 1.5 million multi-colored lights covering a 16 block radius reaching up to Old Towne & the Catlin Courts District. These lights will shine bright from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., so head over to Glendale, bring your camera and have fun walking through this breathtaking display of festive lights.

Photo from Glendale, AZ.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Christmas Lights — It may not be The Polar Express, but it will certainly feel like it as you ride this holiday train to see this railroad park transform into a winter wonderland. Come see the light display by McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park and have a chance to meet Santa himself after your adventure. Great for children and fun for the entire family.

Ice Skating:

City Skate – Holiday Ice Rink — This downtown Phoenix tradition returns on November 28th for Valley residents. So lace up those skates at City Skate and enjoy the ice under the Phoenix city lights. Special events will be taking place at City Skate such as a Christmas movie double feature (Home Alone 2 & Elf) which will be free on December 10th. Nothing beats ice skating to get you in the Christmas spirit.

Photo from CitySkate.

Christmas at The Princess — Located in Scottsdale, AZ, this festival lights up from November 19th to January 3rd at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. This holiday extravaganza includes a beautiful desert outdoor ice skating rink, Christmas cookies, Santa’s Carolers, a petting zoo, s’mores, and a big Christmas tree full of 70,000 LED lights. There is also a train ride to see over 2 million lights around the Fairmont property. This is a fun evening out that everyone can enjoy!

Photo from Experience Scottsdale.

Theatre:

Holiday Cabaret with Maestro Jeff Kennedy — Enjoy this New York style cabaret as Jeff Kennedy leads from the grand piano and hosts some of the best singers in Arizona area as they perform your favorite Holiday tunes. The music begins at the Hormel Theatre on December 17th and ends on the 23rd.

Arizona Opera Presents Holiday Favorite from Screen to Stage — The talented singers from the Arizona Opera take on the Hormel Theatre to perform songs from Holiday classics such as White Christmas, Miracle on 34th St, and Charlie Brown Christmas. Performances begin December 18th and end on the 22nd at the Hormel Theatre.

A Christmas Carol: The Musical at the Arizona Broadway Theatre — Located in Peoria, head over and experience this timeless Holiday tradition by seeing A Christmas Carol: The Musical and Broadway adaption. Join Scrooge as he visits the three ghosts to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Performances begin on November 27th and end on December 27th.

Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Christmas — At the Arizona Broadway Theatre from December 11th to the 13th, enjoy your favorite holiday tunes by the famous Sandy Hackett Rat Pack group. The performance is very entertaining as the gang also mixes in comedy acts fun for the entire family. Purchase tickets now to experience this unique Christmas concert.

Francis Smith Cohen’s Snow Queen — Performing at the Herberger Theatre in Scottsdale, see the holiday production of Snow Queen from December 5th to 20th. The classic story by Hans Christian Anderson and music set by Sergei Prokofiev is guaranteed to send chills down your spine as you see this timeless story come to life. This is ballet like you’ve never seen before.

Photo from Experience Scottsdale.

Art

11th Annual Holiday Artwalk — On December 10th, stroll through downtown Scottsdale and see some beautiful Holiday art from local artists located in the Art District. This annual tradition begins at 7pm ending at 9pm. Go at your own pace and gallery hop as you enjoy seeing original Holiday art and have an opportunity to meet the artists.

Ron Goldberg is the owner and operator of Phoenix Lockmaster focused on providing 15 minute locksmith service, available 24-7 with no after hours charge. He enjoys blogging, in his spare time, about life in the Phoenix area. Ron enjoys time with his wife, children and two dogs.

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