VISIT TLAQUEPAQUE ARTS & SHOPPING VILLAGE
If you’re in Sedona, Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village is practically the city’s holiday headquarters. The shopping center is all decked out in lights and décor and hosts some of the city’s largest events. These include a tree lighting, a menorah lighting in honor of Hannukah and the Festival of the Lights where 6,000 luminaries are displayed throughout the property on Dec. 10. Learn more about these events here in our holiday calendar. If you can’t find a way to make time for the events or simply don’t want to deal with crowds, strolling through Tlaquepaque at night when the lights are on and the place is almost deserted is a true treat. We always make a point of doing this during the winter, and it’s one of our favorite holiday traditions. Plus, Tlaquepaque is home to plenty of unique shops where you can find great gifts. Visit tlaq.com for more information.
Goldenstein Gallery at L’Auberge de Sedona
SHOP AT LOCAL BOUTIQUES
Chances are high that you’ll be buying gifts for either yourself, relatives or loved ones in the next few weeks. Lucky for you, Sedona and the surrounding area is teeming with unique shops where you can find presents of all stripes. You never know what you’ll find at Soul Shine Sedona’s boutique. Discover a large selection of jewelry, candles, hand-painted silk kimonos from Bali, handmade bracelets in addition to organic and local chocolate. If you’re looking for gifts for your furry friends, BowWow Boutique offers colorful leashes, stuffed toys, collars, collar charms and cozy dog sweaters. Find artisan tableware and cooking supplies from brands like Pottery Avenue, Costa Nova and Peugeot at The Artist’s Kitchen Shop.
The Artist’s Kitchen Shop. Photo by Derek von Briesen.
Browse the shelves of custom ceramics like bowls, plates and serving trays made by a plethora of Southwestern artists at Esteban’s. Order a custom piece of jewelry from Wayne B. Light. Find cozy scarves and sweaters at Sedona Clothing Company/West Fork Men’s. Golden Bone Pet Products offers harnesses, leashes, collars, a variety of dog clothes, treats and pet beds. Good JuJu sells lifestyle clothing, cotton kurtas, Sedona nameplate necklaces and accessories for women. Consider purchasing a custom hat at True West Hats.
Rumi Tree Art Gallery
Sedona is also home to many fine art galleries that will be selling art in addition to special gifts just in time for the holidays. Rowe Fine Art Gallery specializes in animal-centric artwork like Ken Rowe’s bronze pieces of animals like bears and hummingbirds. Head to Goldenstein Gallery at L’Auberge de Sedona find work from more than 50 artists in a variety of disciplines. Discover sculptures, paintings and jewelry that’s from mostly local creators at Wyatt Gallery. Wyatt also stocks minerals like a large natural rainbow angel aura quartz from Brazil.
Wyatt Gallery
Look for contemporary art and find paintings by Sahar Paydar and Patricia Saxton at Rumi Tree Art Gallery. Find high-quality art, custom jewelry and home accessories at Renee Taylor’s three galleries. Azadi carries stylish rugs. Bella Fine Goods sells a variety of chic home goods. Check out our shopping guide and learn more about local shops.
Mescal Trail. Photo by Deb Weinkauff.
TAKE A SNOW HIKE
Assuming we get snow this year (fingers crossed on this one), consider putting on your hiking boots or crampons and hitting the trails around Sedona. You’ve got more than 200 trails to choose from, and there’s nothing like seeing Sedona’s red rocks all dusted with pure white snow. Be sure to bundle up before you head out.
Jordan Trail. Photo by Deb Weinkauff.
You’ll also want to watch out for ice, but above all, enjoy the stunning winter views and relative quiet. For hiking inspiration, see our West Fork hike here. We’re also fond of the Airport Loop trail in the wintertime.
Prescott or Arizona’s Christmas City. Photo by Michael Wilson.
VISIT PRESCOTT OR ARIZONA’S CHRISTMAS CITY
Tlaquepaque might be Sedona’s holiday headquarters, but Prescott is Arizona’s Christmas City. It’s an official designation too. Governor Rose Mofford declared it so way back in 1989. If you visit Prescott on just about any weekend in December, there will be an event or show you can attend. From Nov. 25 to Jan. 1, 2023, see an expansive gingerbread house village at the Prescott Resort & Conference Center. On Nov. 26, see a parade. On Dec. 3, watch a Christmas parade, and then see Prescott’s big tree lit up for the first time. Pro tip: Go check out the display in the gazebo that’s all decked out in lights and pictured on the left. There can be a line to wait for a photo opp at this spot. You’ll also have the opportunity to see a variety of holiday-themed performances including “An Irish Christmas,” “A Nutcracker Christmas Celebration” and “The Many Moods of Christmas.” The city is also hosting two different markets where you can shop for gifts. Head to Prescott Christmas Village & Cristkindlmarket from Dec. 16 to 18 or the Last-Minute Stocking Stuffer Bazaar on Dec. 17 to stock up on homemade gifts. The season wraps up on New Year’s Eve with a boot drop downtown.
Prescott or Arizona’s Christmas City. Photo by Michael Wilson.
If you don’t have any room in your schedule to go to any events, just wandering around Courthouse Plaza in the twilight hours as the multi-colored lights emit a soft glow from the buildings and trees is a magical, can’t-miss holiday moment. Visit arizonachristmascity.com for a full list of holiday events.
Arizona Snowbowl.
ENJOY THE SNOW IN FLAGSTAFF
Interested in winter sports? Then Flagstaff is where you’ll want to spend the winter. The city that’s roughly 40 minutes from Sedona receives more than 100 inches of snow annually, making it a winter wonderland. One of the best places to enjoy the snow? Arizona Snowbowl. Founded in 1938, the Snowbowl is one of the oldest continually operating ski areas in the United States. Snowbowl is also renowned for its terrain that’s perfect for beginners – considered to be the largest in the entire Southwest.
Arizona Snowbowl. Photo by Deb Weinkauff.
Snowbowl is essentially Northern Arizona’s winter playground. Skiers and snowboarders will find a total of 55 runs and eight lifts that go up the mountain. The Snowbowl also offers ski bikes too. Lessons are available if you’re a beginner or need to brush up on your skills. Kids 12 and younger ski for free too. If you’re feeling up for it, consider having a drink at the 9,500’ Bar. Enjoy tacos and beer while you take in the breathtaking scenery from this one-of-a-kind spot. To just take in the views from the Snowbowl, consider booking tickets for the scenic gondola rides. As the lift travels to 11,500 feet, see snow-covered mountains, Sedona’s red rocks and maybe even the Grand Canyon on clear days.
Arizona Snowbowl.
The Arizona Nordic Village is a place where you can enjoy snowshoeing and skiing. You also can immerse yourself in the outdoors by staying in a yurt or cabin. Slated to open in mid-December of 2022, Flagstaff Snow Park will offer snow tubing and even features groomed snow tubing runs. Located at Fort Tuthill County Park, the snow park even features a kiddie hill for younger folks. Tickets can only be purchased online. All the runs are accessed on foot. There are no lifts.
Arizona Nordic Village.
GIVE BACK OR VOLUNTEER
For many people, charitable giving is a part of their holiday plans. There are plenty of local nonprofits and other community organizations that could use your help. You can volunteer or donations to help them out. Visit sedonawishlist.org to see a list of organizations looking for items. For instance, as of press time, the Sedona Community Food Bank is looking for reusable shopping bags. You also can check out our guide for a list of local organizations that could use your help. Above all, enjoy the winter! It only comes once a year.
