Holiday Celebrations and Last Minute Preparations

We are just four days from Christmas 2015. It is the time of the year where we are all busy with last minute shopping and preparations for celebrations with family and friends.

All over the Valley of the Sun we are seeing wonderful Christmas decorations on both private and commercial property. Below are just a few that you may want to see.

Las Noches de Las Luminarias 

The Desert Botanical Garden will glow from the candlelight of thousands of luminarias as you walk among the plants and trees in the night. Along the way, sip a cup of hot cider and listen to the holiday sounds of carolers, handbell choirs and mariachi bands.

Details: 5:30-9:30 p.m.  Dec. 10-13; Dec. 16-23; Dec. 26-31. 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. $30; $12.50 for ages 3-12. Members: $25; $10 for ages 3-12. 

Carefree Christmas Festival 
Frolic in 32 tons of snow, get your picture taken with Santa and shop for gifts. There will be an Electric Light Parade at 6 p.m. Dec. 12, followed by a fireworks display, and holiday pet parade at 10 a.m. Dec. 13. If your pooch enjoys dressing up, this is the perfect time for him to show off its cute costumes. 

Details: Dec. 11-13. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Carefree Town Center, 101 Easy St. Free.  

Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade 
The parade on Tempe Town Lake, presented by SRP, features as many as 50 illuminated boats of all sizes. There will be a fireworks show and a visit from Santa Claus. 

Details: 5 p.m. Dec. 12. Tempe Beach Park, Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway. Free.  

Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park 
All aboard for a magical ride through the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. It’s not the Polar Express, but it’s as close as you can get in the Valley. The holiday event features light displays, a tree-lighting ceremony, entertainment, Santa Claus and more. Board the 5/12 replica of a narrow-gauge train at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park and ride through colorful Christmas lights. I've been here well worth it and kids love it.  

Details: 6:30-9 p.m. Dec. 11-Jan. 2 (excluding Dec. 24-25 and 31). 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. Free admission $4 for train rides; $2 for carousel rides; free for children younger than 3 riding with a paying adult.  

Arizona Temple Christmas Lights and Concerts 

The temple grounds will be decorated with a nativity scene and Christmas lights and there will be live music nightly at 7. Performers include local children’s, handbell and adult choirs, including the Resonance Vocal Ensemble, Inspire Chorus and Spirit of Phoenix Choir. 

Details: 5-10 p.m. daily. Through Dec. 31. Arizona Temple, 525 E. Main St., Mesa - Image Credit*

ZooLights 
The Phoenix Zoo is aglow with millions of lights, including new 3-D light sculptures of stingrays, flowers and more. There will be ice sculptors and live performances to enjoy. Two new Music in Motion shows feature songs from “The Polar Express” and “Winter Palace,” by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. 

Details: 5:30-10:30 p.m. daily. Through Jan. 10. 455 N. Galvin Parkway. $8-$18; free for age 2 or younger.  

Glendale Glitters 
Let your holiday spirit sparkle at Glendale Glitters. The display, on 16 blocks of the historical downtown, includes 1.5 million LED lights and a 30-foot holiday tree. The lights are on nightly, and special activities such as music and dance performances take place on Friday and Saturday evenings. 

Details: 5-10 p.m. Through Jan. 9. Murphy Park, 5800 W. Glendale Ave. Free.  

Tumbleweed Tree 

Kick off the season with this Southwestern tradition: a Christmas tree made of about 1,000 flocked tumbleweeds. This marks the 59th year for the festival, which on Dec 5th included a tree-lighting ceremony, entertainment and the Parade of Lights, but you can still see the tumbleweed tree. 

Details: The tree remains lighted through Jan. 11. 3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Free. 



Image Credit* "2008-12-22-mesa-temple-reflec-66163" by Robertbody at English Wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons - ttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2008-12-22-mesa-temple-reflec-66163.jpg#/media/File:2008-12-22-mesa-temple-reflec-66163.jpg

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