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CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS SOUTHWEST STYLE
Photo courtesy of Mesa Temple website
Photo courtesy of Mesa Temple website
Guest Blogger
Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Phoenix. Mild days and cool nights…ah, the Valley of the Sun is the perfect place to be during the holidays. Mix in the sights and sounds of the holiday season and you’ve got a winning combination of great times and wonderful memories with family and friends. Whether you’re starting, continuing, or building on your holiday traditions, the Valley of the Sun is the place to be. There’s something to do for everyone from children to adults. Here is a glimpse of what’s in store that the entire Phoenix area will love:

Phoenix Zoo Lights

This annual tradition features more than 4 million colorful lights, hundreds of sparkling displays, and 3-D features. This is one of the largest holiday light shows in the country. Zoo Lights is open from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm nightly and runs from November 23, 2015 through January 10, 2016. If your favorite team is playing in one of the local college bowl games, check out the Bowl Band Performance scheduled for December 30. Our Camden Apartments in Tempe are just around the corner from this fun event!  

Zoo Lights - Phoenix Zoo

Photo taken by Diana Walker

Saguaros light up the night

Photo taken by Diana Walker

Las Noches de las Luminarias The Desert Botanical Garden will come to life for 24 magical evenings on selected dates in late November and throughout December. More than 8,000 hand lit luminaria bags and thousands of white twinkle lights line the walkways and buildings throughout the Garden. Handbell ensembles, Mariachis, Carolers, and Native American music fill the night air.  

Luminarias light up the night

Photo taken by Diana Walker

Luminarias light the path at Desert Botanical Garden

Photo courtesy of Photo taken by Diana Walker

Mesa Temple Christmas Lights

Now in its 35th year, hundreds of thousands of brilliant lights cover the garden area at the Mesa Temple. Holiday music fills the air and messages on the true meaning of Christmas may be heard. The gardens are lit from 5 pm until 10 pm beginning Saturday, November 28 through December 31. Free half-hour concerts are presented each evening at 7 pm through December 25. Enjoy the international nativity display featuring nativities from the United States and all over the world. Our Camden residents in the East Valley won’t want to pass up this sparkling event.

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Photo courtesy of Mesa Temple website

The Nutcracker

Ballet Arizona presents the ever popular holiday performance of The Nutcracker at Symphony Hall December 11 through 27, 2015. More than 150 performers, hundreds of beautiful costumes and talented dancers will thrill the audiences. It is a first class production sure to appeal to young and old alike.

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Photo courtesy of the Nutcracker Ballet website

CitySkate Holiday Ice Rink

Hosted by CityScape and located in the heart of downtown Phoenix on Central Avenue, CitySkate returns for its 6th year. Open through January 11, 2016, enjoy a day of skating on 7,000 square feet of real ice and the 36-foot-tall Christmas tree. Nightly light shows with thousands of twinkling lights await nighttime visitors. Be on the lookout for Santa at nearby Patriots Park and get your picture taken with the jolly ol’ man.  Residents at our Camden Copper Square location will love this celebration in their own back yard!

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 Photo courtesy of AZ Central website

Finally, for college football fans, we’ve got the 45th Annual Fiesta Bowl  coming to you live from The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on January 1, 2016 and the 27th Annual Cactus Bowl (formerly known as the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl and the Insight Bowl) from Chase Field on January 2, 2016. Our very own ASU Sun Devils will be playing in this event! Fear the fork!

45th Annual Fiesta Bowl
27th Annual Cactus Bowl

Photo courtesy of the Fiesta Bowl website

Come one, come all, and enjoy the wonders of the holiday season southwest style in the Valley of the Sun. From all of us at Camden in Arizona, happy holidays and all the best in 2016!

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