Celebrate the Season

HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT MCCORMICK-STILLMAN RAILROAD PARK

Twinkling lights, luminarias, concerts, performances, and more offer festive fun

BY MICHELLE GLICKSMAN

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. It’s easy to get into the happy spirit and glow of the season. LIGHT DISPLAYS

At the Phoenix Zoo (www.phoenixzoo.org), experience the magic of millions of twinkling lights, dazzling animal sculptures, and Music-in-Motion Light Shows on the lake at ZooLights. This year’s festivities include zoo walk-through nights, as well as “cruise the zoo” nights, where cars can drive through the destination along a set path.

Both World of Illumination and Holiday Lights at Salt River Fields are also drive-through events. World of Illumination (www.worldofillumination.com) has two Valley locations—in Glendale, the exhibit theme is Candy Rush, while Tempe features Reindeer Road. At both locations, music (which you can hear through your car radio) is synced to millions of lights. At Holiday Lights at Salt River Fields (www.saltriverfields.com), drive through a 1.2-mile light show experience.

Ride a different kind of vehicle to view the Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (www.therailroadpark.com)— the working Paradise & Pacific Railroad train that circles the park.

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess also puts on a big light display with its Christmas at the Princess (www.scottsdaleprincess. com), which features more than six million LED lights, rides on the Princess Express through a light-lit lagoon, and more.

Meanwhile, Desert Botanical Garden (www.dbg.org) showcases its annual Las Noches de las Luminarias, where 8,000 flickering luminarias and twinkling lights guide visitors through live holiday music performances spanning several genres and styles. 19

PERFORMANCES

Head to Symphony Hall to hear The Phoenix Symphony (www. phoenixsymphony.org) perform Holiday Pops (Dec. 3-5), which features hymns and carols from a variety of traditions and faiths, as well as well-loved secular songs. Also at Symphony Hall, Ballet Arizona (www.balletaz.org) performs the holiday classic The Nutcracker (Dec. 10-24), which follows Clara’s adventures as she battles mischievous mice and charms the Sugar Plum Fairy.

At Scottsdale Center for the Arts (www.scottsdaleperforming arts.org), catch the Scottsdale Philharmonic Holiday Concert (Dec. 12), featuring classical music with a holiday flair. And, celebrated pianist Jim Brickman performs The Gift of Christmas (Dec. 29-31) at Musical Instrument Museum (www.mim.org). Over at Herberger Theater Center, the holiday classic Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical (select dates Dec. 5-24) is produced as a live show by Childsplay (www.childsplayaz.org).

For something less traditional, catch Santa’s Circus (Dec. 2-5) at Madison Center for the Arts (www.themadison.org). In addition to a Christmas-themed circus, there are meet-and-greets with Christmas characters, and photos with Santa.

EVENTS

Yes, even in the desert there is ice skating—even outdoor ice-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 and at Christmas at the Princess (www.scottsdaleprincess.com). All have

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT:

Enjoy a variety of events at Scottsdazzle; hear live holiday music played by The Phoenix Symphony at Holiday Pops; and view 8,000 flickering luminarias at Las Noches de las Luminarias.

temporary rinks for seasonal fun, and skate rentals 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, letters to Santa, and more.

The area’s largest mall—Scottsdale Fashion Square (www.fashion square.com)—turns into Holiday HQ during the season, and guests can have hot cocoa and visit with Mrs. Claus, take pet photos, and visit with Santa. It's also a great place to find gifts for everyone on your list. You can also stop by the special Shop & Be Merry Holiday Market (Dec. 5, 12, 19) at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts (www.scottsdaleperformingarts.com) to shop. The curated market of fine arts and crafts will also offer children’s holiday activities, live music by Arizona musicians, and food and drinks.

Shopping destination Scottsdale Quarter (www.scottsdalequarter. com) features a variety of events, from holiday movies shown in The Quad, photos with Santa, pet photos, carolers, and Santa City. Head across the street to Kierland Commons (www.kierlandcommons.com) for more holiday cheer, with carolers, photos with Santa, pet photos, story time with Mrs. Claus, and musical performances

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, journey through Santa’s magic workshop, and watch Christmas movies. There’s also a large inflatable obstacle course, holiday shopping, and more.