Events
Search our guide to what's happening around Arizona. (Want your event listed? Send an email to Noah Austin at [email protected] Be sure to include the dates of the event, public contact information (phone and/or website) and a brief description.)
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Central
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Holiday Sweet Stroll : Sedona
December 22
At Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village (336 State Route 179) from 3 to 7 p.m., Santa greets little ones and carolers sing traditional songs as they meander through the courtyards. Retailers will offer unique gifts, giveaways and discounts. Free.
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Front Porch Pickins' Fan Appreciation Event : Glendale
December 14 to December 15
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, State Farm Stadium (1 Cardinals Drive) offers a chance to find holiday gifts and other vintage and handmade items.
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11th Annual Masik Tas Celebration : Maricopa
December 1 to December 16
520-568-1045 www.ak-chin.nsn.us/_masiktas/
The Ak-Chin Indian Community celebrates with events and activities that community members and the general public can enjoy, such as Miss and Junior Miss Ak-Chin pageants, parade, carnival, rodeo, live and traditional entertainment, food and crafts.
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Lights of the World Festival at the State Fairgrounds : Phoenix
December 6 to February 3
Enjoy one of the largest light and lantern festivals in North America, combining the age-old Chinese tradition of lanterns with cutting-edge technology and lights. Explore global cultures, cuisine, acrobatics, dance, rides and music concerts.
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Riparian After Dark : Gilbert
December 14 to December 15
www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/special-events/riparian-after-dark
The preserve comes alive with a holiday glow! Stroll along the trail lit by hundreds of luminarias as well as numerous festive light displays. Enjoy music by school choirs, carolers and other live holiday entertainment from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
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Sedona Northern Lights – 3D art projected onto Camelhead Rock : Sedona
December 13 to December 16
visitsedona.com/events-calendar/sedona-northern-lights/
Enjoy the area’s natural beauty and thriving arts scene, while raising awareness of the need to preserve Sedona’s dark night skies. Sedona Northern Lights will be visible at the top of each hour from all of Uptown Sedona and Gallery Row.
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23rd Annual Christmas Parade of Lights : Wickenburg
December 14
928-684-5479 www.wickenburgchamber.com
The parade starts on the west side of Yavapai Street and goes into the historic district with cars, church and youth groups, wagons and local businesses. Join Santa and Mrs. Claus at the WCO Little Red School House for cookies and cocoa.
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15th Anniversary Christmas Rocks! Tour with The Brian Setzer Orchestra at Celebrity Theatre : Phoenix
December 15
Danny Zelisko Presents brings the iconic guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and three-time Grammy Award winner and his 19-piece orchestra playing music from their four best-selling holiday albums and Brian’s numerous hits.
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30th Annual Cheez-It Bowl : Phoenix
December 26
480-350-0911 www.fiestabowl.org/
Chase Field presents a Pac-12 Conference team vs. a Big 12 Conference team. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and the game starts at 7 p.m.
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Holidays at the Heard Museum : Phoenix
December 26 to December 30
602-252-8848 heard.org/event/holidays/
The Heard Museum presents performances and artist demonstrations introducing visitors to traditional and contemporary American Indian music, dance and art throughout the week.
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48th Annual National Bank of Arizona Fiesta Bowl Parade : Phoenix
December 29
Enjoy a Phoenix tradition with a parade filled with floats, bands, specialty and equestrian units starting at 10 a.m. Bleacher seating is available for a fee.
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2018 Boot Drop at The Palace Restaurant & Saloon : Prescott
December 31
928-776-0234 www.bootdrop.com/
Whiskey Row becomes a street party as we ring in the new year. Watch as a 6-foot illuminated cowboy boot is lowered down The Palace building’s flagpole. One drop takes place at 10 p.m. and another at midnight.
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Sedona Northern Lights : Sedona
December 13 to December 16
visitsedona.com/events-calendar/sedona-northern-lights/
This holiday spectacular will dazzle audiences and virtually transform Sedona's landscape with the largest 3D projection mapping project to ever be performed on a natural canvas in the U.S. Visit website for details.
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Last-Minute Non-Profit Stocking-Stuffer Bazaar : Prescott
December 15
www.stocking-stuffer-bazaar.com
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Prescott Activity Center (824 E. Gurley Street) hosts more than 50 nonprofit organizations selling one-of-a-kind gifts, crafts and baked goods. Children can visit Santa from noon to 2 p.m. Free admission.
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Ella Enchanted: The Musical : Phoenix
December 15 to December 30
Childsplay brings this charming musical to the Herberger Theater Center's Center Stage (222 E. Monroe Street) for performances at 1 and 4 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays, plus special holiday performances. Tickets are $12-30.
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Vertuccio Farms Christmas Farm Lights Celebration : Mesa
December 5 to January 11
Vertuccio Farms (4011 S. Power Road) hosts 10 acres of awe-inspiring Christmas lights, plus a 30-foot tree, a twinkling barnyard animal display, an ice skating rink and festive photo opportunities, plus a nightly visit from Santa December 15-23.
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Punk Night at The Grid Games and Growlers : Mesa
December 22
The Grid Games and Growlers (525 S. Gilbert Road) hosts American Standards, Orenda, Girlblood, Those Kind of People and The Dead Beat Hymns starting at 8 p.m. $5 admission.
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Christmas & NYE at Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix : Phoenix
December 25 to January 1
The hotel offers special menus for Christmas and New Year's Eve, a New Year's Eve party at LUSTRE Rooftop Bar from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., and a New Year's Eve sleepover package. Visit website for details.
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Southern
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Old World Santas : Sierra Vista
December 1 to December 25
520-417-6960 www.sierravistaaz.gov
Veterans Memorial Park (3105 E. Fry Boulevard) hosts stories of Santa told throughout the world via a collection of intricately hand-painted Old World Santas created by local artists. Visiting hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Free admission.
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Una Noche de Flamenco : Tucson
December 14
520-398-2542 theseaofglass.org
The Sea of Glass Center for the Arts (330 E. Seventh Street) presents this 7:30 p.m. concert featuring guitarists Gabriel Ayala, Domingo DeGrazia and Ismael Barajas. Tickets are $25 in advance and #30 the day of the show (reduced rates for youths).
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Christmas Choir Concert : Tucson
December 22
520-398-2542 theseaofglass.org
The Sea of Glass Center for the Arts (330 E. Seventh Street) hosts TaliasVan's 50-voice Bright & Morning Star Choir & Orchestra for an evening of holiday cheer starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the show.
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HF COORS Dinnerware Factory Sale : Tucson
December 15
HF COORS (1600 S. Cherrybell Stravenue) offers savings of as much as 90 percent on overruns, functional seconds and discontinued items from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Customers can also purchase one-of-a-kind pieces fresh out of the kiln.
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Eastern
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General Guided Tour of Boyce Thompson Arboretum : Superior
December 22
602-827-3000 cals.arizona.edu/bta/events.html
Volunteers narrate the history of Arizona's oldest and largest botanical garden and point out colorful plants and birds. Guided walks along the 1.5-mile main trail include fun facts about arboretum history, plants, resident critters and geology.
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Deuce of Clubs Drop : Show Low
December 31 to January 1
928-532-4140 www.showlowaz.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=2488&month=12&year=2018&day=2&calType=0
Count down the final seconds of 2018 with great music, fun, party favors, fireworks, cocoa, treats and stay warm at fire pits at Festival Marketplace from 11 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.
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