Arizona Christmas City organizers for Prescott’s annual holiday attractions in downtown Prescott are planning a fun-filled season with several free events happening in “Everybody’s Hometown.”
Festivities kick off with The Holiday Light Parade & Bonfire Festival, which returns for its 26th year Saturday, Nov. 25, starting at 6 p.m. on Cortez Street. The parade will be led by Santa and will feature more than 40 floats and music from school marching bands. The parade ends on the field at Mile High Middle School, where the Bonfire Festival will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Entrance to the field is through the gate on Goodwin Street, across from Old Firehouse Plaza.
Up next is Prescott’s 41st annual Christmas Parade and 69th annual Courthouse Lighting the first Saturday in December. From 1 to 3 p.m. on Dec. 2, the parade will fill downtown Prescott with floats, marching bands, and music — all leading up to the arrival of Santa. The Courthouse Lighting will be 6 to 6:30 p.m.; fireworks to follow.
Then, the 35th annual Acker Night will be Friday, Dec. 8, in downtown Prescott. The opening ceremony will begin 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 school kids. 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 runs from Frontier Village Shopping Center off of AZ-69.
The 2nd annual Christmas Village & ChristkindlMarket, inspired by a centuries-old European tradition, will be open Friday, Dec. 15 from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 16, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 17, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on West Goodwin Street. Admission is free.
The Christkindl Angel returns to host the event, which includes outdoor amusement rides, Christmas music, visits with Santa and Clydesdale horse-drawn wagon rides around Courthouse Plaza.
Lastly, the 13th annual New Year’s Eve Boot Drop will be Sunday, Dec. 31, on historic Whiskey Row in downtown Prescott. This celebration on Montezuma Street starts at 7:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve and goes until 12:30 a.m. New Year’s Day.
