West Valley has a sleigh full of ways to celebrate the season

Editor's note: This article first appeared in Sun Life Magazine, a Daily Independent publication.

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You’ll need a lot more than 12 days to experience all the Christmas celebrations around the West Valley this month.

But like stockings with your name on them, we’ve found all the events for you, which leaves you with the joyful task of just having fun all month long.

GLENDALE

The West Valley’s biggest city hosts the 11th annual Hometown Christmas Parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 in Historic Downtown Glendale.

The route starts at 51st and Glendale avenues and proceeds west on Glendale to 58th Avenue. Parade proceeds and donations benefit the Hope For Hunger Food Bank, which provides emergency food for 130 families in Glendale and parts of Phoenix and Peoria. The 2023 parade raised $100,000 for Hope For Hunger.

Hometown Christmas Parade float entries must be submitted by Tuesday, Dec. 3, at hcparade.org.

Despite construction downtown during the city hall renovation, the 31st annual Glendale Glitters will still light up the holidays. The display will be lit from 5 to 10 p.m. every night through Jan. 1.

PEORIA

Peoria's Holiday Festival goes from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, in downtown Peoria at 83rd Avenue between Washington and Jefferson streets.

The free event features live music, Santa meet-and-greets, interactive activities and entertainment, food trucks, vendors, and the tree lighting ceremony.

Also in Peoria, Candy Cane Lane, the two-day festival at the Sports Complex, 16101 N. 83rd Ave., returns. Look for more than 150 vendors, food trucks, Santa photos, bounce houses and more. Candy Cane Lane goes from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20 and Saturday, Dec. 21. Tickets are $5.

LITCHFIELD PARK

Now in its 37th year, Litchfield Park will host its annual Christmas in the Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the city rec center, 214 W. Wigwam Blvd.

A holiday market will include vendors selling gift-giving items and art all day on the library lawn. The hometown parade that runs along Old Litchfield Road right through the festival grounds starts at 10 a.m.

Following the parade, visit the center of town from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for holiday activities, a kids’ zone and a petting zoo, plus the chance to take photos with Santa.

GOODYEAR

There’s a lot going on over three Fridays in Goodyear this month.

The Holidays On The Square series runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6, 13 and 20 at Goodyear Civic Square, 1900 N. Civic Square.

The weekly themes include, on Dec. 6, “Rocking Around the Tree” with young musicians from the Valley’s Alice Cooper Solid Rock Center; on Dec. 13 “Merry Melodies” with AZ Dueling Pianos; and on Dec. 20, “Elf Extravaganza” with a live theater performance of “Elf the Musical” by the Litchfield Park-based Creative Arts and Production Academy.

SUN CITY

A holiday celebration starts at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 at Sundial Auditorium, 14801 N. 103rd Avenue. Look for live music, food trucks, games, a gift basket drawing, duck races, photos with Santa, noshing on cupcakes, cider and cocoa, and more.

Later that night residents can decorate their golf carts for the holidays for a tour that leaves Sundial at 6 p.m. Register to participate before Thursday, Dec. 12 for $5. Proceeds support the Sun City Foundation.

Sundial will also host a free holiday concert with the Christmas Tenors at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18.

A member/privilege card is required for all Sun City events.

SUN CITY WEST

Recreation Centers of Sun City West hosts its annual Christmas in the Park event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 14 at Beardsley Park, 12755 W. Beardsley Road.

It’s a free event but tickets are required for any children attending. Sun City West residents can pick up free tickets in person at the R.H. Johnson box office or online at suncitywest.com.

SURPRISE

Visitors can plan for plenty to do in Surprise to get into the spirit.

The Sparkling Surprise light display will be up nightly from 5:30 to 10 p.m. from Friday, Dec. 6, through Tuesday, Dec. 31, spanning the Recreation Campus  at 15960 N. Bullard Ave., including Surprise Community Park and the area outside Surprise Stadium,

The annual Surprise Party takes place at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 and again at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Surprise Recreation Campus.

Look for visits with Santa, a foam snow party, drone light shows, performances, a kids’ zone, live entertainment, food, a shopping village and more. The free party will lead to the city’s tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6.

At 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 families can enjoy a free showing of “The Grinch” movie under the stars at Surprise Stadium, 15850 N. Bullard Ave. Then, at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, look for Cookies and Crafts with Santa at the rec campus where families can visit with Santa while enjoying cookies, milk, holiday themed games and crafts. Cost is $5 per person. Space is limited so register through the city.

BUCKEYE

Cotton Fest goes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 in downtown Buckeye, at the 6th St. Plaza and Monroe Avenue.

The street fair style event pays tribute to Buckeye’s rich farming history and features items made by local artisans, indie crafts, and a classic car show.

Glow on Monroe, the city’s annual downtown electric light parade with a Western Wonderland theme, starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 with holiday lights on historic fire trucks, horse drawn carriages and other vintage vehicles, plus local school marching bands.

Sun City residents can decorate their golf carts for the holidays for a tour that leaves Sundial Auditorium on Friday, Dec. 13.

(Photo by Recreation Centers of Sun City)