Consider visiting downtown Glendale with its Glendale Glitters with special programs on Friday and Saturday evenings. It will be aglow with 1.5 million sparkling holiday lights, and Murphy Park will be filled with entertainment, arts and crafts, delicious food and horse-drawn carriage rides. Each weekend has a special theme with all kinds of fun for all ages. Glendale Glitters is aglow every evening from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. through January 14.

Another place to see lights is Zoolights at the Phoenix Zoo. This runs nightly through January 9, 2011 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Tickets cost $10.00 per person for Sunday through Thursday nights and $12.00 on Friday and Saturday. There is a discount for Zoo members. Kids age 2 and younger are free. Fry’s has discounted tickets for sale.

One of our favorites is Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden. Stroll through the garden which is lit by lights and luminarias. Stop at the many different spots to listen to musical performances. There is place to get refreshments. I do recommend that you purchase tickets in advance as some nights sell out. You can purchase tickets on-line. This event is mostly attended by adults.   However, if you have a child or teenager who enjoys sitting quietly and listening to music, they will enjoy it too.

Downtown Tempe is hosting the Fantasy of Lights in the Mill Avenue district. From November 27 to December 10, you can enter their Window Wonderland contest for a chance to win a $250 shopping spree.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a beautiful lights display at the Arizona Temple in Mesa. This runs from 5:30pm to 10:00 pm daily and is free. There is usually a half-hour outdoor concert at 7:00 pm. The Temple is located at 525 E Main St in Mesa.

Maricopa County celebrating centennial with hiking challenge.

Consider visiting downtown Glendale with its Glendale Glitters programs on Friday and Saturday evenings (6pm to 10pm), Dec. 3-18.   It will be aglow with 1.5 million sparkling holiday lights, and Murphy Park will be filled with entertainment, arts and crafts, delicious food and horse-drawn carriage rides. Each weekend has a special theme with all kinds of fun for all ages.

Another place to see lights is Zoolights at the Phoenix Zoo.  This runs nightly through January 9, 2011 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm.  Tickets cost $10.00 per person for Sunday through Thursday nights and $12.00 on Friday and Saturday.  There is a discount for Zoo members.  Kids age 2 and younger are free.  Fry’s has discounted tickets for sale.

One of our favorites is Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden.  Stroll through the garden which is lit by lights and luminarias.  Stop at the many different spots to listen to musical performances.  There is place to get refreshments.  I do recommend that you purchase tickets in advance as some nights sell out.  You can purchase tickets on-line.  This event is mostly attended by adults.  However, if you have a child or teenager who enjoys sitting quietly and listening to music, they will enjoy it too.

Downtown Tempe is hosting the Fantasy of Lights in the Mill Avenue district.   From November 27 to December 10, you can enter their Window Wonderland contest for a chance to win a $250 shopping spree.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a beautiful lights display at the Arizona Temple in Mesa.  This runs from 5:30pm to 10:00 pm daily and is free.   There is usually a half-hour outdoor concert at 7:00 pm.  The Temple is located at 525 E Main St in Mesa.

APS also offers discount programs – APS CFL Discounts.    They also have a  CFL light bulb Savings Calculator which allows you to calculate savings by room based upon the number of bulbs replaced and the type of lighting in that roonm

1.  Chandler Public Libraries - There is a main library downtown and three branches.  The libraries offer free computer access to the public as well as reading areas for current magazines and newspapers.  In addition to books, you can also check out movies on DVD, books on CDs, and music on CDs.  The libraries offer book discussion groups and other programming for children, teens, and adults.  Currently there is a program running that allows you to check free passes for location attractions such as the Phoenix Zoo and Art Museum.

2. Chandler Center for the Arts- The Arts Center has a small gallery that puts on various art shows through out the year.  The next show Is Merrill Mahaffey The Artist’s Perspective:  50 Years in the West and it runs from September 3 to October 30.    The Center also offers some free concerts – tickets are available in advance for some of these.  Upcoming concerts include Brad Richter on Friday August 27 at 7:30pm and  the US Air Force Academy Band on Wednesday, COtober 13 at 7:00pm.

3. Chandler Parks - Chandler has a number of  neighborhood and community parks.  Did you know that the Paseo Vista Recreation Area has a great archery range as well as a playground, walking trail, and disc (Frisbee) golf range.    Parks such as Desert Breeze have a small lake where fishing is allowed.  See AZ Dept. of Game & Fish licensing requirements for fishing.

4. Chandler Environmental Education Center- The Center is located at Veterans Oasis Park.  It offers programs for adults and children including Meet the Creature, Dragons and Butterflies, and Organic Gardening.

5. The Zelma Basha Salmeri Gallery of Western American and Native American Art - The Gallery is located in Basha’s headquarters at 22402 S. Basha Road, Chandler, Arizona 85248.  It is typically open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday and admission is free.  However, they recommend that you verify it is open on the day you want to visit by calling  480-895-5230 and press option 2.    It has a collection of  over 3,000 paintings, drawings, sculptures, wood-turned bowls, basketry, pottery, kachinas and jewelry.

6. Paseo Trail- This is a 6.5 mile trail that runs along the sides of the Consolidated Canal.  One side is paved for pedestrian use (running and walking) and the other side is a dirt surface that can be used for horseback riding or biking.

7. Spray Pads & Pools - Several of the parks offer free fun spray for kids to cool off and play in during the summer.   You need to check the Chandler Parks website to see when the spray pads will be running in the park you plan to visit.   Chandler pools offer low admittance fees and some include water slides and toddler play areas.

The VNSA Used Book Sale, Phoenix - February 13 – 14 at the Arizona State Fair Grounds.  This is one of the country’s largest used book sales.  CDs and DVDs are also available.  Proceeds from the sale are used to support three local non-profit charities.

Prospector’s Family Fun Day, Phoenix - February 20 at the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum.  Enjoy gold panning, activities for children, or browse the mineral dealers tables.  Free admission and parking.

Another way to get free admission is to check out a Culture Pass at one of the local libraries.  This program covers a number of museums in the area, plus the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden.

Other places to see lights include Zoolights at the Phoenix Zoo.  This runs nightly through January 10, 2010 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm.  Tickets cost $9.00 per person for Sunday through Thursday nights and $10.00 on Friday and Saturday.  There is a discount for Zoo members.  Kids age 2 and younger are free.  They have a new Komodo Dragon Exhibit that you can see while touring the zoo.

One of our favorites is Las Noches de las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden.  Stroll through the garden which is lit by lights and luminarias.  Stop at the many different spots to listen to musical performances.  There is place to get refreshments.  I do recommend that you purchase tickets in advance as some nights sell out.  You can purchase tickets on-line.  This event is mostly attended by adults.  However, if you have a child or teenager who enjoys sitting quietly and listening to music, they will enjoy it too.

Information for spectators and participants can be found at www.ironmanarizona.com.

For more information – Woofstock