44 DECEMBER 2018 By Rachael Bouley The holiday season is upon us, and that means it’s time to celebrate! Luckily, our beautiful neighborhood is surrounded by some of the finest resorts in the Valley. Many of these places put on fantastic holiday- themed events that bring people together during the most wonderful time of the year. Here are several seasonal gatherings and events hosted by local resorts. THE PHOENICIAN: CHRISTMAS CAMP AND I.FLY TRAPEZE SHOW 6000 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale thephoenician.com This famed, AAA Five-Diamond resort comes alive with holiday fun in December. In addition to offering a special “Christmas Camp” package from December 7-15 featuring award-winning screenwriter and author Karen Schaler, the Phoenician will go all out with an array of magical activities. This includes elf magic tricks, story time with Mrs. Claus, and games and treats in Santa’s workshop. Adults can indulge in Champagne Saturdays and wine tastings, while the whole family will be amazed at the Winter Wonderland edition of the monthly I.FLY Trapeze shows scheduled for Friday, December 28. Wrap up the holidays with the unmissable New Year’s Eve gathering. The annual kids dinner and dance party will boast a lively dance floor, laser tag, pizza buffet, games, crafts and more. ARIZONA BILTMORE: BREAKFAST WITH SANTA, COOKIE DECORATING AND GINGERBREAD TEA 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix arizonabiltmore.com The “Jewel of the Desert” has been bringing new meaning to the term “Christmas Party” since its doors first opened in 1929. Countless celebrities and notable figures have sought refuge and relaxation at this iconic resort over the years, ringing in the New Year in awe-inspiring style, and you can too. Today, the Biltmore is one of the places to go for family-friendly festivities, from a writing station for letters to Santa to a decadent breakfast buffet with Old Saint Nick on December 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Gingerbread Tea and Cookie Decorating sessions will get you in the spirit, as will soulful live music on the weekends and signature holiday cocktails for adults, such as a Gingerbread Martini or Maple Toddy. Even just taking a stroll past Squaw Peak Lawn and checking out the magnificent Christmas Tree in all its glory is well worth it. HYATT REGENCY SCOTTSDALE: CHRISTMAS DAY FESTIVITIES 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, Scottsdale hyatt.com Gainey Ranch is the place to be on Christmas Day, with plenty of traditions to partake in with your family. The resort’s palm trees will dazzle with twinkling lights, while guests are treated to a holiday buffet at Southwest Bistro. Brunch and live music will be happening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and tickets are $95 for adults ($105 with champagne & bloody mary bar), while children 6-12 are $47 and kids 5 and under are complimentary. If you’d rather spend Christmas Day at home, check out the December Wine Dinner on December 13, when Schramsberg Vineyards wines will be paired with a four-course dinner for $105 per person. FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE PRINCESS: CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL 7575 E. Princess Dr., Scottsdale scottsdaleprincess.com Now in its ninth year, Christmas at the Princess transforms the resort into an enchanting, winter wonderland. From November 20 to December 31, this festival will offer Princess Express trains, S’mores Land, an outdoor ice rink and 4 million sparkling, twinkling lights to put you in the right mood for the season. Other sights include the Copper Canyon Village Light Show, Enchanted Plaza Experience and the Ice Slide. Several activities are available for kids, including the Build-A-Bear Workshop, Ice Slide and Ferris Wheel. General admission for non-overnight guests is $85 for valet parking, $55 for self-parking and $25 for walk-ins. Local resorts spread holiday cheer with special events Fairmont Scottsdale Princess: Christmas Festival.

LAD LAD LAD APRIL BOS SD SD SD SD SD TEX SD TEX BOS LAD CHC CHC ATL ATL ATL SD CHC CHC PIT PIT PIT PIT CHC AWAY HOME SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT BOS 30 29 28 6 5 4 3 2 1 31 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 27 26 25 24 21 22 23 1:10 6:40 7:10 4:10 TBD 5:10 12:40 7:10 7:10 6:40 5:10 6:40 6:40 1:10 TBD 9:10 11:20 TBD 4:20 4:20 1:10 9:35 6:40 5:10 4:05 4:05 4:05 TBD COL COL LAD LAD JULY STL STL COL MIL MIL STL TEX TEX MIL MIA MIA BAL ALL-STAR GAME BAL BAL MIL NYY NYY MIA MIA SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SF 6 5 4 3 2 1 30 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 30 31 29 28 7:10 7:10 1:05 6:40 6:10 5:15 7:10 4:15 6:40 5:10 5:05 5:05 6:40 11:15 1:10 4:10 3:10 12:40 6:40 1:10 10:05 4:05 4:10 10:10 WAS WAS AUGUST LAD LAD PHI PHI PHI WAS SF SF LAD MIL MIL COL COL SF COL COL SF SF LAD LAD LAD SF MIL SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT COL COL 3 2 1 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 27 28 29 30 31 26 25 6:40 6:40 7:10 5:10 TBD 6:40 6:40 6:40 6:40 5:10 12:10 5:40 5:40 6:40 TBD 1:10 5:10 4:10 12:40 6:40 1:10 6:40 6:40 5:10 6:45 6:45 11:10 CIN SEPTEMBER CIN CIN NYM NYM NYM NYM CIN SD SD CIN SD SD STL STL MIA MIA SD STL MIA SD SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT CIN SD SD SD LAD 7 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 30 29 6 5 4 3 2 1 6:40 6:40 1:10 1:10 4:10 6:40 1:10 10:10 5:10 4:10 4:10 4:10 7:10 5:40 12:40 6:40 6:40 6:40 1:10 10:10 6:40 5:10 12:40 6:40 1:10 12:10 COL COL NYY NYY CHC MAY ATL ATL ATL TB TB COL SF SF PIT PIT PIT ATL SF SF SD SD SD SF COL COL NYM COL COL SF SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT TB 4 3 2 1 30 29 28 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 30 31 29 28 27 26 12:40 6:40 1:10 5:40 6:40 5:10 6:40 5:10 10:10 4:10 4:10 6:40 7:10 12:40 6:40 6:40 7:10 1:10 12:10 7:35 TBD 12:40 7:10 1:10 12:10 6:40 5:40 5:40 TBD 1:05 NYM JUNE TOR TOR LAD LAD LAD NYM WAS WAS WAS PHI PHI PHI TOR SF SF COL COL COL WAS LAD SF LAD LAD SF SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SF SF 1 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 27 28 29 26 25 24 23 4:05 4:07 7:10 1:07 12:40 6:40 6:40 4:05 1:05 4:05 4:05 4:05 10:07 1:10 12:40 6:40 7:10 6:40 6:40 10:35 6:45 7:15 12:40 6:40 6:40 1:10 TBD