Prescott: Arizona's Christmas City

Come discover why Prescott has been officially designated as "Arizona's Christmas City" by the State of Arizona. The city and the surrounding communities have a plethora of holiday activities, for children and for adults, for free and for not-so-free. Join us as we continue holiday traditions and discover new festivities this year!

My favorite activities of the holiday season are the free ones, and not just because they are free. First on that list is the annual Gingerbread Village held at the Prescott Resort. It claims to be the world’s largest gingerbread village, with about 100 houses of all shapes and sizes. Community groups and individuals enter their houses for judging in several categories, and the entire community can see the village at any hour of the day, from November 18 through December 26. I recommend going earlier in that timeframe rather than later, as the houses tend to sag and deteriorate under all those lights! It’s worth a stop for kids and adults alike. We make it a point to visit at least once during the season.

Another activity we try to make it to every year—though cold weather sometimes keeps us home—is the Holiday Light Parade on the Saturday after Thanksgiving on the Courthouse Square. This year it falls on November 25. Bundle up in coats, hats, and mittens, and scope out your spot early. Bring a hot drink! It seems everyone in town goes to this parade. The floats light up the whole street and festivity is in the air.

The third event that we’re sure to go to at least once—and often two or three times—is the nearby Prescott Valley “Valley of Lights.” It is held every year at Fain Park in Prescott Valley (only about 10 miles east of the center of Prescott). Follow the signs for Fain Park, and then strings of lights will guide your way. Drive past holiday scenes made of lights, drive through tunnels of lit snowflakes, listen to the OOOs and AHHs of your passengers, remember the unbridled joy of the holiday season as a child.