Christmas time is a special time to spend with friends and family but once the food is eaten and the gifts are opened, the awkwardness begins. Avoid the intensity of entertaining guests this weekend by getting out of the house and attending one of these holiday events in the area.

Valley of Lights

Enjoy a one-mile drive-through of animated and lighted displays in Fain Park, 2200 N. 5th St., Prescott Valley. The Valley of Lights opened on Thanksgiving night and remains open seven days a week from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and holidays, through Dec. 30.

There are about 64 displays, containing multiple parts, decorated with thousands of lights that cover areas on both sides of the roadway. Everywhere you turn there is something magical to be seen including overhead as you drive through one of the three lighted tunnels.

According to Marnie Uhl, President/CEO of the Prescott Chamber of Commerce, upgrades have been made to several of the 23-year-old light displays including the popular animated American Flag.

“[The American Flag] was completely redone with the lights and it’s absolutely stunning,” said Uhl. “They’re all upgraded to LED lights.”

Many of the other popular displays were upgraded as well.

“We did The Grinch and Christmas and I believe we did Charlie Brown and the Energizer Bunny and the ribbons too,” Uhl said. “We’re upgrading every year. Next year, we’re in the design process for a new one.”

Another new feature of the Valley of Lights is an isolated radio broadcast, playing Christmas music.

“You can listen to music as you drive through,” Uhl said. “You tune your radio to 90.1 FM and there’s Christmas music. That’s in partnership with Arizona’s Hometown Radio Group.”

There is no admission fee, however, a suggested donation is $5 per vehicle and you may go through as many times as you wish.

For more information about the Prescott Valley of Lights, visit www.pvchamber.org/events/details/valley-of-lights-2022-10774.

Gingerbread Village at Prescott Resort

Viewing all of the delicious entries at one of Prescott’s most popular holiday-themed displays, the Gingerbread Village. The 30th Annual Gingerbread Village is on display in the lobby of the Prescott Resort & Conference Center, 1500 E. Highway 69, through Jan. 1, 2023.

Proceeds collected from donations, village entries and competitions throughout the course of the holiday season, all go to support the Prescott Hungry Kids Project.

The Gingerbread Village is free and open to the public all day and night until the end of the year, on the ground floor near the main east entrance at the Prescott Resort.

For more information about the Gingerbread Village at Prescott Resort, call (928) 776-1666, or visit www.PrescottResort.com.

Additional holiday activities

● Don’t Spend Christmas Alone at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 2000 Shepherds Ln., Prescott, continues its 44-year tradition of offering a free Christmas dinner on Sunday, Dec. 25, to everyone in the Quad Cities. This year, the church is offering meals to be delivered or picked up at the church. Call 928-778-4499 and provide your name, address and phone number along with the number of meals requested.

● 4th Friday Art Walk is a free event in downtown Prescott where art galleries open their doors after hours. The artists will be available to discuss their art and where and how they discover inspiration. For more information, visit www.artthe4th.com.

● Zander Rodriguez at Matt’s Saloon, 112 S. Montezuma St., Prescott, from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23. For more information, visit www.zanderrodriguez.com.

● Stef-N-Rock at Whiskey River Tavern, 214 S. Montezuma St., Prescott. Enjoy an afternoon of live music on Christmas Eve from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, call (928) 237-5817, or visit whiskeyrivertavern.com.

Jesse Bertel is a reporter/videographer for the Prescott News Network. Follow him on Twitter @ JesseBertel, email him at jbertel@prescottaz.com, or call 928-445-3333, ext. 2043.