Every year Arizona Center transforms into a holiday-themed experience and this year is no different. Starting this Sunday, Nov. 21st, and running through Mon. Jan. 3rd, Arizona Center will become every kid’s dream, Downtown Toy Town. In addition, the center will host a series of FREE events for the holidays including the Dickens Carolers Holiday Kick-Off Concert, Holiday Tree Lighting with Mayor Kate Gallego, Holiday Kite Decorating and a Holiday Concert Series with local bands performing live in the Grotto.
The Grotto will also come alive each night with a holiday light and music symphony where the lights will dance to a variety of holiday songs every hour on the hour from 6 pm – 10 pm. The light show is sponsored by Clearway Community Energy.
Since the holidays are a time of giving, Arizona Center is also hosting a Gifts of Hope Toy Drive through Dec. 18 benefitting Arizona’s Children Association. We are asking the public to bring new, unwrapped toys and drop them off in the boxes located at various places around the center. Our goal is to donate a minimum of 500 toys.
Holiday events at Arizona Center are all FREE to attend and include:
Dickens Carolers 2021 Holiday Kick-Off Concert – Sunday, Nov. 21, 3-4:00 p.m.
Attendees will enjoy all their favorite holiday tunes, Santa, dancers, a brass quartet and more.
Holiday Tree Lighting with Mayor Kate Gallego – Saturday, Nov. 27, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Guests can help kick off the holidays as Mayor Kate Gallego lights the 30 ft. Christmas tree (located on the corner of 3rd St. and Van Buren) at the center. DTPHX Santa will be in attendance and there will be carolers, sweet treats, a sing-a-long with the cast of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Childsplay Productions and Herberger Theater and the Cesar Chavez Drumline.
Holiday Kite Decorating
In partnership with Phoenix Center for the Arts, Arizona Center will be hosting FREE kite decorating workshops. Kids, family and friends can stop by and receive a kite decorating kit to design their own holiday-themed kite. They can take their masterpiece home or leave it to display in Downtown Toy Town (AKA Arizona Center).
- Wednesday, Dec. 1st from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 4th from 2 p.m. to4 p.m.
- Wednesday, Dec. 9th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Holiday Concert Series sponsored by Urban Eyecare
Throughout December guests can enjoy live music by local bands performing some holiday music and some of their own songs. Performances will be in the Grotto.
- Friday, December 3rd from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Vinyl Station
- Friday, December 10th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Brian Chartrand
- Special double performance: Saturday, December 11th from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Palo Brea and 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Camille Sledge
- Friday, December 17th from 5 pm to 7pm Nolaz
Winter Wanderland – Saturday, Dec. 11, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Downtown Phoenix will be transformed into the first-ever Winter Wanderland, a full day of free progressive holiday performances, over-the-top holiday lights and décor, delicious food, drinks and merriment. Featuring outdoor performances at Arizona Center, CityScape Phoenix, Herberger Theater Center and more. Winter Wanderland is a family-friendly celebration of downtown’s rich performing arts, history and culture.
Performances in the Grotto at Arizona Center:
Palo Brea performing from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Camille Sledge performing from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
