Looking for things to do this month to get out and enjoy the holidays? Here are a few local events to check out.
PJs in the Park
When: Friday, Dec. 2 from 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Where: Civic Space Park in downtown Phoenix
What: Throw on your favorite pajamas and come watch Polar Express (5:30 p.m.) and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (7:30 p.m.) in the park under the stars.
Bring your own blanket and chair. You can also ride the light rail — which has been transformed for the holiday.
The event is free with three food donations to St. Mary’s Food Bank.
The jolly man himself is expected to make a surprise appearance, so bring a camera for the kids!
Prescott’s annual Christmas parade and courthouse lighting
When: Saturday, Dec. 3. Parade starts at 1 p.m. Musical entertainment at 5 p.m. Courthouse lighting at 6 p.m.
Where: Prescott’s Courthouse Square
What: Prescott’s 34th annual Christmas parade will be followed by the 62nd annual lighting of the old courthouse in the downtown plaza.
Former Arizona Gov. Rose Mofford declared Prescott as “Arizona’s Christmas City” for a reason.
APS Electric Light Parade
When: Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016 at 7 p.m.
Where: Parade starts at Central and Montebello avenues in downtown Phoenix and ends at 7th Street and Indian School Road.
What: The 30th edition of the APS Electric Light Parade will feature lights, floats and a theme of “1986-2016 A Phoenix Family Tradition.”
The event is free.
*Extra thing to do: Pre-parade event on Friday, Dec. 2 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the North Phoenix Baptist Church on Central Avenue. Family’s can get a up-close view of parade floats and kids can enjoy Santa’s Village.
Christmas at Comstock
When: Lights run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday from Dec. 1 until Dec. 30.
Where: 3642 East Comstock Drive in Gilbert
What: More than 110,000 lights, 50,000 feet of wire, 300-plus strobes, and various snow machines and other attractions spread out among 13 adjacent homes.
Plus, “Christmas on Comstock” won the $50,000 grand prize during ABC’S “The Great Christmas Light Fight” last year.
There are donation boxes all down the street, and 100 percent of proceeds go to toward the Make-a-Wish foundation.
Chandler Parade of Lights and Tumbleweed Tree lighting
When: Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016 from 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: Downtown Chandler
What: The lighting of the iconic Tumbleweed Tree will be surrounded by a beautiful light parade, fun and festive activities, Santa’s house and musical entertainment.
The event is free.
Avondale WinterFest
When: Saturday, Dec. 3 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Where: Western Avenue, Avondale
What: The historic street in Avondale will bolster arts and craft booths, live entertainment and food vendors.
Kids will have lots to do activities like playing in snow in the park.
The Clauses will definitely be there to turn on the lights and stop for pictures.
There is no entry fee to this event.
Queen Creek Holiday Festival & Parade
When: Saturday, Dec. 3 from noon – 7 p.m.
Where: Queen Creek Library
What: The 34th annual event will feature craft vendors, food vendors, live local entertainment, activities, photos with Santa and a tree lighting ceremony.
Parking for the event is free.
Holiday movies in Flagstaff
When: Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: The Orpheum Theater in downtown Flagstaff
What: Watch two Christmas classics — A Charlie Brown Christmas and Frosty the Snowman — with holiday-themed crafts, candy canes and Santa himself.
The event is free but there will be hot chocolate and holiday goodies for sale.
Surprise Party
When: Friday, Dec. 2 (5 p.m. – 9 p.m.) and Satruday, Dec. 3 (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Where: Surprise Recreation Campus
What: It’s not a actual surprise party, but it is in Surprise!
The two-day event will feature a hot air balloon glow, night-time skydivers, a tree lighting ceremony, a car show, interactive games, camel rides, a petting zoo, food and live music.
ZooLights
When: Nightly through Jan. 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Where: Phoenix Zoo
What: Millions of holiday lights light up the Phoenix Zoo marking the 25th year for the annual event.
You can enter the ZooLights Scavenger Hunt and win prizes. You’ll just have to find and take a selfie with the zoo’s hidden light sculptures.
Think you can find Bigfoot, a baseball bat, two alien heads and Godzilla?
Tickets range from $10 to $19 depending on the night. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.phoenixzoo.org or at the gate.
Glendale Glitters
When: Glendale’s holiday light display remains lit nightly through Jan. 7, from 5 – 11 p.m.
Where: Downtown Glendale
What: Each night Glendale’s historic downtown is lit with over a million lights. Every weekend features fun for the whole family like entertainment, activities and special attractions.
On Friday and Saturday (Dec. 2 and 3) you can experience the “Jingle Bell Rockin’ Nights” event.