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Things to Do in the Valley – Dec. 5-11

Posted 12/2/19

Below are entertainment options around the Valley for the week of Dec. 5-11.

Event details are subject to change.

Visit newsroom.visitarizona.com/events.

Dec. 5 - PHOENIX: Moscow …

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Things to Do in the Valley – Dec. 5-11

Posted

Below are entertainment options around the Valley for the week of Dec. 5-11.

Event details are subject to change.

Visit newsroom.visitarizona.com/events.

Dec. 5 - PHOENIX: Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker – Comerica Theatre. https://www.livenation.com

Dec. 5-15 - ANTHEM: The Little Mermaid Jr. – Musical Theatre of Anthem. Journey "under the sea" with Ariel and her aquatic friends. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's stories. An enchanting look at the sacrifices we all make for love and acceptance. The young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home – and fins – behind and live in the world above. But first, she'll have to defy her father, make a deal with the evil sea witch, and convince the handsome Prince Eric that she's the girl whose enchanting voice he's been seeking. $13-19. 623-336-6001 or http://www.musicaltheatreofanthem.org/index.html

Dec. 6 - PHOENIX: Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley – The MIM Music Theater. Bluegrass. $33.50-43.50. 7:30 p.m. https://mim.org/upcoming-events/?tribe_event_display=month&date=2019-12

Dec. 6 - SCOTTSDALE: 9th Annual Home for the Holidays – ASU Kerr Center. Jazz Day AZ Productions co-presents Nayo Jones, a spirited young veteran of legendary events such as French Quarter Fest and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. She shares her sultry jazz, soul, funk and rhythm and blues selections in this very special intimate performance. When she’s not performing solo, she performs with trumpeter Kermit Ruffins. Lovers of Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Natalie Cole will find lots to love in this rising star’s powerful voice. $25-35. 602-524-7998 or http://events.jazzdayaz.com

Dec. 6-7 - WICKENBURG: 31st Annual Cowboy Christmas Poetry Gathering - Community Center & Desert Caballeros Western Museum. The gathering is not a contest - there are no prizes and no winners. It is a place and time when cowboys, ranchers and folks involved in raising and caring for cattle and horses get together to celebrate the present in poetry, songs and story, just as they did over 145 years ago. 928-684-5479 or https://outwickenburgway.com

Dec. 6-8 - PHOENIX: Bandstand – Orpheum Theatre. The Tony-Winning Broadway musical that explodes with the most high-octane, heart-stopping and best dancing on stage today. https://phoenix.ticketforce.com

Dec. 6-8 - SCOTTSDALE: International Off-Road & UTV Expo – WestWorld of Scottsdale. Arizona's original and largest Off-Road & UTV Expo featuring over 200 exhibitors, demos, seminars, and industry leaders from around the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Showcase of toy haulers, travel trailers, and trailers, and a new Overland section. This show has something for everyone that loves the outdoors, off-roading, camping, going to the dunes, overloading, or just wants to see amazing off-road displays, and vehicles. Kids under 12 are always free. $20. 480-899-6458 or http://offroadutvexpo.com

Dec. 6-8 - TEMPE: 51st Annual Fall Festival of the Arts - Downtown Tempe. Largest arts & crafts festival in the Southwest; 450 national artists & craftspeople with original work, The Arizona Wine Festival, the Kids Innovation Station presented by APS with hands-on activities and performances, special cottage edibles and crafts area, music and street entertainment. Free. 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 480-967-4877 or https://www.tempefestivalofthearts.com

Dec. 6-21 - GILBERT: Riparian After Dark - The Riparian Preserve comes alive with a holiday glow! Stroll around the candle-lit trail at with hundreds of luminaries as well as numerous festive light displays. A rare opportunity for those who appreciate nature to experience the thrill of nighttime at the preserve. Also features a variety of school choirs, carolers and other live holiday entertainment. Fridays and Saturdays, 5:30-9 p.m. https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/special-events-and-permits/riparian-after-dark  

Dec. 6-22 - PHOENIX: Black Nativity – Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center. Last season’s sold out, legendary holiday event by Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes, returns to the BTT stage for a special engagement. This stunning new production of Black Nativity is without a doubt a theatrical wonderment. 602-258-8129 or http://new-wp.blacktheatretroupe.org

Dec. 6-23 - PHOENIX: A Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tail – Valley Youth Theatre. Valley Youth Theatre’s annual presentation of A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail has become a holiday tradition for generations of Phoenix families. Now in its 24th year, this live-on-stage musical adventure reminds all of us about the importance of caring, sharing and cultivating friends. And, with a cast of local performers, ages 8 and 17, it’s guaranteed to be a fun and festive sing-along show for the entire family! $20. 602-253-8188 or https://www.vyt.com

Dec. 7 - AVONDALE: Winterfest – Avondale City Hall. Celebrate the holidays at City Hall with snow, kids crafts, live entertainment, food vendors, and Mr. & Mrs. Claus will flip the switch to light up the festival! 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. https://www.avondaleaz.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/4513/20

Dec. 7 - CHANDLER: 61st Annual Tumbleweed Tree Lighting & Parade of Lights - A.J. Chandler Park. Join us in celebrating a unique Southwestern tradition that draws visitors from far and wide. This community festival also includes the Parade of Lights at 6:45 pm. This year marks the 61st Tumbleweed Tree built in Downtown Chandler. 4:30 p.m. https://www.chandleraz.gov/explore/special-events/signature-events/tumbleweed-tree-lighting-ceremony  

Dec. 7 - GILBERT: Breakfast with Santa – HD South- Gilbert Historical Museum. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making their 3rd annual visit to HD SOUTH and you won’t want to miss out on all the fun! Kids will have the opportunity to decorate cookies, help decorate a gingerbread house, listen to stories, make an ornament and of course get a picture with Santa himself! Breakfast is included. $15. 8:30-11 a.m. Preregister https://hdsouth.org

Dec. 7 - GLENDALE: Jingle Bell Hike to Santa – Thunderbird Conservation Park. Children can take part in a hands-on jingle bell craft so they can jingle their way up the trail. Parents and kids will make their way along to find Santa Claus at the end of the hike! Water provided at the trailhead, plus a light snack afterward. All children must be accompanied by an adult to participate in the hike. This is a moderate hike; trail/hiking guidelines are available on our website. Bring your camera to take photos with Santa. Free. 9 a.m. https://www.glendaleaz.com/play/parks_and_recreation.

Dec. 7 - MESA: Good Tidings We Bring – First United Methodist Church. The Sonoran Desert celebrates the festive season with the Sonoran Desert Chorale, joined by organ and brass! Enjoy the Rutter Gloria and traditional carol harmonies.7:30 p.m. $15-20. 480-305-4538 or https://sonorandesertchorale.org

Dec. 7 - MESA: DT Mesa Fest (Downtown Mesa Festival of the Arts) – A free event featuring unique artistic creations, music, food and fun for the whole family. Features the work of established and emerging artists. Music provided by Street Duo. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. https://dtmesafest.com/index.html

Dec. 7 - PHOENIX: 3rd Annual Vow to Drive Sober 5K/1 Mile Run/Walk/Wheel - Chase Field. To recognize National Impaired Driving Prevention Month & educate the public about planning ahead for a safe ride home before attending events where alcohol is served. An expo with vendors associated with DUI Task Force, State Troopers, etc. Inflatable basketball, football and other games, food vendors, coffee vendors and more! 7:30-11:30 a.m. 602-619-5558 or https://vtdsrun.phxfr.org

Dec. 7 - PHOENIX: Katie Thiroux and Ken Peplowski – The Nash. One of the top clarinetists in jazz, Peplowski cut his chops with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, studied with Sonny Stitt and then joined Benny Goodman, when he emerged from retirement to form a new band. Katie Thiroux is a triple-threat talent on bass, vocals and as a composer with her sultry vocals and virtuosic bass playing leaves audiences worldwide in awe. 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. $31-46.  Students: $16. https://thenash.org

Dec. 7 - PHOENIX: Joe Rogan – Comerica Theatre. https://www.livenation.com

Dec. 7 - PHOENIX: 33rd Annual APS Electric Light Parade: Walking in a Desert Wonderland – The APS Electric Light Parade has long been an event where families, neighborhood groups and businesses from across the city come together and spread the joy of the holidays to more than 100,000 spectators. The parade begins on Central Avenue & Montebello and ends at 7th Street and Indian School. All entries lined with electric lights, from floats, to marching bands, performance groups, car groups and families. Free. 7 p.m. 602-262-6437 or https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/elp

Dec. 7 - PHOENIX: World Bazaar PHX - Returns with more culture, cuisine, and community than ever! Experience over 60 different vendors selling food, art, and homemade goods from around the world. Enjoy live music and dance performances from Africa, Asia, and Latin America with new and returning acts! Join us for a one of a kind experience you can't have anywhere else. Free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 602-433-2440 or https://www.facebook.com/events/490927315050494

Dec. 7 - PHOENIX: Canadian Brass: Christmas Time is Here – The MIM Music Theater. Holiday. $43.50-63.50. 7:30 p.m. https://mim.org/upcoming-events/?tribe_event_display=month&date=2019-12

Dec. 7 - PHOENIX: Festival of Tales by Fiesta Bowl Charities – Paradise Valley Community College. A fun-filled family event promoting reading and literacy that features dozens of free children’s activities, including face-painting, arts and crafts, music and much more! Paradise Valley Community College students will also host “Art of Storytelling” sessions, which introduces children to the magic of storytelling. Free but advance registration is requested. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. https://www.paradisevalley.edu/academics/fine-and-performing-arts/festival-tales

Dec. 7 - QUEEN CREEK: 37th Annual Queen Creek Holiday Festival & Parade - Features carnival rides, live entertainment, food and beverage stations, commercial vendors, free photos with Santa, a tree lighting ceremony and of course the community parade. https://queencreekparade.org

Dec. 7 - SUN CITY WEST: Annual Holiday Cookie Walk and Bake Sale - Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Catholic Daughters’ Court #2278 is holding its Holiday Cookie Walk and Bake Sale in Madonna Hall. Visitors are welcome to walk around and make selections from yummy homemade cookies and will also feature fresh baked goods, cakes, candies and much more! Just think, all the goodies you’d like for holiday entertaining in one easy stop.  Free. 2-6 p.m. 623-322-4139

Dec. 7-8 - CAVE CREEK: 11th Annual Christkindlmarket – Frontier Town. Cherished German and Austrian traditions with holiday entertainment, German and Polish cuisine, vendors and local artisans selling merchandise like candles and Christmas ornaments, and activities and entertainment for the whole family!  Free. Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. http://www.ac4gc.org/events/christkindlmarkt.html

Dec. 7-8 - MESA: 27th Annual "It's Feline a Lot Like Christmas" – Mesa Convention Center. All breed championship/ household pet/Feline agility. There are usual 200+ cats competing and 50 cats for adoption through our rescue. Lots of vendors, fun contests and awesome new family members to adopt. Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 623-217-4205 or http://www.phxfeline.com

Dec. 7-8 - MESA: See Trains in the Garden Open House Tours – Celebrating the holidays with several homes and a children’s medical center with G-scale garden railroads on display. See maps, photos and videos on ABTO website. Donations are accepted. 5:30-8:30 p.m. 610-256-1121 or http://azbigtrains.org

Dec. 7-8 - PHOENIX: Grapes on the Grotto - A Willcox Wine Country Festival – Arizona Center. Willcox Wine Country and the Arizona Center have teamed up to bring Arizona Wine to the downtown Phoenix community. The festival will feature more than a dozen Willcox and Arizona Wineries, 40+ craft, art and specialty vendors, live music and a wine festival bistro. $15. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. http://willcoxwinecountry

Dec. 7-8 - PHOENIX: 18th Annual Tamale Festival - Cesar Chavez Plaza. Taste and buy a wide selection of savory and sweet homemade tamales, as well as tamale flavors available at Food City. Also live mariachis, ballet folklorico dancers, and other musical entertainment, vendor booths with jewelry, arts and crafts and more. Tamale-makers from local faith-based groups sell tamales to fundraise for their organization. Food City also sells tamales, menudo, carne asada burritos, durros, aguas frescas and champurrado (Mexican hot chocolate). 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Dec. 7-8 - PHOENIX: 35th Annual F.Q. Story Historic Home Tour & Holiday Street Fair - Tour charming historic homes decorated for the holidays, set in one of Phoenix’s oldest and most desirable neighborhoods. December 7 features luminaria lit sidewalks and a festively decorated neighborhood, coffee, hot chocolate, carolers.  December 8 tour (11am-4pm) features 8-10 historic homes and a Street Fair with food, vendors, music and more. $15-20. https://www.fqstoryhometour.org

Dec. 7-29 - PHOENIX: Ella Enchanted The Musical – Herberger Theatre. Childsplay brings the charming musical, based on the Newbery-honor book and popularized by the major motion picture starring Anne Hathaway. It is a retelling of the Cinderella fairytale but with an empowering message for girls. $12-30. Saturdays and Sundays. https://www.childsplayaz.org

Dec. 8 - MESA: La Casa de Cristo – Lutheran Church. Free. Celebrate the festive season with the Sonoran Desert Chorale, joined by organ and brass! Enjoy the Rutter Gloria and traditional carol harmonies and beautiful melodies. 7:30 p.m. 480-797-3111

Dec. 8 - PHOENIX: Gypsy Soul – The MIM Music Theater. Singer-songwriter. $38.50-48.50. 7 pm. https://mim.org/upcoming-events/?tribe_event_display=month&date=2019-12

Dec. 8 - SCOTTSDALE: Good Tidings We Bring – La Casa De Cristo Lutheran Church. The Sonoran Desert celebrates the festive season with the Sonoran Desert Chorale, joined by organ and brass! Enjoy the Rutter Gloria and traditional carol harmonies. 3 p.m. $15-20. 480-305-4538 or https://sonorandesertchorale.org

Dec. 9 - PHOENIX: The Steel Wheels – The MIM Music Theater. Americana and folk. $33.50-43.50. 7 p.m. https://mim.org/upcoming-events/?tribe_event_display=month&date=2019-12

Dec. 10 - PHOENIX: Jonas Brothers: Happiness Begins Tour – Talking Stick Resort Arena. https://www.livenation.com

Dec. 10 - PHOENIX: David Benoit: A Charlie Brown Christmas – The MIM Music Theater. Holiday. $53.50-73.50. 7 p.m. https://mim.org/upcoming-events/?tribe_event_display=month&date=2019-12

Dec. 10 - PHOENIX: Rob Thomas – The Van Buren. With Daughtry and Stephen Puth. https://www.livenation.com