Santa at the Flagstaff Mall

Santa is going to be at the Flagstaff Mall (outside JC Penney) through Christmas Eve - fun thing to do while on the winter break from school!
Hours Monday - Saturday 10a-9p, Sunday 9a-8p, and Christmas Eve 9a-6p. He's on break, feeding the reindeer I'm sure, from 1-1:45 & 4:30-5:15, except on Christmas Eve, when he's only on break from 1-1:45p.

Elks National Hoop Shoot Free-Throw Program in Flagstaff

Here's a fun event for your young basketball players... 

The Elks National Hoop Shoot Free-Throw Program will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at Mount Elden Middle School (3223 N 4^th Street, Flagstaff, AZ).  This program is for boys and girls, ages 8 through 13 (as of April 1, 2012).  Winners of this program will travel to compete in the next round and could eventually compete in the state, regional and national levels!  The top six national finalists’ names are inscribed in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Cool potential opportunity!

Registration will begin at 8:30 am on Saturday and go until 9:30 am.  No pre-registration required!  Participants will then be broken into their gender and age categories and the fun will begin.  

For more information, contact Ricky Conway at (928) 814 2379 and go to the official website: http://www.elks.org/hoopshoot.

Free Flagstaff Fun: 13th Annual Parade of Lights

Put on the coats, hats, scarves and mittens and head out to Flagstaff's 13th Annual "Northern Lights Parade" on Saturday, December 10th. The parade includes bands and floats all covered in twinkling lights. The fun begins at 6pm. The parade goes through the traditional downtown route. For more info contact the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce at 928-774-4505.

Free Family Fun: Flagstaff's Little America holiday lights display

This Saturday, start your winter holidays with free family fun at the Little American Flagstaff.
Every year they put up more than one million outdoor lights for a holiday light display like none other in town.
This year they're having an old-fashioned holiday celebration with strolling carolers, performances by local choirs and free cookies and cider. Plus - Santa will be there, as always, to flip the lights switch.
This free event starts at 3pm Saturday, November 26, 2011. The lights will be on every night through the holiday season for everyone to stroll through at their leisure.

Free family fun: Flagstaff's Winter Wonderland Celebration

Here's a free fun activity my family enjoys every year... Flagstaff Recreation Service's Winter Wonderland Celebration.

This free event is fun for the whole family. It takes place on Friday, Dec 2nd from 6:30-8:00pm at Heritage Square.

In conjunction with the First Friday Art Walk, the tree will be lit at 6:30pm then crafts and visits with Santa. NAU lights their tree at 6:00pm. 

For more info, call Flag Rec Services at (928) 213-2300.

Grand Canyon Railways' Polar Express now taking reservations

Grand Canyon Railway has changed the times for its popular Polar Express runs and is accepting reservations.
This year’s nightly Polar Express runs will depart at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Saturday matinees will depart at 3:30 p.m. on select dates. In previous years the nightly runs departed at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Grand Canyon Railway will offer runs this year Nov. 11, 2011 through Jan. 7, 2012. Saturday matinees will run Nov. 26 and Dec. 3, 10 and 17, 2011.

Reservations can be made online at www.thetrain.com or by calling 1-888-848-3511.
Closely following The Polar Express book by Chris Van Allsburg, this nighttime trip from the Grand Canyon Railway depot in Williams travels through the starlit wilderness to the “North Pole” and features a special reading of The Polar Express while passengers enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. The “North Pole,” a Christmas light village, was recently renovated with enhanced lighting and the addition of features such as storefronts, mailboxes and other structures to give the village a more permanent and three-dimensional look and feel. Upon arrival at the North Pole, passengers are welcomed by Santa Claus and Elf Bernard before Santa boards the Polar Express for the return trip to Williams. Santa makes his way through the passenger cars, greeting every child and presenting each one with a special gift – a jingle bell signifying their belief in Santa Claus. The round-trip journey is a little more than an hour in length.

Most evenings the Grand Canyon Railway offers two trains. The Grand Canyon Railway will also offer a Charity Train at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 11 with free tickets for non-profit organizations. To download an application to be part of this year’s Charity Train visit www.thetrain.com/polar-express-5679.html. The “Christmas Eve Limited,” departing at 8 p.m., includes special gifts from Santa that are not included during other excursions.
Individual tickets for the train rides other than the Christmas Eve Limited are $30 for adults and $20 for children ages two to 15. Rates for the special Christmas Eve Limited are $60 for adults and $40 for children ages two to 15. Matinee rates are $25 for adults and $15 for children ages two to 15.
The Grand Canyon Railway also offers a Polar Express Package including the roundtrip train excursion, a one-night stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and breakfast and dinner at the Grand Depot Café. The package price for two adults and two children starts at $341 and does not include taxes.
Polar Express reservations can be made by calling 1-888-848-3511 or by visiting www.thetrain.com/polar-express-5679.html. For more information about the Grand Canyon Railway or to purchase other tickets or packages visit www.thetrain.com or call 1-800-The-Train (1-800-843-8724).
Read my experience on The Polar Express HERE. 




Santa photo above courtesy Grand Canyon Railway