Why leave home for the holidays when you can enjoy a myriad of fun-filled activities right here in Indian Wells? Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, Villas and Spa, Indian Wells Resort Hotel, Miramonte Resort & Spa, and the Renaissance Esmeralda and Spa are spreading good cheer throughout the season to help you create the most enchanting holiday memories with family, friends, children and grandchildren. From caroling classics to cooking classes and roasting chestnuts to toasting s’mores around the fire, the holidays come alive this season in Indian Wells! Here’s a preview of some of the events and activities taking place this month at our luxurious Indian Wells resorts:

HYATT GRAND CHAMPIONS RESORT, VILLAS & SPA

Celebrate the Holidays!

Revitalizing body and skin treatments, gingerbread creations, and scavenger hunts – all these and much more are in store for locals and visitors who spend time at the Hyatt Grand Champions during the month of December. Following Thanksgiving, holiday highlights at this sensational resort encompass a Dec. 23. 11 a.m. holiday story time for the kids, followed by snowflake making at 1 p.m.; a gingerbread house making contest on Dec. 24, with the winning house to be displayed in the Deli throughout the season; a screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas on Christmas Eve; more craft-making fun for the kids on Dec. 25; plus, a New Year’s Eve Camp Hyatt Night Camp from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., complete with games, glow-in-the-dark scavenger hunt, homemade ice cream and more.

There will be a whole lot of merrymaking happening for grownups too as Hyatt Grand Champions celebrate New Year’s Eve in style with a cocktail reception, live music, dinner, and a Champagne toast coinciding with Manhattan’s famous midnight ball drop. Groove to the music of Art of Sax, then it’s DJ Jim “Fitz” Fitzgerald spinning favorite disco tunes to dance the night away. An open bar from 6 –7 p.m. will offer a full selection of alcohol, beer and wine, followed by a three-course plated dinner. Admission is $135 per person (21 and over only); complimentary valet parking. Tickets can be purchased individually or by table through the McCallum Theater box office, www.mccallumtheatre.com, (760) 340-ARTS.

You can also ring in the New Year with a romantic staycation with the Hyatt Grand Champions’ special New Year’s Eve package. For a rate of $469, the package includes deluxe overnight accommodations, two tickets to the New Year’s Eve party, breakfast for two at Lantana on New Year’s Day, and complimentary parking.

And there’s more: From Dec. 1 through Jan. 10, 2012, the Hyatt Grand Champions’ plush Agua Serena Spa is offering a dazzling array of value-added spa treatments designed to help you look and feel your best for the start of the New Year. Visit www.aguaserenaspa.com and click on spa packages to learn more about the seasonal Spa’liday specials.

For more information, call (760) 341-1000 or www.hyattgrandchampions.com.

INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL

Holiday Dinner Dance and New Year’s Eve Celebration

If you are among the very young at heart who loves a great party, make plans to attend the Indian Wells Resort Hotel’s Holiday Dinner Dance featuring Frank DiSalvo, one of the desert’s premier entertainers. You’ll be amazed by his vocal impressions of legendary singers like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Nat King Cole, and Neil Diamond.

This very special event will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2011 beginning with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. and dinner and dancing at 6:30 p.m. The multicourse menu features salad, choice of prime rib or whitefish, dessert, and party favors. Cost is $69.95 (plus sales tax and service charge) per person.

Frank DiSalvo and his four-piece band will also headline the Indian Well Resort Hotel’s New Year’s Eve Celebration on December 31 to feature a sumptuous multicourse menu, party favors, and, of course, a midnight Champagne toast. Dinner seating: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Dancing from 9 p.m. until midnight. Cost is $129.95++ per person, or $25 per person cover charge to enjoy live entertainment only.

Advance reservations with credit card guarantee are required for both events. For more information and reservations, call (760) 345-6466 ext. 7584 or e-mail manuel@indianwellsresort.com.

MIRAMONTE RESORT & SPA

Second Annual Desert Holidays Program

The holiday cheer continues at the Miramonte Resort & Spa. Indian Wells’ Mediterranean-inspired gem kicked off its five week Desert Holidays Program the day after Thanksgiving with the unveiling of its popular gingerbread village. Upcoming yuletide season activities at the resort include holiday story time every Friday at 8 p.m., Santa’s Workshop with crafts and activities on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., chef-led cooking classes for adults on Saturdays at 3 p.m., wine tastings and pairings on Wednesdays at 3 p.m., and guided stargazing through a telescope every Saturday night at 9 p.m. What’s more, every Saturday at 11 a.m. local students will perform favorite holiday tunes, and on Thursdays and Saturdays from 5-8 p.m. multi-instrumentalist composer Rafael Soto entertains audiences with his spirited acoustical variations. Artisan Grove Kitchen is also featuring a globally-inspired epicurean dining experience with rotating “Holiday Dining around the World” menu selections.

And, be sure not to miss the December 2, 5:30-8 p.m. Chef Showdown, an exciting Food Network­­-style competition featuring the Miramonte’s acclaimed Executive Chef Robert Nyerick and Royal Palms’ celebrity Executive Chef Lee Hillson. The chefs’ dishes are prepared side-by-side; you savor the results and play the role of celebrity judge and critic! Cost is $150 per couple. Advance reservations required. Call (760) 341-7200 (mention Chef Showdown).

For more details about Desert Holidays activities, visit the online event calendar at www.miramonteresort.com or call (800) 237-2926.

RENAISSANCE ESMERALDA RESORT AND SPA

The 12 Days of Esmeralda

You’re invited to take part in some of the most cherished traditions of the holidays when the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa unveils 12 days of family-friendly festivities that truly evoke the spirit of the season:

Dec. 15: Santa’s Mailbox – all day through Dec. 18
Dec. 16: Story Time with Mrs. Claus – 10-11 a.m., Stir Lounge
Dec. 17: Pancakes & Santa – 9-11 a.m., CAVA
Dec. 18: Family Christmas Photo Booth – 1-5 p.m., Stir Lounge
Dec. 19: Eggnog Tasting – 3-5 p.m., Glo
Dec. 20: S’mores Making – 7-9 p.m., fire pits or Rose Lawn
Dec. 21: Holiday Cooking Class – 2-4 p.m.
Dec. 22: Holiday Cocktail Class – 4-5 p.m., Glo
Dec. 23: Christmas Serenade -  7-8 p.m., Glo
Dec. 24: Carriage Rides – 12-4 p.m.
Dec. 25: Gingerbread Houses – 12-3 p.m.
Dec. 26: Roasting Chestnuts – 4-6 p.m.

All holiday events listed above are complimentary except for Pancakes & Santa. Due to limited space, some activities require advance reservations. For more information and reservations, call (760) 773-444.

All events are complimentary (except for Pancakes & Santa) and open to locals and guests. Some activities require an RSVP and will