It’s finally December – the month of festive events and holiday cheer. There’s no shortage of things to do in the upcoming month, and we’ve gathered some of our favorites. Get out your calendar and start planning!

Saturday, December 1

– Get into the Holiday spirit with a StoryFest and Author’s Showcase taking place at Glendale Civic Center from 2-7 pm. The event celebrates the season through spoken and written word, with storytellers, authors, and pictures with Santa. Tickets are $10.

– Check out a Sweets Throwdown over at Park West, featuring food trucks competing to win the honor of having the “best dessert.” You can purchase a whole range of different desserts and vote on your favorites. From 5-9 pm, free entry and parking.

Sunday, December 2

– It’s the last day of the Tempe Festival of the Arts, which features more than 350 artists showcasing their work, food trucks, and more. Admission is free and takes place from 10 am – 5:30 pm.

– Support local filmmakers and head over to FilmBar for their December Arizona Filmmaker Showcase. This features shorts and movies from local filmmakers all for a $9.95 ticket price. It starts at 6 pm.

Monday, December 3

– Get into the spirit with 101.5’s Jingle Bash concert taking place at Comerica Theatre. The night features performances by Dillon Francis, Lauv, Camila Cabello, Bryce Vine, and Cheat Codes. Tickets start at $38.50 for the 7 pm show.

– Head over to Spoonz Café for a bite to eat and enjoy a holiday gift show, where a local vendor is featured from 7:30 am – 2 pm.

Tuesday, December 4

– Clark Park Farmer’s Market takes place in Tempe from 5-8 pm, giving you a chance to support local farmers and artisans and buy food from trucks available on site.

– Lolo’s Chicken and Waffles is hosting a Paint and Sip night, featuring a live DJ. The price is $30 for the painting session that runs from 7-9 pm. Food and beverages are a separate cost.

Wednesday, December 5

– The Young NonProfit Professionals Network (YNPN) of Phoenix is hosting a Frosty Fiesta, featuring ugly sweater attire, holiday treats, a showing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and much more. Tickets are $10 for non-members and the event runs from 5:45-7:45 pm.

– Watch the Christmas classic “Home Alone” over at the Alamo Drafthouse in Chandler and enjoy a special of two cheese pizza for the price of one. The showing is at 6:40 pm, and tickets are $5.39.

Thursday, December 6

– It’s time to engage in some discussions over in the Reading Room at Valley Bar as a part of the monthly “Get Lit” with Four Chambers Press session. The free literary salon starts at 7 pm.

– Enjoy the “12 Comics of Christmas” over at StandUp Live in Phoenix starting at 7:30 pm. $15 gets you in to see hilarious acts by twelve comedians, so it’s sure to be a great night.

Friday, December 7

– Another month, another First Friday Arts Market over in Downtown Phoenix on Roosevelt Row. The art event features vendors selling handmade crafts, vintage items, and more. Enjoy local galleries and food trucks. From 6-10 pm.

– Head over to Valley Bar for a night of dancing with DJ Vex to support “Party with a Purpose.” Your $3 entrance fee will benefit the Central Arizona Shelter Services, so get your groove on for a great cause. Starts at 10 pm.

Saturday, December 8

– Enjoy your morning over at the Open-Air Market at Phoenix Public Market Café, taking place from 8 am -1 pm. Come and support local farmers and other artisans!

– Crescent Ballroom and Grand Avenue Records is hosting the Downtown Phoenix Record Show from 9 am – 3 pm. The event will feature tons of vinyl for sale as well as live music and food. Plus, there will be raffles! $3 admission.

Sunday, December 9

– Catch the last day of the Phoenix Festival of the Arts taking place at Hance Park from 10 am – 5 pm. Admission is free to the event, which will feature over 150 art and food vendors.

– Get your fill of Tamales with the Food City Tamale Festival over at Cesar Chavez Plaza. There will be tons of tamales for purchase, arts and crafts, live mariachi bands, and more. Free admission.

Monday, December 10

– Enjoy the largest light and lantern festival in North America as it makes its way to Phoenix. The Lights of the World display includes carnival rides, 65 light displays, 12 exhibits, and much more. Tickets start at $19.99, more details on their site.

Tuesday, December 11

– Enjoy free admission to the Desert Botanical Garden as a part of their community day, which takes place during the second Tuesday of every month (note: free admission does not include their Las Noches de Las Luminarias display).

– Celebrate “Psycho Day” over at FilmBar with a showing of the classic film. The event will feature an introductory lecture about the movie and the influence it has had on modern cinema. The showing is at 7 pm and the cost is $12.

Wednesday, December 12

– Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker heads to Comerica Theatre with a spectacular performance. The show starts at 7 pm and tickets begin at $23.50.

– Costumes are encouraged for the showing of the classic musical “Rent” over at FilmBar as a part of their Big Gay Singalong series. There will also be raffles and wine specials. Tickets are $14 for the showing at 10 pm.

Thursday, December 13

– Improve your day with a free Mindfulness session over at the Phoenix Art Museum starting at 12 pm. The 30-minute class helps you to focus on the present and live in the moment.

– Phoenix Phoestivus is back at Phoenix Public Market from 5 pm – 10 pm. The market is inspired by Christmas Markets in Germany and features over 150 artisans. There is live music, the infamous “Hipster Santa” and much more. Free admission.

Friday, December 14

– It’s Food Truck Friday over at Civic Space Park from 11 am – 1:30 pm. Enjoy your lunch in great weather from a selection of rotating vendors.

– Phoenix Ballet presents The Nutcracker over at the Orpheum Theatre. Enjoy the classic holiday ballet in the most beautiful setting with tickets starting at $25. The showing is at 7 pm.

Saturday, December 15

– Enjoy Christmas festivities with “Christmas Fever” – an all-day event featuring live bands, food and drink vendors, carnival games, and much more. The event also benefits the Abaka Foundation, whose goal is to help low-income families.

– Western indie rock and local Phoenix band comes to the Van Buren for a Holiday Extravaganza. The event will feature several other bands coming together for a night of music starting at 6 pm. Tickets range from $17-20 and a portion of the funds will go to charity.

Sunday, December 16

– The historic 1892 Petersen House and Museum in Tempe is decorated for the Christmas season and hosts a holiday pop-up shop on site, so you can get some last-minute shopping done. Admission is free. Open from 10 am-2 pm.

– Enjoy a jam session over at the Nash featuring student jazz musicians play with the pros for a night of unrehearsed combinations. This night’s jam is led by Zach Wiggins and runs from 6 – 9 pm. Tickets are $10.

Monday, December 17

– Enjoy a free concert put on by the Young Sounds of Arizona as they present their 2018 winter concert. There will be combinations of swing, ballads, and more. From 7 -9 pm.

– Over 1.7 million lights are on display as a part of the Illumination Symphony Drive-Through Holiday Display at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The lights are set to dance in harmony of holiday music on your car’s radio. Tickets range in price, starting at $29.

Tuesday, December 18

– Taco Guild is celebrating the 125th birthday of the historic building the restaurant is housed in (which was once an actual church). Enjoy the great food, giveaways, tequila and beer samples, and much more. From 11 am-11 pm.

– Valley Bar is hosting a special Festivus Edition of Seinfeld Trivia, starting at 7 pm. Free to register.

Wednesday, December 19

– Pedal Haus Brewery is celebrating their 3-year anniversary with an Ugly Sweater Party! There will be happy hour pricing, a contest for the best sweater, and much more. Free to attend! From 7 – 10 pm.

– Local Speakeasy Melinda’s Alley (usually only open on Fridays & Saturdays) is hosting a “Re:Sound Music & Friends” night celebrating several different DJs. Tickets are $10 for the event running from 9 pm-1 am.

Thursday, December 20

– Who doesn’t love a wine tasting? Head over to Hidden Track Bottle Shop from 4:30-6:30 pm to sample a selection of high-quality and affordable wines.

– Bar Flies is heading to the Van Buren for a holiday special called “Eating Christmas.” The night will feature true stories told by members of the community surrounded around the theme of the holidays. Tickets are $10 for the show at 7 pm.

Friday, December 21

– Enjoy a celebration of the Winter Solstice over at the Irish Cultural Center from 4-10 pm. The solstice will begin officially at 5:15 pm and there will be poetry, music, and more. Food and drinks available for purchase. $5.

– Hang out at the Watershed over in Tempe for happy hour and live music. The restaurant overlooks a 52-are private lake. From 5-8 pm.

Saturday, December 22

– The second-annual festival at South Mountain, “South Mountain Aglow” is taking place from 5:30-9 pm. There will be a one-mile luminaria walk, local musicians, food trucks, and much more. Free admission.

– Crescent Ballroom is hosting “Literally the Worst Show Ever,” a night of comedy featuring both local and stand-up comedian. Featuring video gags, live sketch comedy, and more. General admission is $20.

Sunday, December 23

– Enjoy a trivia night over at Crescent Ballroom from 5-8 pm, where you can try to win great prizes like tickets to shows and gift cards. Food and drink specials during the event.

– It’s all-night happy hour at Valley Bar from 6 pm-2 am. There will also be a guest DJ set in the Rose Room that you can enjoy for free starting at 9 pm.

Monday, December 24

– Catch a showing of the Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the Alamo Drafthouse in Tempe, starting at 3:30 pm. A great way to spend the day before the holiday. Tickets are $7.57.

Tuesday, December 25

– The Hyatt Regency is hosting a ton of Christmas festivities from 10 am-4 pm that features live music and brunch. There will be caroling, a visit from Santa, and much more.

– Crescent Ballroom is hosting a Tamales and Trivia party that will also feature showings of classic Christmas movies. The free event starts at 8 pm.

Wednesday, December 26

– Test your palate with a blind wine tasting over at Valley Bar for $15. The theme is “Party Bubbles” and there are two tastings you can choose from, at 6 pm and 7 pm.

Thursday, December 27

– Valley Metro will be celebrating 10 years of the light rail with an art and photography exhibit, live music, refreshments, and much more over at Talking Stick Resort Arena from 5-10 pm.

– Chase Field is transformed into a football field for the “Cheez-it Bowl” taking place at 7 pm. Ticket prices range, starting at $30.

Friday, December 28

– Ten storytellers are competing against each other by telling a 6-minute story based on the theme “Transition,” as a part of the Storyline Slam contest. Five random members of the audience will be the judges. The cost is $6 and the event runs from 7-9 pm.

– Blues roots band The Sugar Thieves are heading to the Rhythm Room for a show starting at 8 pm. Tickets are $10.

Saturday, December 29

– The Pavilions at Talking Stick is hosting a Native Art Market, where artists from several different tribes gather to share their art with the public. Learn more about Native American art and culture while shopping authentic merchandise. From 8 am-3 pm.

– Head over to Fountain Hills for “Balloon Glow,” where tons of hot air balloons will be illuminated in fountain park from 7-9 pm. It’s a great way to spend the evening and a sight to see.

Sunday, December 30

– From 8-12 am, hang out at Crescent Ballroom for Brunch Collect. The event will give musicians an outlet to be heard. Featuring hip-hop, bass, electronic tunes, and more. Free.

– Decadence AZ is returning to Rawhide for 2 days of EDM music and good times. Some of the acts include big names Skrillex and Marshmello. Tickets range in cost, but a GA 2-day pass starts at $219. More details and ticket packages on their site.

Monday, December 31

It’s New Year’s Eve – and there’s no shortage of things to do. Here’s a few of our picks:

– Downtown Phoenix is hosting a Flannel Ball – a more casual take on the NYE celebration featuring beer, live music, lawn games, food trucks, and much more. Dress casual in your best plaid prints and enjoy the celebration for only $10.

– On the other hand, if “dress to impress” is more your style, you should head over to the Found:RE Phoenix hotel for a Masquerade Ball to ring in the new year. The black and white gala will allow you to mingle incognito while dancing the night away. Tickets are $50 and include your entry as well as a mask.

What do your December plans look like? Tag us with #PhxFray and #FrayLife so we can stay in the loop!

Looking for more fun this month? Visit Glendale Glitters for the largest free holiday light display in the state! Don’t miss out on some of the upcoming festivals next week either! Whether you’re looking for an arts festival or an event to get you in the holiday spirit, here’s more information on some local outdoor festivals.

View More Articles By Emily Holloway