Celebrate the Holiday Season in Sedona

In a stunning place like Sedona, each season brings its own delights—but during the holidays, the city transforms into a uniquely Southwestern winter wonderland bursting with majestic scenery and festive displays. If you are seeking a destination to celebrate the magic of the season while enjoying mild weather, natural beauty, and fewer crowds than at other times of year, consider adding Sedona to your list.

Here are some of our favorite things to do during the holidays:

Festival of Lights at Tlaquepaque

One of Sedona’s most popular seasonal events takes place just steps from El Portal at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village. During the holidays, Tlaquepaque’s enchanting cobblestone paths are illuminated with over 6,000 luminarias and other festive decorations. This year, the celebrations will launch on December 10 with the annual Festival of Lights. From 3-8 p.m., the plaza will come alive with holiday music and other live entertainment, as well as free cider and an appearance by Santa, in preparation for the lighting of the luminarias. While enjoying the festivities, visitors can browse Tlaquepaque’s diverse selection of boutiques and galleries or stop for a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants.

Explore the Outdoors

While not specifically related to the holidays, winter is one of the best times of year to explore Sedona’s great outdoors. With typically sunny skies and daytime temperatures hovering in the mid-50s on average, the weather is comfortable for hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities, such as exploring the landscape with a jeep tour. However, the region does get about 3.5 inches of snow each year, so visitors may have the opportunity to see the magical sight of the iconic red rocks dusted with snow.

Sedona Trolley

One of the most convenient ways to see all of Sedona’s holiday lights and decorations, as well as many other sights, is by taking a ride on the Sedona Trolley. The Trolley offers 55-minute tours to either South Sedona/Chapel of the Holy Cross or West Sedona/Fay Canyon, or a two-hour tour that includes both routes. All tours are fully narrated, providing a fun and informative way to learn about Sedona and its famous landmarks.

Spending the holidays in Sedona is sure to enhance the magic of the season, while leaving you feeling relaxed and revitalized as New Year approaches. Through our personalized concierge services at El Portal, our team will make recommendations for the top things to do at this time of year and can help you create an itinerary tailored to your preferences. Call us at 800-313-0017 to book your stay!

Winter in Sedona – Spectacular!

Why is winter a good time to visit Sedona? Fewer crowds! With fewer people, you can explore and discover so much more! No juggling for a good place to view the Grand Canyon. No more waiting for a parking spot to go hiking. No more lines for the Sedona Trolley or any tours. And, you will have more time to take in the vistas, shops … everything!

Tell us what you wish to do – or not do, we will help you plan your perfect trip! At El Portal Sedona Hotel we offer you unpretentious luxury and personalized concierge services for the area. We are a pet friendly hotel, so no need to find a place for your furry friends – and NO pet fees!

We have a family of properties now, so if El Portal is booked on your chosen dates check out our vacation rentals. Connie’s Place is a single-level home divided into two separate units. There is a one-bedroom, one-bath unit with a queen sleeper sofa in the living room (sleeps 4). Unit 2 is a two-bedroom, two-bath unit. Both have a mini-fridge, single cup coffee maker, and a microwave (sleeps 4). Sarah’s Place is a two-bedroom, one-bath home with spectacular views, a fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, and outdoor living spaces (sleeps 4). All three are pet friendly with no additional cleaning or pet fees!

Call 1.800.313.0017 for your winter respite! Book online!

Make El Portal Your Home for the Holidays

There is so much up in the air this holiday season travel – don’t travel, drive, fly, bring the dogs – don’t bring the dogs, visit family – don’t visit family, and of course the “you-know-what”. So, this year why not make El Portal your home for the holidays?
Here in Sedona, there are so many ways to create holiday memories. Experience Tlaquepaque’s festivities, many are outside or virtual! You might want to do the Sedona Walk through Time (also known as Sedona History Walk). It is a free, self-guided tour that highlights the people, places, and events that shaped the area’s vibrant history. For something a little more rigorous there’s always a good old fashion hike. Get into nature, breath the fresh air, and see the vibrant vistas. The area’s strikingly beautiful landscape is etched with trails of varying difficulty that allows you to experience the red rock vistas and magnetic sense of peace with your family and pets!
El Portal Sedona Hotel is family friendly and pet friendly, with no fees for pets. We are a small 12 room hotel, in the best location (close to shops, restaurants, and more), with a HUGE courtyard. El Portal has received the coveted AAA Four Diamond Hotel award, and AAA Inspectors Best of Housekeeping 2020 award and recognized as a 2020 Travelers’ Choice Award Winner from Tripadvisor.

Our Rooms
Call 1.800.313.0017 or book online

Sedona, Arizona for the Holidays

The holidays light up Sedona! There are activities and events for everyone in the family, from baby to granddaddy! Visit Sedona this holiday season for all the fun and festivities…

The holiday season kicks off with our annual Turkey Trot. The in and out 5K run is Thanksgiving morning, (9 am), with the start and finish line at Posse Grounds Park. The Annual 5K Turkey Trot is presented by Sedona Running Company, and if you want to join in the fun you can register now until November 21 with a fee of $40, and the day of with a fee of $45 (cash).  If you would like to be an Iron Turkey Hero –  bring your turkey on the run with you – go for it, bring your bird! LOL!

On Saturday, December 1 is Sedona’s Annual Breakfast with Santa! The two hours combines a warm breakfast and Santa Claus! This event will be held at the Sedona Hub in Posse Grounds Park. After breakfast, children can enjoy taking a picture on Santa’s lap and taking home a gift bag of crafts or petting our pony reindeer. This event is free of charge, so come for the pancakes (and more), and most of all, come to see Santa!

On Sunday, December 2 is the Chanukah Menorah Lighting from 5:30-6:30 pm. Enjoy the miracle of the Menorah on the first night of Channukah at Tlaquepaque in Patio Del Norte. Enjoy scrumptious latkes, donuts, and hot chocolate while listening to festive music. Kids will have the opportunity to meet Judah the Maccabee – take a photo and even receive some gelt.

Then on Saturday, December 8 enjoy traditional tree-lighting, refreshments, local holiday entertainment, and Santa visits with children. This free event takes place at Tlaquepaque North, just a short walk from El Portal Sedona Hotel, and is presented by Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau. 

In addition to the Tree Lighting at Tlaq North on the 8th, is the 46th Annual Festival of Lights at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village! From 3:00-8:00 pm there is a full schedule of lively musical entertainment, the River of Life Tabernacle Choir will be performing, a visit from Santa and free cider awaits, making it the perfect outing for family and friends. At the tolling of the bell tower at 5:00 pm, the lighting of 6,000 luminarias gets underway in Tlaquepaque’s courtyards and walkways. Specially designated luminarias to honor cancer survivors can be purchased in Patio del Norte as well. For the second year, the Sedona Northern Lights will be on display December 13 – 18! This holiday spectacular, will dazzle audiences and virtually transform Sedona’s landscape with the largest 3D projection mapping project to ever be performed on a natural canvas in the US. Sedona Northern Lights unites light, art, and nature for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  This festive, family-friendly event is free to the public and will be visible from various points throughout Uptown Sedona and Gallery Row – and can even be seen in some areas in West Sedona. The show will commence at the top of each hour from 6-9pm, giving viewers a unique opportunity to celebrate Sedona’s natural beauty, art scene, awe-inspiring landscapes, and dark night skies.

From 3:00-7:00 pm of the 22nd is the Annual Holiday Sweet Stroll. Discover unique gifts, and strolling carolers! The merchants and artisans will have their doors open till 7:00 pm,  celebrating the holidays with sweet treats, special give-a-ways, and discount offers. Featuring some of the best boutiques, galleries, and restaurants in Sedona, you are sure to find some special gifts for those on your gift list. 

Make El Portal Sedona Hotel your hotel of choice for the holiday festivities! Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village is a two-minute stroll from El Portal Sedona Hotel,  and Tlaq North is maybe a four-minute walk, just down the lane and across the street! We have great viewing for the northern Lights event as well! El Portal Sedona Hotel is a AAA Four Diamond Hotel, offering guests unparalleled concierge services for the Sedona area. With only twelve suites, El Portal Sedona Hotel embodies the best qualities of boutique hotels. The owners and staff are passionate about the Sedona area and are committed to fostering an authentic and memorable experience for guests. We are a pet friendly hotel, with no pet fees! Book your room online here!

For any additional information, please visit:  https://visitsedona.com/events-calendar/annual-events/

 

 

Fireworks – Tips for Keeping Your Furry Friend Calm & Safe

You’ve got to love long weekends, but with them come fireworks. Now, they are great fun and excitement for us humans, but not for our canine companions. Fireworks can cause dogs extreme anxiety and distress, and we do not want our buddies to suffer!

As El Portal Sedona Hotel is a pet friendly hotel, we know how important is it to keep our pets safe, but enter fireworks and you will have a frightened dog. So, after a number of years in the pet industry, owning numerous dogs, personal experience…, we (Steve) have come up with these basic and easy tips for keeping your pup safe and sound.

1. Make sure your dogs are wearing the proper collar and secure ID tags. (Many shelters have their busiest days after a long weekend).
2. Give them plenty of exercise earlier in the day, tire them out.
3. Keep them inside and away from the fireworks. Do not take them to a fireworks display, this is just asking for trouble.
4. Give them “their” space, a nice safe, familiar place. If you are not at home, crate them; they may prefer a smaller, enclosed area.
5. Remove the stimulation. Close windows, doors, and blinds/curtains, etc. This helps to keep them calm. Provide other stimulation, give them something to do – a bone to chew, a new toy.
6. If necessary, visit your vet and get some drugs for your dog.

Enjoy your fireworks, and keep your furry friends safe and calm these holiday weekends!

El Portal Sedona Hotel is dedicated to providing an extraordinary lodging experience for guests and their pets in unpretentious luxury.  The boutique hotel was designed and built with pets’ needs in mind with tile and wood flooring throughout; while at the same time offering guests the best in modern amenities and unparalleled concierge services for the Sedona area. 1.800.313.0017