Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Deer Valley, AZ

Glendale kicks off the holiday season with its weekend-after-Thanksgiving festivities, but the fun doesn't end there....

Glendale kicks off the holiday season with its weekend-after-Thanksgiving festivities, but the fun doesn't end there. Most Friday and Saturday nights until Christmas, the city features fun activities, concerts, foods, and horse-drawn carriage rides. About a million twinkling lights decorate the downtown area ­ even if you can't attend the weekend festivities, the decorations are still worth seeing! Other celebrations include Winter Wonderland and Jingle Bell Rockin' Nights.

Hours: Fri, Nov 29, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Sat, Nov 30, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Sun, Dec 1, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Mon, Dec 2, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Tue, Dec 3, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Wed, Dec 4, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Thu, Dec 5, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Fri, Dec 6, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Sat, Dec 7, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Sun, Dec 8, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Mon, Dec 9, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Tue, Dec 10, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Wed, Dec 11, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Thu, Dec 12, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Fri, Dec 13, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Sat, Dec 14, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Sun, Dec 15, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Mon, Dec 16, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Tue, Dec 17, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Wed, Dec 18, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Thu, Dec 19, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Fri, Dec 20, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Sat, Dec 21, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Sun, Dec 22, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Mon, Dec 23, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Tue, Dec 24, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Wed, Dec 25, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Thu, Dec 26, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Fri, Dec 27, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Sat, Dec 28, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Sun, Dec 29, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Mon, Dec 30, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Tue, Dec 31, 2013: 6pm - 9pm Wed, Jan 1, 2014: 6pm - 9pm Thu, Jan 2, 2014: 6pm - 9pm Fri, Jan 3, 2014: 6pm - 9pm Sat, Jan 4, 2014: 6pm - 9pm Sun, Jan 5, 2014: 6pm - 9pm

This monthly showcase of Phoenix's gallery and art communities grants folks the chance to browse spaces where artists...

This monthly showcase of Phoenix's gallery and art communities grants folks the chance to browse spaces where artists create and sell their works. The event also involves local restaurants and shops, and visitors are regaled by street performers and musicians as well. A free shuttle eases getting from place to place, and a diverse crowd gives the event added character. If you can't make it Friday night, many venues are also open from 1pm till 5pm the next day (Saturday).

Hours: Fri, Jan 4, 2013: 6pm - 10pm Fri, Feb 1, 2013: 6pm - 10pm Fri, Mar 1, 2013: 6pm - 10pm Fri, Apr 5, 2013: 6pm - 10pm Fri, May 3, 2013: 6pm - 10pm Fri, Jun 7, 2013: 6pm - 10pm Fri, Jul 5, 2013: 6pm - 10pm Fri, Aug 2, 2013: 6pm - 10pm Fri, Sep 6, 2013: 6pm - 10pm Fri, Oct 4, 2013: 6pm - 10pm Fri, Nov 1, 2013: 6pm - 10pm Fri, Dec 6, 2013: 6pm - 10pm

Once a year, numerous artist studios and galleries open their doors to the public, inviting interested visitors to...

Once a year, numerous artist studios and galleries open their doors to the public, inviting interested visitors to browse the facilities, observe the creative process, and purchase art that moves and speaks to them. The self-guided art walk spans three days and attracts multi-thousands of people, showcasing fledgling artists and more established talents as well. Dozens of venues present a wide variety of media, and free shuttles are available. A kids' interactive component also accompanies the adult event.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Sat, Mar 2, 2013 Sun, Mar 3, 2013

You might want to fast a little bit before heading to this one! Some 40 vendors offer their best sweet treats to more...

You might want to fast a little bit before heading to this one! Some 40 vendors offer their best sweet treats to more than 95,000 delighted festival-goers. It's all about chocolate, of course, but to keep everyone happy, organizers arrange additional things, including live music, games and activities for the kids, tours of the Cerreta Candy Company factory, workshops with romance novelists, and a raffle for a 400-pound solid chocolate heart.

Hours: February 2014

This family-oriented Independence Day festival has all the ingredients for a good time. In the children's section, you...

This family-oriented Independence Day festival has all the ingredients for a good time. In the children's section, you can play games, have fun on carnival rides and inflatables, or watch jugglers, stilt walkers, and magicians. The 74-acre festival site also features live bands and plenty of food vendors. At 9:35pm, the fireworks display begins -- bring blankets or lawn chairs for comfortable viewing. Alcohol-free.

Hours: Thu, Jul 4, 2013: 6pm - 10pm

Over 100 organizations participate in Saturday's Pride Parade -- that's some 200 vehicles, dozens of floats, and...

Over 100 organizations participate in Saturday's Pride Parade -- that's some 200 vehicles, dozens of floats, and hundreds of people, all marching for a good cause. The festival at Steele Indian School Park features standard fair stuff -- exhibits, arts and crafts, food, and music (Taylor Dayne, En Vogue, and Frenchie Davis have performed in the past). On Sunday, join in the 5K run or 3K walk, and then head back to the festival site for more fun.

Hours: Sat, Apr 6, 2013 Sun, Apr 7, 2013

The Encanto-Palmcroft Historic District is a picturesque community, and this event lets you get a closer look at the...

The Encanto-Palmcroft Historic District is a picturesque community, and this event lets you get a closer look at the neighborhood's most charming homes, about a dozen of them each year. The event also allows folks to relax along the way (chairs are conveniently placed for rest stops), sample the offerings of local restaurant vendors, check out vintage cars, and browse an arts and crafts sale. Held every two years.

Hours: Sun, Mar 24, 2013: 10am - 4pm

Celebrating Native American heritage and talents, this well-attended festival is a source of great delight and...

Celebrating Native American heritage and talents, this well-attended festival is a source of great delight and education. More than 600 artists fill the museum grounds, demonstrating facility in basketweaving, jewelry making, woodcarving, pottery, and more. Authentic foods and domestic skills are highlighted, and visitors can sample frybread, stews, and roasted corn dishes. Acoustic music also finds a place, and dancing is prominent as well. Extraordinary handmade goods are for sale.

Hours: Sat, Mar 2, 2013: 9:30am - 5pm Sun, Mar 3, 2013: 9:30am - 5pm

One of Phoenix's loveliest neighborhoods, Willo is comprised of a charming, mile-long stretch of pre-WWII homes. Each...

One of Phoenix's loveliest neighborhoods, Willo is comprised of a charming, mile-long stretch of pre-WWII homes. Each year on the Sunday before Valentine's Day, the ever-growing Willo Home Tour allows the public a glimpse inside a dozen or so of these lovingly restored (and often expanded) bungalows and cottages.

Hours: Sun, Feb 9, 2014: 10am - 4pm

Wholesome, all-American entertainment is the name of the game at this annual fall event. Attended by more than a million...

Wholesome, all-American entertainment is the name of the game at this annual fall event. Attended by more than a million visitors, the fair offers midway rides and games, rodeo competitions, agriculture and livestock exhibits, and cooking and eating contests. Naturally, concerts are a part of the festivities, and have featured folks like Gretchen Wilson, Alan Jackson, Pet Shop Boys, the Steve Miller Band, and Big & Rich. A petting zoo, kids' activities, and an abundance of carnival food fare also fit the bill admirably.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Fri, Oct 11, 2013 Sat, Oct 12, 2013 Sun, Oct 13, 2013 Mon, Oct 14, 2013 Tue, Oct 15, 2013 Wed, Oct 16, 2013 Thu, Oct 17, 2013 Fri, Oct 18, 2013 Sat, Oct 19, 2013 Sun, Oct 20, 2013 Mon, Oct 21, 2013 Tue, Oct 22, 2013 Wed, Oct 23, 2013 Thu, Oct 24, 2013 Fri, Oct 25, 2013 Sat, Oct 26, 2013 Sun, Oct 27, 2013 Mon, Oct 28, 2013 Tue, Oct 29, 2013 Wed, Oct 30, 2013 Thu, Oct 31, 2013 Fri, Nov 1, 2013 Sat, Nov 2, 2013 Sun, Nov 3, 2013