Arts & Culture: Best Museums, Performance Venues and Art Events in the West Valley

Arizona Broadway Theatre

Theater aficionados enjoy an atmosphere of fine dining complemented by an outstanding lineup of quality productions. Highlights: A Christmas Carol the Musical, Nov. 18-Dec. 29; Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas, Dec. 20-24; Mame, Jan. 20-Feb. 26; and Escape to Margaritaville, March 10-April 16. 7701 W. Paradise Ln., Peoria, 623-776-8400, azbroadway.org

Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve

This archaeology museum and 47-acre Sonoran Desert preserve is home to the largest concentration of Native American petroglyphs in the Valley. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water to hike a quarter-mile trail that takes visitors to a place where people left their mark 800 to 5,000 years ago by etching more than 1,500 symbols into black basalt boulders. 3711 W. Deer Valley Rd., Phoenix, 623-582-8007, shesc.asu.edu/dvpp

Downtown Glendale

White picket fences and mature shade trees surround bungalows-turned-specialty shops and unique eateries in Catlin Court, which spans 10 square blocks and transforms into a winter wonderland for Glendale Glitters, Nov.-Jan. 59th and Glendale avenues, Glendale, 623-930-4500, visitglendale.com

Martin Auto Museum

A premier destination for car enthusiasts, this nonprofit venue showcases more than 60 vehicles on display and a vast collection of memorabilia, allowing guests to trace automotive history over the past 100 years. 17641 N. Black Canyon Hwy., Phoenix, (moving to new location in late September, 43rd Avenue and Thunderbird Road), 602-298-2377, martinautomuseum.com

Pioneer Living History Museum

Guides dressed in period costumes show guests through this 90-acre historical village from the 1800s. The sheriff’s office and jail, opera house, blacksmith shop and one-room schoolhouse are among the highlights. You can even get married in the church. 3901 W. Pioneer Rd., Phoenix, 623-465-1052, pioneeraz.org

Theater Works

The resident company at Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, this nonprofit community theater presents musicals, comedies and dramatic plays for adults and children. Highlights: A Christmas Carol, Dec. 2-24; 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche, Jan. 20-Feb. 12; The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Feb. 17-March 5. 10580 N. 83rd Dr., Peoria, 623-815-7930, theaterworks.org

West Valley Art Museum

This museum operates out of Peoria City Hall Art Gallery. In addition to permanent collections and rotating exhibits by local and national artists, it is also home to an annual juried art show. Bonus: It is free to the public. Don’t miss the Ethnic Dress collection, which boasts more than 1,650 garments, fine art and artifacts from more than 75 countries. 8401 W. Monroe St., Peoria, 623-972-0635, wvam.org