Cities get into the 2020 holiday spirit despite pandemic

By Steve Stockmar
Twitter: @stevestockmar

The Valley is usually teeming with holiday celebrations this time of year, and while some cities and groups have canceled festivities because of the COVID-19 pandemic, others are going ahead with virtual events and those that are social distanced.

Here’s what’s happening now through the end of the year:

WEST VALLEY

Wigwam tree-lighting: The Wigwam Resort, 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park, will hold its annual tree-lighting on the front lawn at 6:15 p.m. Nov. 27. Attendance is free. Hot chocolate, cookies and adult hot chocolate will be available for purchase. Those who bring a toy to donate to the Goodyear Firefighter Charities Toy Drive will receive a free hot chocolate and cookie. Face masks are required. For more information, visit wigwamarizona.com/events/annual-tree-lighting and wigwamarizona.com .

 Goodyear Glows: The city of Goodyear’s annual Goodyear Glows will feature Santa making his way through Goodyear neighborhoods on a fire truck evenings from Dec. 1-3, and a live-streamed tree-lighting, holiday concert and shout-outs from Santa from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 5. For updates, maps of Santa’s neighborhood routes and live-stream links, visit Goodyear Parks and Recreation’s Facebook page, @goodyearparksandrec or at goodyearaz.gov/events. Send Santa shout-outs to santa@goodyearaz.gov.

Avondale Winterfest: The city of Avondale will create a winter wonderland at City Hall, 11465 W. Civic Center Drive, from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5, with a winter snow zone, live entertainment, holiday-themed activities, photos with Santa, food and treats and a tree-lighting. Admission is free. For more information, visit

Christmas in the Park: Litchfield Park’s annual free Christmas in the Park event will celebrate the season Dec. 12-13 with a holiday market on the lawn of the Litchfield Park Branch Library, 101 W. Wigwam Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.  A virtual parade will screen outdoors at Memorial Park, 101 E. Wigwam Blvd., at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12, followed by a Christmas movie. For more information, visit litchfield-park.org/1280/Christmas-in-the-Park.

 World Of Illumination, Glendale: “Rockin’ Christmas” at Westgate Entertainment District, 6797 N. 93rd Ave., features a mile-long drive-thru sympohny of holiday sigts and sounds that guests can view from their vehicles. Tickets are $29 per car on weekdays and $39 on weekends, and are available online only at worldofillumination.com.

Glendale Glitters: Glendale Glitters’ 2020 display features 1.7 million LED lights illuminating 16 city blocks in Historic Downtown Glendale from 5 to 10 p.m. nightly through Jan. 9. Visitors can peruse new lighting designs and features as they drive or stroll downtown and visit merchants and restaurants. The city typically concludes its holiday light display with Glendale Glitter & Glow, a free celebration featuring hot air balloons and music throughout several blocks of Historic Downtown as the balloon pilots fire the balloons all at once to add to the illuminating spectacle. Due to the pandemic, the celebration is tentative; those interested in attending should visit the city’s special events page atglendaleaz.com/play/special_events___festivals/special_events for updates.

“A Curiouser Nutcracker”: Following the success of TheaterWorks’ immersive experience “Curiouser & Curiouser,” the Peoria theater will stage a new holiday version of the production, “A Curiouser Nutcracker,” from Friday, Nov. 27, through Wednesday, Dec. 30, at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 10580 N. 83rd Drive.Tickets range from $48 to $36 and must be purchased in advance. For tickets and showtimes, vist at curiousertheater.org.

EAST VALLEY

World Of Illumination, Tempe: “Arctic Adventure” will light up Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Drive from 6 to 9 p.m. nightly through Jan. 3, featuring a mile-long drive-thru symphony of holiday sights and sounds guest will view from their vehicles. Tickets are $29 per car on weekdays and $39 on weekends, and are available online only at worldofillumination.com.

Christmas at the Princess: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Drive, will host its 11th annual Christmas at the Princess through Thursday, Dec. 31, featuring festive decorations and more than 4.5 million sparkling LED lights reimagined for a safe, socially distanced outdoor celebration. Attractions include a desert ice skating rink, enchanted plaza shows, s’mores land and photos with Santa. Call 480-585-4848 or email scottsdale@fairmont.com.

Holiday Lights at Salt River Fields: Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, the spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies, features a drive-thru holiday light experience with nearly 5 million lights along 1.2 miles encircling Salt River Fields from 5:45 to 10 p.m. nightly through Dec. 31. Admission starts at $35 per vehicle. For information and tickets, visit holidaylightssrf.com.

Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park: The Paradise & Pacific Railroad at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale, will light up with a winter wonderland of holiday lights and displays in a safe and socially distanced environment from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 27 to Jan. 3.  The event will feature limited capacity one-hour blocks at 6 p.m., 7:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. nightly, and rides will be loaded at 50% capacity. Tickets are $15 per person, and must be purchased online at therailroadpark.com/holidaylights.

Holiday Light Tour: Ollie The Trolley, which boards at 1680 N. 74th St., Scottsdale, will do all the driving in its family-friendly trolleys Dec. 1 to 31. Bring up to 30 loved ones along — and some hot cocoa or cider — and get the whole crew into the holiday spirit. Trolley operators will guide a two- or three-hour holiday light tour to experience Christmas displays while playing festive holiday music along the way. Call 480-970-8130 or email info@dunnetransportation.com.

Editor’s note: Litchfield Park-Goodyear Independent editor Kelly O’Sullivan contributed to this report.

Steve Stockmar
News Editor | Sun Life Magazine & Arts & Entertainment YourValley.net
@stevestockmar

sstockmar@iniusa.org

Meet Steve
Steve Stockmar joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, and has been an Arizona journalist for almost 30 years. He serves as editor of Sun Life Magazine and contributes to West Valley communities where he focuses mostly on arts & culture, education, and profiles of neighbors making a difference.

Community: Every season Steve serves as a “buddy” with the Miracle League of Arizona in Scottsdale, has volunteered his time with Family Promise in Glendale, and previously served on the Ghostlight Theatre board in Sun City West.

Education: Graduated from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a Journalism major and English minor.

Random Fact: Steve once won a 50-player live Texas Hold ’Em poker tournament.

Hobbies: Anguishing over his beloved Chicago Cubs and Bears; listening to Beatles and Grateful Dead music.