Glendale, AZ - Events and Festivals

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Award-Winning Glendale Glitters Illuminates the Valley Nov. 27-28

Mark your calendars now for one of the Valley’s most-loved holiday traditions, Glendale Glitters, with the Spectacular kickoff on Nov. 27-28 from 5-10 p.m. each evening. Free admission and free parking mean you can bring the whole family and not break the bank!

The exciting stage show counts down to the lighting ceremony on Friday evening, Nov. 27 beginning at 5:30 p.m. The stunning display of 1.5 million lights will illuminate twelve blocks of Historic Downtown Glendale, making it the largest free holiday light display in Arizona. Visitors of all ages will delight in holiday entertainment, delectable food, hand-crafted holiday gifts, a children’s winter wonderland, horse-drawn carriage rides, shopping and, of course, visits with Jolly Ol’ St. Nick.

Event attendees are encouraged to use the free shuttle to downtown Glendale, from Glendale Community College, located at 59th and Olive avenues. Please note that the shuttle runs from the north campus lots, and cars should enter off of 59th Avenue, north of Olive. The shuttle will run continuously from 4-10:30 p.m.

Nov. 27th	Target Main Stage
5:00	Come Back Buddy
5:30	Lighting program: 'Celebrating Glendale's Centennial'
6:15-6:45	On Stage Dance
7:00-7:45	Come Back Buddy
8:00	Marilyn's Academy of Dance
9:00	Holiday Trombones and Flutes
Nov. 28th	Target Main Stage
5:00	Arizona Broadway Theatre
6:00	Stage Door Dance
7:00	Spotlight Youth Theatre
8:00	Oasis Gymnastics & Sports Center
9:00	Campanillas del Sol Handbell Ensemble

The holiday magic continues with more events in downtown Glendale, each Friday and Saturday, from 6-10 p.m. each evening.

Dec. 4-5, Glendale’s Gingerbread Nights
Enjoy family fun all about gingerbread, including our own Flat Murphy contest winners a la gingerbread men, a gingerbread décor, gingerbread flavored food and drink as well as holiday performances and all sorts of treats to satisfy your sweet tooth.

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Dec. 4th	Target Main Stage
6:00	Sun City Poms
7:00	Peoria Arts Institute
8:00	Precision Dance Company
9:00	North Valley Chorale
Dec. 5th	Target Main Stage
6:00	Spisak Dance Academy
7:00	Glendale High School Cardinal Choirs
8:00	Marilyn's Academy of Dance
9:00	Purely Dance Performance Team

Dec. 11-12, Glendale’s Spirit of Giving
The holidays are a time of generosity, so what could be better than a whole weekend recognizing those who give back to our community? It’ll do your heart good to get into the spirit of giving by paying tribute to those selfless organizations who make our community a better place to live. Support local food banks with our canned food drive for St. Mary’s Food Bank and kids will enjoy a free Madagascar movie!

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Dec. 11th	Target Main Stage
6:00	My Kids In Sign
7:00	Royal Dance Works
8:00	Westwind Harmony Chorus
9:00	The Boot Scooters
Dec. 12th	Target Main Stage
6:00	Devney's Dance Academy
7:00	Valley Vista Choir
8:00	Michaela's Dance Magic
9:00	Wagner Dance and Music

Dec. 18-19, Glendale’s Jingle Bell Rockin’ Nights
Bring your dancing shoes for a rockin’ good time in Murphy Park, which will be packed with music, lights, APS clowns with kids’ crafts and excitement! Entertainment will include performances of both holiday music and oldies you can dance to, as well as dance troupe performances.

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Dec. 18th	Target Main Stage
6:00	Lori Ford's Vocal Studio
7:00	Desert Star Dance
8:00	Sandra Day O'Connor HS Choir
9:00	Prestige Dance
Dec. 19th	Target Main Stage
6:00	Orangewood K-8 Cheer & Dance Team
7:00	Leap of Faith Dance+
8:00	Elite Dance Academy
9:00	The Dance Shoppe

Glendale Glitters on You Tube!
More than 1.5 million twinkling lights sparkle over historic downtown Glendale at this FREE holiday event on Friday & Saturday November 27th & 28th. Entertainment, Santa Claus, food, drinks, crafts, gifts, carriage rides and free parking.

Watch clip online

CLICK HERE for a PDF of fun fast facts about this great holiday tradition.

The glittering magic of Glendale’s holiday display remains lit nightly through Jan. 16, from 5-10 p.m. each evening. Glendale Glitters, now entering its sixteenth year, was named azcentral.com’s Critics’ Choice for the Best Festival in the Valley in 2008.

Glendale Glitters Spectacular is sponsored by APS and Target. For more information, call the Special Event Hotline at 623-930-2299.