The Verde Valley is full of holiday events offering festive fun for all ages. Here’s the upcoming lineup for local communities:
Cottonwood
- Cottonwood’s Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting a breakfast and photos with Santa event on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Recreation Center. This free event will offer pancakes, hot cocoa and an opportunity to take photos with Santa.
- The Cottonwood Community Band will be hosting their winter concert on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 3 p.m. at the Phillip England Center for the Performing Arts, located at 210 Camp Lincoln Road in Camp Verde. Admission is free.
- On Friday, Dec. 22, from 5 to 9 p.m., Cottonwood Parks and Recreation will be hosting a parents’ night off kids’ holiday event at the Recreation Center. Registration and fee are required. Kids will have a movie night, food, games and crafts.
- The Science Vortex will be hosting a kids’ night out homemade gifts workshop on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 5 to 8 p.m. for kids ages 5 to 12. The Science Vortex will also be hosting a family holiday STEM workshop on Saturday, Dec. 23, from 3 to 5 p.m. This free event will include gift making, cookie decorating and STEM-themed challenges.
- On Friday, Dec. 15, and Saturday, Dec. 16, Mingus Union High School Theatre 3 and Stagecraft 3 students will be presenting a children’s performance of “Sleeping Beauty” at 6 p.m.
- Mingus Union High School Choir will hold its Winter Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the Mingus auditorium. Songs will include their competition songs, pop songs, Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs. Admission is free.
Camp Verde
- Friends of the Camp Verde Community Library is sponsoring holiday sales at the library, with the proceeds benefiting CVCL. There’s an art sale and Christmas village silent auction on the first floor and a holiday book-tique on the second floor.
- On Friday, Dec. 22, at 1 p.m., the Verde Valley Archaeology Center will be hosting a winter solstice event at the Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site at V-V Historic Ranch. Ken Zoll, VVAC’s director emeritus, will be discussing the solstice at 1:30 p.m. Two solar light daggers will appear on the petroglyph. The site is located at 6750 Forest Service Road 618 in Rimrock. A parking fee or Red Rock pass is required.
Jerome
- On Saturday, Dec. 16, at 6 p.m., the town of Jerome will be hosting a luau themed Christmas party and potluck dinner at Spook Hall. A DJ will be entertaining.
