There is beginning to be a chill in the air and it is time for some December Fun in the Valley of the Sun! Check out this list of fun, family-friendly activities to make your December the most wonderful time of the year!
Events all month long at Painting With A Twist
With locations in Tempe, Phoenix, and Gilbert, and different themed nights throughout the month, there are many choices for a fun night of painting. Upcoming events include “May the Force of Christmas Be With You” (Star Wars themed painting), “St. Nick Nightmare” (Jack Skellington family painting event), and half day Kids’ camps throughout the month. For more information and to find a location near you, go to:
https://www.paintingwithatwist.com/
12/1/21-1/5/22 Lights at the Farm at Vertuccio Farms (closed 12/24-12/25)
Lights at the Farm, Arizona’s biggest and best synchronized Christmas Light Show stretches over an easy-to-traverse 10 acres of Vertuccio Farms, providing a spectacular walk-through, interactive holiday journey. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to:
https://www.vertucciofarms.com/lights-at-the-farm
12/1-12/31/21 Christmas at Schnepf Farms: A World of Illumination (closed 12/24)
Christmas has come to Schnepf Farms! Experience a winter wonderland like no other with seasonal food, fun and festivities for the whole family. Catch a ride on the Illumination Express, hop on a hayride to visit Rudolph or journey through Santa’s magic workshop. Whatever you choose, it’s all happening at Schnepf Farms!
For more information and to purchase tickets, go to:
12/1/21-1/15/22 (select nights only) Walk-through ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo
Experience millions of twinkling lights, dazzling animal sculptures and two music-in-motion light shows on the main lake. Enjoy the Holiday Safari Animal Presentation nightly at 8pm and 9pm in the Doornbos Discovery Amphitheater. Enjoy an international traveling art exhibition created by artist Russell Ronat, focused on wildlife conservation. More than 13 beautiful art pieces light up the Zoo’s famous residents. ZooLights has been a community tradition for 30 years. Stop by the Wall of Traditions, at the Doornbos Discovery Amphitheater to learn more about how traditions are celebrated around the world. Celebrate the season with a visit to our three-story Christmas Tree located at Crossroads Cafe. Explore the Outer Tropics Trail with more sparkling lights than ever before! Take a walk through Zooville, where you are sure to spot the whos-who of the Zoo!
For tickets and more information, go to:
https://www.phoenixzoo.org/events/walk-thru-zoolights/
12/4/21 Holiday Program and Light Parade in Apache Junction
Join the City of Apache Junction Parks & Recreation on Saturday, December 4th for this award winning, FREE downtown event! The event will take place at Flatiron Park. There will be lots of activities throughout the evening for the whole family! Activities include: Santa, vendor booths, arts and crafts, games, music, 30 tons of snow, inflatables, food, Tree lighting at the Focal point and will conclude with the Annual Holiday Light Parade. Most of the youth activities will be free but there will be vendors and food options. The snow area is broken up into two age groups, one for the littles and one for older kids. We expect line wait times to be anywhere from 20-40 minutes, depending on the number of attendees. We recommend wearing gloves and hats – it is real snow and real cold! Join us at the focal point to help light up the town! The tree lighting will begin around 6:30pm. Afterward, stick around and join us for the light parade!
The light parade starts at 7pm. It begins at Phelps/Main Street heads west to Thunderbird, turns and comes back to Phelps Road. Expect road closures will be from Idaho to Ironwood from about 5pm to 10pm or until roads are clear and can safely be open.
For more information, go to:
https://www.apachejunctionaz.gov/891/Holiday-Event
12/4, 12/11, & 12/18/21 Jingle Bell Rock at Superstition Springs Mall
Shoppers can kick-off the holiday season from 10am – 12pm every Saturday (Dec. 4, Dec. 11 and Dec. 18) with a bubble event for the whole family, holiday music and special guest appearances from everyone’s favorite characters!
For more information, go to:
https://www.superstitionsprings.com/Events/Details/559131
12/4/21 8am-12pm Desert Rivers Audubon: Family birdwalk at Chandler Veteran’s Oasis Park
This bird-walk is sponsored by Desert Rivers Audubon and The City of Chandler. They will provide loaner binoculars, Bird Bingo Cards for kids, and expert leaders to take you around the ponds. Field guide books and other nature items will be for sale at their display tent. Walks leave approximately every 15 minutes and last about 45 minutes. No fees or admission charges! Location: Veteran’s Oasis Park. NE corner of Chandler Heights and Lindsay Rd. 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd. Chandler, AZ 85249
For more information, go to: https://scitechinstitute.org/events/desert-rivers-audubon-family-birdwalk-at-chandler-veterans-oasis-park/
12/5/21 9:30-10:30am Sensory Friendly Santa Event at Chandler Fashion Center in Macy’s court
In partnership with Autism Speaks, this is a Sensory Friendly Santa Experience for the community. To register, go to: https://www.shopchandlerfashioncenter.com/Events/Details/559125
12/7-12/12/21 My Fair Lady at ASU Gammage
From Lincoln Center Theater that brought you “The King & I” and “South Pacific”, comes “a sumptuous new production of the most perfect musical of all time” (Entertainment Weekly), Lerner & Loewe’s “My Fair Lady”. Director Bartlett Sher’s glowing production is “thrilling, glorious, and better than it ever was” (NY Times). “Every so often a revival comes along that reminds you how indispensable great theater can be”(NY1).
For tickets, click here: https://www.ticketmaster.com/my-fair-lady-touring-tickets//artist/2676040?venueId=204814
12/10/21 Frozen PJ Tea Party with Elsa and Anna at Mrs. Potts Tea Party in Mesa
Elsa & Anna PJ Tea Party & Craft. Put on your favorite PJ’s and come spend a magical time with Elsa & Anna and their Holiday Helpers! Our Frozen Party will start with individual greetings, autographs and photo opportunities with Elsa & Anna. As the little ones are seated at the table, they will start on their special Christmas craft. Then it’s time for our Tea Party! Elsa & Anna will read a story and have conversation with the kiddos while they enjoy their unlimited tea sandwiches, chocolate milk or hot cocoa “tea” and a special dessert. Our party will conclude with a special guest joining Elsa & Anna for a song and a dance. On the way out the little ones will receive a special gift as we say good-bye until next time!
SEATING IS LIMITED
*No charge for parents
*Must have purchased a ticket to sit at the table
*Parent can sit close by or enjoy our parlor room or patio
For more information and to purchase tickets, go to:
https://allevents.in/mesa/frozen-pj-party-with-elsa-and-anna/200021855019010
12/11, 12/12, 12/18, & 12/19/21 “Spirit of Christmas” presented by the Tempe Dance Company at The Chandler Center for the Arts
Every year, Tempe Dance Academy presents its Annual Spirit of Christmas Show at Chandler Center for the Arts. This holiday tradition is hosted by Mark Hart. The Spirit of Christmas is an energetic variety show featuring a cast of more than 100 dancers, singers, a horse and carriage, special guest performances, and a champion hoop dancer. Fun for the whole family, that will get everyone in the spirit!
For more information and to purchase tickets, go to:
https://www.chandlercenter.org/events/spirit-christmas-presented-tempe-dance-academy-0
12/16-12/18/21 “Elf, Jr” at Stage Door Studio in Chandler
All tickets are assigned seating and the theater only seats 60 so shows will sell out quickly! Purchasing tickets in advance will secure your seats. For tickets and more information, go to:
https://stagedoorstudioaz.com/tickets
12/17-12/19/21 “The Nutcracker” performed by the Southwest Youth Ballet at the Higley Center for Perfoming Arts (Live stream tickets also available for 12/17/21)
Southwest Youth Ballet Theatre presents the holiday classic, The Nutcracker!
Go on a magical journey with the Nutcracker and Clara as they battle oversized mice and celebrate their victory with the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Land of the Sweets. Whether you watch in-person or from home, Southwest Youth Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker is sure to be a delight! Live music by Chandler Symphony Orchestra.
Under the direction of renown ballerina, Yen-Li Chen, Southwest Youth Ballet Theatre is now in their fifteenth season and excited to once again share this beloved holiday tradition with you and your family.
To purchase tickets, go to:
https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/16203/higley-center-for-the-performing-arts/
12/18/21 Christmas Tea Party with Belle at Mrs. Potts Tea Party in Mesa
Come join us for a real Holiday Tea Party with Belle. Put on your best dress and pretty hat, your favorite tie and shiny shoes or dress in your favorite Princess or Superhero Character! Your tea party will start with a big welcome from our Princess, autographs and photos. While your little ones dine on assorted tea sandwiches, fruit tea, and a special dessert, Belle will give a brief etiquette lesson, read a story, answer questions and sing a song. Before we say good-bye, all the kiddos will become honorary Prince and Princesses and leave with a Certificate of Distinction.
Adults DO NOT need tickets
1 adult per child please
Limited seats (additional parties will be added as each hour sells out)
Parents sit close by or in our parlor room or outdoor patio
NOT a peanut free facility
For more information and to purchase tickets, go to:
https://allevents.in/mesa/christmas-tea-party-with-belle/200021855021712
12/20/21-12/23/21 Christmas At Pecan Lake at Queen Creek Botanical Garden
Come enjoy a celebration of light, hope, and unity in a Garden wonderland! Activities include obstacle courses, bounce house, a winter scavenger hunt, Christmas market, food trucks, special performances, petting zoo, Santa visits, and more!
To provide a safe and healthy environment for all visitors, a limited number of people will be allowed on-site at a time and ALL visitors will need a digital or printed General Admission ticket in order to enter the Gardens. Pre-purchase of tickets for specific days/times is strongly encouraged. If space allows, on-site tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information and tickets, go to:
https://www.simpletix.com/e/christmas-at-pecan-lake-2021-tickets-78641
12/28/21 Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis at ASU Gammage
Do you remember the first time you heard the Christmas sounds of Mannheim Steamroller? You can again celebrate the holiday magic of Mannheim Steamroller in 2021 when they bring their annual holiday tour to fans throughout the country. While 2020 was the first year the group was unable to tour in 35 years, 2021 will reunite the #1 Christmas music artist in history with its legion of long-time fans. Experience the music that has become the hallmark of the holidays and a tradition for multi-generational families: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas live in concert in 2021!
For tickets, click here:
https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/19005AEDD5E435DF
12/28/21 and 12/30/21 Challenge Island “Road Trip USA: Winter Break STEM camps at Seville Golf and Country Club in Gilbert
December 28th:
Rev Up RV- The campers will build and construct a tribal team fort and deck it out.
Discover Glacier National Park- build Grizzly Bear Campground
December 30th:
San Francisco Earthquake – construct a well-built bridge withstanding earthquakes
Steambots- Bank Challenge- Universal Studios 9-mile elevator ride.
For more information or to register for a camp, please contact Stephanie LeClaire at 480-279-3024
12/31/21 New Year’s Eve Great Gatsby Ball at Pecan Lake hosted at the QC Botanical Gardens
This event features the beautiful ambiance of Pecan Lake and the Queen Creek Botanical Gardens, live music by an 8-piece 1920’s Great Gatsby Band, dance floor, fireworks, dinner included, cash bar, poker tournament for prizes, prize for best dressed couple, champagne toast at midnight, and more! For more information, go to:
https://www.dineatqcgardens.org
There are so many great things to do here in the Valley this December! We hope you found lots of activities in this list to go experience and have some December Fun in the Valley of the Sun!!!
