As Christmas draws nearer and nearer, savor the spirited weekend of Dec. 14 to Dec. 16 with some of Arizona's more unique holiday spectaculars, including Sedona Northern Lights (the country's largest 3D light show on a natural canvas!) and a dino-themed Jurassic Winter Wonderland.
Friday:
Sedona Northern Lights
Sedona's massive holiday light show, Sedona Northern Lights, is back for its second year, Dec. 13 to Dec. 16. It is touted as the country's largest 3D light show on a natural canvas--the area's famous red rocks, of course. They are transformed with stunning holiday video projections, and the best seat in the house is available at Amara Resort and its SaltRock Southwest Kitchen. From Dec. 13 to Dec. 16, a nightly stay at Amara Resort starts at $199 per night. A three-course tasting menu at SaltRock is $55 per person (reservations highly recommended). Before or after taking in Sedona Nothern Lights, families can spend time together in the cool air enjoying lawn games, cozying up fireside with a cocktail and roasting marshmallows over outdoor fireplaces with the resort's s'mores kits.
Fourth-Annual Christmas Movies at The Quarter: The Polar Express
The 4th annual Christmas Movies at The Quarter event series is back. Scottsdale Quarter will be showing holiday classics—this week, “The Polar Express”—at 6 p.m., right by the Christmas tree. It’s free to attend. Bring your chairs, cozy blankets and enjoy the show.
Ballet Arizona’s The Nutcracker
2018 marks the 33rd year of Ballet Arizona’s most beloved show, The Nutcracker. Get your sights set for visions of sugar plum fairies, sparkling Swarovski crystals, a radiant falling snow scene and elegant ballerinas telling the classic holiday tale. The family-friendly show takes place Dec. 13 through Dec. 24 at Symphony Hall in Phoenix. Tickets range from $25 to $167.
City Lights Movie Nights: National Lampoon’s: Christmas Vacation and Home Alone
Get into the Christmas spirit with the screening of two classics: “National Lampoon’s: Christmas Vacation” and “Home Alone.” The first movie begins at 6:30 p.m. at the CityScape splash pad during City Lights Movie Nights. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and arrive 15 minutes early to secure a spot.
Saturday:
Ella Enchanted at Herberger Theater Center
Through Dec. 30, check out “Ella Enchanted” Saturdays at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. at Herberger Theater Center at Phoenix. Ticket prices for this Cinderella-with-a-twist show range from $12 to $30; the show is suitable for ages 5 and up.
Las Noches de Las Luminarias
During the evenings of Dec. 1 through Dec. 28 (except Christmas Eve and Day), Las Noches de Las Luminarias lights up the night at Desert Botanical Garden. This year, the Electric Desert | A Light and Sound Experience by Klip Collective sets the stage for true holiday magic with more than 8,000 hand-lit luminaria bags, thousands of twinkle lights and the pulse of Electric Desert. Tickets start at about $30 for members and about $35 for the general public.
Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia's Breakfast with Santa
Experience a Spanish Christmas feast with a full breakfast buffet with fruits, breads, scrambled eggs, French toast, smoked bacon and crispy hash browns during the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia's Breakfast with Santa Dec. 15 and Dec. 22. Children will be able to join Santa for cookie decorating and creating their own Moravian Star ornament before departing with Spanish candies and new holiday stories. Seatings available from 8 to 11 a.m. $55 per adult; $30 per child 6 to 12; and children 5 and under are free.
Jurassic Winter Wonderland at Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs
Pangaea Land of the Dinos at OdySea in the Desert offers a themed Christmas showcase by transforming the indoor dinosaur exhibit into a Jurassic Winter Wonderland, now through Jan. 6. This prehistoric holiday event features thousands of multicolored lights, a real snow entrance, contests, meet and greets with the first-ever dino “Santa Claws” and his companion Rudolph “The Red Nose” Raptor and more. On Dec. 15, from 2 to 5 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will be joining their dino friends for free photo ops within the exhibit. Guests who bring in a non-perishable item will receive $1 off admission per person.
Sunday:
ZooLights
This annual event is a family and Valley tradition that happens to be one of the largest light shows in the Southwest. Millions of lights are showcased throughout Phoenix Zoo as visitors admire the sights while savoring hot chocolate and kettle corn under the stars. (Don’t miss the scene-stealing musical trees!) A couple new additions this year include live reindeer and a 200-ft.-long Polar Slide. This holiday classic is running from Nov. 21 to Jan. 13, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., every night.
Breakfast with Santa at Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort
Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort's annual Breakfast with Santa series will be offered Dec. 15 to 16 and Dec. 22 to 24 with seating times at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Rico’s American Grill. This year, Santa will be joined by Mrs. Claus, Santa’s elves and Yote-the-Coyote for a fun-filled breakfast, photos opps, cookie decorating, story time with Mrs. Claus and more. The breakfast buffet will feature made-to-order omelets, homemade biscuits and gravy, eggs Benedict a French toast bar and more. Reservations for Breakfast with Santa are required. Pricing is $35.95 for adults and $21.95 for children ages 10 and under, inclusive of a complimentary photo with Santa.
Christmas at the Princess
Enjoy the annual holiday celebration of Christmas at the Princess. Through New Year’s Eve, revelers are invited to step into the holiday splendor with Fairmont Scottsdale Princess’ four-story musical tree, the Desert Ice Skating Rink (made of real ice), S’mores Land with the Polar Ice Glide and a Build-A-Bear Workshop, 4 million dazzling Lagoon Lights, Santa’s Secret Headquarters and festive friends like Peppermint Penguin, Princess Noel, Graham the S’more, Shivers the Yeti and Selfie Elfie. The resort also offers special holiday vacation packages with added extras and exclusive character meet and greets, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Cox Charities and the #LoveUp Foundation for foster children.
