In the spirit of the holidays, let’s hop in our roof-landing sleighs, snap the belts tight on our swift Teslas and visit imbibe in events—some familiar, others less so—throughout Arizona. Most locations won’t have snow, but the warmth of celebration and joy is everywhere. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Joyful Kwanzaa.

 

Sierra Vista: Santas in the Park

TO DECEMBER 26

Santas take center stage in Sierra Vista’s Veterans Memorial Park this December.

At the Friday, December 1, tree-lighting ceremony, the Sierra Vista Community Band will play holiday songs, and free hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Approximately 50 Old World Santas will be showcased, designed by artists Susan Bell, Sue Ann Vannoy and Laura Sudduth. They will be on display through Tuesday, December 26.

 

“Ever since 2006, these Santas have encircled the park’s trees in December,” says Adam Curtis, Sierra Vista spokesman. “They offer residents and visitors a glimpse of how Santa Claus is seen in different households around the world.”

 

The 59th annual Christmas Light Parade is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 2, along Fry Boulevard, with the theme of “Christmas in Candyland.”

Santas in the Park, Veterans Memorial Park, 3105 E. Fry Boulevard, Sierra Vista, 520.439.2210, sierravistaaz.gov, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, December 1, to Tuesday, December 26, free.

Scottsdale: Father Christmas and the Snow Queen

TO DECEMBER 17

This is the second revival of Alan Austin’s Father Christmas and the Snow Queen by Theatre Artists Studio, through December 17, Fridays and Saturdays, and Sundays. Performed previous in 2009, this holiday romp follows the traditional English panto style, a musical play based on traditional children’s stories with songs, dances, jokes, outrageous characters and audience participation.

 

Father Christmas and the Snow Queen, Theatre Artists Studio, 4848 E. Cactus Road, Scottsdale, 480-897-1166, thestudiophx.org, various times Friday, December 1, to Sunday, December 17, $25, with discounts available for seniors, military personnel and groups of 10 or more.

 

Flagstaff: North Pole Experience

TO DECEMBER 28

A family-focused holiday attraction, The North Pole Experience takes youngsters and the young at heart to see Santa through December 28.

 

Hosted by Little America Hotel, the Christmas adventure starts by taking guests on a trolley ride through the magic portal to Santa’s Workshop in the forest. Families then work side-by-side with the elves, building toys and learning all of Santa’s Workshop secrets.

 

They receive access to Santa’s main factory floor with toy slides and ceilings, attend Elf University, visit with Mrs. Claus, who reads stories, and enjoy cookies and snowman soup in the bakery.

 

The group then meets Santa, who gives each child with a paying ticket a Teddy bear.

“We also invite everyone into Santa’s mailroom, his personal office and his top-secret ‘Area 47’ Sleigh Hangar, with his famous sleigh, mission control center, radar systems and more,” says Scott Pace, North Pole Experience president.

 

North Pole Experience, Little America, 2515 E. Butler Avenue, 928.779.7900, northpoleexperience.com. See website for prices and times.

Phoenix: Black Theatre Troupe’s Black Nativity

TO DECEMBER 17

Last season’s sold-out holiday event by Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes returns to the Black Theatre Troupe stage.

 

Featuring uplifting musical selections and text, Black Nativity’s joyous company of singers, actors, dancers and musicians delivers its powerful message of joy, hope, victory and liberation.

“This tremendous song-play touches a special chord in the hearts of all at a very special time of the year,” says David J. Hemphill, executive director.

 

Black Theatre Troupe, Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center, 1333 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, 480-897-1166, blacktheatretroupe.org, various times Friday, December 1, to Sunday, December 17, $38.

 

Sedona/Williams: L’Auberge de Sedona & Grand Canyon Railway

TO JANUARY 6

Santa has your ticket to ride for the 17th Polar Express Train Ride. “All who truly believe” can enjoy the Grand Canyon Railway from the city of Williams to the North Pole, through January 6 on select dates. The 90-minute holiday ride, inspired by Chris Van Allsburg’s classic children’s book, includes visits from chefs who deliver hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies from Santa.

 

FOR A FULL LIST PLEASE CLICK HERE!

Source: http://phoenix.org/holidayevents/

 

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