Tlaquepaque's 45th Annual Festival of Lights: 6,000 Luminaria's!
Big Entertainment, Santa, Holiday Cheer and More!
Few events in Sedona can boast 45 consecutive years of overwhelming success and holiday magic. Get ready for Tlaquepaque's Festival of Lights, the beloved signature event - perfect for the whole family, happening this year on Saturday, December 9, 2017 from 3:00 to 8:00p.m. Come marvel at the arts village, beautifully lit with 6000 luminarias, creating a warm , golden glow flowing over every courtyard, balcony and walkway. For your holiday shopping pleasure, the shops and galleries will stay open until 8:00 p.m. Admission is free --- so is the hot cider,and, for your convenience, take the free trolley from the Uptown Municipal parking lot to and from Tlaquepaque. Please consider bringing an unwrapped toy for kids ...drop them off at the Toys for Tots station in Patio del Norte.
Come early and bring the kids for photos with Santa and his elves, as traditional Christmas carols are sung in Patio del Norte. Then starting at 5:00 sharp (as the bell tower tolls), light your own luminaria and watch Tlaquepaque transform into a Festival of Lights! as an additional fun activity for the kids - be sure to head to Patio de Las Campanas where Tlaquepaque Toy Town will be sponsoring a crafts table from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. where youngsters get to be super creative painting their special porcelain Christmas ornaments. One per child while supplies last, and any age is welcome.
Along with all the holiday cheer, the season is a time of remembrance and hope. A very heartfelt and moving aspect to the Festival is the sponsoring of a luminaria honoring a love one lost to cancer or someone who is fighting the disease. Each person that sponsors a luminaria can leave a special personal message to a survivor or a victim, placing the lit luminaria around the fountain in Patio del Norte. Just $10.00 you have an opportunity to honor someone and help others by supporting the American Cancer Society.
ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE
12:00 to 2:00 p.m. : Ron Tolson and Pianist Bryan Pace.
Enjoy the beautiful vocals of Tabernacle choirmaster Ron Tolson with piano accompaniment in the Tlaquepaque Chapel.
2:30 to 4:30 p.m. : Flutist Sherry Finzer.
Known for her bold musical style, Sherry brings together a new fusion sound, blending New Age, Latin, and classical music in the Tlaquepaque Chapel.
3:00 to 5:00 p.m. : Porcelain Ornament Painting Just for Kids,
sponsored by Tlaquepaque Toy Town where youngsters can paint and keep a special porcelain Christmas ornament, Patio de las Campanas
.
3:00 to 5:30 p.m. :
Enjoy the get-down sounds of Ritmos featuring the vocals of Andres Martinez, acoustic guitar, saxophone and Latin percussion. These crowd pleasing guys bring it with lots of energy and passion. Patio de las Campanas.
3:00 to 6:00 p.m.:
Gather the kids for a visit with Santa
while enjoying traditional Christmas carols and holiday favorites sung by Sedona's favorite dynamic duo, Tom and Shondra (3:00 to 5:30 p.m.)
Purchase personalize luminaria to honor cancer survivors in Patio del Norte.
4:00 to 6:00 p.m. : Michael Kollwitz
on Chapman Stick. If you have never heard a Chapman stick, it's one of the most expressive musical instruments ever created. Kollowitz is a virtuoso with 39 years experience. Don't miss its amazing sounds! Patio de las Rosas.
5:00 p.m. SHARP : Lighting of the 6,000 luminarias throughout the entire village. Listen for the tolling of the bells to signal the lighting!
5:00 to 7:00 p.m. :
From classical to hip hop and lots in between, this gifted award winning violinist and composer, Jonathan Levingston,
is sure to enchant and delight everyone in the Tlaquepaque Chapel.
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. :
Phoenix based River of Life Tabernacle Choir.
If you want to be moved to your core don't miss the straight from-the-heart performance directed by Ron Tolson. Inspiring and uplifiting, enjoy their huge sound as they sing seasonal hymns and holiday favorites in Plaza de la Fuente.
6:00 to 8:00 p.m. :
Gypsy jazz, infectious swing and improvisation combine to help ring in the season, performed by the unforgettable Zazu
in Patio de las Campanas
.
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.:
Check out the Swingtips...hailed as one of the hottest nostalgia pop/swing acts around. Their highly entertaining, Vaudeville-era inspired interactive show gets everyone on their feet and dancing 'til they drop! Tlaquepaque North.
6:00 to 8:00 p.m : Urban Electric String Quartet.
You will marvel at their moves and amazing reportorial diversity, from rock to cutting edge electronic music. Patio del Norte.
Don't forget that during the Festival of Lights, Tlaquepaque's world -class art galleries and specialty boutique shops will be open until 8 p.m. All decked out and brimming with one of a kind gifts for that special someone, be sure to see what treasures await. And if you get hungy know that any of the exceptional restaurants in Tlaquepaque offer a wide range of cuisines from fine continental dining at Rene Restauran
t to an amazing brewery, Oak Creek Brewery and Grill
, scrumptious Mexican at El Rincon
, excellent dinner at the Secret Garden Cafe
and the new Pump House Eatery and Urban Market
in Tlaquepaque North.
Home to over 45 shops, world- class galleries and five restaurants, Tlaquepaque
, the Art and Soul of Sedona, now in its 45th year, is located at 336 State Route 179, Sedona, Arizona. For more information, call 928-282-4838,
