Free Preview of Discover The Phoenix Region November - December 2025 Issue

This November and December Celebrate the Magic of the Holidays in Old Town Cottonwood! -by Annabel Sclippa

DTPR

TM

DISCOVER THE PHOENIX REGION

L I F E S T Y L E • W E L L B E I N G • H A P P E N I N G S

N OV E M B E R - D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 5

SADDLE UP FOR

HOLIDAY MAGIC:

Unfurl your spirit into a timeless Western

Winter Wonderland, where the rhythmic

cadence of hooves echoes through

the sun-kissed canyons and shadowed

spires of the legendary Superstition

Mountains, inviting you to embark on

enchanting horseback tours that weave

holiday magic amid the desert’s ancient,

whispering embrace.

CELEBRATE

THE MAGIC OF

THE HOLIDAYS

IN OLD TOWN

COTTONWOOD!

Get ready for twinkling lights, jolly music,

and festive fun that will warm your heart

and brighten your season.

GIVE THANKS

PHOENIX STYLE

From frybread stuffing to mesquite-smoked turkey,

savor Valley chefs’ twists on Thanksgiving classics—

plus where to volunteer or dine out for a cause.

NATIVE VOICES RISING:

CELEBRATING HERITAGE

MONTH IN PHOENIX

Powwows, art markets at Heard Museum, and

Indigenous-led hikes—honoring Native American

Heritage Month with events that echo Arizona’s first

stories.

ICE IN THE DESERT:

WINTER FUN FOR

EVERY AGE

Skate at CitySkate, sip cocoa at Las Noches de las

Luminarias, and discover family-friendly winter events

that make Phoenix sparkle without the snow.

SADDLE UP FOR

HOLIDAY MAGIC:

Unfurl your spirit into a timeless Western

Winter Wonderland, where the rhythmic

cadence of hooves echoes through

the sun-kissed canyons and shadowed

spires of the legendary Superstition

Mountains, inviting you to embark on

enchanting horseback tours that weave

holiday magic amid the desert’s ancient,

whispering embrace.

CELEBRATE

THE MAGIC OF

THE HOLIDAYS

IN OLD TOWN

COTTONWOOD!

Get ready for twinkling lights, jolly music,

and festive fun that will warm your heart

and brighten your season.

GIVE THANKS

PHOENIX STYLE

From frybread stuffing to mesquite-smoked turkey,

savor Valley chefs’ twists on Thanksgiving classics—

plus where to volunteer or dine out for a cause.

NATIVE VOICES RISING:

CELEBRATING HERITAGE

MONTH IN PHOENIX

Powwows, art markets at Heard Museum, and

Indigenous-led hikes—honoring Native American

Heritage Month with events that echo Arizona’s first

stories.

ICE IN THE DESERT:

WINTER FUN FOR

EVERY AGE

Skate at CitySkate, sip cocoa at Las Noches de las

Luminarias, and discover family-friendly winter events

that make Phoenix sparkle without the snow.

SADDLE UP FOR

HOLIDAY MAGIC:

Unfurl your spirit into a timeless Western

Winter Wonderland, where the rhythmic

cadence of hooves echoes through

the sun-kissed canyons and shadowed

spires of the legendary Superstition

Mountains, inviting you to embark on

enchanting horseback tours that weave

holiday magic amid the desert’s ancient,

whispering embrace.

CELEBRATE

THE MAGIC OF

THE HOLIDAYS

IN OLD TOWN

COTTONWOOD!

Get ready for twinkling lights, jolly music,

and festive fun that will warm your heart

and brighten your season.

GIVE THANKS

PHOENIX STYLE

From frybread stuffing to mesquite-smoked turkey,

savor Valley chefs’ twists on Thanksgiving classics—

plus where to volunteer or dine out for a cause.

NATIVE VOICES RISING:

CELEBRATING HERITAGE

MONTH IN PHOENIX

Powwows, art markets at Heard Museum, and

Indigenous-led hikes—honoring Native American

Heritage Month with events that echo Arizona’s first

stories.

ICE IN THE DESERT:

WINTER FUN FOR

EVERY AGE

Skate at CitySkate, sip cocoa at Las Noches de las

Luminarias, and discover family-friendly winter events

that make Phoenix sparkle without the snow.

⁄ 64

DTPR NOVEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER 2025 / ENTERTAINMENT

This November and December

Celebrate the Magic of the Holidays

in Old Town Cottonwood!

-by Annabel Sclippa

Photo by: Jenelle Bass Bonifield

Photo by: Jenelle Bass Bonifield

⁄ 65

DTPR MAGAZINE #15-6: November - December 2025

**Old Town Cottonwood is your ultimate

Holiday Dream Destination this November

and December!**

Get ready for twinkling lights, jolly music, and festive

fun that will warm your heart and brighten your season.

“Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, joy and cheer are in the air!”

November Festivities: Wine, Art, and Jolly Times!

Kick off the holiday season with a splash of style and sparkle

at the 19th Annual “Walkin’ on Main” on November 8th,

2025; 11am-5pm!

https://cottonwoodaz.gov/

https://www.azwom.com/

“Oh, what fun it is to sip and shop, in Old Town

Cottonwood!”

Join us as we celebrate the Heart of Arizona Wine Country

with a delightful day filled with **local wines**, colorful

**art exhibits**, a thrilling **car show**, and lively **music**!

Our Main Street is closed to make room for all of the wine

and art tents. Wander through these, plus our charming

tasting rooms and galleries, enjoy festive treats, and experience

the warmth of our community.

**Highlights include:**

**Wine Tasting** sponsored by the Verde Valley Wine

Consortium—sample the newly released plus special

library wines! *Buy tickets NOW

https://www.strideevents.com/walkin-on-main/event-information

**Car Show** presented by Red Rock Collision—come

meet the owners and snap photos of these classic

beauties against a scenic historic old town backdrop!

**Live Music** from 11am to 5pm, with joyful tunes

from local bands Local Honey and the Well Dressed

Wolves plus more! 2025 Lineup: 11am-1pm — TBD,

1:30pm-3pm — Local Honey, 3:30pm-5pm — Well

Dressed Wolves.

**Art Exhibits and Artists On-Site** - including yours truly

in The Eureka Tasting Room, showing my original art,

prints and merch.

https://theeurekaroomaz.com/

*“Raise your glass, sing along, share laughter,

love, and holiday song!”*

Photo by: LaBelle Social Media

Photo by: LaBelle Social Media

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DTPR NOVEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER 2025 / ENTERTAINMENT

“The Verde Valley Wine Consortium assists in creating,

nurturing and advancing the Verde Valley as a significant

and important wine region. Member wineries pouring at

this years Walkin’ on Main are local to the Verde Valley.

They will be sharing with you some newly released wines

along with some of their very special library wines. This is

your opportunity to taste them all in the one location!”

— Paula Woolsey, VVWC President and Wine Educator

https://verdevalleywine.org/

The City of Cottonwood celebrates the Heart of Arizona

Wine Country with the 19th Annual “Walkin’ on Main” on

November 8th, 2025. Showcasing local wines, art exhibits,

retail vendors, a car show and live music. And don’t forget—

adventure waits at every corner with local shops, galler-

ies, and restaurants. It’s free, fun for the whole family, and

a perfect way to embrace the spirit of the season, and

start your exceptional Holiday Shopping.

For updates, car/vendor apps, and more, visit the City of

Cottonwood’s WOM website:

https://www.azwom.com/

December Delights: Christmas Parade, Chocolate,

and Cheer!

**December kicks off with a flurry of festivities!**

Begin your holiday adventure on **Friday, December 5**

4pm-7pm, with the **VIP Wine & Chocolate Experience**—

an indulgent evening of exquisite wines and decadent

chocolates. *“Tis the season to sip and savor!”* ONLY 100

Tickets available. Buy here now:

https://www.oldtown.org/vipevent.html

Then, on **Saturday, December 6**, experience the

heartwarming **70th Annual Cottonwood Christmas

Parade**! Starting at 11am, watch floats, horses, danc-

ers, and Santa himself bring holiday magic to Main

Street. Wrap up your day with **shopping, dining, and

holiday cheer** in our charming Old Town. Starting

from the parking lot at the Verde Valley Fairgrounds,

the Parade will travel east on Cherry Street, turn left on

Main Street and continue down Main Street into Old Town

Cottonwood, ending at N Cactus Street. Pull up your lounge

chair along the route and enjoy the show!

https://www.verdevalleyevents.com/event/cottonwoods-66th-annual-christmas-parade/

Photography by: Jenelle Bass Bonifield

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DTPR MAGAZINE #15-6: November - December 2025

Last year, the Chocolate Walk featured deee-lightful

home-made entries from talented local chefs. The winners

of the 2024 chocolatier competition were:

1st Place: Merkin Vineyards - Chef Brian: Hand-painted

Tiramisu Bon Bon

2nd Place: Four 8 Fried Chicken - Chef Smith: Shortbread

Butter Toffee Milk Chocolate topped with a hint of Himalayan Salt

3rd Place: Bocce - Chef Geno: Mint Chocolate Cheesecake

topped with Dried Cranberries & Pistachios

Congratulations are also in order for J&J Antiques, voted

the People’s Choice Best Decorated Storefront, for its

dazzling holiday display, which added even more extra

cheer to Old Town.

https://merkintrattoria.com/

https://four8wineworks.com/

https://boccecottonwood.com/

https://www.facebook.com/JJAntiquesLLC/

*“Oh, Christmas Tree, oh, Christmas Tree, your

lights are glowing just for me!”*

Be sure to catch the **Old Town Light Show** at dusk, with

merry music and sparkling displays—perfect for creating

magical holiday memories.

**Pro tip:** Make it a cozy overnight trip! Stay in one of

Old Town’s historic houses—snuggle up, sip hot cocoa,

and dream of sugarplums.

https://www.oldtown.org/lodging.html

But the fun doesn’t stop there! Continuing

on Saturday, December 6, 2025: 3pm-

7pm, Join us for the **32nd Annual Old

Town Chocolate Walk**—a sweet stroll

through decorated streets filled with

handcrafted chocolates, local eateries,

and Mingus Union High School Choir’s

joyful carollers singing “Jingle Bells.” The

streets will sparkle, and Santa might be

strolling by! ONLY 400 tickets available!

https://www.oldtown.org/chocolate.html

Join the Holiday Joy!

Old Town Cottonwood truly shines during the season with **Mom & Pop shops**, twinkling lights, joyful music, and community

spirit. Whether you’re here for the wine, chocolates, parades, or just to soak in the holiday atmosphere, we can’t wait to

welcome you! And not a Chain Store around will you find. Know that you are surely Supporting Local, when you buy your

gifts here, for everyone on your lists, everywhere. See some of our shops on the Cottonwood Old Town Association website:

https://www.oldtown.org/shopping.html

Let the season of cheer begin—**Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la, happy holidays to you all!**

**For more info and updates, visit:**

Old Town Cottonwood Events: https://www.oldtown.org/

Verde Valley Christmas Parade: https://www.verdevalleyevents.com/event/cottonwoods-66th-annual-christmas-parade

Chocolate Walk Details: https://www.oldtown.org/chocolate/

Happy Holidays from your festive friends in Old Town Cottonwood!

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