Flagstaff definitely does not shut down for the winter! Starting now through March, there will be plenty to do around town and in nearby places, whether or not we get much of that white-stuff (what’s it called again?). Here are a few of the many things to do in Flagstaff and surrounding communities over the next few weeks:

Kick off the holiday season tonight with the tree-lighting at Little America Hotel. Songs and celebration begin at 3 p.m. The over one million lights will be turned on at 6:30. Click here for a map to Little America in Flagstaff.

If you haven’t experienced star-viewing on a clear, crisp, winter night in Flagstaff, make it a point to visit Lowell Observatory this season.

•  The Thanksgiving Starfest continues tonight beginning at 5:30 through 9:30. This special event features indoor programs as well as numerous telescopes set up for viewing throughout the Lowell campus (bundle up!).
• On December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 19, 21, and 22, Lowell will host special Holiday Skies programs. The evening presentations, beginning at 5:30, will discuss the mythology and science of the winter sky, including a discussion of the Star of Bethlehem.
• On December 12, Lowell Observatory’s program features the upcoming Geminid Meteor Shower with an indoor program discussing other showers as well. Outdoor telescope viewing of various celestial objects will be included in the evening’s activities.
• Lowell celebrates the holidays the week following Christmas with its Holiday Starfest, December 26-December 30. Telescopes will be available for viewing during evenings.

For those willing to venture outside of Flagstaff’s bounds, The Polar Express leaves the Williams train station for the North Pole on select evenings through January 12. Reservations are required. Call (800) THE-TRAIN.

Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic, The Nutcracker, comes to the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra on Friday, November 30 at 7:30 p.m. The very special lollipop concert is Saturday afternoon, December 1, at 2:00 p.m. Northern Arizona University's Preparatory School Dancers and the Flagstaff Children's Chorale join the Flagstaff Symphony to bring a special holiday treat to our community. Tickets required, with advance purchase strongly recommended. Click here for ticket information.

A unusual opportunity to visit some of Flagstaff’s historic downtown homes is being made available by Friends of Flagstaff Future on December 1. The self-guided tour begins at 2 and continues through 7:30 p.m. Homes will be decorated for the holidays and musicians will perform. Call (928) 556-8663 for tickets and reservations.

The residents of several northwest Flagstaff neighborhoods will present Flagstaff with a lovely luminaries drive-by viewing opportunity beginning at 5:30 p.m. on December 16. Free (except for your gasoline expense). Local streets will be closed in the Coconino Estates neighborhood. Guests enter at the Bonito and Thorpe intersection and proceed north on Navajo. Traffic is one-way. Bundle-up for this one, too, because you’ll want to roll down your windows to hear the carolers.

Craft fairs in the winter in Flagstaff? You bet. Check out the list of craft fairs and other holiday events  in the Daily Sun article of November 23. And follow the development of events day-by-day on our calendar link.

I hope this gives you some great ideas for fun in Flagstaff during the next few weeks. Celebrate the wonder of the Flagstaff community!