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    • Best Holiday Events in Arizona for Christmas 2024
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    Best Holiday Events in Arizona for Christmas 2024

    Pabio Posted on

    Roger Naylor
    | Special for the Republic

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    It’s hard to believe, because it seems like summer just ended last week, but here comes the holidays.

    Better not to waste a minute of this special season. There is so much to do with decorating, shopping, cooking and planning. If you’re starting to feel overwhelmed, here’s a way to relieve some stress. Take a vacation-themed road trip.

    Get out of town. Savor the winter chill and sample the festive magic you might discover along the way. Enjoy lights and parades, candles and music, all of which you don’t have to organize or clean up after. Here are some of Arizona’s best holiday celebrations in Flagstaff, Prescott, Lake Havasu City and more.

    Jérôme: Light up the mountain

    The hilly historic city center of Jérôme makes for an enticing getaway at this time of year. Welcome the season on Saturday, November 30 with Light Up the Mountain. Festivities start at 3 p.m.

    There will be a lot of music, especially the Mingus high school choir, because Jérôme does nothing without music. Santa and Mrs. Claus will mingle with the crowd and pose for photos.

    Stores will be open, lights will be lit, and as dusk envelopes the city, everyone will gather in Upper Park (above the Main Street steps) to light the Christmas tree and most of the park.

    Details: Free. 928-634-2900, jeromechamber.com.

    Camp Verde: Fort Verde State Historic Park

    Enjoy a Victorian Christmas at Fort Verde State Historic Park. The fort is adorned with garlands, wreaths, ribbons and other old-fashioned Christmas decorations, just in case you need a backdrop for your family holiday card.

    On December 7, 14 and 21, the park hosts candlelight tours of homes along Officer’s Row from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. It’s always nice to find a quiet, peaceful evening during the holidays.

    Details: December 2-January. 7. 125 E. Hollamon St., Camp Green. $7 per person, $4 for ages 7-13. 928-567-3275, azstateparks.com.

    Prescott: courthouse lighting, parade, Christkindl market

    As Arizona’s official Christmas town, Prescott stays as busy in December as the North Pole. Something happens every weekend.

    The festivities will begin on Saturday, November 30 at 6 p.m. with the Holiday Light Parade & Bonfire Festival. Led by Santa Claus, the parade features more than 40 lighted floats moving down Cortez Street downtown with local school groups providing the music. Then, head to Mile High Middle School for a bonfire, music and reindeer games for the kids from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

    The big show takes place on Saturday, December 7, with the annual lighting of the courthouse, and 2024 marks 70 years of this beloved tradition.

    First, the Christmas Parade fills downtown with floats, music and entertainment from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The lighting of the courthouse, accompanied by music and performances, begins at 5 p.m. They throw the switch at 6 p.m., illuminating the historic courthouse and square filled with 80 large trees. in shimmering lights. A spectacular fireworks display closes the evening.

    Details: Free. 928-445-2000, visit-prescott.com.

    On Friday, December 13, Acker Night fills downtown Prescott with music. For decades, this joyful non-profit event has raised funds to provide scholarships, instruments and music lessons to Prescott youth.

    The streets are closed to traffic and merchants remain open while artists of all genres perform from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Musicians donate their time and talents. Browse the shops, sample refreshments and enjoy the musical buffet. The Acker Night opening ceremony takes place at Courthouse Plaza at 5 p.m. Free ; donations are gratefully accepted.

    Details: 928-778-5460, ackernight.com.

    A relatively new addition to the festivities is the third annual Christmas Village and Christkindl Market on December 14-15. Inspired by an ancient European tradition, local vendors will offer Christmas gifts, German food, music and a beer and mulled wine garden. Cart and pony rides are also offered. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

    Details: 117 W. Goodwin St. Free. 928-445-2000, visit-prescott.com.

    Prescott Valley: Valley of Lights

    When traveling to Prescott, don’t miss the magnificent spectacle of the neighboring Prescott Valley. Valley of Lights opens on Thanksgiving evening and runs through December 30.

    A drive-thru experience, Valley of Lights stretches for a mile through Fain Park. Stay warm and comfortable in your vehicle while enjoying the galaxy of twinkling lights and animated displays. A donation of $5 per car is suggested. The exhibition is open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays.

    A special evening is reserved for pedestrians. The Holiday Stroll will take place from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3. Admire the lights with Buddy the Elf, the Singing Hippopotamus, the carolers or Santa and Mrs. Claus.

    Details: 2200 N. Fifth Street, Prescott Valley. 928-772-8857, pvchamber.org.

    Lake Havasu City: Boat Light Parade

    There are many Christmas parades across the state, but this one floats. Lake Havasu City’s Boat Parade of Lights sets sail on December 14.

    It’s bigger than ever this year with more than 100 brightly colored boats navigating the Bridgewater Canal under London Bridge. It’s not the kind of sight you’d expect to see in Arizona, which makes it all the more impressive.

    The festive lights that adorn the English village and London Bridge enhance the event. More than 500,000 lights illuminate the water each evening during the holidays.

    Details: 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Saturday December 14. Free. golakehavasu.com.

    Flagstaff: Winter Wonderland at Heritage Square

    Warmly dressed people will gather in downtown’s picturesque Heritage Square on Saturday, December 7 for the Winter Wonderland & Tree Lighting. It’s like a scene from a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie.

    The event runs from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and includes Christmas carols, cookie decorating, cocoa, s’mores, a photo booth and the lighting of a big old tree. Allow some time to explore more of downtown Flag, decorated with lights, while strolling over recently consumed s’mores.

    Details: Free. Heritage Square, 6 W. Aspen Ave. Downtownflagstaff.org.

    Flagstaff: Museum of Northern Arizona

    One of Flagstaff’s gems, the Museum of Northern Arizona, is hosting its Winter Market and Open House on Saturday and Sunday, December 7-8. More than twenty Indigenous artists will exhibit and sell paintings, jewelry, pottery, ornaments and much more. This is a great opportunity to find unique gifts while directly supporting Indigenous artists. Bonus: Entrance to the museum is free all weekend. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    Details: 3101 N. Fort Valley Road. 928-774-5213, musnaz.org.

    Flagstaff: North Pole Experience

    You might think someone as busy as Santa wouldn’t appreciate visitors, but he’s always so jolly when welcoming guests to the North Pole Experience. It starts with a tram ride to the Little America Hotel, which takes you through a magical portal to the North Pole.

    From there, take a tour of the great man’s workshop and visit Elf University, the mail room and the Sleigh Hangar. Enjoy Mrs. Claus’ fresh baked goods and spend some personal time with Santa. Each child receives a 2024 heirloom teddy bear.

    Details: $58 to $76; $52-$69 for children. 2515, avenue E. Butler 480-567-9774, northpoleexperience.com.

    Payson: Winter Wonderland and electric light parade

    There’s nothing like a little ice skating to get you in the holiday mood. On Saturday, December 14, the Winter Wonderland and the Electric Light Parade will light up the streets of Payson.

    The event kicks off at Green Valley Park at 1 p.m. with a Wreaths Across America ceremony, followed by photos with Santa, food trucks, artists, vendors and other festivities. They will also inaugurate a real ice rink with skate rental.

    The tree lighting takes place at Deming Pioneer Park on Main Street at 5:30 p.m. At 6:00 p.m., the illuminated parade makes its way down historic Main Street and includes such figures as Santa Claus and the Mogollon monster.

    Details: Free. 928-472-5110, paysonrimcountry.com.

    Find the journalist at www.rogernaylor.com. Or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RogerNaylorinAZ or Twitter @AZRogerNaylor.

    Pabio
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