Jack Hastings: Surprise District 5 – December Newsletter
Jack Hastings
As we wrap up a busy month and head into the holiday season, I want to thank you for staying connected and involved in our community. November brought meaningful moments, from honoring our veterans to celebrating major milestones, and December is already shaping up to be an exciting time for families, friends and neighbors across Surprise. There’s a lot of great energy in our city right now, and I’m looking forward to carrying that momentum into the new year. I appreciate your continued support, and I’m proud to serve a community that shows up, works together and lifts each other up.
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Jack Hastings: Surprise District 5 – December Newsletter
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Jack Hastings
By Jack Hastings
As we wrap up a busy month and head into the holiday season, I want to thank you for staying connected and involved in our community. November brought meaningful moments, from honoring our veterans to celebrating major milestones, and December is already shaping up to be an exciting time for families, friends and neighbors across Surprise. There’s a lot of great energy in our city right now, and I’m looking forward to carrying that momentum into the new year. I appreciate your continued support, and I’m proud to serve a community that shows up, works together and lifts each other up.
Inside This Issue
Current Events
City Council Meetings
Surprise Party & Sparkling Surprise
Cookies and Crafts with Santa
Step into the Magic of Santa’s Workshop
Fire First Fridays
Live at Asante
November Highlights
Veterans Day Celebration
Maricopa Water District Celebration
News & Updates
Spring Training Season at Surprise Stadium
Competition for Local Musicians – Winner Plays at Out of the Park Music Fest!
Winter Adult Sports Registration Opens Soon
Free Block Party Trailer Rentals Available
Surprise Libraries to Celebrate Semiquincentennial with New Reading Program
Save the Date
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Appointments
Out of the Park Music Fest
CURRENT EVENTS
City Council Meetings
The next City Council Meetings is on December 16 at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend in person, or you can tune in on surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseTV, the City of Surprise Government Facebook page at facebook.com/CityOfSurprise or on Cox channel 11.
Surprise Party & Sparkling Surprise
Celebrate the season with family and friends at the annual Surprise Party, a free, two-night event filled with festive activities, entertainment and holiday fun for all ages! Enjoy a winter wonderland complete with a snow party, mesmerizing drone shows, glowing hot air balloons, thrilling skydivers and special performances. New this year, lace up your skates and glide across the brand-new roller rink, available both nights!
Savor delicious treats from food trucks, explore the vendor village, let the kids have fun in the kid zone and capture a memorable photo with Santa in Santa’s Workshop. Don’t miss Storytime at Surprise Regional Library and more exciting holiday activities.
Come celebrate with us at Surprise Community Park – 15960 N. Bullard Ave. – for an unforgettable holiday experience!
Friday, December 5 • 5 - 9 p.m.
The festivities kick off at 5 p.m. with DJ music, family-friendly activities and lively entertainment! Catch a special surprise performance to set the holiday mood.
At 6:30 p.m., join the Mayor and City Council for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, illuminating a beautiful tree. Then, look to the skies for a thrilling show by the Aerial Extreme Skydiving Team, followed by a dazzling fireworks display to end the night.
Friday’s event also launches Sparkling Surprise, a brilliant light display transforming the entire Surprise Community Park, and featuring more lights and lands than ever before. This event runs nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. through December 28.
Saturday, December 6 • 5 - 9 p.m.
Saturday brings even more magic with two captivating drone shows featuring 200 LED-lit drones, creating holiday animations set to music! The evening continues with a hot air balloon glow, live ice sculpting and real snow for a magical evening under the stars.
This event is sponsored by American Furniture Warehouse. Canned food donations are appreciated for Operation Santa, brought to you by Sanderson Ford and Sanderson Lincoln.
For more event details, including event maps, parking information and road closures, please visit surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseParty or contact 623.222.2000.
Cookies and Crafts with Santa
The City of Surprise is excited to present Cookies and Crafts with Santa on December 14! Families and children are invited to join us for a day filled with festive activities, heartwarming moments and a special visit from Santa Claus himself.
This fun-filled event offers six time slots between 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., so everyone can find the perfect time to enjoy the holiday magic and create lasting memories. Cookies and Crafts with Santa will be held at the Parks & Recreation Office, located at 15960 N. Bullard Ave.
Registration is required, with a fee of $5 per person for Surprise residents and $7 per person for non-residents. Space is limited, so make sure to register early!
Take a picture with Santa using your best grin, have a sweet treat and let the holidays begin! The City of Surprise invites families to celebrate the season with a special visit to Santa’s Workshop! This festive experience will take place at the Surprise Stadium Team Shop, located at 15930 N. Bullard Ave. The workshop is open to the community for three magical nights on December 10, 11 and 12, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
This free event features Santa’s jolly spirit, a sweet treat and holiday-themed coloring activities for kids. Please be sure to bring your own camera to capture family smiles, as no professional photographers will be on-site.
The Surprise Fire-Medical Department is offering free life-saving knowledge and training. These classes aim to provide attendees with basic emergency response training in a comfortable and stress-free environment so community members will know how to start helping while waiting for emergency crews.
CPR Classes –Take a free non-certifying CPR class. Participants will learn the basics of CPR, including chest compressions, AED use and rescue breathing. Classes are typically the first Friday of each even-numbered month, but the next session will be on December 12.
Stop the Bleed & Narcan Classes –Participants will learn the basic skills needed to save someone in the event of a deep-penetrating injury and the proper technique needed to deliver Narcan. Classes are on the first Friday of each odd-numbered month. The next class is on January 9 due to the holiday week.
To register and get more information, visit surpriseaz.gov/FireFirstFridays. Please note, registration forms open two weeks before the class date. The maximum class size is 40 people for each session. Participants must be 12 years old or older, and a registered adult must accompany attendees aged 12 - 17.
Live at Asante
LIVE at Asante is a free and casual outdoor performance series at Asante Library for all ages. This America’s 250th celebration series runs the third Thursday of each month through May 2026 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Asante Library, 16755 W. Vereda Solana Dr. Each event will feature a different genre and include a brief history of its importance in America’s music. Featuring live music provided by On Stage Now, free arts activities and food trucks! Bring your lawn chair, your friends and your family for an evening of entertainment. RSVP recommended at surpriseaz.gov/ArtsSignUp.
Upcoming Performances
December 18 | Acoustic Indie Folk | Jerry Scarsbrook (opener) and Jacobe Reinartz Duo (headliner)
January 15 | Country Roots | JT Sheets (opener) and Cole Clark Duo (headliner)
February 19 | Bluegrass/Rock | Mark Bishop Evans (opener) and George & Georgia (headliner)
March 19 | Classic Jazz | Carlos Huicochea (opener) and Glen & Clydene (headliner)
NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
Veterans Day Celebration
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 11th Annual City of Surprise Veterans Day Celebration and Parade! Our community came together once again to honor the brave men and women who have selflessly served our nation.
We are proud to stand united in gratitude for our veterans, today and every day.
Maricopa Water District Celebration
On Friday, November 7, I had the honor of attending the Maricopa Water District’s 100-year celebration, where I presented a proclamation recognizing the District’s historic contributions, pioneering spirit and enduring commitment to responsible water management and community service. For a century, the Maricopa Water District has played a vital role in supporting Arizona’s growth and long-term sustainability, and it was a privilege to join in celebrating this remarkable milestone.
NEWS & UPDATES
Spring Training Season at Surprise Stadium
Spring training games are back! With 31 games on the schedule and two World Baseball Classic exhibition matchups added to the lineup, fans can look forward to an exciting mix of MLB talent, rising stars and international competition. Opening day is February 20 and games run through March 21.
Also look forward to the MLB Spring Breakout event on March 20, featuring the Kansas City Royals vs. Texas Rangers. This special game will showcase the next generation of Major League talent, highlighting baseball’s brightest prospects.
Individual game tickets for Spring Training at Surprise Stadium will go on sale online at SurpriseStadium.com on December 2,at 10 a.m. (AZ time).
Additional details regarding the upcoming season including promotional schedules, special events and ticket offers will be announced in the coming weeks. Fill out our ticket information form to be alerted when they go live. You can also stay up to date by visiting SurpriseStadium.com or signing up for Sports & Tourism notifications.
Competition for Local Musicians – Winner Plays at Out of the Park Music Fest!
The City of Surprise is calling on local musicians to showcase their talent at Play Your Way to the Park – a new, live music competition where selected up-and-coming bands or solo artists will rock the stage for a shot to perform at the 2026 Out of the Park Music Fest.
Play Your Way to the Park will take place Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 6 p.m. at The Vista Center for the Arts. The event is free and open to the public with a ticket reservation. Reserve your spot now at surpriseaz.gov/ArtsSignUp.
The winning act will earn a $1,000 artist fee and will open Out of the Park Music Fest on March 21, 2026, at Mark Coronado Park, following the Kansas City Royals vs. Colorado Rockies Surprise Spring Training game. The top three acts will receive studio recording time through On Stage Now’s Recording Assistance Program.
Musicians from across the Metro-Phoenix region are invited to apply. We welcome all genres, all ages and all sounds that get the crowd on their feet.
How to Apply Musicians can apply at surpriseaz.gov/Arts. Applications are open now, and the submission deadline is December 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.Artists are encouraged to submit early to ensure consideration. Artists will be notified by the selection panel by early January if they are moving on to the live competition.
Winter Adult Sports Registration Opens Soon
The City of Surprise Parks & Recreation Department is gearing up for adult softball, kickball, volleyball, basketball and flag football leagues!
Returning teams from Surprise Winter 2026 Adult Sports Leagues may register online now, or by calling the Parks & Recreation office at 623.222.2000 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Starting December 3, registration will open to non-returning and new teams. Teams may register over the phone, at the Parks & Recreation office on 15960 N. Bullard Ave or online at surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseRec.
Free Block Party Trailer Rentals Available
What better way to get to know your neighbors than by throwing a great party? Surprise offers free rentals of a Block Party Trailer, and we’ll even deliver it to you!
The block party trailer includes chairs, tables, coolers, canopy tents, sports equipment, games, music and public announcement system and a generator. City staff will deliver the trailer and be present during the event.
Applicants may also receive a reimbursement of up to $150 that can be used toward qualifying expenses to help pay for food or party amenities and entertainment. Approved applicants will receive a Block Party Kit, which includes flyers to help spread the word about your party.
Reservations are required at least two weeks in advance and are granted on a first come, first served basis. Once approved, you can start planning your party!
Surprise Libraries to Celebrate Semiquincentennial with New Reading Program
The Surprise Public Library System is excited to announce a new reading program in celebration of America’s 250th – Stars & Stories. The program will run until July 4, 2026.
Readers will be awarded fun badges and prizes, based on minutes read. The goal is to read 1,776 minutes over the next nine months in honor of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Prizes will include books, American flags, challenge coins and patriotic swag!
Visit the Stars & Stories reading program webpage to register and learn more about the program: 1776.surprisepubliclibrary.gov.
The City of Surprise has numerous opportunities to participate in events and activities until the big anniversary on July 4, 2026. Learn about all the great events at surpriseaz.gov/America250.
SAVE THE DATE
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Appointments
Surprise has officially moved the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program to a monthly appointment system. Surprise residents can request an appointment for HHW collection pickup right from their driveway during one week each month.
The collection of these materials is split into two types and scheduled separately. One pick-up is for electronic HHW, including flat-screen TVs, computers and cell phones. Another is for all other HHW.
To schedule a collection, residents can use the My Surprise app or call customer service at 623.222.1920. All scheduling is based on availability and is first-come, first-served.
Out of the Park Music Fest
Save the date for the 2026 Out of the Park Music Fest on the final day of Spring Training in Surprise, featuring Multi-Platinum country music star Russell Dickerson and just-announced chart-topping artist Niko Moon! Additional artists and local acts will be announced soon!
The annual event returns to Mark Coronado Park (15850 N. Bullard Ave.) on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 2 - 10 p.m.
Tickets available NOW at OutOfTheParkMusicFest.com/Tickets. If you’re looking for the VIP experience, get your tickets now, because they will sell out!
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