Annual Events & Festivals In Scottsdale

Phoenix ZooLights

Held annually from late November through early January. The magical, colorful sights and sounds of The Phoenix Zoo’s holiday light spectacular will make your season sparkle. More than two and a quarter million lights glow and dozens of displays will delight the entire family.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Holiday Lights

Take a train ride through more than 100,000 lights and a variety of holiday displays that turn the Railroad Park into a winter wonderland. Opening night festivities include a tree lighting ceremony, entertainment and a visit from Santa.

Holiday Luminarias - Fountain Hills

Three nights before Christmas, thousands of luminaries line the streets of downtown and the shores of Fountain Lake. A Southwest tradition, dating back for centuries. Luminaries are assembled and distributed by the volunteers.

Cowboy Christmas -
Rawhide at Wild Horse Pass

Held annually from late November through January 1. Rawhide’s Main Street will be lit with 150,000 lights, including a 100-foot tall "tree of lights" and nightly lighting ceremony.

Scottsdale New Year’s Eve Block Party

Celebrate New Year’s the Scottsdale Way with Champagne &Chefs. Live music on 2 stages, the valley’s hottest DJ’s, cooking demonstrations by award-winning Chefs from some of Arizona’s most distinguished restaurants and midnight fireworks.

Insight/FiestaBowl Block Party -
Tempe Downtown

One of the top ten places in the nation to ring in the New Year, the Insight Fiesta Bowl Block Party is the Valley’s premier New Year’s Eve celebration. The Block Party offers an exhilarating evening entertainment.

P.F. Chang’s Rock ’n’ Roll Arizona Marathon

Held annually during January, the P.F. Chang’s� Rock ’n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon tours through three of Arizona’s most vibrant cities. It's perfect winter running weather and live music every mile.

FBR Open (Phoenix Open)

Held annually in late January. A community event/happening -- commonly referred to as "The Greatest Show on Grass". Annually sporting the largest crowds on the PGA TOUR, the FBR Open has gained near legendary status on TOUR for being unlike any other golf tournament.

Parada del Sol Parade & Rodeo

Annually from late February to Early March. This parade has the distinction of being known as the "World’s Largest Horsedrawn Parade. The Parada del Sol Rodeo is a PRCA Sanctioned Rodeo and consisted of 5 action-packed performances.

Insight Bowl - Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe>

Annual Collegiate Bowl Game featuring the Big Ten versus the Big 12 Football Conferences.

Fiesta Bowl - Arizona Cardinal Stadium
in Glendale

One of the premiere BCS Bowls typically held on New Year’s Day. Events include the famous Fiesta Bowl Parade and other events and festivals.

San Francisco Spring Training

The Scottsdale Charros and the City of Scottsdale are host to the San Francisco Giants Spring Training games held at Scottsdale Stadium during February and March of every year. Funds are raised through the sale of advertising, banners, and tickets to the Charro Lodge and Pavilion.

Arizona National Quarter Horse Show

The annual Arizona National Quarter Horse Show held at WestWorld runs for a week during January. It is an annual Phoenix tradition since 1948. The Quarter Horse Shows are sanctioned and approved by the American Quarter Horse Association and the Arizona Quarter Horse Association.

Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show

Held during February each year, the Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show has set the pace in the Arabian horse world. It has grown from 50 horses to nearly 2000 horses bringing top owners, trainers and breeders from around the world competing for a chance at winning.

Arizona Sun Circuit Quarter Horse Show

Held eight says each late January, the Arizona Sun Circuit Quarter Horse Show features speed, elegance and athleticism. Watch 1,500 of the country’s best quarter horses compete for $200,000 in prizes. Horses and riders from 45 states and 10 foreign countries ride in five rings.

Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction

Held annually during January, The Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event is referred to as the "World’s Greatest Collector Car Auction" and is the event to buy and sell the finest quality automobiles. It is also recognized as one of the premier automotive lifestyle events in the world.

Native Trails -
Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation

Every January through April the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall comes alive. A variety of Native American performers will present musical performances using traditional instruments and a variety of tribal dances.

Arizona Bike Week at WestWorld

The Bike Week Festival is held annually at the end of March to celebrate the sport of mortorcycling. The event at WestWorld covers five days of concerts, trick riding, charity rides, custom bike builders and a rockin’ good party time.

Celebration of Fine Art

This annual event is held from the mid-January to the end of March. Housed in the well-known "big white tents on Scottsdale Road", the Celebration presents a wide variety of art in all styles from traditional to contemporary, sculpture, glass, jewelry, furniture and ceramics.

Festival of the West

The Festival of the West is held annually at Rawhide located at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler. The country’s largest celebration of the Old West and America’s Western culture and heritage. A visit is like a step back in time during four action packed days.

McDowell Mountain Music Festival

Held each April at WestWorld, the festival was founded as a charity benefit and provides a community gathering amidst RV and tent camping, delectable food, and an exclusive VIP area and kid’s activities. The tone of music ranging from rhythm and blues, Cajun, SKA, bluegrass and jazz.

Scottsdale ArtWalk

Held every Thursday evening, year-round (except Thanksgiving) from 7-9 pm. Each week, Scottsdale Gallery Association members host special exhibits - many with artist receptions - and join together for an informal come-and-go "open house" throughout the District.

Scottsdale Culinary Festival

Held annually during April, the festival is the longest running of its kind in the United States. It draws more than 40,000 visitors looking to enjoy fabulous food, fun and festivities (not to mention idyllic weather!). Scottsdale Culinary Festival has something for everyone!

Carefree Fine Art and Wine Festival

Held annually during January. These nationally acclaimed, juried fine art festivals attract artists and art collectors from throughout the United States and abroad, all sharing in their love and appreciation for magnificent fine art.

Scottsdale Fine Art & Chocolate Festival

More than 150 world-class, jury selected artists from throughout the United States and abroad. Enjoy paintings, bronzes and sculptures in all mediums; ranging in subjects from western and traditional to contemporary, whimsical and abstract.

Fountain Hills Great Fair

Held annually in late February. Three day juried show on the Avenue of the Fountains, featuring 500 artists, with food booths, rides, entertainment, plus a Hot Air Balloon Rally at dawn on Sunday morning in Fountain Park