You see the soft glow of candle-lit paper lanterns throughout the Southwest during the holidays and this year, for the first time, you’ll see it in Downtown Phoenix.
To see the nearly 1,100 lights, join us Dec. 24 starting at 5:30 p.m. for a self-guided walking tour. Each luminaria will be lit with an LED candle – if everything goes according to plan, they should stay lit all night.
Here’s where you can find them (click on the picture or here to see the map in full size).
It’s coming down to the final hours as 16 Downtown bars and restaurants fight it out to be named The Most Spirited Cocktail of 2012 in the inaugural Spirits of the Season competition.
With over 600 votes cast, this specialty seasonal cocktail competition is heating up as the five leading cocktails close in on the title.
The Most Spirited Holiday Cocktail of 2012 will be announced Dec. 21 and celebrated at a special happy hour at the winning establishment at 6 p.m. Look for the winner to be announced on Downtown Phoenix’s Facebook page.
Voting will take place online until Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. – so get those votes in while you still can. All cocktails will be available through New Year’s Eve.
You see the soft glow of candle-lit paper lanterns throughout the Southwest during the holidays and this year, for the first time, you’ll see it in Downtown Phoenix.
On Dec. 24 multiple Downtown businesses and public spaces will be decorated with luminarias – also known as farolitos – to celebrate the season.
Traditional to neighborhoods in New Mexico, luminarias are a gesture of welcome stretching back to the 16th Century Spanish tradition of lighting small bonfires along roads during the final night of Las Posadas.
In a similar gesture, we welcome Downtown residents, visitors and families to discover our city by observing the luminarias on a self-guided walking tour starting at 5:30 p.m.
But, in order to make this inaugural year of Luminarias Downtown possible, we need your help! The Downtown Phoenix Partnership will be hosting a luminaria prep party on Dec. 15. from 1-4 p.m. in the Phoenix School of Law parking lot on the southeast corner of Adams St. and Central Ave.
Volunteers will decorate the bags and fill them with sand and tea lights. Food and drinks will be provided and all volunteers will receive one free pass to the CityScape Ice Rink.
Please join us in bringing this Southwest neighborhood tradition to life Downtown.
What: Volunteer Luminaria Prep Party When: Dec. 15, 1 – 4 p.m. Where: Phoenix School of Law parking lot located on the southeast corner of Adams St. and Central Ave.
Please contact tmadeksza@downtownphx.org to register.
We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but there’s only 12 shopping days left until Christmas. Before you panic (or if you already are) take a deep breath and join us for the sixth annual Festive Friday shop around from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. this Friday.
With over 30 vendors, a trolley doing all the driving and three locations – The Arizona Center, CityScape and the Adams Street Mercado – bursting with unique gifts you’ll be done with your holiday shopping and stress-free before the lunch hour is over.
And, as an added bonus, join us during the Wrap Up from 4 – 7 p.m. at The Arizona Center. Leave your gifts to be wrapped for a small fee (all proceeds benefit the Herberger Theater) while you board the Jolly Trolley and sample some Spirits of the Season cocktails.
Finish up your holiday shopping on your lunch hour.
Sounds impossible, but with the Jolly Trolley doing the driving and three outdoor markets bursting with unique gifts you’ll be done in time to enjoy lunch outdoors in the 70 degree sunshine, too.
Downtown’s sixth annual Festive Friday has expanded to three locations this year – including a mercado on Adams Street, a sidewalk sale at the Arizona Center and vendors at CityScape - and into an event that will see you right into happy hour.
The fun starts with the Downtown Shop Aroundfrom 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by the outdoor Adams Street Mercado for Latino and indigenous arts and crafts as live music and food.
Then, hop on one of the Jolly Trolleys circling between locations and head over to the Arizona Center for a sidewalk sale and music before venturing to CityScape for more gifts, food and drinks.
Before going home, visit the Downtown Wrap-Upon Adams Street or the Arizona Center to have your gifts wrapped for a small fee while you board the Jolly Trolley and head off to enjoy a Spirits of the Season cocktail. During your tour, stop at CityScape for CitySkate ice skating on Central Avenue.
At 7 p.m. Adams Street will transform into the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center After Party featuring live music, food and art.
If You Go: What: Festive Friday Where: Arizona Center, CityScape, Adams Street Mercado – Adams St. between First and Second streets When: December 14 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Picture this: You’re in your favorite pajamas aboard Downtown’s own Urban Polar Express – the Light Rail – being whisked toward Civic Space Park for a double feature holiday movie showing under the stars.
Don your favorite holiday pajamas, grab two blankets – one to sit on, one to snuggle under – take the Light Rail to the Van Buren and Central Avenue or the Van Buren and First Avenue stop and claim your spot of grass at the park.
Polar Express, the heartwarming story of a boy who boards a magical train that’s headed to the North Pole, will start at 6 p.m. Bring your little ones because Santa will be on hand to give out bells after the movie.
For the older crowd, the misadventures of Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation will begin at 8 p.m.
This event is free to attend and open to all.
Oh? And hot chocolate? Yeah, we got it. (And, it’s free!)
If You Go:
Where: Civic Space Park When: Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. Light Rail Stop: Van Buren and Central or Van Buren and First Avenue
Polar Express: G
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: PG-13
No, no, these aren’t characters in an animated holiday movie, these are specialty seasonal cocktails you can find only in Downtown Phoenix.
From Nov. 24 to Dec. 31, 16 bars and restaurants Downtown will engage in a battle to be named the Most Spirited Holiday Cocktail of 2012 – and you’re the judge.
Votes will be tallied on Dec. 20 and the Most Spirited Holiday Cocktail of 2012 will be announced Dec. 21 and celebrated at a special happy hour at the winning establishment at 6 p.m. Look for the winner to be announced on Downtown Phoenix’s Facebook page.
All cocktails will be available through New Year’s Eve.
‘Tis the season for glittering trees, hanging the holiday banners with care and gathering friends and family close. To get you in the spirit, head Downtown this weekend for markets, holiday plays and the official kick off to the season.
Here’s where to go: Tree Lighting and Ice Rink Grand Opening
Ice skate on Central Avenue! This year the ice rink at CityScape will spill into the streets and Downtown is throwing a party to celebrate. Join us Nov. 24 from 2 – 8 p.m. for a tree lighting event featuring carolers, face painting, storytelling, cookies and hot chocolate for the little ones as well as a grand entrance by Santa to the horns of Bad Cactus Brass Band. Don’t miss photos with Santa, a figure skating show and the official tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. with Jimmy Eat World.
Alternative Black Friday
Sleep in, avoid the madness and still get cool stuff! Market by Junk in the Trunk, with 30-50 local vendors. Live music, mimosa bar by Chloe’s Corner and brunch from Copper Blues, Chloe’s Corner and Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails. Sneak peek at the ice rink after 3pm with ½ price skating. Patriots Plaza at 10 am. www.cityscapephoenix.com.
Ballet and Friends Presents: The Nutcracker
Originally choreographed by Slawomir Wozniak for the National Ballet in Warsaw, Poland, this classic production still enchants crowds with brilliant choreography and magnificent dancing. Orpheum Theatre, Friday and Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets are $25. 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.
And if the holiday fever hasn’t set in yet, head over to Rose and Crown for their Barks and Brews beerfest for humans and their dogs.
Flash forward to next week: The turkey leftovers are dwindling, you’ve recovered from the crush of Black Friday shopping and now, the holidays are really here.
It’s time to celebrate.
The holiday season officially kicks off Downtown with the opening of the CityScape Phoenix Ice Rink in the middle of Central Avenue.
Join us Nov. 24 for a tree lighting event and the opening of the largest (and only) real outdoor ice rink in the Valley at 2 p.m.
This family friendly event will feature free face painting, storytelling, cookies and hot chocolate for the little ones as well as a grand entrance by Santa to the horns of Bad Cactus Brass Band.
Enjoy carols from the ASU Gospel Choir, Mountain View Presbyterian Church Choir and a performance from the Phoenix Symphony Brass Quintet.
Don’t miss photos with Santa, a figure skating show and the official tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. with Jimmy Eat World.
Stick around for ice skating, live music and specials on food, drinks and gifts.
If you go: Where: City of Phoenix Tree Lighting – CityScape – 1 E. Washington St. When: November 24 at 2 p.m. – Tree Lighting is at 6:30 p.m. What: CitySkate ice rink grand opening. The rink is open from Nov. 24 – Jan 5. For hours and more information, click here.
You’ve caught snippets that certain jolly music is drifting through the air and, what’s this? Store shelves inexplicably devoid of canned chicken broth and pumpkin pie filling?
Ignore the unseasonably warm temperatures, if you’ve been inside a store in the last few days or peaked at a calendar, it’s clear – the holidays are here.
As Downtown begins wrapping trees with twinkle lights and hanging the banners with care, there’s several events going on that are worth fitting into your busy holiday calendar.
Tree Lighting and Ice Rink Grand Opening
Ice skate on Central Avenue! This year the ice rink at CityScape will spill into the streets and Downtown is throwing a party to celebrate. Join us Nov. 24 from 2 – 8 p.m. for a tree lighting event featuring carolers, face painting, storytelling, cookies and hot chocolate for the little ones as well as a grand entrance by Santa to the horns of Bad Cactus Brass Band. Don’t miss photos with Santa, a figure skating show and the official tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. with Jimmy Eat World.
Spirits of the Season
A 6-week holiday cocktail competition, Spirits of the Season toasts the holidays the best way possible – with festive drinks! Skip the traffic after work or turn a Saturday into a self-guided walking tour and sample the concoctions from over 15 Downtown bars and restaurants. From the Snow Flake to the Fiery Night Martini these drinks aren’t your average mulled wine. The best part? You decide the winner. Voting will begin Nov. 24 and end Dec. 20 in the quest to crown the Most Spirited Holiday Cocktail of 2012.
PJs in the Park
Don your favorite holiday pajamas and board Downtown’s own Urban Polar Express – METRO Light Rail – for a double feature holiday movie showing under the stars at Civic Space Park. Grab your friends and family and join us on Dec. 7 from 6 – 10 p.m. for a viewing of Polar Express and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Free hot chocolate, holiday treats and a special visit from Santa will make it a night to remember.
Festive Friday
Knock out the rest of your holiday shopping on your lunch hour. Sounds impossible, but with the Jolly Trolley doing all the driving and three outdoor markets bursting with unique gifts you’ll be done in plenty of time. Downtown’s sixth annual Festive Friday has expanded to three locations this year – including an Adams Street Mercado, an sidewalk sale at the Arizona Center and vendors at CityScape – and into an event that will see you right into happy hour. Shop from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Dec. 14 and return at 4 pm to get the gifts wrapped and enjoy a cocktail or two at an outdoor street fair.
Luminarias Downtown
You see the soft glow of candle-lit paper lanterns throughout the Southwest during the holidays and this year, for the first time, you’ll see it in Downtown. On Dec. 24 multiple Downtown businesses and public spaces will be decorated with luminarias – also known as farolitos – to celebrate the season. We welcome Downtown residents, visitors and families to discover our city by observing the luminarias on a self-guided walking tour starting at 5:30 p.m.
The opinions expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Downtown Phoenix Partnership.
Flash forward to next week: The turkey leftovers are dwindling, you’ve recovered from the crush of Black Friday shopping and now, the holidays are really here.
Ignore the unseasonably warm temperatures, if you’ve been inside a store in the last few days or peaked at a calendar, it’s clear – the holidays are here.
