Celebrate All Month Long in Greater Phoenix - Page Seven
The holiday spirit permeates the Phoenix area with festivals, holiday bazaars, crafts for kids, ice skating, tree lightings and of course, Santa sightings. Many of the events are free or very reasonably priced. Keep in mind that even if the event is free or cheap, there may be parking fees, or there may be fees for certain activities at the event.
These holiday events are presented in date order. Check previous pages for events that last several days or weeks. For example, a festival that runs November 25th through December 31st will be listed under the starting date, November 25th.
New listings are added almost daily until a week before Christmas, so come back for updates. Why not print it out, pass it around, and let the family check off which holiday happenings they want to attend?
You could celebrate every day of the holiday season and never get to all the holiday events in Phoenix, Scottsdale and the surrounding area.
All dates, times, prices and offerings are subject to change without notice.
Friday, December 16. Celebrate the joy of this special season with your friends at this year’s Holiday Luncheon. Entertainment will be provided by the Glendale Adult Center Celebration Singers and the Mockingbird Kitchen Band with a visit from the plump, jolly, white bearded man. Bring a pair of new adult socks that will be donated to the Arizona Veteran’s Home. Tickets go on sale starting Nov. 16, $8 per person, members $5 per person.
Friday, December 16. Learn to make homemade beef, chicken and sweet tamales. Make tamales using the traditional Masa recipe and also using a low-fat recipe. Participants will take home one dozen tamales. $15 supply fee will be collected at class. Spanish available on request. Preregistration required. $34 (non-Glendale residents, $41) Call 623-930-4600 to register. Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center, 5600 W. Union Hills Dr., Glendale.
Saturday, December 17 from 9 a.m. to noon. Featuring a menu of children’s – and Santa’s – favorite morning fare, including French toast, pancakes, Danish, bagels, bacon and eggs. Includes commemorative digital photo with Arizona’s authentic Old Saint Nick; cookie decorating and holiday movies on the big screens. $45 for adults; $30 for children ages 3-12; children under 3 years of age complimentary. Reservations required. The Phoenician Main Lobby, 6000 East Camelback Road, Scottsdale.
Saturday, December 17. Celebrate the season by crafting reindeer and elves. Make a reindeer frame for that memorable holiday photo and fashion a pair of elf shoes for Jolly St. Nick and his helpers. Ages 6-13. Members $10, Nonmembers $12 (Museum entrance for the day and class fee) Arizona Museum for Youth, Mesa.
Saturday, December 17 with seatings at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Santa will be holding a breakfast bash that includes pancakes, photos, goodie bags and holiday activities. Tickets are $5 each and must be purchased in advance through the
Mesa Amphitheatre online or in person at the Box Office, 263 N. Center St. Event will be held at
Mesa Convention Center, Building BSaturday and Sunday December 17 and 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Regular admission prices to tour the Village and learn about Christmas celebrations from the past up to the present day.
Pioneer Living History Village in North Phoenix.
Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18. Ride the Holiday Train ride to a snow-filled Enchanted Island. Play in tons of fresh snow and ride a sled. Visit with Santa Claus for free at the North Pole and enjoy a free cup of hot cocoa and free candy canes. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Regular prices for rides and attractions apply.
