Arizona Snow Day: In conjunction with Tempe's Fantasy of Lights (see the Events listing), the city hosts this free event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, December 14, at "Plazita de Descanzo," Sixth Street and Mill. Highlights include a freak fall of 12 tons of snow, a visit from Santa and entertainment. Call 894-8158.
Children's Christmas Party (Para Los Ninos): Chicanos Por La Causa sponsors this free, 28th annual celebration for indigent South Phoenix kids. Santa Claus will visit, and there'll be plenty of gratis food, pop, entertainment and gifts. It's scheduled on Saturday, December 14, at the Herrera School, 11th Street and Buckeye Road. Call 257-0700.
Christmas at Pooh Corner: Phoenix Theatre's Cookie Company continues its season with this production about holiday doings in the Hundred-Acre Wood. This week's performances are at 7 p.m. Friday, December 13; 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, December 14; and 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday, December 15, at the Little Theatre, located at the intersection of Alvarado and Coronado streets. The production continues through Sunday, December 22. Tickets are $7. Call 254-2151.
Great Arizona Puppet Theater: The group presents performances of Legend of the Christmas Leprechaun daily, through Tuesday, December 24, at its theater, 3302 North Seventh Street. Tickets are $4.50, $3.50 for members. For details call 262-2050.
Here Comes Santa "Claws": Santa makes appearances at area PetsMart locations on Saturday, December 14; and Sunday, December 15. All proceeds from sales of photos with the jolly old elf go to various pet-related charities. Call 944-7070 or 1-800-785-0557.
Holiday Choral Concert: Phoenix Children's Chorus Choirs perform at this event. Showtime is 7 p.m. Saturday, December 14, at Central United Methodist Church, Central and Palm Lane. Tickets are $7, $5 for kids. Call 534-3788.
Kwanzaa Celebration: Artist/scholar Keith Johnson hosts a program about the African-American holiday celebration from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, December 14, at Mesa Southwest Museum, 53 North Macdonald. It's free with regular admission. Call 644-2230.
"A Merye Old Christmas": Phoenix Boys Choir is joined by Palo Verde Brass, and Paula Provo for a concert featuring Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols" and a staged version of The Twelve Days of Christmas. The performance is scheduled at 3 p.m. Sunday, December 15, at Chaparral High School, 6935 East Gold Dust in Scottsdale. More PBC shows are scheduled Thursday, December 19, through Sunday, December 22, at various locations. Tickets range from $8 to $21, available at the PBC box office and Ticketmaster; call 264-5328 or 784-4444. (Note: The choir is also scheduled to perform with Toby Keith on Friday, December 13; see the Music listing.)
Mr. Scrooge's Christmas: Phoenix Center Youth Theatre presents the adaptation of A Christmas Carol at 7 p.m. Friday, December 13; and the same time Saturday, December 14, at Third Street Theatre at Phoenix Center, 1202 North Third Street. Tickets are $3, $1 for kids. For details call 495-5489.
South Mountain Children's Holiday Party: Smokey Bear hands out gifts and the teenage music group the Santas performs at this multicultural affair, scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, December 14, at South Mountain Community College, 7050 South 24th Street. Call 262-7176.
"Wild Winter Nights": Wildlife World Zoo has zoo lights, too. Like Phoenix Zoo's ZooLights (see Thursday in Pic Hits), "Wild Winter Nights" features thousands of lights placed strategically around the grounds at the west-side menagerie, located at 165th Avenue and Northern in Litchfield Park. Unlike Phoenix Zoo, WWZ lets some of its critters stay up late and enjoy the show. Other highlights include "the first penguins ever displayed in the Southwest United States" and a lighted petting zoo. The display continues from 5:30 to 9 nightly (including Christmas and New Year's), through Sunday, January 5. Special admission is $5, free for kids 2 and under. Call 935-9453.
A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail: Valley Youth Theatre, located at the Tower Plaza shopping center, 3883 East Thomas, presents another seasonal story about Pooh, Eeyore and pals. This week's performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 13; noon and 3 p.m. Saturday, December 14; and noon and 3 p.m. Sunday, December 15. The production continues through Sunday, December 22. Admission is $5. Call 267-3880.
"A Winter Wonderland": A house full of holiday joy awaits kids of all ages at this interactive abode at 4237 West State, seven of whose rooms have been transformed into thematic seasonscapes. Hours are 6 to 10 nightly (including Christmas), through Tuesday, December 31. Admission is free. Call 937-3482.
for pet's sake
Phoenix Feline Fanciers Cat Show: The acrobatic Friskies Cat Team and the latest incarnation of the refined Fancy Feast Cat, bewhiskered stars of screens big and small, are the special guests at this year's show, titled "It's Feline a Lot Like Christmas" and slated for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, December 14; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, December 15, in exhibit halls D and E at Phoenix Civic Plaza, Second Street and Adams. Admission is $6, $4 for seniors, $3 for those ages 13 to 16, free for kids 12 and under; proceeds benefit various cat-care organizations. Call 262-7272 or 1-800-725-4228.
