Sights like this can only be seen at the annual Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival, Nov. 17-19.

Whether it's art festivals, block parties or trips to the ballet, Yuma offers plenty of events to keep its residents and tourists entertained over the winter months. Here's a calendar to help you plot your way through Yuma's culture and fun.

OCTOBER

Oct. 21
Yuma Walk America 2006:
Benefits March of Dimes. 7 a.m. to noon, Kennedy Park. 1-520-298-5490, www.walkamerica.org

Oct. 28
United Way Music Fest:
Yuma Crossing State Historic Park

Kids of all ages have fun at the annual Children's Festival of the Arts.

NOVEMBER

Nov. 4
"Nunsense" musical:
by Yuma Community Theater. 1-928-344-2880. Children's Festival of the Arts:
Yuma Historic Theatre, Main Street, 1-928-373-5202, www.southwestblend.com/yumaartctr

"Classics by Moonlight":
from 7 p.m. at the Arizona Western College, 2020 S. Avenue 8E, Margaret Page Amphitheater, Yuma. For details call Janet Jones at 1-928-246-6715. Hear light classical music under a full moon by the Civic Orchestra, the Twinklers, the Young Ambassadors and the String Ambassadors.

Nov. 18
YCFCE Community Bazaar:
Yuma Civic Center, 1440 Desert Hills Drive, 1-928-373-5045, www.southwestblend.com/yumaciviccenter

Nov. 17-19
16th annual Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival:
Flights scheduled from Cibola High School Saturday and Sunday. Balloon Glow Saturday evening at Desert Sun Stadium in the Ray Kroc Complex. 1-928-343-1715

Yuma's landmark water tower dressed up in lights for the holiday season.

Nov. 25
21st annual Holiday Pageant & Friendship Tower Lighting:
Friendship Park. 1-928-343-1715

Nov. 30
Sports Turf Field Day:
Yuma Civic Center, 1440 Desert Hills Drive, 1-928-373-5045, www.southwestblend.com/yumaciviccenter

DECEMBER

Dec. 1
Kammann Sausage Fry:
Yuma Civic Center, 1440 Desert Hills Drive, 1-928-373-5045, www.southwestblend.com/yumaciviccenter

Dec. 1-3
12th Annual Christmas Crafts Festival:
Come do your Christmas shopping early! Enjoy a variety of crafts vendors, food & entertainment. Main Street, Historic Downtown Yuma. Heritage Festivals, 1-928-782-5712, www.yumaheritage.com

Dec. 8
"Toyland on Parade" - fourth annual Electric Lite Parade & Tree Lighting:
6 p.m., Main Street, downtown Yuma. Heritage Festivals, 1-928-782-5712, www.yumaheritage.com

Dec. 8-10
Ballet Yuma presents "The Nutcracker":
Snider Auditorium, 400 S. 6th Ave., Yuma. Friday and Saturday 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m. Beginning in November, tickets may be purchased at Dillard’s in the Yuma Palms Regional Center. Tickets for all performances are $10, $15 and $20.

Dec. 9
Winter Dance:
Yuma Civic Center, 1440 Desert Hills Drive, 1-928-373-5045, www.southwestblend.com/yumaciviccenter

Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve Family Night:
Yuma Civic Center, 1440 Desert Hills Drive, 1-928-373-5045, www.southwestblend.com/yumaciviccenter

JANUARY

Jan. 5
"Oklahoma":
Musical presented by Yuma Community Theater. 1-928-344-2880

Jan. 5-7
Old Town Jubilee Arts & Crafts Festival:
All three blocks of Main Street are filled with crafters, specialty foods and strolling entertainment along with activities for the kids. Heritage Festivals, 1-928-782-5712, www.yumaheritage.com

The Lettuce Box Derby race is one of the highlights of the Yuma Lettuce Days Festival in downtown Yuma.

Jan. 6-7
Yuma Antique Show & Sale:
Yuma Civic Center, 1440 Desert Hills Drive, 1-928-373-5045, www.southwestblend.com/yumaciviccenter

Jan. 12-14
Yuma Home & Garden Show:
Yuma Civic Center, 1440 Desert Hills Drive, 1-928-373-5045, www.southwestblend.com/yumaciviccenter

Jan. 13
Ninth annual Gathering of the Gunfighters:
Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park.

Jan. 19-20
Ninth annual Yuma Lettuce Days:
Arts & Craft Festival - Downtown Yuma. Flag raising ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday; Yuma-grown produce showcased Saturday; citrus and other Yuma-grown products Sunday; entertainment; cabbage bowling, lettuce boxcar derby, agriculture-related contests and booths; 1-928-782-5712, www.yumaheritage.com, www.yumalettucedays.com

Jan. 22
"Ozark Jubilee" Concert:
Yuma Civic Center, 1440 Desert Hills Drive, 1-928-373 5045, www.southwestblend.com/yumaciviccenter

Jan. 26-28
Americana Indian Art & Jewelry Show:
Yuma Civic Center, 1440 Desert Hills Drive, 1-928-373-5045, www.southwestblend.com/yumaciviccenter

Jan. 26-28
2007 Caballero Classic:
Desert Sun Stadium, 1280 Desert Sun Drive, Yuma, www.southwestblend.com/yumaciviccenter

Jan. 27
Blue Grass in the Park:
Hosted by Heritage Festivals at West Wetlands Park; 1-928-782-5712, www.yumaheritage.com

Fourth Annual Death by Chocolate:
Hosted by St. Paul’s Cultural Center; local restaurants and vendors will provide items for tasting. Call Ruth at 503-0465 or 726-5914.

The Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo

FEBRUARY

Feb. 3
Yuma Doll Show:
Yuma Civic Center, 1440 Desert Hills Drive, 1-928-373-5045, www.southwestblend.com/yumaciviccenter

Hospice of Yuma Roping Round-up & BBQ:
1-928-343-2222

Feb. 4
Mexicali Expo
Tentative date. Yuma Civic Center, 1440 Desert Hills Drive, 1-928-373-5045, www.southwestblend.com/yumaciviccenter

Feb. 9
Fort Yuma Rotary Mardi Gras:
1-928-782-5712, www.yumaheritage.com

Fort Yuma Rotary Mardi Gras celebration

Feb. 9-11
Yuma Square Dance Festival:
Yuma Civic Center, 1440 Desert Hills Drive, 1-928-373-5045, www.southwestblend.com/yumaciviccenter

62nd annual Yuma Jaycees Silver Spur Rodeo:
Yuma County Fairgrounds. 1-928-344-5451

Feb. 16-18
Yuma Crossing River Daze:
Combining Yuma's exciting history with an arts and crafts festival, Yuma's Downtown Historic District; Heritage Festivals, 1-928-782-5712, www.yumaheritage.com

Feb. 21
Yuma County Spelling Bee:
Yuma Historic Theatre, Main Street, 1-928-373-5202, www.SouthwestBlend.com/yumaartctr

Alan Jackson

PHOENIX

Oct. 20 — Jo Dee Messina, 8 p.m., Celebrity Theatre
Oct. 21 — Gretchen Wilson, 7 p.m., Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Oct. 26 — Alan Jackson, 7 p.m., Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Oct. 27 — Mercy Me, 8 p.m., Dodge Theatre
Oct. 27 — Evanescence, TBA, Celebrity Theatre
Oct. 28 — Big & Rich, 7 p.m., Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Oct. 29 — Big & Rich, 7 p.m., Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Oct. 31 — Nick Lachey, 8 p.m., Celebrity Theatre

Nov. 1 — Pet Shop Boys, 7 p.m., Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Nov. 1 — Australian Pink Floyd Show, 7:30 p.m., Dodge Theatre
Nov. 1 — Lindsey Buckingham, 7:30 p.m., Celebrity Theatre
Nov. 3 — Randy Travis, 8 p.m., Celebrity Theatre
Nov. 3 — Old School Jam, 8 p.m., Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Nov. 4 — Steve Miller Band, 7 p.m., Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Nov. 4 — Powerhouse, 7:30 p.m., U.S. Airways Center
Nov. 10 — The Fray, 8 p.m., Celebrity Theatre
Nov. 12 — Jeremy Camp, 7 p.m., Dodge Theatre
Nov. 13 — Aerosmith, TBA, Cricket PavilionNov. 16 — Trace Adkins, 7:30 p.m., Dodge Theatre
Nov. 16 — Barbara Streisand, 7:30 p.m., U.S. Airways Center
Nov. 16 — Kris Kristofferson, 7:30 p.m., Celebrity Theatre
Nov. 17 — James Blunt, 8 p.m., Dodge Theatre
Nov. 28 — All American Rejects, 6:30 p.m., Dodge Theatre
Nov. 28 — Imogen Heap, 8 p.m., Celebrity Theatre

B.B. King

Dec. 1 — Al Di Meola, 8 p.m., Celebrity Theatre
Dec. 2 — Barenaked Ladies, 8 p.m., Dodge Theatre
Dec. 5 — Jagermeister Music Tour, 7:30 p.m., Celebrity Theatre
Dec. 8 — Andre Rieu, 8 p.m., U.S. Airways Center
Dec. 9 — Christmas Mariachi Festival, 7 p.m., U.S. Airways Center
Dec. 10 — Gregg Allman, 7:30 p.m., Celebrity Theatre

Jan. 7 — B.B. King, 7:30 p.m., Dodge Theatre

Feb. 24 — Rock Star: Supernova, 8 p.m., Cricket Pavilion

SAN DIEGO

Oct. 29 — Jose Luis Perales, 7 p.m., San Diego Civic Theatre

James Blunt

Nov. 2 — Say Anything, 6:30 p.m., House of Blues
Nov. 4 — Dramarama, 7:30 p.m., House of Blues
Nov. 5 — Bouncing Souls, 6 p.m., House of Blues
Nov. 7 — Sia, 7 p.m., House of Blues
Nov. 8 — Lyfe Jennings, 7:30 p.m., House of Blues
Nov. 9 — Blind Guardian, 8 p.m., House of Blues
Nov. 10 — Super Diamond, 8 p.m., House of Blues
Nov. 10 — Ray LaMontague, TBA, Spreckels Theatre
Nov. 11 — The Beautiful South, 7 p.m., House of Blues
Nov. 11 — The Fray, 7:30 p.m., San Diego Open Air Theatrel
Nov. 12 — Deftones, 7:30 p.m., Soma
Nov. 12 — Pink Martini, 8 p.m., 4th and B
Nov. 14 — Zebrahead, 6:30 p.m., House of Blues
Nov. 14 — James Blunt, 8 p.m., ipayOne Center at the Sports Arena
Nov. 15 — Gwar, 7 p.m., House of Blues
Nov. 18 — Frank Black, 8 p.m., House of Blues
Nov. 19 — Lady Sovereign, 7:30 p.m., House of Blues
Nov. 21 — She Wants Revenge, 6:30 p.m., House of Blues
Nov. 24 — 30 Seconds To Mars, 8 p.m., Soma
Nov. 28 — Black Label Society, 7 p.m., House of Blues
Nov. 28 — Trans-Siberian Orchestra, 7:30 p.m., Cox Arena
Nov. 29 — And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, 6:30 p.m., House of Blues

Axl Rose

Dec. 1 — All American Rejects, 7 p.m., ipayOne Center at the Sports Arena
Dec. 6 — Gregg Allman, 7 p.m., House of Blues
Dec. 7 — Andre Rieu, 7:30 p.m., ipayOne Center at the Sports Arena
Dec. 7 — Ziggy Marley, 8 p.m., 4th and B
Dec. 8 — Jagermeister Music Tour, 9 p.m., 4th and B
Dec. 9 — Panic! at the Disco, 7 p.m., ipayOne Center at the Sports Arena
Dec. 9 — Jagermeister Music Tour, 9 p.m., 4th and B

Jan. 16 — Guns N’ Roses, 8 p.m., ipayOne Center at the Sports Arena

TUCSON

Nov. 2 — Juan Gabriel, 8 p.m., Tucson Convention Center
Nov. 13 — Deftones, TBA, Rialto Theatre
Nov. 14 — Alison Krauss, 8 p.m., TCC Arena
Nov. 27 — All American Rejects, 6:30 p.m., TCC Arena