Celebrate the Season

Celebrate theSeason

BALLET ARIZONA'S "THE NUTCRACKER"

Twinkling lights, luminarias, concerts, ice skating rinks, performances, and more offer festive fun

BY MICHELLE GLICKSMAN

COURTESY BALLET ARIZONA. OPPOSITE: COURTESY SALT RIVER FIELDS It’s a festive and fun time in the Valley of the Sun, where palm trees and cacti sparkle with holiday lights and cheer is on the menu. No matter what you celebrate, it’s easy to get into the happy spirit and glow of the season.

PERFORMANCES

The popular Musical Instrument Museum—affectionately referred to as the MIM (www.mim.org)—has several holiday concerts, including Grammy Award-winner Mindi Abair (Dec. 8), Big Band Holidays (Dec. 9), ’Tis the Season: Holidays at MIM (Dec. 10-11), The Miracles Holiday Concert (Dec. 17), and pianist Jim Brickman, with his "A Very Merry Christmas" show (Dec. 29-31).

Other tunes of the season can be heard at Scottsdale Center For The Performing Arts’ Scottsdale Philharmonic Holiday Concert (www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org), which features George Frideric Handel’s "Messiah," held on Dec. 11.

Or, head to Symphony Hall for the Holiday Pops concert, performed by The Phoenix Symphony (www.phoenixsymphony. org) from Dec. 2-4, which features music from the sacred to the secular across an array of songs and traditions. The Symphony also performs a New Year’s Eve Concert on Dec. 31.

The popular holiday classic "The Nutcracker"—which follows Clara’s adventures as she battles mischievous mice and charms the Sugar Plum Fairy—has showings from three ballet companies. See Ballet Arizona (www.balletaz.org) perform along with The Phoenix Symphony from Dec. 9-24 at Symphony Hall, while Phoenix Ballet (www.phoenixballet.org) performs at the Orpheum Theatre from Dec. 9-23. At Scottsdale Center For the Performing Arts (www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org), a multinational cast of 50 professional ballet dancers takes the stage on Dec. 15 for one performance only as part of the locale’s World Ballet Series.

Meanwhile, at Herberger Theater Center (www. herbergertheater.org), the Arizona Theatre Company performs "The Wickhams Christmas at Pemberley," where the bustling staff at the Wickham home find themselves amid a holiday scandal, complete with misunderstandings and shenanigans.

Also at Herberger Theater Center, the holiday classic "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical" (select dates through Dec. 24) is produced as a live show by Childsplay (www.childsplayaz.org).

Meanwhile, Valley Youth Theatre (www.vyt.com) is showcasing "A Winnie The Pooh Christmas Tail," on select dates from Dec. 2-23.

LIGHT DISPLAYS

At the Phoenix Zoo (www.phoenixzoo.org), experience the magic of millions of twinkling lights, dazzling animal lanterns, a Santa experience, and music-in-motion light shows on the lake at ZooLights. This year’s ZooLights also includes admission to Dinosaurs in the Desert.

And, Enchant, Presented by Hallmark Channel takes over at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (www.saltriverfields.com). Stroll through a story-themed Christmas Light Maze; view a 100-foot-tall Christmas tree; skate around the ice rink; and explore The Village, which features artisan vendors, specialty crafts, and boutiques.

World of Illumination (www.worldofillumination.com) offers a drive-through experience at three Valley locations—in Glendale the exhibit theme is "Enchanted Safari," Tempe features "Candy Crush," and North Phoenix showcases "Rockin’ Christmas." At all three locations, music, which you can hear through your car radio, is synced to millions of lights.

Ride a different kind of vehicle to see the Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (www.therailroadpark.com)— the working Paradise & Pacific Railroad train that circles the park. Santa will also be available for photos at the holiday wonderland on select days.

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess also puts on a big light display with its Christmas at the Princess (www. scottsdaleprincess.com) event, which features millions of LED lights, colorful light shows, an outdoor ice skating rink, Santa selfies, and more.

And, Desert Botanical Garden (www.dbg.org) showcases its annual Las Noches de las Luminarias on select nights. Thousands of flickering luminarias and twinkling lights guide visitors through live holiday music performances spanning several genres and styles. This year’s event also features the bold and lyrical largescale sculptures of "Playing with Stars: Rotraut" interweaving

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT:

CitySkate in Downtown Phoenix, Las Noches de las Luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden, and Holiday Lights at McCormickStillman Railroad Park.

gracefully with the sparkles of the luminaria bags throughout the trails and Ottosen Gallery. EVENTS

Those 21-and-older can learn about (and enjoy!) holiday cocktails at the Sippin’ Series: Holiday Cocktails event on Dec. 10 at Scottsdale Center For The Performing Arts (www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org).

If you’re ready to get active, try ice skating. Yes, even in the desert there is outdoor skating. At Patriots Park at CityScape Phoenix, find CitySkate (www.cityskatephx.com), where you can skate under the stars. You can also take a spin around an outdoor rink at Skate Westgate (www.westgateaz.com) at Westgate Entertainment District, Christmas at the Princess (scottsdaleprincess.com), and Enchant, Presented by Hallmark Channel at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (www.saltriverfields. com). All have temporary rinks for seasonal fun, and skate rentals are available.

Downtown Scottsdale turns into a holiday wonderland during Scottsdazzle (www.scottsdazzle.com). This holiday extravaganza takes over the area, with everything from wine events and dinners to a pageant, live nativity, lights, scavenger hunts, Santa meet-andgreets, and more.

Shopping destination Scottsdale Quarter (www. scottsdalequarter.com) features a variety of events, from holiday movies shown in The Quad to photos with Santa, pet photos, carolers, and Santa City.

In Queen Creek, get festive at the farm during Christmas at Schnepf Farms (www.schnepfchristmas.com). This familyrun farm pulls out all the stops. Enjoy the World of Illumination Express, take Santa’s Reindeer Hayride (complete with snow) to visit Rudolph, and journey through Santa’s magic workshop. There’s also a large inflatable obstacle course, holiday shopping, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, and more.

And for a one-stop-shop for holiday gifts and fun, stop by the Phoestivus (www.phoestivus.com) holiday craft market in Downtown Phoenix, presented by Community Food Connections. The two-day outdoor holiday market is held Dec. 14-15 and features more than 200 small businesses, music, live art, food, and of course, the beloved Phreddie the Yeti.