Drive-Through Nativity Experience Continues Tonight

By Nicole Matheson

Drive through nativity 2025 calvary Lake Havasu

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Lake Havasu residents rolled through a guided path of beautiful live scenes last night for Calvary Baptist’s Drive-Through Nativity Experience. This event has been ongoing for more than 20 years and continues to captivate audiences of all ages with the spirit of Christmas.

There is one more chance to view the display tonight, Dec. 6, from 5 to 9 p.m., at Calvary’s north campus at 3735 London Bridge Road.

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

“We have over 100 volunteers between the cast, the crew who cooks and sets up all the meals, the security team, the animals team with the burros and the goats coming in and the costumes — there’s a lot of hands involved in all of that,” said event organizer Charlie Stickney.

“And we put all of this together for the glory of the Lord. We just try to give all the glory to Jesus and celebrate Christmas which the real meaning behind it is Jesus’ birth.”

Through the scenes as portrayed by the cast, the audience will see the timeless story of Jesus’ immaculate conception as well as Mary and Joseph’s travels that ultimately led them to a manger in Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus.

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

“The story starts with angel Gabriel coming to Mary at the well and letting her know that Jesus is going to be born,” Stickney said.

The story continues from there with a scene involving Caesar calling for a census, angels singing praise to God and celebrating Jesus’ coming, Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and of course the infamous stable.

“It shows at the very end that Jesus is born in the manger and then the very last scene the wise men come and bring Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

There are live animals in the Nativity scenes to complete the experience as well as volunteer actors. Stickney also gave instruction for how to navigate the drive-through experience.

“Cars should go down Chenoweth and come from the North side of London Bridge Road and get in line from the Chenoweth direction. It’s only a couple minutes for a vehicle to drive through.”

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

This year, there is a recorded track that accompanies the scenes for viewers to listen to and become further engaged in the story via narration, with a thank you message and a list of places to worship at the end.

“This is really a community project,” Stickney said. “People from all over come and help out with this project. It’s not just Calvary members. People from all walks of life come in and want to be a part of the cast or want to help out with the cooking and serving and bringing glory to God.”