In 1997 Snowflake Heritage Foundation started the first Celebration of Christmas in the town with Santa at the Pioneer Park Band Shell. The initial goal was to become a Christmas Town, advertising throughout the state to bring in more tourism. By the next year, the 12 Days of Christmas was born and this year Snowflake will be celebrating their 20th anniversary of the event.
While the celebration in 1998 adhered strictly to the 12 days, the event has now grown to include numerous events and celebrations starting at the end of November and continuing through Sunday, Dec. 23, making Snowflake a place where Christmas is very much alive.
The 12 Days of Christmas begins with nativity displays from near and far away from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29, and Friday, Nov. 30, at the Social Hall, located at 78 W. Center St. This event has grown from a small display in the cultural hall of the Main Street Church to a wonderful extravaganza in the Social Hall.
On Friday, Nov. 30, the Christmas Market will open from noon to 6 p.m. at the Our Lady of Snow (OLS) Community Center, located at 1655 S. Main St. The market will also be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1.
Also on that Friday evening will be the Snowflake Tree Lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. at Main Street and First North. After the tree is lit, folks can enjoy local entertainment while enjoying cookies and sipping hot chocolate provided by the local business, and kids of all ages can visit Santa and Mrs. Clause at the Freeman House.
On Saturday, Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. the Winter Wonderland Tree Lot and Boutique, located at 80 S. Third St., will have fresh Christmas trees, food and crafts for sale. The White Mountain Symphony and Community Choir will be performing “Welcome Yule” at 3 p.m. that day at the Snowflake High School (SHS) Auditorium at Second Street West. Tickets are $10 for adults and $4 for youth ages 5 to 18. After the performance, there will be a chili and cornbread dinner served for $5 a person.
On Sunday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m., the Church of the Latter Day Saints (LDS) First Presidency Christmas Devotional will be broadcast from Salt Lake City, Utah. Local folks are welcome to view the presentation at the LDS church in Snowflake next to Pioneer Park or online at www.lds.org. That same night, the OLS Catholic Church Christmas Program will be held at 7:30 p.m. at 1655 S Main St.
On Monday, Dec. 3, and Wednesday, Dec. 5, the Town of Taylor will have their Live Nativity shows at 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. After the 6 p.m. showing there will be the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Free cookies and hot chocolate will be provided after each performance. The location is at Main and West Center Streets in Taylor.
At 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6 and Friday, Dec. 7, the Canyon Creek Performing Arts Children’s Play will perform “A Christmas Carol” at the Social Hall. Donations are welcomed.
Also on Friday, Dec. 7, the Tri-Stake Grand Ball will begin with dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 7:30 p.m. and the dance at 8 p.m. The theme this year is “When CHRISTmas Comes to Town.” The location is at the Silver Creek Stake Center, located at 309 W. Willow Lane in Taylor.
At 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, the Ballet White Mountains will do a performance of “Celebrate Christmas on the Mountain” at the Snowflake High School Auditorium. The cost is $5 per person. That evening at 7 p.m. the Calvary Baptist Church, located at 311 S. First E., will have their Christmas program.
At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 11, the Snowflake Intermediate School will perform their Christmas music program at 62 W. Second S.
At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 12, the Snowflake Idols Finals will take place at the SHS Auditorium. Cost per ticket is $3.
From 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13, the William J. Flake Cabin and Blacksmith Shop, located at 150 N. First E. will be open for tours.
At 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14, and Saturday, Dec. 15, the Christmas spectacular, “Nutty Nutcracker” will be performed at the SHS Auditorium. Cost per ticket is $3.
At 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 17, the Living Faith Christian Center, located at 505 S. Main St. will be performing “Birth of Christ in Song”.
At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 18, the SHS choir will perform their Christmas concert at the SHS Auditorium. Also at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 19, the SHS Instrumental Christmas Concert will also be held at the SHS Auditorium. Followed by the Snowflake Junior High School Christmas Music Concert at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20, at the SHS Auditorium.
Each evening at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20, through Saturday, Dec. 22, Carson Saline’s “On This Christmas Eve” will be performed at the Old Shumway School. At 4 p.m. on Saturday, there will be a matinee showing. Admission is by donation.
The 12 Days of Christmas ends on Sunday, Dec. 23, with the SHS Madrigals performing two Vespers Christmas Concerts at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Snowflake Social Hall.
