20 DECEMBER 2023 By Ann Stone Santa and reindeer and cocoa – oh my! The holidays are here, and with it, a plethora of fun events that the whole family can enjoy. Below is a list of just some of the Valley happenings this December. CHRISTMAS AT THE PRINCESS 7575 E. Princess Dr., Scottsdale christmasattheprincess.com Families can bask in the holiday sparkle of 7.5 million lights at this cherished resort for the annual Christmas at the Princess. There will be igloos and fire pits available, and on Monday-Thursday from 5-10 p.m. and Friday- Sunday from 4 p.m.-11 p.m., visitors can ride the Ferris wheel, ice skate, make s’mores, visit Santa and Twinkle Town, ride the Princess Express train and try out the new Nordic 9 Mini Golf attraction. General admission is $35 per person. ENCHANT SCOTTSDALE Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Road enchantmagic.com Enchant is an immersive walk-thru light show with over four million sparkling lights. The event includes a 100-foot-tall holiday tree, an ice skating trail, live entertainment, Santa visits and a village marketplace with crafts, treats and cocktails. There will also be a “Cozy Christmas” lounge, wine tasting and an all-new Mischievous Elf light maze. Tickets start at $30. DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix dbg.org The Mexican tradition of La Posada is being celebrated on December 17 from 5:30- 7:30 p.m. Las Noches de las Luminarias is another popular event at DBG; families can enjoy various live music events, decorations, food, and drinks. Tickets are $40 for ages 18 and older and $17 for ages 3-17. MCCORMICK-STILLMAN RAILROAD PARK 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale therailroadpark.com For a family-friendly holiday light display, check out the dazzle with Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman. The $15 event is ongoing through January 7 and includes train and carousel rides. If you’re hungry, stop at Hartley’s General Store for a snack! HOLIDAY MAKER’S MARKET Rise Uptown Hotel 400 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix riseuptownhotel.com On Saturday, December 2, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Rise Uptown is hosting a holiday market with handmade goodies from local shops. Grown-ups can sip mimosas from Lylo while browsing items from Milky Candle Company, Form Floral, Jade & Clover, Voyager Bake Shop and Cisco Studio. There will also be a free yoga class on the lawn at 9 a.m. with desert mvmt, and permanent jewelry appointments available from LINK X LOU. LIGHTS AT THE FARM Vertuccio Farms, 4011 S. Power Road, Mesa lightsatthefarm.com There are so many options for fun; it’ll be hard to decide what to do first. Guests will find over two million twinkle lights and holiday displays, a synthetic ice skating rink, visits with Santa, a petting zoo, lawn games, a sweets shop (cocoa and kettle corn!), fire pits with s’mores and a craft area. Tickets are $15 per person – skating rink is a $8 add-on. MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM’S MAGICAL MUSIC MEMORIES 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix mim.org The MIM offers a variety of holiday concerts, such as the Klezmatics Hanukkah Tour, Melissa Errico, the Phoenix Boys Choir, the John Jorgenson Quintet, Irish Christmas in America, a Peter White Christmas, David Benoit’s A Charlie Brown Christmas, and more. Dates and ticket prices vary. BALLET ARIZONA PRESENTS: THE NUTCRACKER 203 W. Adams St., Phoenix balletaz.org The Nutcracker is one of the most well- known ballets, and now, families can see it brought to life thanks to Ballet Arizona and the Phoenix Symphony. Audiences will watch scenes set to Tchaikovsky’s familiar songs, complete with dancing mice, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Nutcracker Prince, the Mouse King and the “Waltz of the Flowers.” It runs December 8-24, and tickets start at $40. CHRISTMAS AT RAWHIDE 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler prattbrotherschristmas.com Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide is open through December 24. It offers over six million lights with a Gingerbread House light show, letters to Santa, Christmas movies, a parade, train ride, holiday shopping, a snow show and stunt shows on Wednesdays- Sundays from 6-10 p.m. Tickets are $25- $75. SCOTTSDAZZLE 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale scottsdazzle.com Scottsdazzle is as busy as Santa’s elves with various activities throughout December, including a free winterland stroll at Scottsdale Waterfront from 6-9 p.m. (December 2, 9, and 16); free photos with Santa at the Old Town Farmers Market (9 a.m.- 12 p.m. December 2, 9, and 16); a $35 Sugar Plum Tea Party on December 9 from 10-11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. and a free Ultimate Family Play Date and concert at Scottsdale Civic Center (9 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.); a holiday art walk from 6:30-9 p.m. on December 7; magic shows and the live nativity at the Old Adobe Mission. Other events include a painting party, centerpiece making, cookie decorating and a bicycle scavenger hunt through Old Town. SHOPPING WITH SANTA Biltmore Fashion Park, 2502 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix shopbiltmore.com Before the crowds ascend on Biltmore on December 3, Sensory Santa with Autism Speaks will offer a quieter option for neurodiverse children. The same day – and on December 17 – Mrs. Claus will read from 2-4 p.m. In addition, on December 10, Hanukkah in the Park begins at 6 p.m. Through December 24, people can visit for photos or pet nights with Santa. SKATE WESTGATE 6770 N. Sunrise Blvd., Glendale westgateaz.com Phoenix might not have snow, but at least Glendale has ice. Guests are welcome to enjoy the 3,300-square-foot skating rink at Fountain Park in Westgate. Skating sessions are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Afterward, guests can do some shopping, grab a cup of hot cocoa and visit with Santa. Tickets are $22 with a rental and $18 bring- your-own. HO, HO, HERE WE GO: HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS