Downtown Tempe to begin holiday festivities on Black Friday
Nov 18, 2018, 11:14 AM
(Downtown Tempe Authority)
PHOENIX — Downtown Tempe will waste no time getting into the holiday spirit this year.
The Downtown Tempe Authority will kick off its holiday festivities on Black Friday with its Fantasy of Lights Opening Night Parade.
The 24th annual parade starts at 6 p.m. at 3rd Street and Mill Avenue and will feature live music, caroling, a holiday market and snack vendors.
“There is no better way to celebrate the season than in downtown Tempe,” Downtown Tempe Authority Executive Director Kate Borders said. “Thousands of families have to come know Downtown Tempe as the place to make holiday memories.”
The parade is one of several events that will take place through the new year.
The 50th annual Fall Tempe Festival of the Arts begins on Nov. 30 and will run through Dec. 2. There will be over 350 artists, makers and creators as well as food trucks, live music, street performers and more.
Also on tap is the Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade on Dec. 8 at Tempe Town Lake.
The event, in its 19th year, will feature a procession of festively decorated boats of all shapes and sizes cruising through the lake waters.
The holiday festivities end on New Year’s Eve on Mill Avenue.
There will be no cover to enter downtown Tempe and the New Year’s Eve event will feature a fireworks show at midnight.