How To Celebrate The 2020 Holidays In Scottsdale
SCOTTSDALE, AZ — 2020 has been a strange year for many, but the holidays offer a chance of safe, festive fun as the year draws to a close.
Several of Scottsdale's annual events will be kicking off despite the coronavirus pandemic, though many have modifications in place to allow for safe celebration.
Scottsdazzle in at the Scottsdale Waterfront in Old Town is going on now through Jan. 1 with tons to do for the whole family. Write letters to Santa, take a look at the lit tree, join a sing-a-long or watch a holiday movie outdoors. High public art installations and culinary demonstrations round out this event.
Christmas at the Princess, which lasts through Dec. 31, will allow guests to enter a winter wonderland in the middle of the desert. An ice rink, an express train that twists around the hotel property, character appearances and photos with Santa Claus are just some of the activities guests can participate in. The Princess is also offering rentals for outdoor fire pits and socially distant igloos. Tickets must be purchased in advance online.
Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden is a holiday mainstay for a reason. See the more than 8,000 luminaria bags lit around Arizona's desert landscaping. The garden is offering a chance to see them on select dates until Dec. 31.
The Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, which will go through Jan. 3, 2021, will be a winner for kids. Thousands of twinkling lights can be seen as the park's train takes you for a ride. To adhere to coronavirus guidelines, this year's event will take place during one-hour blocks of time, with shows at 6 p.m., 7:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. each night. The rides will also be operated at 50 percent capacity to allow for social distancing.
Holiday Lights at Salt River Fields is a drive-thru experience full of five million lights across 1.2 miles. Private carriage rides will also be available for socially distant, festive fun. The first-time event will last through Dec. 31.
Coach House Tavern is the holiday stop for many locals each winter. For more than 25 years, the Bower Family has draped their historic dive bar in garland, gift wrap, tinsel, candy canes, bows and more than 12,000 lights to deliver the ultimate holiday spirit. That tradition will live on this year, even as the bar is open at a limited capacity.
This article originally appeared on the Scottsdale Patch
