Snowballs, illuminated boats and fireworks make for cool holiday fun!

APS Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade at Tempe Town Lake

No, you can’t throw snowballs at the boats, but you can light luminaria, listen to the Tuba Christmas performing band and roll around in the 50 tons of snow that will come to Tempe Beach Park this Saturday.

The APS Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade is so much more than the 50 or so illuminated boats floating on Tempe Town Lake with Santa, though that is a spectacle in itself.

For a sneak preview, visit the Town Lake Marina on Friday, 12/12 starting at 5 a.m. You’ll have a chance to see a couple of the boats lit up and talk to the people running the parade, including Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman. 

For Saturday, there’s 50 tons of snow coming for the kids starting at 4 p.m. so they can make snow angels and wallop each other with melting fun.  Radio Disney will lead everyone in the latest dance moves. There’s a HUGE tuba band, Spanish guitars, and Mediterranean music. Hundreds of luminaria will line the pathways of Tempe Beach Park — you can buy one yourself and add to the glow for $10 to support Friends of the Orphans.

Tempe’s award-winning Light Rail Bridge will flash its colors with an LED light show. The 1,645-foot span, which connects the East Valley and central Phoenix portions of the light rail system, also constitutes METRO’s largest art installation.

And for the grand finale, fireworks! Expect the sky to light with its own brilliance at 8 p.m.

Tempe Beach Park is located at Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway. For details, call Downtown Tempe Community at 480 921-2300. For a map of Tempe Town Lake, visit www.tempe.gov/lake.

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