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.

Scottsdale Center for the Arts
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.