WREATHS, COFFEE AND DÉCOR
Warner’s Nursey goes all out for the holidays. You can look forward to an indoor holiday display featuring decked-out Christmas trees and lights just about everywhere. You can bring that Christmas spirit home if you decide to purchase one of about 750 Christmas trees including Nordmann fir, Douglas fir and Noble fir. Searching for a smaller item? Consider a fragrant wreath or a garland. Warner’s full-service coffee shop gets a holiday makeover and serves hot chocolate, egg nog and espresso-drinks. The gift shop will be selling ornaments and tree decorations. “It’s a warn environment. It’s a very picturesque space,” says Caitlin Thomas, one of the retail managers for Warner’s Nursery. For more information, visit warnercompanies.com/nursery.
CLASSIC SHOW
When it comes to the holidays, you can’t get more classic than watching “The Nutcracker.” The Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra is kicking off the holiday season with its performance of “The Nutcracker” ballet. “The Nutcracker” is on Dec. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ardrey Memorial Auditorium. Journey to the Land of Sweets as dancers donning holiday costumes perform to live music from Peter Tchaikovsky’s classic Nutcracker score. Tickets cost $20 per person. For more information, visit events.nau.edu.
TOP SHOPPING
Finding unique gifts is tough. But it doesn’t have to be. If you’re searching for local, handmade gifts, consider attending The Flagstaff Arts Council is hosting its 12th annual Fine Craft Sale. On Dec. 7 and 8, you can find handcrafted work from 20 artists at the Coconino Center for the Arts. Discover works in clay, wood, textiles, paper, metal glass and mixed media. The event will also feature artist demonstrations, holiday music, hot apple cider and cookies. The Christmas tree in the lobby will feature ornaments made by local artists. For more information, visit flagartscouncil.org.
DOWNTOWN ICE
Lace up your pair of skates (or rent a pair for free) and make your way to downtown Flagstaff to take a spin on the ice at Flagstaff’s only outdoor ice rink. Located by the Flagstaff Visitor Center in downtown, the annual Skate at the Station has returned for its third year. The rink is made of plastic, meaning that you can skate even when the sun is shining. Skate at the Station is free to attend. Skate at the Station is open noon to 6 p.m. daily. It will be closed Christmas and New Year’s Day and will have limited hours Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. For more information, visit flagstaffarizona.org.
HOLIDAY HEADQUARTERS
Every winter, Flagstaff’s Little America Hotel essentially transforms into Christmas headquarters for the city. The entire place is wrapped up in about one million lights — making for one colorful, festive scene — as part of the property’s Holiday Light Festival. Lights are on from dusk until 10 p.m. from now until Jan. 6. The hotel is also home to the North Pole Experience. Here, children and their parents can explore Santa’s workshop and can watch “elves” building toys and learn all of Santa’s workshop secrets from now until Dec. 23. From now until Dec. 29, kids can enjoy a Breakfast Buffet with Santa. On Christmas Day, the hotel hosts a Christmas Champagne Brunch. This smorgasbord typically comes complete with a raw bar, crepe bar and a carving station in addition to a kid’s buffet. For more information, visit flagstaff.littleamerica.com.
THIS MONTH IN FLAGSTAFF
Dec. 5: Grand Menorah Lighting at City Hall, 5 to 7 p.m.; jewishflagstaff.com
Dec. 14: Vora Financial Holiday Parade of Lights, 6 to 8 p.m.; business.flagstaffchamber.com
Dec. 17: Luminaria Stroll, 5 to 8 p.m.; downtown Flagstaff; downtownflagstaff.org
