Check out what there is to do in Cave Creek and Carefree in December!
Join us as we take a trip back in history and explore the Cave for which Cave Creek was named. From the prehistoric pecking of petroglyphs to Apache battles, so much history lives within its walls. This historic treasure has been preserved by Desert Foothills Land Trust through a conservation easement on private property. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to visit this historic landmark. Tours are very limited so advance registrations are required and only taken on a first-come, first-served, basis. Since the tours are wildly popular, and fill up immediately, they are released three at one time via email only. You can sign up on their website.
Christmas Dinner to Go
Order your Christmas Dinner to go at Tonto Bar and Grill located at 5736 E Rancho Manana Blvd. in Cave Creek. Enjoy your Christmas meal in the comfort of your own home. Take it home, warm it up, serve it, and still have all of those wonderful leftovers. Comes pre-prepared, ready to heat and serve. Reheating instructions are provided. Gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options are available. $55 Per Person, plus tax. Reservations will be taken up to December 20, 4 days before Christmas. Pick up your complete feast on December 24 with a scheduled pick-up time between 12 & 4 p.m. Visit their website to view the To Go Menu. Please call 480-488-0698 to reserve your meal.
No online orders for To Go Meals
Carefree Farmer’s Market
Carefree Farmer’s Market Every Friday (Winter Hours - 9 AM to 1 PM October through May) (Summer Hours - 8 AM to 11 AM June through September) - Town of Carefree - 8 Sundial Circle, Carefree, AZ 85377. Every Friday near the Sundial in Carefree! Vendors change weekly. Features may include fresh, local, seasonal produce, herbs, and flowers; locally made jams, jellies, and salsas; and fresh baked breads. FREE ADMISSION AND PARKING! When it's hot, the market moves to the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion stage area with shade and misters to cool the area.
Carefree Friday, a weekly event, invites you to explore the charm of Carefree after sunset. Local restaurants offer live entertainment, and stores in the Town Center stay open later for more shopping. Enjoy a delightful dinner, take a stroll through the Carefree Desert Gardens, and discover local treasures—all in one night. It's a simple and enjoyable way to experience the best of Carefree under the stars.
Hidden in the Hills Studio Tour 2024
December 1st, 2024, 10 AM to 5 PM. Now in its 28th year, the free, self-guided studio tour offers seasoned collectors and art enthusiasts a rare chance to observe artists at work in their private studios during the six-day tour. The studio tour also attracts holiday shoppers seeking original, unique gifts. Each studio has one or more guest artists who also display and sell their work. All artists are Sonoran Arts League members, and several will be coming from different parts of the state to participate in the annual event. Come discover your next treasure Hidden in The Hills!
Foothills Caring Corps 12th Annual Golf Classic
Monday, December 2nd at The Mirabel Golf Club in North Scottsdale. For more info, go to their website.
Cave Creek Winter
December 3rd, 2022. Townwide Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl! FREE Party Buses, drink specials, and Christmas! Like Wicked only in winter!
Carefree 40th Celebration: VIP Candlelight Concert
December 7, 2024, from 5 PM to 8 PM at Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion 101 Eazy St. in Carefree. Cost is $40. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance.
Foothills Christmas Pageant Still Listed as Cancelled.
DECEMBER 7th and 8th 2018 AT 7 PM Spur Cross Ranch, 43993 N Spur Cross Rd, Cave Creek, AZ 85331 THE DESERT FOOTHILLS CHRISTMAS PAGEANT will once again delight hundreds of spectators from Cave Creek, Carefree, and visitors from throughout the metro Phoenix area. Preparations are beginning for this traditional, free community event, which was started by the Cave Creek 4-H Club in 1952, as a re-enactment of the Christmas story showcasing the 4-H Club members’ animals. PLAN TO ARRIVE AT LEAST 30 MINUTES EARLY. SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE. PLEASE BRING BLANKETS AND/OR CHAIRS. COMPLIMENTARY HOT CHOCOLATE PROVIDED BY THE CACTUS SHADOWS DRAMA CLUB.
The Arizona Gold Mining Experience
December 9th from 10 AM to 11:15 AM @ the Cave Creek Museum located at 6140 E Skyline Dr, Cave Creek, AZ 85331. *** Due to the popularity of this event, pre-purchase of tickets is required. Tickets may be purchased on the EVENT page. *** SPECIAL 2ND SATURDAY TIME!!!! The museum opens at 8:30 am for event check-in, The AZ GOLD MINING EXPERIENCE begins at 10 am! The Cave Creek Museum’s AZ GOLD MINING EXPERIENCE is unique with its display of the complete hard rock ore extraction process, with the mine shaft, tramway, ore carts, crushing, and extraction, which are always on display but operated on 2nd Saturdays.
Western Holidays at Stagecoach Village
Friday, December 9th from 10 AM to 7 PM, December 10th from 10 AM to 10 PM, and Sunday, December 11th from 10 AM to 4 PM at Stagecoach Village located at 7100 E Cave Creek Rd in Cave Creek. Free admission with toy or food donation to Operation Santa Claus. Enjoy vendor/food booths, a beer & wine garden, KNIX live radio broadcasting, tree lighting, balloon glow, Santa and Mrs. Clause and so much more! See the schedule of events on their website.
GCS Farmers Market
Held every 2nd Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM each month November through April with over 50 vendors at the Holland Community Center located at 34250 N 60th St in Scottsdale.
The Arizona Gold Mining Experience
December 14th from 10 AM to 11:30 AM @ the Cave Creek Museum located at 6140 E Skyline Dr, Cave Creek, AZ 85331. *** Due to the popularity of this event, pre-purchase of tickets is required. Tickets may be purchased on the EVENT page. *** SPECIAL 2ND SATURDAY TIME!!!! The museum opens at 8:30 am for event check-in, The AZ GOLD MINING EXPERIENCE begins at 10 am! The Cave Creek Museum’s AZ GOLD MINING EXPERIENCE is unique with its display of the complete hard rock ore extraction process, with the mine shaft, tramway, ore carts, crushing, and extraction, which are always on display but operated on 2nd Saturdays.
Third Thursday Art Walks
December 19 from 4 PM to 7 PM in downtown Carefree.
Join Carefree Galleries on the Third Thursday of every month beginning October through May for our seasonal Art Night. Carefree’s Third Thursday event series invites visitors to stroll, shop, dine, and enjoy an evening celebrating the arts in downtown Carefree! These events help support local businesses and local creativity which make our Arizona culture a better place to live, work, and visit. The Art Evenings are FREE and self-guided, every month, 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., and offer FREE PARKING. Begin at any gallery, then continue to other participating galleries. Enjoy a diverse display of artistic styles and mediums, meet the artists, enjoy refreshments, and engage in conversation about art and architecture. See the link for participating galleries.
Chanukah in Carefree - Nightly Menorah Lighting and Celebrations
December 25, 2024, to January 1, 2025, from 5:50 PM to 7:30 PM at Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion at 101 Easy Street in Carefree. Celebrating its sixth season, join us for 'Chanukah in Carefree' every evening at 5:30 PM during Chanukah. Enjoy presentations and the menorah lighting led by community leaders each night under the stars in Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion. Each year, Chanukah in Carefree selects a local charity to support through charitable giving. Visit their website for more information.
Christmas Eve Dinner at Tonto
Saturday, December 24th from 5 PM to 8:30 PM at Tonto Bar and Grill located at 5736 E Rancho Manana Blvd. in Cave Creek. Join us on Christmas Eve for fabulous fare, including our award-winning menu and holiday specials that will leave visions of sugar plums “Southwestern Style” dancing in your head! We are serving our regular menus along with our tasty specials. View the Christmas Eve Menu and make your online reservations at their website. Note: We are closed on Christmas day.
New Year's Eve at Tonto
December 31st from 4 PM to 9 PM at Tonto Bar and Grill located at 5736 E Rancho Manana Blvd. in Cave Creek. Tonto is open on New Year’s Eve, serving our regular menu along with some tasty specials, craft cocktails, and Bubbles from 4-9 PM. Visit their website to view the Specials Menu and to make online reservations.
Looking for more events?
Check out the event calendar at the Carefree-Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce HERE.
Click HERE to see January Events!
