Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Scottsdale, 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

The elegant grounds of the Desert Botanical Gardens glow with candlelight during this famous winter event. Late in the...

The elegant grounds of the Desert Botanical Gardens glow with candlelight during this famous winter event. Late in the year (usually in December), volunteers line garden pathways with more than 7,000 luminaries, creating an otherworldly spectacle that draws sell-out crowds. Musicians perform throughout the evening, and light refreshments are served. Non-member tickets go on sale in early October and sell out quickly, so plan ahead!

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

ZooLights is one of the biggest holiday light displays in the Southwest. Approximately 2½ million twinkling lights...

ZooLights is one of the biggest holiday light displays in the Southwest. Approximately 2½ million twinkling lights are strung throughout the zoo, and you'll also encounter numerous animated displays (new ones pop up every year too). The festivities also include a carousel, camel and wagon rides, and a stingray touch tank.

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

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

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

Theater's power comes through the spoken word, and like any great art, playmaking is a process. This company revels in...

Theater's power comes through the spoken word, and like any great art, playmaking is a process. This company revels in that knowledge, allowing playwrights to workshop new plays and find out how they perform on stage before going back in and revising, reconsidering, and completing them. For a month each summer, four works by four playwrights get due attention, including actors and directors but no costumes or sets. The subject matter varies, so audiences get a new perspective with each work. A great chance to see theater in its unpolished form and to catch plays before they are widely produced.

Hours: July 2013

If food's your passion -- both consuming and creating -- Devoured gives you plenty to appreciate. Top-rated chefs from...

If food's your passion -- both consuming and creating -- Devoured gives you plenty to appreciate. Top-rated chefs from the area show off their most impressive dishes, titillating palates, and cooking demonstrations impart tricks of the trade. Wine events, exotic ingredients, book-signings, food trends, and more are part of the two-day event, and live music adds a gracious note.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Sat, Mar 9, 2013: 11am - 4pm Sun, Mar 10, 2013: 11am - 4pm