New Year's Eve 2022: Best ways to ring in 2023 in Arizona's favorite holiday cities
Times Square in New York City drops a ball. Arizona drops a pinecone.
And a boot.
And a taco. (Added bonus: We toast the new year by eating tacos, too.)
Cities across Arizona proudly offer unique traditions for celebrating the arrival of the new year, including the return of Flagstaff's Great Pinecone Drop after two years of pandemic-related cancellations.
If you want to celebrate the arrival of 2023 in the most Arizona way possible, these three experiences are must-haves. Just be sure to dress warmly if you're heading north and make sure you and your car are ready for potentially snowy driving conditions.
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Flagstaff: Great Pinecone Drop
In a storied tradition that dates back to 1999, the Weatherford Hotel in downtown Flagstaff marks the arrival of the new year by dropping a 6-foot-tall, 70-pound metallic pinecone from the top of the building.
While the pinecone drop can be seen from the streets of Flagstaff, revelers who stay at the hotel on New Year's Eve have the best vantage point. And if that's not enough, the Weatherford is offering a VIP event that allows guests to see the pinecone drop from the balcony on the hotel's third floor. You must be 21 or older to stay in the hotel on New Year's Eve or attend the VIP event.
The Pinecone Drop returns this year after COVID-19 forced the cancellation of in-person celebrations in 2020 and 2021.
The pinecone will drop three times on Saturday, Dec. 31: once at noon as part of a family-friendly "Noon Year's Eve" celebration, again at 10 p.m. to mark the new year on the East Coast and finally at midnight to mark the new year in Arizona.
Details: 23 N. Leroux St., Flagstaff. Viewing from the street is free. Tickets for the VIP event are $125. https://weatherfordhotel.com.
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Prescott: Whiskey Row Boot Drop
In downtown Prescott's Whiskey Row, named for the large number of saloons it housed during the mining boom that started in the mid-1800s, the 12th annual Boot Drop marks the start of 2023.
A 6-foot-tall lighted boot will drop from the flagpole of the historic Palace building at 10 p.m. and midnight on New Year's Eve, with fireworks after both drops. There will also be live music and food trucks.
Details: 20 S. Montezuma St., Prescott. Free. https://www.bootdrop.com.
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Tucson: Noir Year's Eve at Hotel Congress
Tucson's historic Hotel Congress promises to transform itself into a "mystical desert noir scene" with tarot card readings and a performance from the rock 'n' roll cumbia band XIXA. The 21-and-over event also features DJs and two dance floors, a complimentary welcome drink and fireworks from the rooftop.
The fun starts at 8 p.m. on New Year's Eve and culminates in a taco and champagne toast as the hotel counts down to 2023 with a taco drop at midnight.
Details: 311 E. Congress St., Tucson. $60 for general admission. $120 for VIP admission that includes priority entry, a special seance experience and exclusive access to a lounge with a dessert bar and complimentary specialty cocktail. https://hotelcongress.com.
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Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @salerno_phx.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona New Year's Eve 2022 parties in Flagstaff, Tucson, Prescott
