Christmas is right around the corner and several shopping centers across the Valley are celebrating with festive tree lighting ceremonies!
Desert Ridge Marketplace
On Tuesday, Nov. 22 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., The District lights up for the first time this season as Desert Ridge Marketplace finally unveils its annual Christmas tree and kicks off the ultimate holiday celebration including the annual Christmas in Color installation, the first snowfall in the season, LED drumline performance, festive photo ops and more.
Scottsdale Quarter
Scottsdale Quarter, the Valley’s premier open-air shopping destination with more than 90 popular retail and dining choices, will usher in the holiday season with The Santa Social, its highly-anticipated holiday kick-off event on Saturday, November 26, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. in The Quad. The popular event, now in its tenth year, will feature festive, family-friendly activities, including photos with the jolly man in red, live entertainment, a tree lighting ceremony and a movie under the stars.
Attendees will enjoy live holiday entertainment, interactive games and activities and more. Back this year is the interactive Santa experience: in addition to Santa posing for pictures in front of an old-fashioned red Chevy, there will be two selfie stations and log cabins selling fantastic holiday-inspired items.
The celebration will culminate with the ceremonial lighting of the center’s 35-foot Christmas tree at 6 p.m. This symbolic occasion will be followed by the showing of an all-time holiday favorite, Home Alone. Families are invited to lay out blankets, grab a snack from one of Scottsdale Quarter’s delicious eateries and settle in for the movie at 6:00pm.
The Santa Social is free and open to the public; costs apply to Santa photos. For more information, visit http://www.scottsdalequarter.com or call (480) 270-8123.
Tempe Marketplace
The District at Tempe Marketplace will officially kick off the holiday season on Wednesday, Nov. 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with the annual lighting of the 60-ft. Christmas tree. Join Tempe Marketplace for a festive celebration full of live shows and LED drum line performances, the first snowfall of the season, Christmas in Color installation and free photo ops with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and other snowy friends.
The Shops at Norterra
The Shops at Norterra will be hosting its annual tree lighting event on Monday, November 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. This year, enjoy onstage entertainment (think: holiday classics and an LED drumline), plus warm up with free photo ops with Santa Claus and The Grinch, make and take crafts*, games with prizes and more.
The Grinch will be available for photos from 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The tree will be lit promptly at 7 p.m.
Santa Claus will be available for photos from 7:15 p.m. – 9 p.m.
*While supplies last.
Westgate Entertainment District
Westgate Entertainment District will be holding its annual tree lighting event on Tuesday, November 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Westgate Tree Lighting is a holiday tradition that brings many community members to the bright and brilliant nexus of the West Valley. This year, enjoy onstage entertainment (think: traditional carolers, an LED drumline and mariachi band), plus warm up with free photo ops with Santa Claus and the Grinch, make and take crafts*, ice skating** and more.
The tree will be lit promptly at 7 p.m.
Santa & the Grinch will be available for photos from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Skate Westgate will be open from 4 p.m. – 10:45 p.m.
