Ring in the holiday cheer at Queen Creek’s Hometown Christmas celebration
Field Trip Friday is sponsored by Sanderson Ford
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Break out the Christmas decorations, curl up to watch your favorite holiday movie, and grab a cup of hot cocoa because the holiday season is here! Good Morning Arizona is taking you to a booming East Valley town whose holiday celebrations are growing each year.
Queen Creek has grown from roughly 60,000 residents to 81,000 in just four years. With a fast-growing population, there are plenty of things everyone of all ages can do to ring in the Christmas cheer.
Hometown Christmas Celebration
Queen Creek will be hosting its Hometown Christmas event, featuring live music, food trucks, Santa’s village, a tree lighting ceremony and parade and, of course, a visit from St. Nick himself! This is the first year the town will be hosting the holiday celebration. The Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce hosted the festival and parade for 10 years and transitioned it to a town event this year!
‘A Storybook Christmas’
Grab your lawn chairs and blankets because guests from all over the Valley are invited to attend the town’s parade, “A Storybook Christmas!” The parade will be held on Saturday, December 7, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
There will be 56 floats, seven walking groups, three bands and three equestrian groups — a whopping 69 total entries!
Participants will bring classic Christmas tales to life, such as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,’ ‘The Polar Express’, and so many more! The best place to view the parade is on Ellsworth Road, south of Victoria Lane.
After the parade, don’t forget to vote for your favorite float!
Santa’s Workshop
Visit St. Nick’s workshop where you can decorate garland and ornaments to your heart’s content. Kiddos can also write and send letters to jolly St. Nick himself!
Light Up The Sky
Invite family and friends for the official kickoff to the holiday season with the town’s tree lighting ceremony on Friday evening! Guests can enjoy live performances, kids can take pictures with Santa Claus and there will be a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt!
A Schnepf Farms Christmas
No place brings the magic of Christmas to life quite like Schnepf Farms, with its dazzling light displays and endless experiences for kids and adults alike. Experience a winter wonderland filled with seasonal food, fun and festivities.
Guests can ride on the World of Illumination Express, hop on a hayride or visit Rudolph at Santa’s Workshop. Don’t forget to decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus and end the night around a Christmas bonfire.
Price ranges from $19.95 - $27.95 based on the date and time selected. Every Thursday through Sunday, children two and under are free.
Olivepalooza
Another Queen Creek staple will be hosting a must-attend event! The Olive Mill will hold its annual Olivepalooza event this weekend, December 7 and 8.
Guests are invited to enjoy live music from local musicians, try various delicious products from vendors and watch a cooking demonstration by Perry Rea! The festival also features tractor tours of the estate, an Olive Oil 101 class and delicious extra virgin olive oil tastings. Spend some time under the olive trees with family and friends!
Bustling Town
Queen Creek has welcomed many new residents to the Far East Valley, and it’s only continuing to grow! The town recently opened up a brand-new area of downtown Queen Creek, bringing roads, public spaces and restaurants to the area.
The roadways were designed and built to create a vibrant and walkable district in the heart of the Town Center. The new roads, Aldecoa Drive, Munoz Street and Summers Place, will include off-street bicycle paths and additional parking.
Don’t forget to visit the three new restaurants in the area — Badlands Bar and Grill, The Sacred Pint and The Perch!
Christmas Cruisin’
Want to combine the love of off-roading with Christmas? Partake in the town’s off-road parade! Side by sides, Jeeps and all licensed off-road vehicles are invited to join in on the holiday celebration.
The parade will depart at 6 p.m. on December 14. There will be two routes throughout the city, Green and Red.
In addition, volunteers will collect items for military members stationed overseas this holiday season. There will also be a raffle to benefit servicemembers.
No RSVP is necessary. Organizers say just show up with your decked-out rig!
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