Holiday events in Phoenix for the whole family
If you're not in the ho-ho-holiday spirit yet, it isn't for lack of options. There are plenty of merry events, shows and activities in your neighborhood. Here are a few:
Pop concerts
Jared & the Mill's 4th Annual Holiday Extravaganza: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. $17 in advance; $20. thevanburenphx.com.
Windham Hill's Winter Solstice: 4, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. MIM Music Theater, Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. $38.50-$53.50. 480-478-6000, mim.org.
Irish Christmas in America: 3, 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, Monday, Dec. 17. MIM Music Theater, Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. $35.50-$40.50. 480-478-6000, mim.org.
A Peter White Christmas: 7, 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18. MIM Music Theater, Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. $33.50-$58.50. 480-478-6000, mim.org.
An X-Mad Party: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. Pub Rock, 8005 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix. $5. 480-945-4985, pubrocklive.com.
James D. Gish, “Home for the Holidays” cabaret: 8 p.m. Dec. 21, 3 p.m. Dec. 23. Phoenix Theatre, 100 E. McDowell Road. $41-$76. 602-254-2151, davissonentertainment.com.
“Under the Mizzletoe” with the Good Feelz: 3, 8 p.m. Dec. 22. Phoenix Theatre, 100 E. McDowell Road. $29-$47. 602-254-2151, davissonentertainment.com.
Classical and choral concerts
Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix, “Holidays With Orpheus”: Dec. 9-16. Various venues. $15-$25. 602-698-7890, orpheus.org.
Phoenix Symphony, Handel’s “Messiah”: Through Dec. 16. Various venues. $35-$85. 602-495-1999, phoenixsymphony.org.
Phoenix Metropolitan Men’s Chorus, “Tinsel Town”: Dec. 14-16. John Paul Theatre, Phoenix College, 1202 W. Thomas Road. $15-$25. phoenixmenschorus.org.
Phoenix Chorale, “A Chorale Christmas”: Dec. 14-18. Various venues. $18-$38. 602-253-2224, phoenixchorale.org.
Phoenix Symphony, New Year’s Eve Celebration: 7 p.m. Dec. 31. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. $25-$109. 602-495-1999, phoenixsymphony.org.
'Nutcracker,' dance and spectacle
Center Dance Ensemble, “Snow Queen”: Through Dec. 16. Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix. $14-$28. 602-252-8497, herbergertheater.org, centerdance.com.
Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker”: 7 p.m. Dec. 12. Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $23.50 and up. 602-379-2800, comericatheatre.com.
Ballet Arizona, “The Nutcracker”: Dec. 13-24. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. $33 and up. 602-381-1096, balletaz.org.
Phoenix Ballet, “The Nutcracker”: Dec. 14-23. Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St., Phoenix. $12.50-$85. 602-996-8000, phoenixballet.org.
Plays, musicals and comedy
Phoenix Theatre, “Elf: The Musical”: Through Dec. 30. 100 E. McDowell Road. Demand pricing. 602-254-2151, phoenixtheatre.com.
Space 55 Ensemble, “A Bloody Mary Christmas”: Through Dec. 23. Space 55, 1524 N. 18th Ave., Phoenix. $20. space55.org.
Black Theatre Troupe, “Black Nativity”: Through Dec. 16. Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center, 1333 E. Washington St., Phoenix. $38. 602-258-8129, blacktheatretroupe.org.
All Puppet Players, “Die Hard: A Christmas Story”: Through Dec. 29. Playhouse on the Park, 1850 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. $26; $55 VIP. 602-254-2151, allpuppetplayers.com.
Theater for kids
Valley Youth Theatre, “A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail”: Through Dec. 23. 525 N. First St., Phoenix. $20. 602-253-8188, vyt.com.
Great Arizona Puppet Theater, “The Night Before Christmas”: Through Dec. 23. 302 W. Latham St., Phoenix. $8-$12. 602-262-2050, azpuppets.org.
Skating
CitySkate: Nestled between the Squid Ink restaurant and Urban Outfitters in downtown Phoenix, this family-friendly skate rink is the perfect stop. No matter the occasion, this rink is sure to be budget-friendly and a fun sight. Through Jan. 6. 1 E. Washington St., Phoenix. $15; $30 express pass (available online only), $10 for ages 4-8, military members and seniors. Free for ages 3 and younger. Fee includes skate rental. Call for skate times. 602-772-3900, phxicerink.com.
Breakfast with Santa
Arizona Biltmore: Have brunch with a visit from Santa. 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. $40 per person, free for age 3 and younger. 2400 E. Missouri Ave, Phoenix. 602-954-2572.
Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak: Breakfast buffet features cookie decorating and complimentary pictures with Santa. 9 and 11 a.m. seatings Dec. 15, 16, 22 and 24. $35.95, $21.95 for ages 10 and under. 7677 N. 16th St, Phoenix. 602-997-5850.
Light shows
Illumination: There are activities for the entire family to enjoy, from a Santa Social Sleigh Cam to an obstacle course. You won't want to miss it, and with a second location, you no longer have an excuse. Through Jan. 5. 6-10 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 6-11 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 27701 N. Black Canyon Highway (Interstate 17 and Jomax Road), Phoenix. $29 per vehicle online in advance or $35 at the gate. Limos and buses are $59 online or $65 on site. 480-550-1777, worldofillumination.com.
Zoo Lights: It's the most wonderful time of the year at the Phoenix Zoo, with tons of lights to look at. And, to add to the jolly festivities, the lights look like some of your favorite zoo animals. 5:30-10:30 p.m., Nov. 21-Jan. 13. Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. $12.95-$23.95. phoenixzoo.org/event-items/zoolights.
Las Noches de las Luminarias: The Desert Botanical Garden will be lit up with luminaria bags as guests walk along the pathways and see the lights strewn throughout the garden. There will be live performances and great photo opportunities. 5:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 1-23 and 26-31. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. $34.95-$39.95; $15.95 for children 3-12; free for children younger than 3. dbg.org/events.
Other events
Holiday Tea & Tour at Heritage Square: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dec. 15-16. Heritage Square, 602 E. Adams St., Phoenix. $28-$30. 602-261-8948, heritagesquarephx.org.
Phoestivus Open-Air Market: 5-10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, and Thursday, Dec. 20. Phoenix Public Market, 721 N. Central Ave. Free. 602-625-6736, phoestivus.com.
Snow Week at the Arizona Science Center: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 26, to Tuesday, Jan. 1. Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix. 602-716-2000, azscience.org.
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