Celebrate the holidays in Scottsdale with these 10 great events.
Delight in an evergreen paradise at Desert Ridge Marketplace's Ember Lounge.
Pawlidays at Royal Palms Resort & Spa
Don’t leave your furry friends out of the holiday fun. Instead, bring them to Pawlidays at the Royal Palms Resort & Spa featuring special treats from Tugs & Tails, festive sips for pups and humans alike, and professional holiday photos with Santa Paws with a $10 donation to the Arizona Humane Society. Dec. 12
12th Annual Ignite Hope Candlelight Celebration
Bring hope and light to the patients at Phoenix Children’s Thomas Campus. The night begins at North High School with a fun-filled holiday festival—think photos with Santa, myriad kid’s activities and plenty of festive food. Guests will then walk with candles to the hospital to light up the night, raising awareness and funds. Dec. 9
Desert Ridge Marketplace Ember Lounge
Head to Desert Ridge Marketplace’s District Dome, a 50-foot spherical enclosure, for a fabulous immersive experience. The Ember Lounge is a unique immersive experience, transporting guests into a mystical evergreen forest with a 90-minute high-definition projection show, artisanal bites and tasty themed cocktails. Through Dec. 31
Raise your paddles at the 15th annual Festival of Trees at Southwest Center. Bid on a variety of holiday trees, wreaths and menorahs, including the highly sought-after Travel Tree which comes with a seven-night all-inclusive Mediterranean cruise. Tunes by the Phoenix Gay Men’s Chorus will provide plenty of entertainment, while complimentary bites and a cash bar round out the culinary offerings. Dec. 2
Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Ring in the holiday season with the famous Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Footprint Center in Phoenix. Two showings (an evening and a matinee) will feature the best of TSO and more beloved Christmas classics. Dec. 3
Ballet Arizona teams up with the Phoenix Symphony for a live performance of the childhood classic, The Nutcracker. Ib Andersen’s expert choreography brings the story to life, from mischievous mice to Sugar Plum Fairies. Dec. 8-24
Jane Lynch’s A Swingin’ Little Christmas
Join funny woman Jane Lynch and her hilarious friends for a knee-slapping holiday spectacular. Special guests include The Office’s Kate Flannery, Tim Davis and The Tony Guerrero Quintet. Dec. 14
Cirque du Soleil: ’Twas the Night Before
Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever holiday show is expected to dazzle and awe. Based on the holiday poem “A Visit from Saint Nicolas” by Clement Clarke Moore, the show combines thrilling acrobatics and a soundtrack of reinvented holiday favorites. Dec. 23
Jazz up the holidays with Canadian Brass’ Making Spirits Bright concert. The brass quintet will perform a variety of Christmas classics, like “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “Carol of the Bells.” Dec. 15
Jose Hernandez’ Merry-Achi Christmas
Jose Hernandez and his band, Mariachi Sol de Mexico, bring the spice to the season. Enjoy treasured holiday tunes and mariachi favorites at this feel-good fiesta. Dec. 16
Photography by: COURTESY OF DESERT RIDGE MARKETPLACE
