There’s nothing like the thrill of a live performance, or a special outing shared with family or close friends. The excitement before a show or event is electric! You might dress up in your holiday finery to go to the theater, pull on boots or sneakers to walk through a winter wonderland, or pile in the car to check out a fancy light show. However you choose to celebrate the season, attending a special event will make it even more memorable!
East Valley Children’s Theatre shows that the magic of Santa is real with its production of “Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus.” Two compelling stories come together in this heartwarming play inspired by the famous editorial. On Christmas Eve 1897, in New York City, 8-year-old Virginia is left pondering whether Santa really exists after a series of unhappy events. At the same time,a young newspaper editor is struggling to keep his job. They don’t know each other, but the spirit of Christmas is about to bring them together. Don’t miss this unforgettable and cherished part of classic Christmas folklore. “Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus,” is a great holiday show for the entire family. Matinee shows are available for large groups of school age children. “Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus” runs Dec. 1–11. For tickets and show times, visit www.evct.org.
The Herberger Theater Center will host its 13th annual Festival of the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Head to the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix for this popular, admission- free event that celebrates the arts in our community. There will be performances by more than 20 local and diverse performing groups, including dance companies and live music. Festivalgoers will also enjoy art demos, hands-on activities for kids, a vendor market, food and more!This year, Childsplay Theatre will open their holiday show, “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” during the festival. There will be $17 all-in tickets, exclusively for festival attendees, for the 4 p.m. show at the Herberger Theater. Childsplay’s production is a musical adaptation of the beloved television special. Enjoy holiday classics like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Holly Jolly Christmas,” and see all of your favorite characters. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” runs 90 minutes and is recommended for ages 5+. For more information about the festival and to see the list of performers, visit www.herbergertheater.org/ festival-of-the-arts/.
Shamrock Farms wishes you and your family a dairy merry Christmas! Celebrate the holidays with the moo-vers and shakers— 10,000 cows that produce the milk for your shakes—at the “Joy to the Herd” event. Meet the herd on a guided tram tour through the farm. Then visit with Santa and Roxie the spokescow, make some holiday crafts, get your face painted and more. The tram tour starts at the big red Welcome Barn, then visits the milking barn, the feed zone, the cow lounge and an interactive play area. “Joy to the Herd” happens Dec. 3 and 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations and prepayment are required. To join the herd for the holidays, visit www.shamrockfarms.net.
Take an enchanted Holiday Train Ride into a snowy Wonderland this season! The Annual Winter Wonderland Express returns to Enchanted Island this December to transport you and your family to the snow filled Enchanted Island—the amusement park brings in 25 tons of snow! Go sledding, play in the holiday-themed bounce structures, take photos at the giant red inflatable chair and more. You can enjoy free candy canes and a cup of hot cocoa at the Santa area, and the Christmas decorations are sure to put you in a happy holiday mood. Keep your eyes peeled for Elves on the Shelves! If you locate all 10 elves in the amusement park, you will be entered to win an annual family pass to the park. The Winter Wonderland Express runs Dec. 10–11 and 17–18 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find pricing and more details at www.enchantedisland.com.
A favorite Valley holiday tradition will be bigger and better this year! ZooLights will be even brighter than usual, with all new animal lanterns, new light displays, and a music and light show that promises to take viewers on a trip around the world. ZooLights will also offer an enhanced Santa experience this holiday season. In addition, entry to ZooLights will include the dino-mite display Dinosaurs in the Desert. Bright lights and big dinos—it’s an experience you don’t want to miss! ZooLights happens Nov. 23 through Jan. 15, 2023. Sensory friendly evenings are offered Nov. 9 and Jan. 9. For more information, visit www.phoenixzoo.org.
Experience holidays the Old West Way at Old Tucson during Yuletide! Bring the whole family to enjoy fun holiday-themed shows like “A Yuletide Christmas Carol,” old-fashioned craft-making in Town Hall, and the nightly Tree Lighting Ceremony. In 1882, electricity is the new wave of the future. On the East Coast, gas lights are being replaced for safer electric lamps. In Tucson, however, electricity is still an experiment. But a new company is bringing electricity to Tucson, and this momentous occasion will be celebrated in Town Square where the main Christmas Tree will be lit with electrical power for the first-time nightly, Thursdays through Sundays at 6:10 p.m. Take a ride on the Christmas Fantasy Train and enjoy traditional snacks and beverages while listening to Yuletide Carolers. In the Town Hall, children will have a chance to write a letter for Santa and place it directly into the mailbox in town. If you’ve been naughty you may want to steer clear of the Krampus Koal Mine—the Krampus is never willing to let Santa have all the fun. If you’ve been nice, Santa and his elves are waiting to greet you in Christmas Cove! Watch the beautiful Sonoran sunset in the desert, take a walk lit by luminaries at the Mission, and end the night with a hayride. For tickets and more information, visit www.yuletideaz.com/.
Bearizona Wildlife Park is open year-round from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with the last car admitted at 4 p.m. Located in the cool Ponderosa Pine forest of Williams, the three-mile drive-through park offers views of animals in their natural habitats. More North American animals are exhibited in Fort Bearizona, a beautiful 20-acre walk-thru area. See bears, bison, bighorn sheep, wolves and more! For more information, visit www.bearizona.com.
Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park is home to Arizona’s largest assortment of exotic animals. The zoo is open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the aquarium is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Lions, tigers and bears are just a few of the animals on hand— there are monkeys, cheetahs, giraffes, penguins, gazelle and so much more! For more information, visit www.wildlifeworld.com .
Lights at the Farm boasts the state’s biggest and best synchronized Christmas light show. Walk through this dazzling, interactive display at Vertuccio Farms this holiday season, then enjoy the many other holiday offerings and fun activities. Check out the skate rink and giant snowman, meet Santa’s reindeer, see the Nativity and giant bubble Christmas tree, visit the petting zoo and much more. There will be games and food, and on weekends you can shop at the Holiday Boutique. Lights at the Farm lights up the night from Nov. 23 through Dec. 30 (closed Dec. 24–25). Things get glowing at 5:30 p.m. each night. Santa will be on hand from 6 to 10 p.m. on Dec. 10, 11 and 16–23. So write up your wish list and head to the farm! For tickets or for more information, visit www.vertucciofarms.com/lights-at-the-farm/.
Kids 14 and under can enter Bear's Holiday Coloring Contest and win tickets to some of these fantastic places. You can print the coloring page at this link: https://bearessentialnews.com/sites/default/files/contests/pdfs/103122p1...
