A hometown parade and handmade chocolates are highlights of a nostalgic yuletide tradition in Cottonwood—the biggest little town in Arizona. On the first Saturday in December the community stages its version of the Macy’s Parade. At 11 a.m. floats, bands, old cars, marching groups and, of course, Santa Claus, start from the Verde Valley Fairgrounds and wind their way through town along Cherry and Main Streets to Old Town Cottonwood.

Later in the day, a Chocolate Lover’s Walk takes place in historic Old Town between 4 and 8 p.m. The Chocolate Walk is a ticketed event limited to 400 participants.

Since 1993, Old Town shopkeepers have gotten into the spirit of “the most wonderful time of the year” by decorating their shops inside and out with poinsettias, lights and holiday finery and making a chocolate treat to share—one item per ticket holder from each participating merchant.