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The holidays can be an ideal time to learn more about other cultures, see lights displays, support local artists or explore nature. If you are looking for a new experience, consider one of these events in your neighborhood.
Lights of the World: Phoenix
Light displays aren’t found just in North America. People throughout the world put up multicolored lights and lanterns and decorate around Christmas, New Year’s and other major holidays.
In its third year, Lights of the World: Phoenix honors this international tradition with displays celebrating sights, creatures, holiday scenes and traditions from around the world.
This year’s display is Dec. 6-Feb. 3 at the Arizona Exposition and State Fairgrounds.
The displays are themed around animals such as dinosaurs, pandas, elephants and giraffes; underwater scenes and creatures such as dolphins and jellyfish; landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, the Pyramids of Giza, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Parthenon and the Neuschwanstein Castle; and holiday motifs such as Santa Claus, snow and the story of Christmas.
This year’s event has expanded with the addition of Chinese acrobat and sea lion shows. It will also have carnival rides and games, cuisine from various cultures and a vendor area with American and Chinese folk art.
The festival’s creator, Song Yang, who is vice chairman of the U.S.-China Cultural and Educational Foundation, will bring a display to Tucson for the first time this year and has also had exhibitions in Atlanta, Houston and Washington, DC.
Song said that with the light displays, he tries to bring many cultures into one place.
LIGHTS OF THE WORLD AT RAWHIDE 2016:
“We call it ‘one trip to visit all the world.’ We recognize each of the civilizations not only for the beauty but for the tradition,” Song said.
Along with lights and lanterns, the exhibition will have international music. More than 200 people work to design and put up the light and lantern displays, which incorporate over 10 million lights.
Song said the 10 acres of displays will be easier to navigate this year, and will be even more detailed than in previous years.
“This year, we have more emphasis on the pretty, how wonderful our Earth is. It’s always been our dream bringing beauty to the people and the families during the holidays,” Song said.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. Dec. 6-Feb. 3. Arizona Exposition and State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix. $19.99 presale online, $24.99 at the gate, $49.99 for season pass, free for age 3 and younger, $10 for parking. phoenix.lightsoftheworldus.com.
Mesa Arts Festival
Finding just the right holiday gift can be difficult, especially when shopping for someone who likes hand-crafted items. During the Mesa Arts Festival on Dec. 8 and 9, Arizona and out-of-state artists will sell one-of-a-kind artwork and gifts.
Local artists will give demonstrations of jewelry making, painting, enameling, printmaking, blacksmithing and drawing.

Two stages will showcase local and national jazz, Latin, Americana, country and rock groups.
The festival will also have roaming entertainment from stilt walkers, a youth quintet, carolers and performers dressed in sculptural costumes.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 8-9. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St. Free. 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com.
Pueblo Grande Museum Indian Market
In Native American cultures, skills and rituals are passed from one generation to another and evolve over time. The Pueblo Grande Museum Auxiliary’s annual Indian Market on Dec. 8 and 9 brings together people from various tribes to showcase their artwork, music, dance and skills such as weaving.

The event is held at the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park, a Hohokam museum and archaeological site featuring replica homes and an excavated ball court. More than 100 artists will sell hand-made pottery, paintings, kachina figures, sculptures, jewelry and other artwork.
Featured artist Jesse Hummingbird, a graphic artist, printer and commercial illustrator in Bisbee, is known for colorful acrylic paintings incorporating modern and traditional Cherokee themes. A new area of the festival will showcase the work of youth artists up to 18 years old.
The entertainment lineup has a mixture of new and returning performers, including Aztec, hoop, eagle and fancy dancers.
In the expanded Ki:him area, guests can learn about or try hoop dancing, pottery or gourd making, spear throwing with an atlatl, corn grinding, oral storytelling with masks, flint knapping, growing tepary beans or piki bread making.
The market will also have a display of tribal flags and vendors selling Navajo tacos and fry bread.
Details: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 8-9. Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park, 4619 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $10, $5 for American Indians and retired service members, free for age 12 and younger. 602-495-0901, pueblogrande.org.
Riparian After Dark
Experiencing outdoor light displays is part of the magic of the holidays. Gilbert’s Riparian After Dark event Dec. 7-22 lets families get out into nature together at Water Ranch, a 110-acre preserve that attracts a variety of animals.
Guests will walk along a half-mile trail lit by 500 to 600 luminarias and light displays with windmill, tractor, snowman, reindeer, gingerbread and penguin themes.

School choirs, a fiddler and carolers will spread cheer. Dickens-themed characters dressed in traditional attire will make appearances, and food trucks will sell refreshments such as waffles, cookies, hot chocolate and coffee.
Each night of the event will have a different charity beneficiary. Attendees are encouraged to bring canned foods, toys, pet supplies, shoes or winter hats and gloves, depending on the night.
Details: 5:30-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 7-22. Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, 2757 E. Guadalupe Road, Gilbert. 480-503-6200, gilbertaz.gov.
MORE THINGS TO DO:
- The best and biggest holiday lights shows in metro Phoenix in 2018
- The complete list of holiday shows in metro Phoenix: Concerts, dance and theater
- 40 holiday gift card deals at Phoenix restaurants
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