Glendale Glitters celebrates 25 years as state’s largest holiday light display

Two-thousand-eighteen marks the 25^th year that Glendale Glitters has been lighting up its downtown to create a magical holiday wonderland! This year, the city invites all who have come year after year, and those who have never been to celebrate the holiday lighting festival, which kicks off on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23 and 24, from 5 – 10 p.m. each evening.

Glendale Glitters remains the state’s largest free holiday light display, and after 25 years, still offers free admission and free parking shuttles. The free shuttles are available for opening weekend from Glendale Community College, located at 59^th and Olive avenues in the north parking lots. Access is from 59^th Avenue, north of Olive Avenue.

Upon arriving in the downtown area, visitors will find their traditional festival favorites, including holiday entertainment, fabulous food, seasonal gifts, all kinds of children’s activities, and the big guy himself, Santa Claus. Some of these highlights include:

• The Peppermint James Duo will provide live holiday music on 58^th/Glendale avenues both evenings (5-10 p.m.)

• Grab a cocoa and meet up for Holiday Story Time at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 each evening – located in Catlin Court by Santa Claus

• Brelby Theater presents holiday performances at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. both evenings

• The children’s snow field will be FREE this year!

The Countdown to Glendale Glitters stage show begins on Friday, Nov. 23 at 5:30 p.m. The show will feature festive entertainment to set the mood for holiday magic, followed by the Glendale City Council flipping the switch for the 1.6 million glittering lights! They will be joined by a very special guest to help with the lighting honors, to be announced as the date draws closer.

Downtown Glendale remains lit nightly through Jan. 12. That means that there are 51 nights during the holiday season to experience Glendale Glitters, and there are so many things to see and do in downtown Glendale, even when there is not a festival going on, including horse-drawn carriage rides and entertainment, plus shopping and dining in the area. You can find a calendar for what is happening each night during Glendale Glitters online at www.glendaleaz.com/events, with additional information on activities. (See sidebar for season and festival dates and hours.)

For more information, call the special events hotline at 623-930-2299, and visit either www.glendaleaz.com/events or www.visitglendale.com.