Red Rock Fantasy at Los Abrigados Resort & Spa

Sedona is one of the most enchanting places to celebrate the holiday season. Annual events draw thousands each year to create family traditions & memories that will last a lifetime. Sedona’s moderate climate boasts temperatures in the mid-50′s to low-60′s making outdoor and indoor activities enjoyable year-round. Just be sure to pack a jacket to wear after the sun goes down. From the lighting of over 6,000 luminarias at beautiful Tlaquepaque to the lighting of over 1 million Christmas lights at Los Abrigados nightly, make some memories with your family this holiday season here in beautiful Sedona.

Red Rock Fantasy at Los Abrigados Resort & Spa, Nov. 19 – Jan. 2, 2010

One of the city’s most spectucular annual events is the Red Rock Fantasy at Los Abrigados Resort & Spa. Now in its nineteenth year and boasting nearly two-dozen displays created by families from the Southwest, the festival promises never-before-seen marvels of light that leave children in wonderment and move adult minds to enjoy the holidays as they did when they were young. That’s the magic that has made Red Rock Fantasy a favorite among Arizonans and visitors to the state alike.

Lights On for the 19th Annual Red Rock Fantasy will take place this year at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 19, 2009. The event will last through the New Year, ending with “Lights Out” on Saturday, January 2, 2010.

All those touring the lights will be given a ballot containing a route map, which will allow them to choose five favorite displays. The completed ballots may be dropped in the ballot box located in the lobby of the restaurants. The winning display will be awarded a lifetime vacation ownership through ILX Premiere Vacation Club with prizes also going to runners up in 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place categories. The Red Rock Fantasy Awards Banquet announcing the winners in every category is Saturday, January 9, 2010 beginning at 6:30 pm. In addition to the annual competition amongst display decorators, ILX Resorts Incorporated will continue the tradition of donating a percentage of proceeds to local schools, charities and nonprofits.

ILX Resorts wants to thank the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and City of Sedona for pledged safety during this year’s annual event. It is because of them Red Rock Fantasy has been and continues to be a success.

The festival is open each evening (weather permitting) from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for children aged 4-12 and is complimentary for children 3 and under. Blocks of 20 tickets or more are sold at a discounted rate of $4 per person. For more information, call 928-282-1777 or toll free 800-521-3131.

For more information please call (928) 282-1777 or visit our web site at www.redrockfantasy.com. For bulk ticket information, contact Deb Hawthorne, Accounting Manager, Los Abrigados Resort & Spa, at (928) 282-1777.

The Festival of Trees, Tlaquepaque, Nov. 27

A new and exciting event opens at Tlaquepaque on Friday, November 27, 2009 – The 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. Kick of your holiday season with a beautiful themed tree already pre-decorated…The trees will be on display on throughout the courtyards of Tlaquepaque accompanied with silent auction bid sheets. Viewers may visit Tlaquepaque and check their bids through 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 6th. The proceeds from this Holiday event will benefit The Humane Society of Sedona, Toys for Tots, Camp Soaring Eagle and the Desert Star Community School. For additional information please contact Mally Paquette at (928) 592-2177.

Friday, November 27: 10:00am The Art Inspired Tree Display Opens

Wednesday, December 2: 1-3pm Pet Photos with Santa to benefit the Humane Society of Sedona

Saturday, December 5: 1-3pm “Kids Be a Star”. Make ceramic holiday gifts sponsored by Imagine Art in Sedona

Saturday, December 5: 5-7pm Holiday Reception Under the Stars

Sunday, December 6: 4pm The Auction Closes

• Date Details: Friday, November 27 through Sunday, December 6, 2009
• Phone: (928) 592-2177

The Festival of Lights at Tlaquepaque

The Festival of Lights at Tlaquepaque, Dec. 12

It’s hard to describe what it feels like to be in the midst of 6,000 golden-hued luminarias that punctuate every wall, balcony, patio and cobbled stone walkway in the arts village. If ever there was a place for bedazzlement and holiday wonder, the 36th Annual Festival of Lights at Tlaquepaque is it.

Everyone — the young, young at heart and revelers everywhere — is invited to the holiday celebration on Saturday, December 12th, 2009 from 3:00 to 8:00 pm. Admission is free, as is the Sedona Trolley service from the uptown Municipal parking lot to Tlaquepaque, available throughout the festival hours.

For many the lighting of a luminaria has a special significance. Now a Tlaquepaque tradition for six years, cancer survivors are honored and those that lost their lives to cancer are remembered as friends and families dedicate a luminaria in their name. Donations to help fight the disease are gratefully accepted by the American Cancer Society. The sponsored luminarias will their special messages are then placed around the fountain at Patio del Norte. “This can be a challenging time of year for many families. We want to especially remember those that are heroically fighting cancer or who overcame it… as well as those who did not. In a small way we pause to acknowledge them at this special time of year,” said Wendy Lippman, general  manager and managing partner of Tlaquepaque.

At 5:00 pm candles will be handed out to everyone. Kids, parents grandparents and visitors from all over love to light their candles and place them in the luminaria bags. Not long after, the stunning spectacle of light, over 6000 luminarias is complete.

The weekend event will kick off the night before with popular singer Ron Tolson whose deeply melodic baritone voice will fill the Tlaquepaque Chapel on Friday, December 11th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.

On Saturday starting at 3:00 pm gather the kids in Patio Del Norte to see the arrival of Santa Claus and his elf, accompanied by Christmas favorites sung by Sedona’s Tom and Shondra. The Chavez Jazz Trio with Frankie Chavez, accomplished drummer and percussionist, will perform from 5:30 to 8pm in Patio Del Norte.

At Plaza de la Fuente from 5:30 to 8:00 pm listen to the heart-pounding, uplifting vocals and perfect harmonies of the 60-person River of Life Tabernacle Choir. Astounding in their mastery of song, their repertoire is both traditionally seasonal and inspiring gospel.

Traditional Christmas music delivered with the upbeat sounds of steel drums, marimba and more by percussionist Paul McDermand will thrill the crowds in Patio de las Campanas from 3:00 to 8:00 pm. At the Chapel from 4:00 to 5:30 pm be sure not to miss Sedona’s Jim Buchanan and stay for the Leman Music Ensemble from 6-8pm, performing traditional Christmas favorites.

It wouldn’t be a traditional Tlaquepaque event without the Roaming Mariachis Familia Rojas – a big hit from the Fiesta, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Carolers will stroll throughout the village during the afternoon to round out the holiday cheer.

Home to more than 40 shops and galleries and four restaurants, Tlaquepaque, the Art and Soul of Sedona, now in its 37th year, is located at 336 Highway 179 at the Oak Creek Bridge just south of 89A on Highway 179. It is open daily at 10:00 am. For more information call (928) 282-4838, visit: www.tlaq.com.

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