Holiday Events

Santa Coming to Deer Valley Airport

What do Santa, airplanes and a delicious cuisine have in common? The Deer Valley Airport Restaurant! Once again, Santa will be taking a break from the chilly North Pole to soak up some Arizona sun and visit children at the Phoenix Deer Valley Airport Restaurant. In November and December, Santa will be arriving by helicopter outside the restaurant patio. (Sorry kids, Dasher, Prancer and the other reindeer are staying home to rest up for the big event). For several hours on each of the selected days, Santa will spend a few hours at the restaurant visiting and talking to local children. Parents are encouraged to take pictures at this event, which is free of charge.

Deer Valley Airport Restaurant owner, Voula Papamatheakis, said this is the fifth year they have hosted Santa and the visits are quite popular among area children and parents. Santa’s scheduled visits will take place for a few hours on each day at the times listed here:

December 17 – 10 a.m.
December 18 – 3 p.m.

Visitors to the Deer Valley Airport Restaurant will enjoy watching the planes take off and land. In fact, did you know that the Deer Valley Airport Restaurant is one of the best places in Phoenix to do so? The restaurant offers sit-down service and will feature breakfast, lunch and dinner specials during Santa’s visit. With a wide variety of menu selections, there is something for everyone to enjoy while the kids visit with Santa.

Phoenix Deer Valley Airport is located at 7th Avenue and Deer Valley Road in north Phoenix. Parking is free.

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The public is invited to the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in North Phoenix to be amazed at a dazzling masterpiece of gingerbread, gumdrops, chocolate and sugary icing.

In 2011 the 40-foot x 25-foot "Christmas in Who-ville Gingerbread Village” in the Grand Lobby features the Dr. Seuss Who-ville fantasy town with Oreo cookie streets, ornate Who-ville candy cars, a Santa Shop, moving carousals, an abundance of mascarpone and pastillage for whimsical Who-ville characters known for their warm hearts and welcoming spirits, candy canes, lollipops, and holiday lights in addition to numerous hand-crafted gingerbread houses.

What: Christmas in Who-ville Gingerbread Village
When: On display from Monday, November 28, 2011 through Sunday, January 1, 2012
Where: JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. Here's a map.
How much: No charge.
For more information: Visit the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa online.

You might even see The Grinch himself when he visits the Who-ville Gingerbread Village!

Gingerbread Village Details

• The pastry team spent more than 800 hours creating this gingerbread work of art.
• The gingerbread village is created from 800 pounds of gingerbread dough.
• The gingerbread village has 250 pounds of chocolate.
• The gingerbread village has 250 pounds of candies, gumdrops and cookies.
• A moving toy train will circle the gingerbread village.

The team of pastry experts at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa earned a bronze medal at the 2010 World Pastry Team Championship and achieved the title of National Pastry Team champions in 2009.