Art N' About

Arizona’s Christmas City promises a delightful season lineup including parades, live music, Santa visits, street parties, and more

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Prescott. This year, Newsweek honored the city, “Everybody’s Hometown,” as one of its Top 10 Best Christmas Towns in the Nation, further cementing its reputation as the ultimate destination for holiday cheer and celebrations. Prescott’s annual holiday attractions have begun downtown, and there are several free events happening that will make your holidays complete.

What began 24 years ago as a small community Christmas light display has blossomed into one of Arizona’s most dazzling holiday attractions. Prescott Valley’s Valley of Lights has become a beloved tradition, drawing thousands of visitors annually. The event features animated displays created from thousands of colorful lights designed to spark wonder in both young and old.

The idea for Valley of Lights was first envisioned in 2000 by then-Chamber Executive Director Lew Rees. Inspired by a similar light display in his former community of Branson, Missouri, Rees collaborated with a local lighting company to plan and create the first eight original displays. Retired Executive Assistant Beverly Oleson fondly recalled how, in those early days, staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to bring the vision to life—dragging electrical cords, securing displays, and staffing the donation booth. Little did they know this fledgling event would grow into Prescott Valley’s premier holiday attraction.

Maria Vomlehn Flurry, of Arizona Philharmonic, Sticks and Tones, and manos percussion, to teach composition to Prescott third graders

Maria Flurry is a household name when it comes to Arizona’s music community. She performs as a timpanist with Arizona Philharmonic and Flagstaff Symphony, and is one half of Sticks and Tones with her husband, Henry Flurry (who is co-founder and Artistic Director of AZ Phil).

Now, through AZ Phil and Prescott Unified School District’s Composition Collaboration Project, Maria is preparing to lead a composition program for nine third-grade classes at three elementary schools: Lincoln, Taylor Hicks, and Abia Judd.

This year, the World’s Oldest Rodeo® will shine a spotlight on an extraordinary group of athletes and contributors: the Women in Rodeo. With a nod to the trailblazing women who have shaped rodeo culture from its earliest days, this year’s theme celebrates the often overlooked yet pivotal role women have played in the rodeo world. From barrel racing to trick riding and beyond, women have been integral in shaping not only Prescott Frontier Days®, but the entire sport of rodeo.

“We are incredibly excited to unveil ‘Women in Rodeo’ as the theme for 2025,” said Jim Dewey Brown, General Manager of Prescott Frontier Days®, Inc. “This allows us to honor the deep-rooted traditions and the countless women who have contributed to the history of rodeo—not just as competitors, but as leaders, stock contractors, and pioneers in the sport. Their strength, grit, and determination are central to our rodeo’s legacy.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs are experts in fun. Everything we do has fun in it and that includes our annual gala in support of our work. Dancing for the Stars is a performance-based gala event that you don’t want to miss. Now in its eighth year, Dancing has risen to be a treasure to our community. In the vein of the popular TV show, local celebrities have been called upon to raise funds for our kids and their adventures. In addition to raising money for the kids, our celebrities, along with their professional dancer partners, will dazzle and thank our donors with a jaw dropping performance for all our guests.

The Prescott Area Artist Studio Tour will return over the weekend of October 4-6, 2024, offering attendees an opportunity to visit with 74 juried artists across 53 private studios (as well as additional artists in four Art Centers), observe their creative processes and purchase one-of-a-kind works of art. The Tour, which will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, will showcase many different artistic mediums — from painting and ceramics to jewelry and glass — in locations throughout the Prescott/Quad-City area. Attendees of this free, self-guided event may begin at any location and visit as many studios as they like. For detailed information and maps, visit www.PrescottStudioTour.com.

The Yavapai College Prescott Art Gallery and the Yavapai College Foundation are pleased to present “Art in the Pines: The 5th Annual Prescott Plein Air Festival.” From October 9-13, 2024, the festival will feature nineteen juried Arizona artists and one California artist painting in outdoor settings throughout Yavapai County, including the area’s beautiful pine forests and highland lakes and amidst the historical and architectural beauty of downtown Prescott. At specific accessible demonstration sites, the public can observe and engage with the artists at no cost. 

Experience the vibrant arts scene in Prescott every 4th Friday of the month as 16 galleries in and around the historic downtown courthouse plaza open their doors for early evening events, including signature exhibits and artist receptions. This monthly event, established in 2004, showcases the work of local and nationally acclaimed artists.