Tucson Happenings 11/24-11/27 Thanksgiving Edition

Thanksgiving- THURSDAY 11/24/11
What:Arizona Sonora Desert Museum- open on the holiday - We have familia in town so we may be heading here to walk off some post turkey calories and show off our awesome wildlife! I am hoping to check out the Raptor Free Flight ans see a roadrunner too! Isn't she cute above?
When:8:30-5pm
Where:2021 N. Kinney Road,
Cost:$14.50 Adults $4.50 Kids 6-12

What:Tohono Chul Park the Park grounds will be open tomorrow free of charge, but the exhibits, greenhouse, shops and tea room will be closed. Come relax, and wander the trails with family and friends!
When:8am-5pm
Where:7366 N. Paseo del Norte
Cost:FREE .


FRIDAY 11/25/11
What:Crafternoon for Kids Nothing says “I love you” like a handmade gift. Get a jump start on your holiday gifts at the library. Hand craft holiday cards, candy cane mice ornament or decorated picture frames. Make one or make them all! All materials provided. Crafts for kids ages 8-12 (younger children must have parent help)
When:2-4pm
Where:Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr Branch Library 7800 N. Schisler Driv
Cost:FREE

What:Family Outdoor Day- Wildlife Watching Time Fun for all ages as we search for signs of wildlife and use hand lenses and binoculars to observe wildlife up close and from a distance. Pick up the new Tucson Mountain Wildlife Viewing Guide. Reservations required. Call 615-7855 and talk to Sandy Reit.
When:10am-11am
Where:Sweetwater Preserve 4000 N. Tortolita Road
Cost:FREE

What:“Christmas in the Big Apple!” It's the winter of 1933 and with the holidays approaching, the natives of “The Big Apple” are getting into the Christmas spirit. Well, not quite all of them. Wealthy socialite Vonda De Cringe has set her sights on a take-over of Pennypacker's Department Store. To realize her nefarious scheme, she plans to disrupt the holiday shopping season by hiring the worst Santa Claus in all of

New York City . If she has her way, this will be the last year “Pennypacker's Means Christmas!” Will Ms. De Cringe be the worm who turns the Big Apple rotten to the core…or will the

holiday spirit triumph? 886-9428

When:3pm, 6:30pm and 8:30pm
Where:Gaslight Theatre 7010 E. Broadway
Cost: $17.95; discounts available

What:Entertainment for Kids at Foothills Mall  LaurLoons Balloon Artistry: Balloon Art
When:5-8pm
Where:Foothills Mall
Cost:FREE

What:Come join us for Story Time! Today we are going to read all about things that FLY! Story time is free. We will have a light snack and juice, so get your listening ears ready for some great hand selected stories for you to enjoy. Right after story time we will have a coloring activity to do.
When:10-11am
Where:Bookman's 6230 E. Speedway Blvd.
Cost:FREE

What:Tunes for Tots is a free musical jam for children at Bookmans every Friday morning! We'll play classic children's songs and read some fun stories too!

When:10am

Where:Bookman's Ina Location-3733 W. Ina Rd.
Cost:FREE

What:“Helping Africa’s most vulnerable children today, so they can help Africa tomorrow”
Join us for this free, all ages concert! Founded in 1984, this choir is made up of children from some of Africa’s poorest communities who travel to raise funds & awareness. The funds they raise are currently providing care & education for around 7,000 children in Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Sudan, Nigeria & Ghana.
Children are encouraged to attend.
When:7pm
Where:Tanque Verde Lutheran Church 8625 E. Tanque Verde Road
Cost:FREE but donations would be nice

What:Enchanted Snowfall at La Encantada!  The winter events are starting- Holidays other than Thanksgiving approaching quickly!Guests can keep warm with delicious hot chocolate served by Williams-Sonoma. Yum! I am wild for hot chocolate. Bet it’s good. All kids make sure to get a Pandora balloon with a card to exchange it for a pair antler ears! Then stop at Bebe to pick up sugar cookies and hot tea from Aveda. In addition, United Colors of Benetton will be raffling off 5 prizes per night!
When:6pm (will continue bi-weekly Friday and Saturday through December 23, 2001)
Where:La Encantada Shopping Center
Cost:FREE

What:Holiday Lights at Tohono Chul Park The performers will include: Joe Bourne, Ballet Tucson “Nutcracker in a Nutshell”, Kids Unlimited “Hope for the Holidays”, and Desert Melodies.
When:5:30-8:30pm
Where:Tohono Chul Park 7366 N. Paseo del Norte
Cost:$15 for non-members and $10 for members

What:Main Gate Square’s Open House  shopping and dining deals, live music, refreshments, and merchant activities.The Main Gate Square Holiday Scavenger Hunt will give one lucky entrant $250 in Main Gate Square merchandise and gift certificates.Ben’s Bells will scatter “kind surprises”  for attendees to find. All ages can write out the kind acts they have done, will do or saw someone perform to attach to a large chain that will decorate the Kindness Tree located near Santa’s Sleigh.Santa makes a grand entrance after 5 PM that same night for Bear Down Friday.A press conference by Santa Claus at 6 PM  Pride of Arizona Marching Band, Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat, main stage performances, contests with cheerleaders and other spirit activities.Check all HERE
When:11am-9pm ish WOW Events all day at Main Gate Square
Where:University Boulevard aka Main Gate Square
Cost:FREE - buying things in the wonderful shops is another story!





SATURDAY 11/26/11 
What:Holiday Lights at Tohono Chul Park The performers will include: Joe Bourne, Ballet Tucson “Nutcracker in a Nutshell”, Kids Unlimited “Hope for the Holidays”, and Desert Melodies.
When:5:30-8:30pm
Where:Tohono Chul Park 7366 N. Paseo del Norte
Cost:$15 for non-members and $10 for members

What: Santa's Little Outlaws  This action- packed show  is suitable for all ages, though the show contains loud noises and some scary moments which may frighten small children.Down on their luck outlaws, Ringo and Darla, find their Christmas spirit to thwart Bad Bob's bid to get Santa Claus."
When:Every night through January 1, 2012 at 6:oopm 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.
Where:Trail Dust Town 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road
Cost:FREE

What:Enchanted Snowfall at La Encantada!  The winter events are starting- Holidays other than Thanksgiving approaching quickly!Guests can keep warm with delicious hot chocolate served by Williams-Sonoma. Yum! I am wild for hot chocolate. Bet it’s good. All kids make sure to get a Pandora balloon with a card to exchange it for a pair antler ears! Then stop at Bebe to pick up sugar cookies and hot tea from Aveda. In addition, United Colors of Benetton will be raffling off 5 prizes per night!
When:6pm (will continue bi-weekly Friday and Saturday through December 23, 2001)
Where:La Encantada Shopping Center
Cost:FREE

What: Pima Air and Space Museum Young Kids Program For children 4-7 years of age and older bring an adult to experience  it. With hands on activities you can build your own experiments that you can take home. Our rocket experts will lead you through the laws of energy and motion and show you how they are used in the flight of rockets, the world around us, and much more.. Go HERE reservations are required.

When: 1pm-2:30pm

Where:6000 E. Valencia Road

Cost:FREE with admission to museum

What:Entertainment for Kids at Foothills Mall Mama Mary Sister Twister: Balloon Twister


When: 12-3pm
Where:Foothills Mall
Cost:FREE

What:Milk and Cookies with Santa in the Foothills Mall food court and watch a puppet show by No Strings Attached. Each child will receive a special gift while supplies last. Cookies and Milk are FREE for children under 12 years oldWhen:9am
Where:Foothills Mall Food Court
Cost:There is a $2 charge for kids over 12.


SUNDAY 11/27/11 
What:THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE. This new musical take on the classic tale features original musical numbers by Michael Martinez and choreography by Kristi Loera, putting audiences track-side of a momentous fairy-tale sporting event with some old and new lessons to learn along the way. Get ready to cheer on your favorite competitor and don’t forget to stretch!
When:1pm
Where:All Together Theatre at Live Theatre Workshop 5317 E. Speedway
Cost:$5-$8 discounts are available

What:Toy Train Museum Open House. Toy trains of different sizes and shapes will run, whistles blowing and bells ringing, on 16 different tracks. There are also exhibits of old toy trains, railroad memorabilia and a World War II vintage caboose
Where:Gadsden Pacific Toy Train Museum3975 Miller Ave.
When:12:30-4:30
Cost:FREE
Cost:$5- $8

What:UA Steel Bands present a variety of music in their Annual Fall Concert. For more info go HERE
When:7:30pm
Where:Crowder Hall, UA School of Music
1017 N. Olive Road
Cost:$9-disounts available