’Tis the season! This Christmas season brings plenty of events for families to enjoy across the Verde Valley.
- The Sedona Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for the beginning of its holiday celebrations with the annual Sedona Christmas tree lighting and visit from Santa on Friday, Dec. 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. Sedona Mayor Sandy Moriarty will count down and light the 26-foot traditional Christmas tree.
- Tlaquepaque will also be hosting the Festival of Lights later in the month, as well as a menorah for Hanukkah, which began on Nov. 28.
- Cottonwood will also be hosting the city’s 67th annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 4. Beginning at 11 a.m. at the Verde Valley Fairgrounds, the parade will travel east on Cherry Street and continue north to Old Town Cottonwood.
The Mingus Union High School drumline is set to perform at the event. Besides the regular parade of cars, fire trucks and tractors, the event will also feature dogs, horses, lambs and even pigs. - At 6 p.m., Mayor Tim Elinski and the Cottonwood Town Council will do the tree lighting ceremony in front of the Cottonwood Community Clubhouse.
The Christmas tree atop the clubhouse, the lights and music will be officially turned on to ring in the Christmas season. - On Saturday, Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Camp Verde is bringing back the Christmas Craft Bazaar after cancellations last year due to COVID-19.It will be held inside and outside at the Community Center Gym.
This annual free event is a great way to find handcrafted Christmas presents as well as see the community light parade. - On the same day at 6 p.m., the annual Christmas Parade of Lights will commence on Main Street in downtown Camp Verde. Businesses and residents will have decorated vehicles parading down the street; in past years people have decorated their vehicles with Christmas lights for the parade.
Santa is scheduled to arrive on his sleigh, and kids can meet him after the parade in the Community Center Gym. - “Dear Santa, I can explain!” will feature the Zenprov Comedy Troupe on Saturday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. Part of the show at the Old Town Center for the Arts will be the “Isle of Misfit Toys,” where the troupe will take on characteristics of neurotic toys coping with low self-esteem on their journey to find self-love.
