Nutcracker Tea with Sugar Plum Fairies
2017-12-03 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Phoenix)
Ballerinas, sugar plums and princesses are invited to tea at the English Rose Tea Room for a Christmas celebration not to be forgotten! Ballerinas from the Nutcracker Ballet will read from the story, dance and be available for photos. $35 per person. English Rose Tea Room, 201 Easy St., Carefree. 3 to 5 p.m. RSVP 480-488-4812; carefreetea.com

Nutcracker Tea with Sugar Plum Fairies
2017-12-03 15:00 - 17:00
Ballerinas, sugar plums and princesses are invited to tea at the English Rose Tea Room for a Christmas celebration not to be forgotten! Ballerinas from the Nutcracker Ballet will read from the story, dance and be available for photos. $35. English Rose Tea Room, 201 Easy St., Carefree. 3 to 5 p.m. RSVP 480-488-4812; carefreetea.com

Pinnacle Concert Series Celebration of Christmas
2017-12-03 16:00 - 19:00
Usher in the holiday season in a beautifully-crafted program of readings and songs. This wonderfully varied concert of inspirational and joyous Christmas music surely will become your family tradition. Free. Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale. 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. pinnacleconcerts.com

65th Annual Cave Creek Foothills Christmas Pageant
2017-12-03 19:00 - 21:00
You may know the story, but you’ve never seen it like this! Join a local cast for this much-anticipated, musical, non-denominational Christmas story. Bring a blanket or portable chair. Free. Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, 44000 N. Spur Cross Rd., Cave Creek. 7 p.m. foothillschristmaspageant.com

Phoenix Symphony Presents Handel’s Messiah
2017-12-06 08:00 - 2017-12-10 17:00
The acclaimed Hallelujah chorus features some of the most glorious sacred music ever written. Join The Phoenix Symphony, The Phoenix Symphony Chorus and world-class soloists. Admission varies based on venue. See website for details and schedule. phoenixsymphony.org

Elf the Musical, Jr.
2017-12-07 08:00 - 2017-12-10 17:00
Musical Theatre of Anthem (MTA) presents “Elf the Musical Jr.” This hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity, and in doing so, help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. $16–$19. 42323 N. Vision Way, Anthem. See website for times and details. musicaltheatreofanthem.org

Real Snow in Carefree
2017-12-08 - 2017-12-10
Form a snow ball or build a snow man—right here in the desert at Carefree Snow Village. $5. 101 Easy St., Carefree. See website for schedule. christmasincarefree.com

Carefree Christmas Market
2017-12-08 08:00 - 2017-12-10 17:00
Celebrate the European tradition of Christkindlemarkets with a local charm at the new open-air Carefree Christmas Market. Free. 101 Easy St., Carefree. See website for schedule. christmasincarefree.org

Stagecoach Christmas Village
2017-12-08 10:00 - 2017-12-10 17:00
Celebrate the holiday season Old West style with open air shopping, dining, wine tasting and musical entertainment in Stagecoach Village! Free. 7100 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 623-734-6526; vermillionpromotions.com

Jill Kimmel Comedy Tribute to Vets and First Responders
2017-12-08 16:00 - 17:30
Comedienne and actor Jill Kimmel will perform a special comedy show salute to veterans and first responders. Free with donation of unwrapped toy. Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion, 101 Easy St., Carefree. 4 to 5:30 p.m. christmasincarefree.org

Las Noches de las Luminarias
2017-12-08 17:30 - 2017-12-10 21:30
Dec. 8-10;
15-17; 19-23; 26-30
Las Noches de las Luminarias
This Desert Botanical Gardens’ favorite features more than 8,000 hand-lit luminaria bags, thousands of twinkle lights and 10 unique entertainment ensembles. $12.50–$30. Member discounts available. 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix. 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. 480-941-1225; dbg.org

10th Annual Parade of Holiday Traditions
2017-12-09 10:00 - 11:00
This year’s spectacular Christmas parade will be held in family-friendly daytime hours! Featuring official parade announcers chief meteorologist CBS Channel 5, Paul Horton and 3TV’s anchor/reporter, Javier Soto. Free. Downtown Carefree. 10 to 11 a.m. christmasincarefree.com

Journey through the Emerald Isle
2017-12-09 10:30 - 12:00
International travel writer and photographer Paula Cullison, whose work will be on display at the Foothills Library through December, will take you on a fabulous trip to Ireland through words and pictures. Free. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Rd., Cave Creek.10:30 a.m. to noon. RSVP required. 480-488-2286; desertfoothillslibrary.org

TC Cannon Pop-Up Studio
2017-12-09 10:30 - 13:30
Enjoy a private walk-through of the exhibition “Of God and Mortal Men: Masterworks by T.C. Cannon” from the Nancy and Richard Bloch Collection, and through the lens of guest artist Steven Yazzie. Non-members $30; members $15. Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. RSVP 602-252-8840; heard.org
T.C. Cannon, Kiowa/Caddo, 1946-1978
Self Portrait in the Studio, 1975, oil on canvas.
From the Nancy and Richard Bloch Collection. Reproduced by permission of the Estate of T.C. Cannon. © 2017 Estate of T.C. Cannon.

Franciscan Frontiersmen
2017-12-09 14:00 - 15:30
Cave Creek Museum is excited to host award-winning journalist, historian and Carefree resident, Robert A. Kittle to share insights into his recently published book, “Franciscan Frontiersmen,” the story of three improbable heroes who opened up a broader swath of the North American continent than Lewis and Clark. Free for members; non-members $5. 6140 Skyline Dr., Cave Creek. 2 to 3:30 p.m. RSVP 480-488-2764; cavecreekmuseum.org

Cowboy Christmas
2017-12-09 15:00 - 19:00
It’s a Cowboy Christmas in Old Town Scottsdale! Pull up your boots, then dine, shop and have an Old West-style good time. Check website for events and details. Free. 3 to 7 p.m. scottsdazzle.com

Youth Orchestras in Concert
2017-12-09 15:30 - 17:00
North Valley Symphony Orchestra’s three youth orchestras will perform their annual holiday concert at Cactus Shadows High School. Free. 5802 E. Dove Valley Rd., Cave Creek. 3:30 p.m. northvalleysymphony.org

Miracle of Roses Pageant
2017-12-09 16:00 - 17:00
Old Adobe Mission Church will hold a pageant honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe as part of Scottsdazzle’s December festivities. Free. 3817 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale. 4 to 5 p.m. scottsdaleaz.gov

Ryan Sims at Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion
2017-12-09 17:00 - 19:00
Local celebrity and national name Ryan Sims brings his fun brand of country music to Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion. Free with donation of unwrapped toy. 101 Easy St., Carefree. 5–7 p.m. christmasincarefree.com

’Twas a Girls’ Night Before Christmas
2017-12-09 17:00 - 20:00
From the producers of the box office smash “Girls Night: The Musical” comes this new, must-see holiday show guaranteed to resonate with anyone who has survived the holiday season, from visits with in-laws to overcrowded malls. $29–$49. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org

Concerts on the Canal
2017-12-09 19:00 - 20:30
Scottsdale Waterfront’s Soleri Plaza will be the place to be for December’s Saturday night live music concerts. Free. 4420 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale. 7 to 8:30 p.m. experiencescottsdale.com

Songs of the Season by Upscale Singers
2017-12-10 17:00 - 19:00 | Desert Hills Presbyterian Church
Tickets are on sale now for the 12th Annual Upscale Singers “Songs of the Season” concert. Adults $20; teens 13 through high school $10; children 12 and under $7. Desert Hills Presbyterian Church 34605 N. Tom Darlington, Carefree. 5 p.m. Ticket information: 480-575-0811; upscalesingers.com

Songs of the Season by Upscale Singers
2017-12-10 17:00 - 19:00
Tickets are on sale now for the 12th Annual Upscale Singers “Songs of the Season” concert. $7–$20. Desert Hills Presbyterian Church, 34605 N. Tom Darlington, Carefree. 5 p.m. Ticket information: 480-575-0811; upscalesingers.com

Chanukah Celebration
2017-12-12 - 2017-12-20
Choirs will sing and the official lighting of the menorah will be performed each evening at sundown, welcoming this special festival. Each night, a local synagogue will light a candle. Free. Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion, 101 Easy St., Carefree. Evenings. christmasincarefree.com

Hanukkah Celebration
2017-12-13 17:00 - 18:30
Celebrate Hanukkah with North Valley Jewish Community Association. Cocktails, candle lighting ceremony and traditional buffet dinner. Adults $30; children: 3-10, $15; under 3 years free. Anthem Country Club Ironwood Grille, 2708 W. Anthem Club Dr., Anthem. 5 p.m. RSVP by Dec. 8. Mail check payable to NVJCA to NVJCA, 39506 N. Daisy Mountain Dr., Suite 122-198, Anthem, AZ 85086. 623-322-0957; fkesselman@cox.net

East Africa: the Land, Wildlife and People
2017-12-14 15:00 - 16:00
Speaker Donald Pearman Jr. will share his travel ventures to Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Meet the Maasai, visit the Great Rift Valley and experience wild animals up-close and personal. Free. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Rd., Cave Creek. 3 to 4 p.m. Registration required. 480-488-2286; desertfoothillslibrary.org

Scottsdazzle Art Walk
2017-12-14 18:30 - 21:30
Join in on the fun of the art walk with live entertainment, free horse and carriage rides and more along Scottsdale Waterfront. Free. Marshall Way between Main St. and 5th Ave., Scottsdale. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. scottsdazzle.com

A Cirque Nutcracker with Troupe Vertigo
2017-12-15 08:00 - 2017-12-24 17:00
Experience Christmas in a whole new way as The Phoenix Symphony combines two of the Valley’s most popular traditions, Tchaikovsky’s magical The Nutcracker and world renowned Cirque troupe performed live with The Phoenix Symphony. $32–$117. Mesa Arts Center Ikeda Theater, One E. Main St., Mesa. See website for schedule. 480-644-6500; phoenixsymphony.org
