Prescott’s holiday season lineup promises to delight everyone with parades, live music, Santa visits, street parties, and more
Arizona Christmas City organizers are planning a fun-filled season with several free events in Everybody’s Hometown.
The festivities kick off with the 27th Annual Holiday Light Parade & Bonfire Festival at 6 p.m. Saturday, November 30 on Cortez Street. Led by Santa, the parade features more than 40 illuminated floats and music from local school bands. The fun continues at Mile High Middle School’s field from 7 to 8:30 p.m. with music, Santa visits, and reindeer games for the kids. Enjoy a closer look at the floats parked on the field and live performances from Prescott High School and Bradshaw Mountain High School marching bands. Entrance is through the gate on Goodwin Street, across from Old Firehouse Plaza.
“Prescott is filled with holiday spirit for eight weeks,” said Audra Yamamoto, Executive Director of the Prescott Downtown Partnership. “And we’re thrilled to kick off the holiday season every year with our hometown parade.”
On Saturday, December 7, Prescott’s 42nd Annual Christmas Parade takes place from 1 to 3 p.m., filling downtown with festive floats, marching bands, and music, culminating in Santa’s arrival. After the parade, kids can visit Santa on the Courthouse Plaza until 5 p.m.
The 70th Annual Courthouse Lighting event starts with live Christmas music at 5 p.m. The Courthouse and more than 80 surrounding trees light up at 6 p.m., followed by a spectacular fireworks display.
A free shuttle service with parking will be available again this year from the Prescott High School Parking lot to Granite Street.
The 36th Annual Acker Night will take place Friday, December 13 with the opening ceremony at 5 p.m. on Gurley Street. On Acker Night, people stroll through downtown Prescott, taking in the holiday lights and listening to live music from more than 500 performers. More than 100 Prescott businesses open their doors to these volunteer musicians with the shared goal of keeping music alive for local schoolkids. While admission is free, all tips to artists provide music lessons and instruments to local youth and support school music programs. A free shuttle service is provided from Frontier Village Shopping Center off Highway 69.
Ring in the New Year at the 14th Annual New Year’s Eve Boot Drop on historic Whiskey Row. The celebrations on Montezuma Street start at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 31 and continue until 12:30 a.m. New Year’s Day. Experience the excitement of two boot drops (one each at 10 p.m. and midnight) as a 6-foot-tall, illuminated cowboy boot descends from the Palace building. Enjoy live music, fireworks, food trucks, carnival games, and giveaways.
“We’re thrilled to host one of Arizona’s largest New Year’s celebrations,” said Matt Brassard, organizer with Whiskey Row Boot Drop, LLC. “The Boot Drop is a favorite event on Whiskey Row, and we’re proud to close out the festive season in Prescott.”
All the Arizona Christmas City Events are presented by Desert Financial Credit Union, Friends of the Jersey Lilly and the City of Prescott. ZebraScapes, Ability Remodeling, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Cemex, Springhill Suites, Residence Inn, C4th Home Improvement, APS, Fancy That!, Bucky’s Casino, Yavapai Casino, Matt’s Saloon, Lighthouse Coffee Company, The Daily Courier, Blind Brothers Arizona, Black Arrow Native American Jewelry & Art, KPPV106.7FM, KDDL94.3FM, JUAN107.1FM, JACK94.7FM, KQNA1130AM, American Mailer, Hilton Garden Inn, Prescott Pro Sound, Your Home First Magazine, SignalsAZ.com, Sparklight Advertising, Torme, El Gato Azul, Prescott Living, Prescott Now, Magic99.1FM, KAFF92.9FM, Hope Arizona Shine 103.9FM, The Mountain 93.9FM, Fun Oldies 1450AM, Prescott Woman Magazine, Bill’s Pizza, Red White & Brew,Talking Glass Media, Hotel St. Michael, Barrett Propane, Hair Station 105, FooteWork Auto License & Title, Quad Cities Business News, and Flagstaff Business News provide additional support.
About Prescott, Arizona’s Christmas City
Prescott was officially designated as Arizona’s Christmas City in 1989 because the city had long been known for its festive holiday events. Today, Prescott offers a multitude of holiday attractions and is increasingly a destination for visitors looking for special ways to celebrate.
In 2022, the city of Prescott and Prescott Chamber of Commerce Foundation formed the official Arizona Christmas City Organization. This organization brought the city’s main holiday events together under one umbrella, enabling event organizers to collaborate on marketing, fundraising, and sponsorship assistance.
The following events now work together within the Arizona Christmas City Organization: the Prescott Holiday Light Parade, hosted by the Prescott Downtown Partnership; the Christmas Parade & Courthouse Lighting, hosted by the Prescott Chamber of Commerce; the Acker Night Music Festival, hosted by the Acker Foundation; and the Whiskey Row Boot Drop, hosted by the Whiskey Row Boot Drop, LLC.
This collaboration will continue to grow and help support each event financially for years to come.
Learn more at www.ArizonaChristmasCity.com.