Valley of the Sun Offers Rich Seasonal Cultural Events

The winter season is aglow in the Valley of the Sun!

The Town of Fountain Hills is a scenic wonder, boasting lots of cultural advantages…Community Theater and Chorus, Band, Chamber Music ensemble and a variety of live Jazz, Contemporary and Country Music venues.  But we also have the advantage of living less than 30 minutes from Phoenix, AZ, the sixth largest city in the US.

In December and January alone, you can see the Moscow Ballet’s rendition of the Nutcracker; hear the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Christmas Extravaganza created for the Hallmark Channel.  You can enjoy “Annie”, “Hair”, or the Arizona Opera’s “Tosca,”  Cirque de Soleil’s “Dralion,” The Peking Acrobats, Handel’s Messiah, and a special exhibit of “Giant Dinosaurs” at the Children’s Science Center.

Desert Botanical Garden features Chihuly Glass

But the world-famous Desert Botanical Garden is an “Only in Arizona” wonders that locals never get enough of.  An intriguing setting at any season, it showcases a number of world-famous outdoor art exhibits, like the striking blown glass creations of Dale Chihuly.

The Garden’s Butterfly pavilion is an experience that delights all ages.  In spring and fall, hundreds of butterflies a day are released inside a basket-ball court-sized tent.  Feeders, flowers and water features delight as you can see and often touch more than 60 species of butterflies.

Picture #3  Butterflies on stream

Like all areas of the Desert Botanical Garden, the Butterfly Pavilion experience that is full of wonder and intrigue, and is a favorite for photographers of all ages.  Professional photographers flock to the garden for their chance at the perfect butterfly photo, but a 7 yr. old can get just as lucky when there are hundreds of colorful targets to shoot like this one.

The Desert Botanical Garden presents its 35th year of Las Noches de las Luminaries

A holiday tradition for more than 20 years is the Botanical Garden’s Las Noches de Las Luminarias, with more than 8000 luminarias containing lighted candles lining the winding pathways.  There are 18 different musical acts that will perform over the season, ranging from Mariachi to contemporary and classic performances.  A variety of special cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks are available.

Desert Botanical Garden;  1201 N. Gavin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008

November 30 through December 30, 2012, 5:30-9:30 p.m;  tickets $25 for adults; $12.50 for children