McCormick Ranch Holiday Magic
2018-12-01 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Phoenix)
Kick off the holidays with McCormick Ranch’s Seventh Annual Holiday Magic celebration, featuring snow play, face painting, a petting zoo, musical performances, super heroes, Santa and more. Free. The Mercado, 8140 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale. 5–8 p.m. mrpoa.com

Bus It to the Eddie Basha Collection
2018-12-03 08:30 - 17:00
Cave Creek Museum’s inaugural adventure begins with a day trip to the Eddie Basha Collection in Chandler. Includes charter bus, admission to the museum and a Scandinavian Christmas smorgasbord lunch. Contact the museum for pricing and availability. Cave Creek Museum, 6140 E. Skyline Dr., Cave Creek. 8:30 a.m. 480-488-2764; cavecreekmuseum.org

Hanukkah Sameach!
2018-12-03 17:00
Celebrate Hanukkah at the Ironwood Grille Room in Anthem Country Club. Cocktails, candle lighting ceremony and service followed by a traditional buffet dinner. Cash bar available. RSVP by Nov. 26. NVJCA, 39506 N. Daisy Mountain Dr. Ste. 122-198, Anthem, AZ 85086. $30/adults; $15/children 3-10; Free for children under 3. 5 p.m. 623-322-0957; fkesselman@cox.net

Raptors in Your Back Yard
2018-12-03 18:30 - 20:30
You’ve seen the hawks circling overhead and heard the owls hooting in the evening and early morning, but do you have a grasp of the true superpowers they exhibit? See them up close and learn how you can help them. Donations appreciated. Holland Community Center, 34250 N. 60th St., Scottsdale. 6:30 p.m. azfcf.org

Celebrity Make-Up Application Class
2018-12-04 08:00 - 17:00
Charlie Green, make-up artist to the stars, will be demonstrating a gorgeous Christmas/New Year’s make-up look for one of our local residents! It is fun, informational, educational, and best of all, brings out the inner beauty in all of us. Free. Foothills Food Bank donations accepted. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Rd., Cave Creek. 5–6:30 p.m. 480-488-2286; charliegreen.com

STEAM Open House
2018-12-04 17:00 - 19:00
Foothills Academy’s Elementary Campus (K-6) in partnership with the Arizona Science Center and Kiwanis Club of Carefree will hold hands-on, minds-on STEAM learning activities for all ages. Free. 4720 E. Lone Mountain Rd., Cave Creek. 5-7 p.m. 480-292-9819

Wine and Dine
2018-12-06 17:00 - 20:00
Kick off the holiday season with the SHOPS Gainey Village during their third annual Holiday Wine and Dine Christmas event. Enjoy acoustic music, horse and carriage rides, cookies, baked goods, coffee and hot chocolate, cookie decorating, raffles and wine tastings. Free. 5–8 p.m. 8777 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale. theshopsatgaineyvillage.com

Christmas in Carefree
2018-12-07 16:00 - 19:00
Visit Carefree’s fine art galleries, the beautiful Desert Gardens and the many great shops Carefree has to offer during the First Friday Art Walk. This month’s walk is full of holiday surprises! Free. Downtown Carefree. 4-7 p.m. carefree.org

Jewelry of Alvin Yellowhorse
2018-12-07 17:00 - 2018-12-16 20:00
Enjoy an opening artist reception Dec. 7, 5–8 p.m., for internationally recognized Navajo artist Alvin Yellowhorse and his museum-quality jewelry designs available through Dec. 16. Turquoise Tortoise, 431 SR 179, A3, at Hozho, Sedona. 928-282-2262; turquoisetortoisegallery.com

Lanning Gallery
2018-12-07 17:00 - 2018-12-24 20:00
Master jeweler Michael Grant, known for his unmatched devotion to turquoise, will unveil his latest necklaces, cuffs, earrings and more, of a variety of the finest all-natural, hand-cut turquoise. Opening reception 5–8 p.m. Dec. 7. Lanning, a Bryant Nagel Gallery, 431 SR 179, A1-2, at Hozho, Sedona. 928-282-6865; lanninggallery.com

Obadiah Parker
2018-12-07 18:00 - 21:30
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch’s Center Stage Bar features some of the best live music in the Valley nearly every night. Join acoustic soul performer Obadiah Parker, who has built a strong following with strong vocals, impressive songwriting and unique, soulful style. Free. 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd., Scottsdale. 6–9:30 p.m. hyattregency.com

Holiday Chocolate Making
2018-12-08 09:00 - 15:00
Discover the lost art of hand-dipping chocolate at this class for ages 13 and up. Sponsored by CCUSD’s Education & Community Services. $150. Cactus Shadows High School, 5802 E. Dove Valley Rd., Cave Creek. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. 480-575-2440; ecsforall.org

Homespun Wigs for Little Cancer Fighters
2018-12-08 10:00 - 14:00
The Magic Yarn Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to bring magic into the lives of children battling cancer. Join them to create a wig inspired by a Disney character that is warm and soft, providing a magical escape for these brave children. No experience is required. $60 includes lunch and supplies. RSVP. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Rd., Cave Creek. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. 480-488-2286; desertfoothillslibrary.org

Papa Hugs Concert and Holiday Sing Along
2018-12-08 13:00 - 14:00
Kids of all ages will enjoy this event starring local performer David Sharpe of Papa Hugs. Enjoy his original music as well as several holiday sing along songs. Free. RSVP. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Rd., Cave Creek. 1–2 p.m. 480-488-2286; desertfoothillslibrary.org

Golden Reef Stamp Mill Run
2018-12-08 13:30 - 17:00
See Arizona’s only fully operational 1,000-pound, 10-stamp ore crushing mill slam down in synchronized precision just as it did 100 years ago. This stamp mill was carried down from the Golden Reef Mine on Continental Mountain. Free with museum admission. Cave Creek Museum, 6140 E. Skyline Dr., Cave Creek. 1:30 p.m. 480-488-2764; cavecreekmuseum.org

It’s a Cowboy Christmas
2018-12-09 14:00 - 16:00
Join Gary the Singing Cowboy and Dusty, his trusty horse, for holiday caroling at Cave Creek Museum. Take photos and share cookies with Santa Claus. Free with museum admission. Cave Creek Museum, 6140 E. Skyline Dr., Cave Creek. 2–4 p.m. 480-488-2764; cavecreekmuseum.org

Sing We Now of Christmas
2018-12-09 15:00 - 17:00
The Sonoran Desert Chorale has been delighting audiences for 25 years, and this year is no exception. Join them for their Christmas celebration at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church. $15–$20; discounts available for online tickets. 6300 E. Bell Rd., Scottsdale. 3 p.m. 480-305-4538; sonorandesertchorale.com

Pinnacle Concert Series
2018-12-09 16:00 - 17:00
It’s one of the most anticipated concerts of the season! Join the Pinnacle Chancel Choir, Pinnacle Pealers and special instrumental guests as they combine forces to create a magical experience. Free. Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale. 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. 480-303-2474; pinnacleconcerts.com

Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Concert Series
2018-12-09 16:00 - 18:00
This month’s concert features Swedish-born vocalist Vismaya Hagelberg, with Mark Decozio on piano and Allen Ames on bass and violin. $35. El Pedregal Tohono Ballroom at The Boulders, 34505 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale. 4 p.m. 480-204-7292; coldwellbankeconcerts.eventbrite.com

Scottsdale League for the Arts Announces Grants
2018-12-12 - 2018-12-30
Scottsdale League for the Arts, the non-profit group that presents the Scottsdale Culinary Festival each April to raise funds for Arizona arts programs and development, announces its 2018 grantees: Ballet Arizona, Center Dance Ensemble, Childsplay, Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, Desert Foothills Community Theater, Detour Company Theater, Inc., East Valley Children’s Theater, Fountain Hills Theater, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Free Arts for Abused Children, Grand Canyon Chamber Music Festival, Heard Museum, Phoenix Children’s Chorus, Phoenix Film Foundation, Phoenix Performing Arts Center, Phoenix Theater, ProMusica Arizona Chorale and Orchestra, Rosie’s House: Music Academy for Children, Scottsdale Arts, Scottsdale Philharmonic, Southwest Shakespeare Company, Valley Youth Theatre, WHAM Art Center and Young Arts Arizona Ltd. The league has donated more than $4.5 million to the arts since 2000. scottsdalefest.org

Handel’s Messiah
2018-12-12 19:30 - 21:30
Join music director Tito Muñoz as he conducts the Phoenix Symphony, The Phoenix Symphony Chorus and world-class soloists in this full-length version of Messiah, considered among the most glorious sacred music ever written. Tickets only available through Phoenix Symphony Box Office. $39–69. Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7380 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale. 7:30 p.m. 602-495-1999; phoenixsymphony.org

Big Ideas Forum: Clean Water Technology
2018-12-13
Water is often underestimated as our most precious and life-depending resource. Look at how far clean water technology has come and what specifically is being done right here in our community at this Big Ideas discussion. bigideasforum@gmail.com; bigideasforum.info

Mark Cortale Presents Broadway
2018-12-14 20:00 - 22:00
Two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster and multi-talented pianist Seth Rudetsky present a cabaret-style concert not to be missed. $59–89. Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale. 8 p.m. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org

Art Party at El Pedregal
2018-12-15
Alyson Miller, Marless Fellows, Nancy Romanovsky and April Howland will be the featured demonstrating artists. Free. The Gallery at El Pedregal, 34505 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale. Second Floor. 480-575-6685; sonoranartsleague.org

Adult Discovery Series
2018-12-15 08:00 - 17:00
Sharon Brening, Cave Creek Museum’s artist in residence will discuss how her canvases allow viewers to share a personal glimpse into the lives of people that shape the American landscape. Free with museum admission. Cave Creek Museum, 6140 E. Skyline Dr., Cave Creek. 2–3:30 p.m. 480-488-2764; cavecreekmuseum.org

A Christmas Carol
2018-12-15 16:00 - 17:00
The Carolyn Eynon Singers will present Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Refreshments will be served and children will love the historic Old English Dickens village. $25/adults; $12.50/children under 12 years. Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, 9205 E. Cave Creek Rd., Carefree. 4 p.m. ctlcarefree.org

Winter Wonderland Concert
2018-12-15 19:00 - 21:00
North Valley Symphony Orchestra presents “Winter Wonderland,” including classical holiday favorites, and a visit from Santa. Free. North Canyon High School, 1700 E. Union Hills Dr., Phoenix.7 p.m. northvalleysymphony.org

MTA Holiday Show
2018-12-20 19:00 - 20:00
Enjoy the sounds of the season, including classic carols and popular holiday music presented by Musical Theatre of Anthem. $15. 42201 N. 41st Dr., Suite B100, Anthem. 7 p.m. 623-336-6001; musicaltheatreofanthem.org

A TRIBUTE TO DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
2018-12-26 08:00 - 17:00
Experience a birthday celebration of the Episcopal martyr and chief spokesman for the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr., with traditional gospel music repertoire, script and media. Experience an evening filled with strong emotion as you witness the historical presentation of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life. Free-will offering. The Episcopal Church of the Nativity, 22405 N. Miller Rd., Scottsdale. 7 p.m. 480-307-9216

Remembering Debbie Reynolds
2018-12-29 13:00 - 14:00
Jan Sandwich and Nicole Pesce present a wonderful new show filled with backstage stories, humor, and of course, great songs like “Tammy,” “Singin’ in the Rain” and many more. Free. RSVP. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Rd., Cave Creek. 1–2 p.m. 480-488-2286; desertfoothillslibrary.org
