Phoenix Happenings Friday, November 30, 2012

I have had quite a few readers ask me for information like mine for the Phoenix area....so here we go!  
I live in Tucson but I am scouring to find Phoenix family-friendly events.  If you know of any please e-mail me at arizonafamilies@hotmail.com  Please let me know if you will use this in comments and I will keep it up.
Thank you and Enjoy!

What: A Winnie the Pooh Christmas Tail Valley Youth Theatre presents this musical, an annual holiday tradition. Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and all their friends in the Hundred Acre Wood join for a celebration of sharing and caring. When:7:30pm Where:525 N. First St., Phoenix, AZ Cost:$20, discounts available

What:Family Movie Bring your blankets, pillows, family, and friends for an outdoor movie night! The evening will include: - An outdoor showing of the classic movie "The Goonies" - Free pizza  - A raffle for an iPod Touch When:5:30pm-8:30pm Where:New World Educational Center 5818 N 7th St, Phoenix Cost:$2 for students; $5 for non-students (Bring student ID)
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What:Goofy Garden Fun Join us on the last Friday of each month for some goofy garden fun! Learn gardening basics through crafts, games, experiments, songs, and more! Each month features a different concept of learning with a nature theme. Activities include vegetable painting, planting an edible plant and more! Fee is per child; with one unpaid adult permitted.When:10am Where: City of Chandler Environmental Education Center4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler Cost: $9 per child
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What:Live Music with Ben Emerson He's back for another round! Ben Emerson is a 12 year old guitarist and songwriter who plays fun, feel-good music. He'll be singing a mix of current favorites along with his own originals. Stop by and support an up-and-coming local talent When:6-8pm Where:Bookmans Phoenix Cost:FREE ______________________________________________
What:Dino Don Visit Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs  for your chance to meet the creator of the exhibition! Not only did he create this fabulous exhibition, but he also worked on the film, Jurassic Park. Don’t miss your chance to ask all your dino questions and have his book, Dinopedia: The Most Complete Dinosaur Reference Ever signed (with purchase) by Dino Don himself!. Also: Lego Travel Adventures at the Arizona Science Center! This interactive exhibit invites children and their families to use LEGO bricks to create their own imaginary dream machine capable of taking them to some fantastic destinations. To go on a travel adventure to exotic locations children are asked to think creatively, plan and build vehicles to move through all kinds of terrain—mountains, oceans, jungles, deserts and more.When:10am-5pm Where:Sybil B. Harrington Gallery 600 E. Washington St. Phoenix 602-716-2000 Cost:Admission to the Arizona Science Center $11 for children 12 and under, Seniors $12, Adults $14
_______________________________________ CityScape Phoenix Ice Rink (Nov 23-Jan 6). All ages. Frozen rink, holiday lights, music and hot chocolate for sale. 5-11pm Mon-Fri, 3-11pm Sat-Sun through Dec 18 & Jan 2-6 (3-11pm daily Dec 19-Jan 1). $12/person (includes skate rental). CityScape Phoenix, between 1st Ave $ 1st St between Washington & Jefferson Sts. cityscapephoenix.com.
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What: Snow What Fun Desert Ridge Marketplace will be bringing snow to North Phoenix for the Holidays! It will snow each night.  There are also live music performances and other events listed HERE When: November 19th - December 24th 7pm & 8pm Where:The District - AMC Fountain, Desert Ridge Marketplace Cost:FREE

___________________________________________ What: BASS Pro Shops Santa Wonderland Free photos, games, coloring book and Crafts More info and check your location  HERE When:7 days a week Where:Bass Pro Shops  Cost:FREE
_____________________________________________ What: Mesa Arizona Temple Gardens Christmas Light Celebration. This celebration features hundreds of thousands of colorful lights; uniquely illuminated palm trees and flower gardens; an inspiring nativity scene; a display of Mary and Joseph on their way to Bethlehem; recorded messages in English and Spanish and a modern Visitors’ Center open to all. This spectacular annual display, provided by volunteers, is free of charge each evening of the holiday season. When: 5-1opm Where: Mesa Temple Grounds Cost:FREE
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What:ZooLights~Wildlife in Wild Lights!A Music in Motion show features a dazzling light display in and around the lake featuring 15,000 synchronized lights choreographed to the music of "Wizards in Winter" by the Trans-Siberian Ochestra. See a dozen 12-foot-tall floating light tubes; 26 dancing trees; a shimmering sphere 24 feet in diameter; six giant 3-D butterflies; two 10-foot-tall wizards who create an electric "snow" with their wands; threads of lights on a giant spider web that lead you to an insect When:6-1opm Where:The Phoenix Zoo Cost:$7-$14 with kids 2 and under FREE
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What:Las Noches de las Luminarias The Desert Botanical Garden celebrates 35 years of the popular holiday-lights series. More than 8,000 hand-lit luminaria bags line the trails and pathways of of the garden, inspired by the Mexican holiday tradition. Ten musicians and performers entertain throughout the garden each evening, including Dickens Carolers, Big Nick & the Gila Monsters and J.T.’s Island Steel. Make an evening of it and buy tickets for the buffet or order a la carte at the Patio Cafe. Bars scattered around the garden will serve holiday-themed cocktails and spiked hot drinks. When:5:30-9:30pm Where: 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ, Cost: $25 $12 for kids 3-12 2 and under free
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What:Drive-through light display. This year, the organizers are adding even more lights and decor to the more than 600 displays, including a colorful light tunnel, Santa’s sleigh and reindeer and dinosaur armatures.When:6-10pm  Where:Phoenix Event Complex2209 S. 99th Ave., Phoenix, AZ
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What:Seissical Jr. A musical extravaganza with some of Dr. Seuss’ most beloved characters lights up the stage. Featuring the adored Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination – Jojo. "Seussical Jr." is a tale about conquering challenges and the power of loyalty and friendship When:7:30pm Where: Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre Cost:$15

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What:"Wonderland of Oz” Gingerbread VillageThe Valley’s most delicious work of art – composed of 1,300 pounds of glistening gumdrops, chocolate and sugary icing   opens for the whole family with 20 handmade gingerbread houses and features scenes from the epic film When: Nov. 26. – Jan. 6. opens at 8am Where:JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa Cost:FREE
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What:Just for Kids - Little Desert Explorers This 1-mile hike is designed for parents and grandparents with small children, ages 3 6 years. Using their senses, kids will discover lots of cool things about the plants and animals that call our desert "home." We will explore the desert along the scenic Merkle Trail. The hard-smooth surface of this trail will accommodate wheelchairs and strollers. Please bring water, hats, and closed-toe shoes. When: 10am Where: Area 6 at Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa, AZ Cost: $6 vehicle fee

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What:Children's Storytime filled with readings of wonderful tales, adventures and characters from favorite classics to Caldecott winners. Arts and crafts projects also available.When: Friday November 30, 2012 11:00 AM Saturday too Where:Barnes and NoblePima & Shea Scottsdale Fiesta Shopping Center, 10500 N. 90th Street Cost:FREE

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What:Poetry Slam Youth from across the valley compete in the All City Slam.  Check out this Spoken Word championship in action! Click here for a printable PDF When:5:15 p.m. -7pm Friday, November 30, 2012Where: Piper Repertory Theater Cost:FREE
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What: A Christmas Carol Presented by Southwest Shakespeare Company When: 7:30pm Saturday, November 24 - Saturday, December 22, 2012Where: Farnsworth Studio Cost:$12.50 - $33.50

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What:THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER This delightful comedy is an American classic and one of the best holiday stories ever written. In this hilarious Christmas tale, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids – probably the most inventively awful kids in history. Mayhem and fun collide when the Herdmans meet the Christmas story head-on.When:7pm Where:Mesa Arts Center, 1 East Main St. in Downtown Mesa (southeast corner of Main and Center Streets) map Cost: Adults $15 - Children 17 and under $11Get tickets HERE

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What: The Cerreta's Guided Tour The Cerreta’s strive to create a fun, lively atmosphere where everyone can see candy magic being made. Take a special guided tour of our family owned hometown candy factory. We’ll show you how a sea of caramel becomes wrapped tempting taste treats. Learn how cream centers are enrobed in luscious chocolate.For groups of 30 or more, please call (623) 930-1000 Sampling is welcomed too! When:30-minute guided tours  Friday at 10am and 1pm. Where:5345 W Glendale Ave Glendale, AZ 85301
Cost:FREE
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What:Train and carousel Rides at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park! Bring the kids to ride the train and carousel and play at the park with giant shade trees and a variety of play areas.   480-312-2312, http://www.therailroadpark.com/ When: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Every Day Where:7301 E Indian Bend Rd in Scottsdale, Cost:Rides are $2 each; free for kids under 3 with paying adult.
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What:Cirque du Soleil ~Dralion will be in Tucson! Eastern philosophy and its never-ending quest for harmony between humans and nature. The show’s name is derived from its two emblematic creatures: the dragon,symbolizing the East, and the lion, symbolizing the West. In the world of Dralion, cultures blend, Man and Nature are one, and balance is achieved.When:7:30 p.m. Where: US Airways Cost:$28-$75
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What:Winter Fest Join thousands of holiday revelers  one of the Valley’s largest and most entertaining holiday spectaculars for families and kids of all ages. Start your holiday shopping early at one of 300 retailers while enjoying amazing food and live entertainment from Arizona’s hottest bands. Play in the snow, go ice skating or take a complimentary train ride before visiting with Santa and stepping inside a 15-foot snow globe, all at Winter Fest. When: 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, Nov. 30; noon to midnight Saturday, Dec. 1; and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 Where: University of Phoenix Stadium Cost: $6-$8 admission, $25 ride wristbands or $4 each
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What:Fun Friday ~ a 45 minute playtime for ages 2 -7. there will be songs, games, storytime, craft time and a snack. Where: Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall When:10:30-11:15am  Cost:FREE

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What: Tree lighting Ceremony in Surprise Skydivers, Balloon Glow, Live Music, Roaming Enertainment and Fireworks! www.surpriseaz.gov/specialevents. When: 6-8pm Where: Surprise Recreation Campus – Surprise Stadium Plaza, 15850 N. Bullard Avenue.   Cost:Donation of packaged food, new unwrapped toy or children’s clothing item to Sanderson Ford and Sanderson Lincoln’s “Operation Santa Claus”
_________________________________________________ What:The Tempe Festival of the Arts consistently ranks among the Top 200 art festivals in the nation by Sunshine Artist and has received the Pinnacle Award from the International Festival and Events Association. At the Kids Innovation Station children will experience their own hands-on art making free and take home their masterpieces. When: 10am-5pm Sat and Sun too! Where: Mill Avenue District Cost:FREE