Weekend Excitement Awaits in Phoenix: Rate Bowl, Tianyu Lights, and Cirque du Soleil

Hey Phoenix listeners, kick off your post-Christmas weekend with a bang today, Friday, December 26th! Head to Chase Field at 2:30 pm for the thrilling Rate Bowl showdown between New Mexico and Minnesota, the only Big 12-Big Ten college football matchup of the postseason, as reported by Visit Phoenix and Ticketmaster. It's prime time gridiron action right in downtown Phoenix—grab those tickets and feel the energy of one of Arizona's marquee sports events.

If lights and holiday magic are more your vibe, catch the Tianyu Lights Festival at Camelback Ranch starting at 7:30 pm tonight. National Today highlights this dazzling display of festive illuminations at 10710 W. Camelback Rd., perfect for a family outing under the desert sky.

Don't miss Cirque du Soleil's 'Twas the Night Before at 4:00 pm at the Arizona Financial Theatre on 400 West Washington Street. Visit Phoenix and Arizona Parenting describe it as a whimsical holiday spectacle blending acrobatics, music, and cheer—pure enchantment for all ages.

Horse racing fans, Turf Paradise is throwing a massive grand opening celebration today and tomorrow, December 26th and 27th, with free admission and tons of family-friendly fun, according to the Paulick Report. It's all about setting the foundation for exciting live racing under new management—bring the crew for a winning day out.

Saturday, December 27th, keeps the momentum going with Ballet Arizona's Nutcracker at Symphony Hall. Shows at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm feature Clara's battle with mischievous mice and dances with the Sugar Plum Fairy, scored by Tchaikovsky and the Phoenix Symphony, straight from Ballet Arizona's site. It's a sold-out holiday tradition four years running—pure joy and wonder.

For adrenaline junkies, Desert Wolf Tours offers off-road Tomcar ATV adventures through the Sonoran Desert near Phoenix and Scottsdale all week. Their site raves about driving military-grade UTVs with stunning mountain views, and through December 31st, the Grinch appears on horseback for epic photos—voted Arizona's best ATV tour.

Spill into the weekend with ongoing Scottsdale holiday vibes like Scottsdazzle lights and Christmas at the Fairmont Princess, per Experience Scottsdale. Whether you're chasing sports thrills, twinkling lights, or desert dashes, Phoenix is buzzing with ways to make memories.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI