A Weekend Long Holiday Celebration in Downtown Carefree, Arizona
By Kim Prince
“The festival has become one of the most well-attended holiday events in the Valley,” said event director and founder, Jo Gemmill of Carefree.
A three-day, two-night celebration with real snow, an electric light parade and a fireworks extravaganza, welcome in the holidays at the 7th annual Carefree Christmas Festival, December 12 – December 14.
The tiny town of Carefree, located just north of the Scottsdale and most famously known for its over-sized Sundial, turns into an illuminated winter wonderland for the yuletide event. Festivities take place at the Carefree Desert Gardens, 101 Easy Street, from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a .m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The signature Electric Light Parade, presented by APS and produced by the Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce, takes place on Saturday at 6 p.m., along Easy St., and is followed by a fireworks display. ABC15 weekend meteorologist and Valley native, Iris Hermosillo, will return as emcee of the parade. This will be Hermosillo’s third appearance at the growing event.
More than 20,000 visitors are expected to attend throughout the weekend. All activities are free. Information and a full schedule of events are available at carefreechristmasfestival.com, or at 480-488-2051.
The annual event has quickly become a holiday tradition in the northeast Valley. Highlights include a lighted holiday village with daytime and late night shopping, seasonal food and drink, live holiday dance and singing performances including the Salvation Army Marching Band, a Kid’s Zone with 35 tons of real snow, lighted carriage rides, real snow and ice princesses, Charles Dickens inspired carolers, a live Nativity display, and Santa.
Pet lovers are invited to bring their pets, dressed in their holiday best, for a pet parade and pictures with Santa on Sunday. Pet adoptions by the Foothills Animal Rescue (FAR) will take place throughout the day.
“The festival has become one of the most well-attended holiday events in the Valley because it brings out the child in all who attend. It is reminiscent of a traditional Christmastime of years past,” said Jo Gemmill of Carefree. Gemmill is the director and founder of the event.
The four-acre Carefree Desert Gardens provide a stunning backdrop, with thousands of cacti, many rare or unusual specimens, illuminated in holiday lights for the festival.
According to Gemmill, the festival relies heavily on generous corporate and small business sponsorships to fund the event.
Several important sponsors have signed on this year, including APS who will make possible the Festival’s signature event, Saturday night’s Electric Light Parade.
Sanderson Lincoln on Bell Road will present a snow slide and 35 tons of real snow, and local Carefree businessman, Chris Mellon of Chris Mellon Custom Home & Remodeling Center, is sponsoring the always popular Kid’s Zone.
Discount Tire has also signed on to be a supporter this year, according to Gemmill.
CAREFREE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL –
CALENDAR BRIEF
What: Illuminated holiday activities for the entire family with an electric light parade, fireworks display, live music and dance performances, real snow, a pet parade, gift market, holiday food court and much more, all in an outdoor desert setting
When: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday, December 14.
Where: Carefree Desert Gardens, 101 Easy St., Carefree, Arizona.
Cost: Free.
Information: 480-488-2051, carefreechristmasfestival.com.
CAREFREE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
Friday, December 12, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Gift Market and Holiday Food Court
10 a.m. – noon, To Be Announced
Noon – 2 p.m., Salvation Army Brass Band
2:30 – 3:30 p.m., Dickens Carolers, Christmas Around the World
3:30 – 4:30 p.m., Dickens Carolers, Christmas Around the World
4:30 – 5:30 p.m., Dickens Carolers, Christmas Around the World
4 p.m. – 9 p.m., Kid’s Zone with snow slide and 35 tons of real snow
5:45 – 6:45 p.m., Kelso Brothers – Holiday jazz music
6 – 9 p.m., Live Nativity and Lighted Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
7 – 8 p.m., Community choirs from four local churches
Saturday, December 13, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Gift Market and Holiday Food Court
10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Kid’s Zone with snow slide and 35 tons of real snow
10 – 11 a.m., Adage Dance Company, “A White Christmas”
11:30 – 1 p.m., Desert Foothills Theater, Medley of Christmas Classics, Snow Queen and Ice Queen appearances
2 – 2:30 p.m., Cactus Shadows High School Honors Choir
2 – 4 p.m., Live Nativity
2:30 – 3:30 p.m., Kevin Glenn Singers
3:30 – 4:30 p.m., Desert Hills Presbyterian Church, Live Nativity and Community Sing-Along
5 – 9 p.m., Holiday Party with DJ Robin Sherman
6 p.m., Electric Light Parade sponsored by APS, emceed by ABC15 weekend meteorologist Iris Hermosilo, followed by a Fireworks Extravaganza
Sunday, December 14, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
9 – noon, Pet Parade – presented Foothills Animal Rescue (FAR)
10 a.m. – noon, Pet photos with Santa
10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Gift Market and Holiday Food Court
10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Kid’s Zone with snow slide and 35 tons of real snow
11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Kiddie train rides
12:30 – 2 p.m., Center Stage Dance Studio
2:15 – 3:15 p.m., “Jolly Roger,” children’s comic magician
3:30 – 5 p.m., Johnny Martini and the Cactus Kickers dance troupe
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