Spanning around 100 acres, Old Tucson, one of the largest western theme parks in Arizona, invites all Arizonians to attend its annual winter tradition, Yuletide, beginning Nov. 26.
Where the wild west intersects with the Christmas spirit, Santa’s new base in Old Tucson’s central town presents a variety of attractions such as musicals, walkthroughs and horse-drawn carriage rides as well as lights shows and mini-golf. Between writing a letter to Santa or checking out one of the many carnival games, Yuletide has become a must-visit holiday event for children and parents alike.
“For me, the most beautiful part of Yuletide and the thing that I think of most fondly from last year, is watching my child completely immersed in this world that’s timeless,” said Natalie Eleftheriadis, the marketing manager at Old Tucson. “It exists […] in a magical place and to watch him sipping on hot cocoa and being surrounded by sparkling, twinkling lights and all the characters that will come and interact with children […] is unlike any other experience offered to families with little ones in Tucson.”
Every year, Yuletide kicks off with a signature opening ceremony where the Christmas tree in Old Tucson town square is lit. During the event, many have the opportunity to meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and characters from the various musicals and performances, which change every year.
According to Old Tucson’s entertainment manager Ken Korpi, the tales woven into this magical experience reflect the essence of holiday joy and are shared to spread the true Christmas spirit.
“We ask ourselves many times in our shows and what we do here at Yuletide [about the meaning of Christmas],” Korpi said. “It’s not lights and presents. It’s love. Love we have for family; the joy you have for the season. […] Love powers all our stories.”
For Korpi, Yuletide is about honoring the aspects of our life that we cherish the most and bringing people together. The holiday spirit is for bonding with our loved ones and finding peace in knowing that this special time cannot be taken away by anything else.
This year, Old Tucson has a surprise for anyone looking to spice up their Christmas shopping and stock up on holiday goods.
“We decided to include select vendors in this year’s Yuletide. Each evening, there will be a handful of local artisans and crafters here selling their wares at the park as well,” Eleftheriadis said.
In addition to Yuletide, Old Tucson also hosts other seasonal events, such as Nightfall for Halloween and the Western Experience. Similarly, they also feature many themed games and rides to elevate the seasonal magic and bring more fun to Tucson in the same way that Yuletide does.
According to Eleftheriadis, it is a months-long operation to plan for all the special events, which operate on 22 of the nearly 100 acres of Old Tucson property.
Don’t miss out on the chance to visit the West Pole! After its initial opening on Nov. 26, Yuletide will take a break for Thanksgiving but will resume from Friday to Sunday for the first two weekends of December. Starting Dec. 18, the event will be open daily until its closing on Jan. 4. Tickets are available for purchase online: adult tickets cost $39, child tickets cost $24 and those below the age of 4 are given free entry. For more information about Yuletide and other events hosted by Old Tucson, visit oldtucson.com.
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