The holiday season is here, with businesses, nonprofits, lounges, restaurants, and more hosting festive events and charitable initiatives to bring communities together. From light displays to Santa sightings to volunteer opportunities and everything in between, December offers something for everyone. Below are just a few events to make sure your calendar is packed!
EVENTS
December 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. will see Downtown Phoenix transforming into a holiday storybook setting during Winter Wanderland. Multiple locations, such as the Renaissance Hotel, Herberger Theater Center, Arizona Center and more will participate in this free, family-friendly event, offering holiday performances like aerial arts to a marching band, a special guest performance by the Golden Grannies, and more throughout the walkable Downtown core.
This event will take place at Scottsdale Fashion Square from December 6-7 and feature a blend of fitness, fun, and scenic views from the Purple Garage rooftop. A key highlight is the inaugural Paddle Battle Pickleball Clinic, presented by Silver Lining Wealth Advisors, which benefits the HonorHealth Foundation and will help players enhance skills while learning injury prevention techniques. Other activities include pop-up fitness classes, product demos, food and beverage sampling, and raffles. Tickets for the clinic start at $100, with options for VIP access and exclusive perks. The event will support HonorHealth’s new Sports Medicine Hub, which promotes healthy living and affordable healthcare.
Sunny’s Lounge Say Less transforms into a cheeky and over-the-top holiday pop-up where kitsch meets class, and every corner holds a surprise. Until January 3, guests will find Christmas trees dripping in tinsel, a Griswold-inspired scene filled with dazzling lights, and an extravagant handmade Santa throne. The cocktail menu features creative drinks like Let It Snow! Tinytini, Naughty AF O.F., and Frozen Dulce de Leche.
On December 13, Sentient Tattoo Collective is hosting a celebration that brings together classic cars, custom tattoos, and a heartfelt mission to support homeless pets during the holidays. Attendees can get an exclusive $130 flash tattoo with 50 percent of proceeds donated to Lost Our Home Pet Rescue; check out 100+ classic and future-classic cars, including 13 “LUCKY” featured vehicles and support pets in need by selecting a wish from the Giving Tree or contributing to the rescue’s holiday fund.
On December 7 from 12 to 3 p.m., enjoy shopping with your pets at Scottsdale Quarter, including an ugly sweater contest and an adoption event. Later that day, from 5 to 7 p.m., participate in the Fill Santa’s Sleigh Toy Drive, benefiting The Foster Alliance and McDowell Mountain Music Festival, with live music and photos with Santa. Through Tuesday, Dec. 24, families can visit Santa for photos at Scottsdale Quarter, with times varying daily. Every weekend in December, enjoy live entertainment from 12 to 3 p.m., including Dickens Carolers and Pete Pancrazi performances.
On December 14 & 15, Bender Performing Arts, in association with the DanceMotion Performing Company, presents a different kind of holiday tale: The Tinsel family appears to live a happy and flawless life. Upon taking a closer look, each reveals an obstacle he or she must overcome to become the loving family they appear to be from the outside looking in. By taking a magical trip through five classic holiday stories, each family member learns an important lesson that helps them overcome their struggles and rediscover the happiness and love they thought they had lost.
Ballet Arizona’s production of The Nutcracker returns from December 6-24, offering a magical holiday experience for the family. Choreographed by Artistic Director Emeritus Ib Andersen, the production features 15 performances at Symphony Hall in downtown Phoenix, with live music from The Phoenix Symphony. This enchanting tale follows Clara, who receives a wooden nutcracker on Christmas Eve and embarks on a magical journey with the Nutcracker Prince to the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets. Enhance your 2024 holiday experience by upgrading your evening with the Capture the Magic VIP Package for $125 per family of four.
JoJo’s Shakebar invites families, friends, couples, and more to its Winter Wonderland-themed restaurant, with events like ornament painting and mixology classes throughout December. Over-the-top holiday décor will help put guests in the spirit while they decorate ornaments or craft gingerbread houses and enjoy themed milkshakes with crazy toppings like cookies, cakes or pies. Grown-ups can try cocktails like the Frozen Polar Espresso or Jingle Juice – and of course, there will be plenty of snacks on hand. On December 23, the man in red will appear from 4-6 p.m.
Christmas cheer meets a mischievous twist at this year’s 50 Shades of Rose pop-up. Grown-ups can sip on themed cocktails inspired by those wacky holiday villains and enjoy wall-to-wall Christmas decor. Menu items include the North Pole Platter, Ya Filthy Eggplant dish, flatbreads, and wings (which are 50 cents on Wednesdays!), plus cocktails like the Sleigh All Day, Kiss and Tell hot cocoa, and Clausemopolitan. Reservations are recommended for parties of eight or more.
On December 4 and 15, stop at The District at Tempe Marketplace for free photos with Santa. Students from Marcos de Niza and other Tempe Union High Schools will join forces to raise money for the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program on December 6 from 5 to 9 p.m. Kids, teens, and adults can enjoy live music, karaoke, games, scavenger hunts, and more. On December 7 at 10 a.m., Lululemon will host free holiday yoga on the District Stage. From December 12 through Christmas Eve, guests can see live snowfall every day at 7 and 8 p.m.
Jingle Bars: Holiday Bar Crawl
Gather your friends, dress in your holiday best, and enjoy a festive afternoon of holiday cheer and exclusive specialty cocktails created in Downtown Mesa. More than 15 bars are participating in the holiday bar crawl, which offers discounted drinks, photo opportunities, best-dressed contests, and more. Attendees should check in at B.R.I Taproom & Arcade between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. on December 7. This is a 21+ event.
This holiday season, The Montauk in Old Town Scottsdale invites guests into a cozy, East Coast-inspired ski lounge with twinkling lights, festive drinks, and a ski lift chair for the perfect photo op. The menu features a range of seasonal cocktails and coffees, from the Maple Old Fashioned and Toasted Marshmallow Espressotini to holiday lattes like the White Chocolate Gingerbread Latte and Peppermint Mocha Latte.
Ho, ho, ho… who’s coming to the Arizona Boardwalk? Capture the magic of the season with professional photos with Santa Claus and play in a whimsical Snow Blizzard on December 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Enjoy live entertainment, bounce houses and slides. Plus, kids can get their faces painted in colorful designs.
Santa’s on site! On December 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Stone Crest by Camelot Homes (5755 S. Joshua Tree Lane, Gilbert) will host photos with the man in red, coffee and donuts, and tours of the last two remaining Stone Crest models. Love Connection Dog Rescue will be there with adoptable dogs!
Join Uchi Scottsdale on December 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. for an exclusive sake education class. Expert bartenders will lead this event to explore various sake styles, tips for navigating a sake menu, and the history of the industry. The $75 ticket includes a welcome beverage, appetizers, and a chance to savor unique varieties like Rihaku ‘Dreamy Clouds’ Nigori and Tamanohikari Junmai Daiginjo. Enjoy light bites like pork belly skewers, Japanese-style pickles, and nori togarashi bar nuts.
Christmas & Hanukkah at the Farm
On December 25, Hunkapi Farms will host its 21st annual Christmas at the Farm, which brings joy and support to children from crisis centers and group homes. From 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., guests can enjoy horseback riding, cookie decorating, Santa, and festive meals. Volunteer roles range from horse leaders and sidewalkers to “Head Elves” guiding children throughout the day. Later in the evening, there will be a menorah lighting and lead prayer.
TOY, FOOD AND CLOTHING DRIVES
ABC15 Arizona, Sanderson Ford, and Sanderson Lincoln have launched the 24th annual Operation Santa Claus drive. The campaign runs through December 18, with multiple ways to contribute: drop-offs, make a secure donation, or tune in to ABC15 Arizona on December 4 for Claus-a-Thon Day, a festive phone bank from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Donors contributing $5 or more will be entered into weekly drawings for a chance to win a new Ford F-150 Super Crew truck or Lincoln Corsair, with 15 finalists each receiving a $100 Visa gift card. The campaign ends with a live giveaway on Sonoran Living on December 20 at 9 a.m.
This food and toy donation drive event will benefit Jose’s Closet on December 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Volunteer Center, 358 E. Javelina Ave., Mesa. Arizonans are invited to swing by with their non-perishable food donations and new toys to make this holiday season extra special for a family in need. Attendees can enjoy music, snacks and photos with Santa.
Since 1983, United Food Bank has been dedicated to providing hunger relief to people in the East Valley and eastern Arizona. As a member of Feeding America, United Food Bank collects, acquires, stores, and distributes food to communities in five counties, serving over 2.5 million Arizonans annually
The Foster Alliance will host two “Fill Santa’s Sleigh” events. Attendees are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped gifts on December 5 to the Resource Center (3110 E. Thunderbird Road) from 5 to 7 p.m. On December 7 at The Scottsdale Quarter from 5 to 7 p.m., the organization will partner with M3F to put on a free holiday concert. December 12, 13, and 14 is the Holiday Toy Fest, where families can visit the Resource Center to pick out gifts for children in their care.
Valley nonprofit Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona is asking for the community’s support to help young people find healing and hope through art. The drive lasts until December 20. Needed items include scissors, composition notebooks, Sharpies, washable markets, tie-dye kits, tacky glues, canvases, and more. View the complete list online.
Streets of New York is partnering with Childhelp, whose mission is to meet the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of abused, neglected, and at-risk children. Until December 20, the family-owned pizzeria will accept new, unwrapped toys, clothing, and comfort items for children and teens of all ages at any Valley Streets of New York location.
Wine Girl is hosting its fourth annual holiday fill the bus toy drive with AZ Girls Club on December 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Help fill the bus with toys for the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children, whose mission is to provide social, emotional and financial support directly to families managing the health and well-being of a loved one with pediatric cancer. Guests who donate a toy will receive a penny glass of rosé. While sipping wine, guests can shop inside to browse trendy holiday gifts for friends and family and participate in bottle engraving with DAOU Vineyards. Diego Pops will host a Holiday Toy Drive from December 6 through 15. Guests are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to be donated to ACFC.
Scottsdale Fashion Square has transformed into a Winter Wonderland with its “Trees for Hope” Art Exhibit, featuring festive trees and wreaths available for bidding to benefit the Hope Fund at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. This collaboration with Modern Luxury Scottsdale showcases 16 beautifully decorated 7.5-foot trees and five wreaths designed by local retailers, artists, florists, and interior decorators. The exhibit runs until December 4 and includes a competition with categories like Best in Show and Most Creative. “Trees for Hope” is part of the Haute Holiday Collective, which also offers events such as a Signature Santa Experience, holiday meet and greets, and seasonal live music performances.
