Prescott truly enjoys holiday celebrations, and honoring those who serve. November is a month where we honor our veterans, celebrate Thanksgiving, then we begin one of our most significant seasons with the events of Arizona’s Christmas City.
We begin with Veterans Day, on November 11. I view Veterans Day as a celebration, giving us a chance to thank all veterans for their service to our country. We do so in grand style here in Prescott, with the annual Veterans Day Parade downtown, beginning at 11am. The Veterans Day Parade embodies the genuine appreciation our citizens show to veterans. I would like to thank staff member Michelle Stacy-Schroeder, also a veteran, and her team of volunteers and City staff who help make the parade a special event. As a Vietnam veteran, who served in combat, I know how meaningful genuine expressions of appreciation are, since we did not receive a friendly reception when we returned from service many years ago.
Veterans Day is soon followed by Thanksgiving Day, which takes place this year on November 28. Just a few days later, we begin the official Arizona Christmas City events. All of these events have long standing in our community, with the oldest tradition being the Courthouse Lighting event, celebrating it’s 70th annual event.
The festivities begin with the 27th Annual Holiday Light Parade on Saturday, November 30 at 6 p.m. in the downtown area. November 30 is also Small Business Saturday, a time to support our many locally owned businesses from retailers, to restaurants and others.
On Saturday December 7 we celebrate with the 42nd Annual Christmas Parade downtown, followed by the magical 70th Annual Courthouse Lighting. The Courthouse Lighting is one of my favorite traditions that makes Prescott so unique and special during the holidays.
Then on Friday, December 13 is the 36th Annual Acker Night. A local favorite, Acker Night is a musical showcase with entertainers playing at businesses throughout downtown, benefitting musical scholarships for youth. Then, On Saturday and Sunday December 14-15 is a newer tradition, the Third Annual Prescott ChristKindlMarket, a charming old world style outdoor holiday market.
On New Year’s Eve we have the 14th Annual Whiskey Row Boot Drop event. This great celebration helps us “Give the Boot” to 2024 with two drops – one at 10 pm and the other at Midnight.
The courthouse lights remain on nightly through the Martin Luther King holiday in January, so citizens and visitors can stroll the plaza any night, while enjoying all the downtown has to offer.
Prescott recently was recognized by Newsweek Magazine as one of the top 10 towns to celebrate Christmas. I am very pleased to learn of this recognition. I am also proud of the long standing events and traditions that make Prescott such a wonderful place to celebrate Christmas and all of the holidays.
To see the full calendar of Arizona’s Christmas City events, check out ArizonaChristmasCity.com
1 thought on “November Ushers in the Holidays In Prescott – Mayor Phil Goode”
Watching paint dry is better than listening to Goode.
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