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 Holiday Celebrations In Arizona

A special Tucson tradition is El Nacimiento which is on display in La Casa Cordova at the Tucson Museum of Art.  El Nacimiento means The Birth and is a traditional Mexican nativity scene.  For centuries, joyful and colorful Christmas celebrations of Mexican families have centered around Nacimiento displays in their homes.

This annual exhibition is an elaborate and very special version of cultural inheritance.  An intricate arrangement of hundreds of miniature figures combines the symbolism of the Spanish Colonial Catholic Church with the simplicity and faith of everyday existence in rural Mexico. Some of the scenes are from the Christmas story in the Bible; others show traditional Mexican village life with an accuracy that extends to the tiny replicas of kitchen utensils in country dwellings. The glow of a myriad of tiny lights binds the multifaceted collection of scenes into a magical fantasy world.

Truly a labor of love, the installation of this beautiful Christmas vision is done by a devoted daughter in memory of her mother.   Maria Luisa Tena spends months each year preparing and arranging the Nacimiento.  Her dedication to her mother's memory is the reason this age-old Mexican family custom is preserved and shared.  It has been delighting visitors since 1978. 

               JUDI MONDAY, CRS         

520-241-7780

Holiday Celebrations In Arizona

Each year during the holiday season the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, AZ shines brightly with  thousands of luminarias lining the paths of this extraordinary desert garden to celebrate Las Noches de las Luminarias (Night Of The Luminaries).   Dispelling the myth that deserts are barren and inhospitable places, the Desert Botantical Garden offers 50 acres of the desert's greatest specimens including unexpected blooms in every color of the rainbow.  And while many of the desert plants go dormant in the winter, this desert mecca glows brightly this time of the year.

One of the Valley’s best holiday events comes to life at the Garden with more than 8,000 hand-lit luminarias that you can enjoy during one of the 22 nights in December that they'll be available for your viewing pleasure, including dates between Christmas and New Year's Eve.  Nightly entertainment includes jazz bands, mariachi bands, violin, handbell choirs, percussion, flamenco guitar, and more.  Carolers add to the festive spirit with songs of the season.

Be sure to explore the Garden's newest exhibition. David Rogers' Big Bugs sculptures which will be on display throughout the Garden nightly.  These 11 whimsical and enormous bugs are sure to create quite a buzz this holiday season.  Buy your tickets online for this seasonal favorite.

                JUDI MONDAY, CRS         

520-241-7780

Holiday Celebrations In Arizona

Arizona Celebration of Lights  in Phoenix, AZ is the area's largest Christmas light show.   It is a "drive through" experience that features more than seven million lights and hundreds of individual light displays. 

A mere one mile stretch that will shine brightly in your mind long after you've driven away.   There are animated and still displays along with tunnels and arches. 

After finishing the memorable drive through the brightly shining lights, visit the festive Santa's Village for a body warming cup of hot chocolate, photos with Santa, a computerized light show and much more.  Order your tickets now online.

              JUDI MONDAY, CRS         

520-241-7780

 Holiday Celebrations In Arizona

Savor the holiday magic of Tohono Chul Park on December 2 and 3 when 750,000 lights transform it into a winter wonderland that includes a special desert snowman.  This family event is a treasured Tucson tradition that shouldn't be missed.

Stroll the Park's paths with a glass of wine or hot cider while reveling in the lights, music and holiday cheer.  It's a perfect spot to do some holiday shopping and participate in the Park's Ornament Show. 

The annual ornament show represents a circle of giving that begins with regional artists who donate exquisitely unique hand-crafted ornaments and holiday decorations that are put on display and offered for sale to benefit the Park.  The funds raised through Holiday for the Park help to fulfill their mission to provide a unique place where people can enjoy the beauty of the Sonoran Desert and learn about its natural, artistic and cultural heritage.

Featured performers for this 2 night event include Way Out West, Gabriel Ayala and the Southern Arizona Women's Choir. 

As one of the world’s 10 best botanical gardens (as rated by Travel + Leisure magazine) Tohono Chul Park enables visitors to immerse themselves in nature, art and culture through desert trails, themed gardens, vibrant art and cultural exhibits, eclectic shops and inspiring classes. Originally a family residence, for the past 25 years the Park has enriched the lives of Tucsonans and visitors by providing them the opportunity to find peace, inspiration and knowledge in this desert corner oasis.

             JUDI MONDAY, CRS         

520-241-7780

 Holiday Celebrations In Arizona

Fiesta Feliz is an educational dance and music spectacular!  Journey with  Tio Vicente, from Puppet Mukik , through holiday traditions of the United States and Mexico.   Loved by young and old alike you don't want to miss the 11th Annual production that celebrates, through music and dance, cherished holiday customs. 

Be sure to make plans to attend this special event on December 2, 2011 at the Fox Theatre in downtown Tucson, Arizona.  Buy your tickets online.

               JUDI MONDAY, CRS         

520-241-7780

 Holiday Celebrations In Arizona

Take a walk on the wild side through the Phoenix Zoo that has been transformed into Wildlife In Wild Lights.   This magical event features 3.5 million twinkling, dancing lights making it one of the largest holiday lights shows in the country. 

ZooLights has are more than 600 glimmering light sculptures.  Although animal viewing is limited as most of the animals are sleeping, you will see zebra, otter, flamingos, watusi cattle and others in the animal kingdom that have more nocturnal habits.   As for the rest, you'll definitely see many of their likenesses lit up for your viewing enjoyment. 

ZooLights has gone green using LED (light-emitting diode) lights that consume far less energy than standard light bulbs.  They also require less energy to manufacture, thereby reducing their environmental impact even further.  The millions of lights are powered by SRP EarthWise Energy, a more environmentally friendly way to produce electricity. EarthWise Energy helps keep our Valley clean by producing energy from sun, wind, the earth’s heat and flowing water in our canals.

Among the many features of this spectacular light show are: 

• Gigantic new 3D praying mantis
• Life-size unicorn under a rainbow near Orang-Hutan
• Giant light display shining on the butte behind the African Savanna
• 24 foot diameter lighted sphere floating on the lake
• Life size, 3D lion (great photo opportunity!)
• Stunning Music in Motion dancing tree show
• Live animal presentation
• Carousel and camel rides* (*Fees apply)

Jengo the giraffe is one of the animals that likes staying up late and can't wait to see his many friends enjoying Wildlife in Wild Lights.  Each ticket purchase for ZooLights helps the Phoenix Zoo fund their educational programs, conservation projects and feed the animals.

You can purchase your tickets online for this memorable holiday event.

                JUDI MONDAY, CRS         

520-241-7780

 Holiday Celebrations In Arizona

What is synonymous with holiday fun on Thanksgiving weekend in the Valley of the Sun?  It is the Glendale Glitters Spectacular.  More than 1.5 million light illuminate the 16 block Historic Downtown area of Glendale during this FREE event that attracts thousands of visitors. 

Named Critics' Choice for the Best Festival in the Valley in 2008 by azcentral.com, this well loved celebration features hand-crafted holiday gifts, entertainment, horse drawn carriages, a children's winter wonderland and much, much more.

Arizona is a mecca for the very best holiday celebrations with events planned throughout the State between now and early January.  Check back to this website often for detailed information on the many celebrations and festivals or click here for a detailed calendar of what's coming up.  

                 JUDI MONDAY, CRS         

520-241-7780

 Holiday Celebrations In Arizona

A unique holiday experience you don't want to miss is Tubac, Arizona's annual Luminaria Nights~Fiesta de Navidad on December 2 and 3.   Hundred of visitors flock to this quaint artists' colony during the 2 night event to bask in the flickering light of  hundreds of candle-fueled luminarias that line the village streets. 

This event honors the tradition of giving with free entertainment that includes caroling, roving musicians, live reindeer and refreshments at many of the shops.  Enjoy Christmas shopping in a non traditional environment and the special feeling that comes with giving family and friends one of a kind gifts, many of which can't be found anywhere else. 

Tubac, Arizona named by American Style Magazine as a Top 25 Arts Destination for U.S. “Small Cities and Towns,” is home to numerous art galleries and local shops selling unique American and Southwestern goods.  The town's motto of "Where Art and History Meet" can be experienced through the art galleries, locally owned shops and businesses that line Tubac’s streets, giving the town its walk-able, friendly feel. Local restaurants cater to tourists and residents alike with options for every budget and taste.

Nestled within the scenic high desert vistas of Santa Cruz County, the small town is just short drive south of Green Valley. Warm temperatures year round and a thriving local community in close proximity to a major city ensure Tubac, Arizona real estate is always in demand.

                 JUDI MONDAY, CRS         

520-241-7780

 Holiday Celebrations In Arizona

A cherished tradition that I shared with my family was bundling up in hats, gloves and coats and heading out to find our very own "perfect" Christmas Tree growing in the wild.  Of course those were the days when we were less conscious about our ecological footprint. 

Today things are done a bit differently to protect our natural resources but that doesn't mean you can't be one of the lucky ones to enjoy what for many of us, is a family tradition of harvesting your own Christmas Tree.  In Arizona you must have a permit to cut a Christmas Tree. 

Permits went on sale beginning on October 15 at the Big Five Sporting Goods stores for a cost of $15.  Additionally some Forest Service offices will sell over-the-counter Christmas Tree permits beginning in mid-November, 2011.   Contact the National Forest Service for information on which offices are selling permits:

• Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (928) 333-6200 
• Coconino National Forest (928) 527-3600
• Kaibab National Forest (928) 635-5600
• Prescott National Forest (928) 443-8000

General Rules for Christmas tree permits

• Each Christmas tree permit is $15.
• One Christmas tree permit allowed per household — for individual use only.
• Trees must be cut in designated cutting-areas.
• Trees may be cut between November 19 and December 25
• There are no refunds on Christmas tree permits

Each permit is for a specified cutting area on a National Forest, and some cutting areas offer a very limited number of permits and may sell out quickly.  Christmas tree permit seekers are encouraged to view the matrix for the status of remaining permits by vendor and cutting area, and to view maps of the location of each cutting area.

                 JUDI MONDAY, CRS         

520-241-7780

Arizona's Centennial Celebration

#6 of 100 Things To See & Do In Arizona

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument celebrates the raw, unspoiled Sonoran Desert.   The park is the only place in the United States where the Organ Pipe Cactus grows wild. Along with Organ Pipe, many other types of cacti, as well as other desert flora native to the Yuma Desert section of the Sonoran Desert region grow here.

You'll definitely want to put this National Park on your list of things to see and do in Arizona as it is a beautiful preservation of the American Southwest.   Within the 500 square miles of desert wilderness, filled with plants; animals; dramatic mountains; and plains scenery, are three unique desert habitats.  Among the extraordinary collection of plants of the Sonoran Desert, is the Organ Pipe Cactus, a large cactus rarely found in the United States.

The 21 mile, mostly gravely Ajo Mountain Drive is suitable for both cars and bikes.  The Bull Pasture-Estes Canyon loop hike, a moderate 4.1 miles, is thick with the park's namesake cactus as well as saguaros and other desert plants. 

If you've wondered why the Organ and Saguaro cacti don't grow in all the American deserts or how the Sonoran Desert is different from others, then be sure to join one of the park's  free interpretive programs.  To extend your Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument visit, spend the night at the Twin Peaks Campground for an unforgettable experience under the stars on a black desert night. 

                 JUDI MONDAY, CRS         

520-241-7780