EVENTS

Merry Main Street Various times through January 2 Downtown Mesa, merrymainst.com

This special holiday event features a variety of holiday activities such as Winter Wonderland Ice Rink, Jack Frost’s Food Truck Forest, “The Nutcracker,” Mesa Santa Express and a visit with Santa. Visit the website for detailed event information.

Holiday Lights at Salt River Fields 6 to 9 p.m. through January 1 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, 480.656.9940, holidaylightexperience.com/srf

Guests drive for 1.2 miles to see more than 5 million lights from 6 to 9 p.m. Want a closer look? Purchase a trip on an electric carriage instead. The last stop will be at Santa’s Village, where there will be hot chocolate, handcrafted gifts, Santa and a Holiday Light Theatre featuring festive lights showcased on a big screen. Visit the website for more information and to purchase tickets.

Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Various times through January 1 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale, 480.312.2312, therailroadpark.com/ holidaylights/

Holiday lights, a Charros carousel, hot chocolate and Santa. Does it get any better than that? Santa will be there through December 23. Visit the website to purchase tickets.

Skate Westgate Various times through January 2 Fountain Park, 6751 N. Sunset Boulevard, Glendale, 480.387.5678, westgateaz.com

Through January 2, Westgate has an outdoor ice rink on which all levels are welcome. Pricing is $19 for adults and children ($15 for those who bring their own skates) and $15 for toddlers. Visit the website to book a date.

Million Dollar Quartet Christmas Various times through January 2 The Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.254.2151, phoenixtheatre.com

Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley come together again to celebrate the holidays. Sun Records, now festively decorated with a Christmas tree, garland and mistletoe, rings with sounds of the season and the chart toppers that made the “Million Dollar Quartet” famous.

Santa Photos 10 a.m. to noon December 20 to December 24 Westgate Entertainment District, 6751 N. Sunset Boulevard, Glendale, 480.387.5678, westgateaz.com

From December 20 to December 24, Santa

MERRY MAIN STREET

is visiting the Westgate Entertainment District at the AMC roundabout. He won’t be hard to spot, as he will be cruising on a firetruck. Check him out from 10 a.m. to noon.

It’s Snowing Every Hour 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. December 24 Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, 480.966.9338, tempemarketplace.com

Enjoy the magical snow all throughout the day. On Christmas Eve, it will snow every hour on the hour starting from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. near The District Stage at Tempe Marketplace.

The Westgate Circulator Noon to 10 p.m. December 24 9410 W. Hanna Drive, Glendale, 480.387.5678, westgateaz.com

Want to get the full Westgate experience? Check out the circulator from noon to 10 p.m. for free. The shuttle service takes guests throughout the sports and entertainment district. Stops include the Residence Inn by Marriott Phoenix Glendale Sports & Entertainment District, Desert Diamond Casino West Valley and Tanger Outlets. Visit the website for shuttle times, a map and stops.

Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors 3 p.m. December 25

The Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 602.379.2000, footprintcenter.com

Celebrate Christmas as a baller. Watch Chris Paul and Devin Booker take on the Golden State Warriors.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Indianapolis Colts 6:15 p.m. December 25 State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, arizonacardinals.com

The first-place Arizona Cardinals are hoping to give fans a gift with a win over the Indianapolis Colts. Watch Kliff Kingsbury and quarterback Kyler Murray lead the team to victory. Visit the Cardinals’ website for info.

Game Day. Get Here. Time TBA December 25 Westgate Entertainment District, 6751 N. Sunset Boulevard, Glendale, 480.387.5678, westgateaz.com

Party at Westgate and watch the big game: the Cardinals against the Colts at 6:15 p.m. at the various eateries. Visit Westgate’s website for more details on this fun tailgate.

Rob Schneider 7 p.m. December 28 and December 29 Stand Up Live Phoenix, 50 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, 480.719.6100, standuplive.com

A household name and a bona fide comedy star, Rob Schneider is well known for his trademark blend of character and comedic acting and has become one of the most popular touring acts in comedy.

Jim Brickman Various times December 29 to December 31 Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, 480.478.6000, mim.org

Jim Brickman’s distinctive piano style and captivating live performances have revolutionized the popularity of instrumental music, making him a driving force behind modern American music. Visit the website for tickets and prices.

Decadence Arizona 6 p.m. December 30 and December 31 Rawhide Event Center, 5244 S. 48th Street, Chandler, 323.908.0607, decadencearizona.com

This 18-and-older, two-day music event features well-known artists like Alan Walker, Alesso, Kaskade, Seven EVENTS Lions, DJ Snake, Javin and hometown fave Bijou. Bring your dancing shoes. See the website for the full lineup and ticket prices.

Sublime with Rome 8:30 p.m. December 30 and December 31 The Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480.829.0607, luckymanonline.com

Sublime with Rome is a musical collaboration between Eric Wilson, formerly of the ska-punk band Sublime, and singer and guitarist Rome Ramirez. They help celebrate the coming year with special guests. Visit the website for tickets and prices.

Voyager: A Tribute to Journey 8 p.m. December 31 CB Live, 21001 N. Tatum Boulevard, Phoenix, 602.910.5161, cblive.com

Each table reservation will include admission fee, party favors, a champagne toast at midnight and live music throughout the night featuring Voyage and a house DJ.

THE BLACK MOODS

Tucson Holiday Ice on Church Avenue Various times through January 9 206 S. Church Avenue, Tucson, 520.837.4758, tucsonconventioncenter.com

Through January 9 the Tucson Convention Center is hosting daily ice skating sessions. On weekdays the ice rink will be open for 90-minute skate sessions from 2 to 8 p.m. and from noon to 8 p.m. on weekends. The pricing is $17 for adults and $12 for children. Visit the website to purchase tickets and double-check the times as they are subject to change.

THE NUTCRACKER

Ballet Tucson Presents “The Nutcracker” Various times December 23 through December 26 Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Avenue, Tucson, 520.791.4101, tucsonmusichall.org

“The Nutcracker” returns to the Tucson Music Hall for December 23 to December 26 performances. The classic tale is the perfect event to get anyone in the Christmas spirit. Visit the website for tickets and showtimes.

Christmas Eve Festival and Christmas Eve Candlelight Services 1 p.m. December 24 The Oasis Church, 8961 E. Tanque Verde Road, Tucson, 520.546.0101, theoasischurch.net/Christmas-festival

Oasis Church is hosting a family-friendly Christmas festival and two candlelight services on Dec. 24. The day starts with the festival from 1 to 4 p.m., followed by the first candlelight service from 2 to 3 p.m., and the second candlelight service from 4 to 5 p.m. The highlights include a petting zoo, a cookie decoration station, face painting, a bounce house and slide, a car show and music. Visit its website to find the parking map and more details on the event.

Holiday Pajama Day 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. December 26 Park Place Mall, 5870 E. Broadway Boulevard, Suite 268, Tucson, 520.790.1100, tucson.colormemine.com

Color Me Mine is holding a special holiday event during which anyone who wears comfy pajamas only has to pay a $1 studio fee. Visit the website to view the details.

New Year’s Eve Karaoke Party at Silver Room 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. December 31 Silver Room, 673 S. Plumer Avenue, Tucson, 520.849.5115, https://bit.ly/ SilverRoom

Guests will celebrate New Year’s Eve with live music, karaoke, dancing, a potluck and watching the ball drop at midnight. Bands will hit the stage from 6 to 8 p.m., with karaoke from 8 to 11:50 p.m. Once the clock strikes midnight, everyone can dance to fun music on the dance floor from midnight until close. Visit the website for more details.

Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve Ball 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. December 31 House of Bards, 4915 E. Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, 520.327.2011, houseofbards.com

This festive ball, themed “The Roaring ’20s,” invites guests to dress in outfits of the time to encapsulate the vibe. There will be live jazz music, food and refreshments. Visit the website for ticket prices.

Taco Bell NYE Downtown Bowl Bash 6 p.m. December 31 Tucson’s Time Square, East Congress Street and North Fifth Avenue, Tucson, thearizonabowl.com

The Arizona Bowl will hold a celebratory bowl bash after the Bowl Game Trophy Presentation from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. December 31. Food vendors, beer and an interactive kid’s zone are part of the festivities. Round it out with a performance by Plain White T’s. This all-ages event is free.

PLAIN WHITE T’S

Plain White T’s brings good vibes to Tucson

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Last year, Plain White T’s singer Tom Higgenson spent his New Year’s Eve hosting a five-hour, livestream dance party that “rocked out to ’80s music.”

“It was one of those random, legendary kind of nights,” he says with a laugh. “I drank a whole bottle of champagne.”

On December 31, the Grammynominated band is taking it back to the stage, headlining the Taco Bell NYE Downtown Bowl Bash at East Congress Street and North Fifth Avenue.

“To get to go out and do something fun like play a show and be around people for New Year’s Eve is going to be amazing,” he says. “Everything we get to do now — after the quarantine — we have a newfound appreciation for. We always have a good time in Tucson.”

Like his dance party, Higgenson is heavily influenced by the 1980s. His solo project, Million Miler, follows that trend. He describes it as “a nostalgic, carefree feeling of high school summers.”

“I just put out a cover of ‘Last Christmas,’” he says. “The Plain White T’s dabbled with the ’80s in 2018. Then, I had the realization that the T’s has to stick to its bread and butter. But I fricking love the ’80s and there’s been this renaissance with ‘Stranger Things,’ and people like The Weeknd and Dua Lipa. I just decided to do an entire project outside of the T’s that has that real strong ’80s nostalgic feel.”

In Tucson, the Plain White T’s will adhere to its sound for the “greatest live spectacle you’ve ever seen,” he says with a laugh.

“We’ve had enough songs that have been embedded in people’s lives and, hopefully, in their hearts,” says Higgenson, whose band is known for its songs “Rhythm of Love” and “Hey There Delilah.”

“That feel-good energy is something everybody is hoping for and needs right now. That feeling about life makes us remember all the things we’ve been missing.”

To get to go out and do something fun like play a show and be around people for New Year’s Eve is going to be amazing. Everything we get to do now — after the quarantine — we have a newfound appreciation for. We always have a good time in Tucson.

Taco Bell NYE Downtown Bowl Bash w/Plain White T’s

WHEN: 6 p.m. Friday, December 31 WHERE: East Congress Street and North Fifth Avenue, Tucson COST: Free; all ages INFO: thearizonabowl.com