Events
January
Annual Tostitos Fiesta
Bowl
Held on January 1
Location: Sun
Devil Stadium, Tempe
480-350-0900
Root for your favorite team at the annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at Sun Devil
Stadium!
Celebration of Fine Art
Held mid January – late
March
Location: Scottsdale
Rd. at Loop 101
480-443-7695
Admission Charged
Annual celebration and one of Scottsdale's most anticipated events. More than
100 artists set up working studios so you can watch art develop. Art in all
styles and mediums is available. Visitors return often to visit with the artists
and enjoy watching the progress of their favorite painting, sculpture, basket or
ceramic vessel.
Russo and Steele Auto
Auction
Held in late January
Location: Corner
of Scottsdale Rd and Mayo Blvd
480-517-4005
Russo and Steele offer an
impressive selection of automobiles in a variety of categories, including
European Sports, American Muscle, Customs and Hotrods in two evening programs.
February
The Best and the
Brightest
Held early – late February
Location: Scottsdale
Artists' School
480-990-1422
Admission Free
Annual juried art show and sale.
Annual World
Championship Hoop Dance Contest
Held in early February
Location: Heard
Museum
602-252-8848
Admission Charged
The chance to clinch the
World Champion Hoop Dancer title draws together the very best Native hoop
dancers from throughout the United States and Canada for one spectacular weekend
of athleticism, speed and grace.
Desert Foothills
Musicfest
Held mid February – mid
March
Location: Cactus
Shadows Fine Arts Center
480-488-0806
Admission Charged
During MusicFest, the
nights and afternoons are filled with magic. Classical Masterpieces, Jazz
Standards, Opera, Broadway; ending with an the Annual Musicfest Family Concert,
created in the spirit of Leonard Bernstein’s legendary “Saturday Morning”
concerts from a generation ago.
Arizona Statehood Days
Celebration
Held in mid February
Location: Rawhide
480-502-5600
Admission Free
Bring out the whole family for an old-fashioned, hometown celebration. This
annual three-day weekend features parades, live entertainment, fireworks,
clowns, face painting, kids games and contests, prize drawings, food booths,
desert cookout and live country western music.
Parada del Sol Concert &
Rodeo
Held in mid February
Location: Rawhide
Wild West Town
602-996-8289
Enjoy a full weekend of boot-stompin' fun in celebration of Scottsdale's annual
month-long Parada del Sol festival. Activities include PRCA-sanctioned rodeo,
rodeo dances, live Country/Western music and children's activities.
Scottsdale Fine Art &
Chocolate Festival
Held in mid February
Location:
Scottsdale Pavilions
480-837-5637
Admission Charged
Just in time for Valentine's Day, Thunderbird Artists takes center stage with
the annual Scottsdale Fine Art & Chocolate Festival. The Scottsdale Pavilions
provides the handsome backdrop to this elegant affair. Held outdoors in the
Arizona Sun, patrons stroll throughout this celebration of juried fine arts and
crafts in a park setting on luscious green grass. The nearby lake reflects
numerous white-canopied tents, containing original works from over 150 uniquely
talented artists from throughout the United States.
Arizona Baseball
Charities Celebrity Game
Held around Valentine’s Day
Location: Scottsdale
Stadium
480-312-2586
Admission Charged
Arizona Baseball Charities
presents the Annual Celebrity Baseball Game at Scottsdale Stadium The event
benefits and supports Arizona Baseball Charities.
Annual Scottsdale
Arabian Horse Show
Held mid – late February
Location: WestWorld
480-515-1500
The Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show is one of the largest Arabian shows in
the world, a must-see Scottsdale signature event with parties, shopping, food,
decorated barns. Each year this event draws over 2,000 of the world’s finest
Arabian horses to compete for the coveted title of “Scottsdale Champion.”
Fountain Hills Great
Fair
Held in late February
Location: Avenue
of the Fountains, Downtown Fountain Hills
866-368-6445
Admission Free
Each February the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce hosts this three day event,
which features nearly 500 artists and artisans from around the country lining
the shaded Avenue of the Fountains. This festival also features the annual Hot
Air Balloon Rally. There are great photo opportunities of balloons reflecting
against the water with the fountain in the background. A unique tradition among
the balloonists is to attempt to dip their baskets into Fountain Lake.
March
Phoenix Children’s
Hospital Showhouse
Held the entire month of
March
Location: Venue
changes, call for information
602-695-2054
Come and tour the annual Arizona Foothills magazine Showhouse. Interior
designers have decorated each room in this spectacular home.
Annual Carefree Fine Art
& Wine Festival
Held in early March
Location:
Downtown Carefree, Easy & Ho Hum Streets
480-837-5637
Admission Charged
Travel the world over and
you would be hard pressed to fine a more spectacular gathering of artists than
at the Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival. 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.
Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market
Held in early March
Location: Heard
Museum
602-252-8848
Admission Charged
The Heard Museum's Indian
Fair & Market brings together some of the finest Native artists against a
backdrop of entertainment and food. Each spring, nearly 18,000 people experience
the sights, sounds and smells of one of the world's finest Native American art
festivals - an unparalleled combination of art, architecture and entertainment.
Scottsdale Arts Festival
Held in mid March
Location: Scottsdale
Civic Center Mall
480-994-ARTS
Don't miss the annual Scottsdale Arts Festival! Stroll the beautiful grounds of
the Scottsdale Center for the Arts and explore the work of more than 185
nationally acclaimed artists exhibiting at this premier arts festival. Enjoy
continuous live entertainment from three festival stages, savor food and
beverages from the Valley's top culinary establishments, and experience creative
fun in the Scottsdale Arts Festival Kids area.
Festival of the West
Held in mid March
Location: Rawhide
Wild West Town
602-996-4387
Admission Charged
One of the country's
largest celebrations of the Old West and the American Cowboy. A visit is like a
step back in time with plenty to see and do during four action packed days,
including the western music jamboree, western trade show, log home show, western
film festival, cowboy spirit award, special tribute to John Wayne, cowboy
poetry, chuck wagon cook off, arena events, and mountain man rendezvous.
Easter Sunday
Eggstravaganza
Held at Easter time
Location: Rawhide
480-502-5600
Admission Free
This annual Easter Day celebration includes children's Easter Egg Hunt,
children's games and contests, and photos with Cowboy Cottontail, Rawhide's very
own Easter bunny. Stay for a great Easter dinner in the Rawhide Steakhouse.
April
Sonoran Festival of Art
Held in early April
Location: Carefree
Town Center
480-5980-9090
Admission Free
100 national and locally acclaimed artists display their creations at Carefree
Town Center. In addition to the outstanding collection of art and artists, the
festival includes a variety of food and refreshments along with entertainment,
art lectures, and hands-on demonstrations.
Scottsdale Culinary
Festival
Held in mid April
Location: Scottsdale
Center for the Arts & Various Resorts
480-945-7193
Admission Charged
From the east coast to the west coast this premiere gourmet wonderland has swept
the nation for years of indulgence. Featuring over 250 wineries, celebrity
chefs, live music from jazz to rock and roll, locals and tourists alike gather
together for a culinary affair, savoring their way through some of the nation’s
best chefs.
Tostitos Southwest Salsa
Challenge
Held in late April
Location: Scottsdale
Stadium
602-955-3947
Admission Charged
A culinary event with more than 50 homemade salsas by Valley Chefs, free salsa
and chips all day, three live bands, a kid's zone and a margarita competition.
October
Scottsdale International
Film Festival
Held in late October
Location: Harkins Camelview Luxury Cinemas
602-410-1074
Admission Charged
The Annual Scottsdale International Film Festival returns with a student
competition; a digital filmmaking presentation by the "Father of Digital
Filmmaking," Laurence Gartel; several American independent films; two cinema
vault films; and several GLBT themed films.
November
Carefree Fine Art & Wine
Festival
Held in early November
Location: Downtown
Carefree
480-488-3381
Admission Charged
Over 150 top artists at one of Arizona's largest wine-tasting events. Event also
has live music.
Smithsonian Magazine’s
CultureFest
Held mid November
Location: Scottsdale & Phoenix area venues
800-774-5020
Join Smithsonian experts in a celebration of the world-renowned art, culture,
music and heritage of Arizona.
Fountain Festival of
Arts & Crafts
Held in mid November
Location: Avenue
of the Fountains, Downtown Fountain Hills
480-837-1654
Admission Free
Each November the Fountain
Hills Chamber of Commerce hosts this three day event, which features nearly 500
artists and artisans from around the country lining the shaded Avenue of the
Fountains. This festival attracts an estimated 150,000 visitors from all over
the Valley and state, who come to appreciate and purchase fine art and enjoy
some good food and entertainment. Several musicians entertain the crowd at
various locations throughout the fair, also selling their musical recordings.
Shaded seating areas are provided near the food courts, making it the perfect
way to spend a cool sunny November in Fountain Hills.
ArtFest of Scottsdale
Held mid November
Location: Scottsdale
Civic Center Mall
888-ART-FEST
Admission Free
ArtFest of Scottsdale is held at the Scottsdale Civic Center in Downtown
Scottsdale. It features over 200 fine artists and excellent food.
Good Guys Rod & Custom
Car Show
Held in mid November
Location: WestWorld
480-312-6802
Admission Charged
Over 2,000 rods, customs, classics and muscle cars, plus kids area and special
awards.
December
Insight Bowl
Held in late December
Location: Bank
One Ballpark
480-350-0900
Admission Charged
Termed as “College Football Like You’ve Never Seen It Before”, the Insight Bowl
brings action and excitement both on and off the field. The East takes on the
West as the Big East faces the Pac-10. Seats so close to the field you can feel
the action, and no nets in the end zone mean you keep what you catch. This
truly unique football experience is held within Bank One Ballpark. An electric
atmosphere featuring bands, cheerleaders, hard-hitting action on the field and
rambunctious fans in attendance to support their teams are staples of the game.
Fiesta Bowl ArtWalk
Held on December 30
Location: Downtown
Scottsdale
480-990-3939
Admission Free
End the year with a leisurely stroll through the Arts District, along Main
Street, Marshall Way and throughout Scottsdale Downtown. Join in the excitement
brought to the Valley by the annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl game and plan for an
evening full of gallery show openings, food and drink and other entertainment.
Arts & Entertainment
ASU’s Gammage Auditorium
Mill Avenue & Apache
ASU Main Campus
Tempe, AZ 85287
480-965-5062
ASU Public Events brings
the best of Broadway, international dance, music and theatrical productions to
ASU's Gammage Auditorium, Kerr Cultural Center and the Sundome Center for
Performing Arts.
ASU’s Kerr Cultural
Center
6110 N. Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
480-596-2660
ASU's Kerr Cultural
Center's natural adobe studio is renowned for its intimate setting and excellent
acoustics and is regarded as one of the premiere cultural venues in the Valley.
Performances include a variety of local, regional, national and international
performing artists presented every year, many of whom are appropriate for the
entire family.
Ballet Arizona
3645 E. Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85018
888-3ballet
Ballet Arizona is one of
the Southwest's premier professional ballet companies. Ballet Arizona is
dedicated to preserving and celebrating classical dance while creating and
commissioning new, innovative works.
7380 E. Second Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-994-2787
Scottsdale Center for the
Arts blends entertainment, experiences and education in a year-round performing
arts season that creates opportunities for audiences to have thought-provoking
experiences and interactions, as well as promoting creative expression from
classical to cutting edge.
Scottsdale Desert Stages
Theatre
4720 N. Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-483-1664
This award-winning theatre
offers children's, main stage and small-cast professional productions - all in
an ideal setting. This year-round theatre is well-known for its high-quality
entertainment that appeals to a variety of ages.
Theatre 4301
4301 N. Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-994-2787
The 326-seat theater offers
an intimate setting in which to enjoy a live theatrical experience.
