In the spirit of the holiday season about to commence, downtown Phoenix and Tempe have plenty of fun events going on over the next couple of weeks.
Hotel San Carlos Tour (Downtown Phoenix) Starting Nov. 22, the Hotel San Carlos in downtown Phoenix is giving ghost tours of the haunted spots around the hotel. Guests are led by tour guides and may bring their phones or cameras to catch some spooky action on tape. The guides tell the stories of how the places became haunted while dishing out interesting tidbits about the hotel. The cost of entry is $13.
Thanksgivukkah (Downtown Phoenix) At the Crescent Ballroom in downtown Phoenix, there will be a huge celebration of two major holidays on Nov. 28. In this once-in-a-lifetime convergence of events, the Crescent Ballroom is saying, "... rather than choose between which holiday to celebrate, we are saying — more please, to both." This event is free with drink specials all night long. Phoenix Flea (Downtown Phoenix) Phoenix Flea is an event created to showcase local artists and entrepreneurs and to raise support for Phoenix-area nonprofit organizations and various charities. This is a community event that incorporates local vendors, designers and artisans and showcases repurposed furniture, vintage clothing and collectibles, as well as unique jewelry, art, crafts and delicious food. This event is free and takes place on Nov. 30. Ballet and Friends Presents The Nutcracker (Downtown Phoenix) Starting Nov. 29 through Dec. 1, "The Nutcracker," a beloved and timeless Christmas tale, will be running at The Orpheum Theater. This play embodies the spirit of the season with its impeccable choreography and world-renowned ballet artists. Entrance to this event is $40, but it's something students must experience in their lifetime and is well worth the price.
CitySkate Holiday Ice Rink (Downtown Phoenix) Nov. 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. CityScape Phoenix is celebrating the winter season with the opening of the valley's largest real ice rink. The rink will be located in the middle of Central Avenue and will run until Jan. 14. The cost of admission for skating is $12 per person and includes skate rental. Tempe Fantasy of Lights Opening Parade (Tempe) Enjoy all the beauty of the holiday season amid the glittering lights on the Mill Avenue District on Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. The 19th annual parade will include as many as 40 units to celebrate the arrival of Santa Claus. The parade will proceed down Mill Avenue from 3rd Street and turns on 7th Street through Centerpoint Plaza. At the conclusion of the parade, a festive tree will be waiting to be ceremoniously lit. In this free event where all are welcome, one can begin to get into the true holiday spirit and enjoy themselves in wholesome fun. Las Noches de las Luminarias (Tempe) Running from Nov. 29 through Dec. 31, this spectacle of lights at the Desert Botanical Garden is a beautiful way to spend an evening. One of the biggest events in the Valley returns this year, bigger and better than ever, with musical entertainment, delicious food and 8,000 hand-lit luminarias. Guests will also get the to experience the extraordinary works of art of Dale Chihuly. The exhibit, "Chihuly in the Garden," features 19 installations that will be lit during the evening hours. Tickets for this beautiful event are on sale online for $30. Free Ice Skating at Tempe Marketplace (Tempe) Tempe Marketplace is holding free ice skating from Nov. 29 through Dec. 1 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. near The District stage. People will be provided with skates and only are required to bring socks. Tempe Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade (Tempe) Saturday, Dec. 14, starting at 5 p.m., the annual Tempe Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade at Tempe Town Lake will begin. Get yourself in the holiday spirit and be dazzled by the spectacle that is the Valley's most unique holiday event presented by SRP. The Boat Parade will feature as many as 50 festively lighted boats of all sizes. After dark, more than one thousand luminarias will illuminate the sidewalks and paths of Tempe Beach Park, providing spectators with an evening of fun. Santa Claus also makes a guest appearance at the Beach Park for families and children to have their pictures taken. This event is fun for all and completely free to the public.
37th Annual Indian Market at Pueblo Grande Museum (Tempe)
Dec. 14 through the 15 at Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park there will be the Annual Indian Market where gates will open at 9 a.m. both days and tickets are only $5 per person. This is the perfect place to go for last-minute holiday shopping and a different kind of holiday entertainment. The Indian Market will feature exemplary traditional and contemporary American Indian music and dance styles, where the audience can enjoy performances by local arts groups and Grammy-nominated entertainer Radmilla Cody. Along with these performances, there will also be a Native American fashion show by local Native designers with other artist demonstrators throughout the market.
Reach the reporter at Alexa.Dangelo@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter at @alexa_dangelo
