Sedona’s beauty is only enhanced during the month of December by all the Holiday lights and festivities throughout the town.  If you’re wanting to get in the Holiday spirit, you’ll find many opportunities in Sedona and the surrounding area.  Make sure to reserve your room at Sedona’s Best Boutique Inn, The Southwest Inn at Sedona

Sedona December Activities – 2009

11/19-12/31 – Red Rock Fantasy is a festival of more than a million lights providing a holiday tradition in the shadows of the beautiful Sedona Red Rocks.  With almost 50 displays created by families from the Southwest, the festival will wow the little ones.  Located at Los Abrigados Resort. Sun – Thur 5 – 9 pm, Fri and Sat 5 – 10 pm.  Adult – $5, Senior – $4, Children (5 and up) – $3.

11/21 – 12/29 – World’s Largest Gingerbread Village. The world’s largest gingerbread village is ready for all to tour this holiday season.  The village is in the lobby of the Prescott Resort and Conference Center, 1500 Highway 69 in Prescott, Arizona 7 days a week.  There is no charge to see the village.  This annual whimsical village of over 100 houses is a fundraiser for Yavapai Big Brothers and Sisters.

11/27 – 12/6 – Come and celebrate the Holidays at Tlaquepaque’s Festival of Trees – Area artists and galleries will have over 30 Christmas trees fully decorated in fun and exquisite ways to entice the guests of Tlaquepaque.  The trees will be on display throughout the courtyards accompanied by silent auction bid sheets.  The proceeds from this Holiday event will benefit Toys for Tots, Camp Soaring Eagle and the Waldorf School.  For more information visit www.tlaq.com

12/4 & 12/5 – Sedona Holiday Tree Lighting & Santa’s Visit. This traditional community event includes entertainment, activities and refreshments from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Orchard’s Plaza.  Sedona’s Mayor will light the tree and then Santa will arrive on Sedona’s historic fire engine.  Polaroid photos with Santa will be taken by his Elves.

12/5 – Dickens Carolers.  Christmas caroling quartets at Tlaquepaque from 3 – 5 pm.

12/5 – “Voices of the Verde” at Sedona Heritage Museum, 1:30.  An hour of humor, song, cowboy poetry and historial narrative.

12/6 - The Heavenly J’s at Sedona Creative Life Center.  Incarnations of Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison etc.

12/11 – Holiday Music Concert in the Chapel.  Singers from the River of Life Tabernacle Choir, Ron Tolson and Bryan Pace perform in the Chapel at Tlaquepaque from 4 – 7 pm.

12/12 – Euro Deli of Sedona presents: 1st Annual Celebration of Lights Concert – Four of Sedona’s finest musicians have teamed up to bring you a grandiose concept performance at the Sedona Creative Life Center.  7 – 8:30 p.m.   Tickets: $20

12/12 – Festival of Lights. A cherished tradition involving the lighting of six thousand luminarias in the courtyards and walkways of Tlaquepaque.  Dozens of entertaning events including performances by carolers and musicians, along with a visit by Santa.  3 – 8 pm.

12/12 – Christmas in the Park - Sedona Heritage Museum annual open house from 11:00 to 3:00pm.  Hot apple cider, holiday cookies, and free entertainment.

12/13 - Geology Hike at Red Rock State Park at 2:00pm.  This hike lasts about 2.5 hours, wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water.  Every Wednesday at 9:00am there are guided bird walks and at 10:00am every day guided nature walks.

Sedona December Activities – 2008

It seems like the holiday season came on so fast and there is more to come. Pace yourselves and come to Sedona—where the life style is low key and you can catch your breath.

The Southwest Inn will be celebrating “Illumination” during the week of 12/01/08 through 12/06/08 with two exceptional presentations. Right across our parking lot, David Morrell will be at the Well Red Coyote on December 2nd (he’s the author of the Rambo series). At the Sedona Heritage Museum, Jeremy Rowe will speak on Historic Post Card Images of Arizona. This is part of the Sedona Historical Society’s Living History talks. On December the museum will be hosting a free open house. There will be live music in the Fruit Packing Shed and the making of corn husk dolls in the main part of the museum…what a great way to step back in time to a slower paced life.

On December 19th, right next door to our Inn, George GoodStriker (a Blackfoot Elder) will give a spiritual presentation about natural medicines and traditional sweat lodges.

Speaking of natural, Red Rock State Park is just 15 minutes from us. Everyday they have a guided nature walk and every Saturday guided bird watching. What a wonderful way to get outside and walk off the worries of the world. Following this theme, the Sedona Creative Life Center (sedonacreativelife.com) is hosting many programs during the month of December regarding enriching the human heart and soul, plus a variety of musical events.

On December 12th a Holiday Concert in the Chapel will be held at Tlaquepaque from 3:00 to 7:00pm. The following night, December 13th is the Annual Festival of Lights at Tlaquepaque. This is one of my personal favorites. It started over 30 years ago when Sedona was a very small town and always looking for a social reason to get together. About a week before the actual lighting, shop keepers at Tlaquepaque would be seen filling paper bags with sand and a candle. The night of the celebration, the inhabitants of this small community would go down, light the candles and then stay and share a beverage. These events are free and open to the public. For more details go to www.shoptlaq.com.

In the Sedona area, we are lucky to have several wineries. Page Springs Cellars (www.pagespringscellars.com) is having a “Gruel and Grog” event December 13 and 14.

Don’t forget while all these other events are going on, the Sedona Red Rock Fantasy (www.redrockfantasy.com) continues for the entire month of December. The weather has been most cooperative, so the nights are clear and not too cold. This is a great activity for all ages and lasts about 45 minutes. Then it’s time for hot chocolate…

The Southwest Inn will honor the tradition of “Giving” during the week of 12/14/08 through 12/20/08. To start things off, the Minnesota Vikings will be coming to town to play the Arizona Cardinals. Hope the Cardinals aren’t too relaxed about this game.

The Christmas week of 12/21/08 through 12/27/08 will be full of events. Many local artists will be giving concerts. On the 22nd there will be an evening of storytellng at the Well Red Coyote. There will be a presentation of Pilgramage to Bethlehem at the Wayside Chapel (www.pottershandProductions.com) on December 19, 20 and 21st. So, come to Sedona to take the time to reflect on the past year, celebrate your accomplishments, and spend some time with your family and enjoy the festive atmosphere at the Southwest Inn. We are currently planning a variety of guided hikes and bike rides to close out the year.

The Southwest Inn will begin to kick off the New Year from 12/28/08 through 01/03/09, and we will start planning for the Fiesta Bowl on January 5th. We’re looking forward to Buckeyes and Longhorns taking a side trip to Sedona! The Seattle Seahawks will be playing the Arizona Cardinals. How about dem Cardinals?!

Reserve Sedona’s Best Rooms at The Southwest Inn!