What’s happening in Scottsdale this winter

Scottsdale is shining brighter than ever this winter with a fresh wave of immersive activities, dynamic arts programming and spectacular seasonal events.

There is something for everyone, especially for active and inquisitive kids:

Art + entertainment

The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation introduces a fresh lineup of tours, events, exhibitions and programs at Taliesin West, Wright’s iconic winter home and World Heritage site. Alongside returning favorites like Family Tours, Sunsets & Sips and Discovery Day, new offerings include Golden Hour Sunset Hikes, the Artist Pass, Family and Teen Architecture workshops, and The Arts at Taliesin West — a series of adult creative workshops. The upcoming exhibition, “Desert Mirror,” by artist Erika Lynne Hanson features site-specific weavings, sculptures and videos inspired by Wright (Jan. 15 – May 31, 2026).

“FRAMERATE: Desert Pulse,” a groundbreaking, multi-sensory art exhibition by ScanLAB Projects, has just debuted at the Desert Botanical Garden. Desert Pulse immerses travelers in the visual and emotional energy of the Sonoran Desert with thousands of stunning images and five monumental video installations. Blending photography, LiDAR scanning, motion and sound, the new exhibition aims for viewers to develop a deeper appreciation of the Sonoran Desert.

Scottsdale Public Art‘s newest exhibition, “Artists of Cattle Track,” is running now through Dec. 31 at Scottsdale Civic Center Library, following the launch of Scottsdale Arts’ and Cattle Track Arts Compound‘s new creative partnership. Through this collaboration, Scottsdale Arts will debut supportive endeavors such as ArtSpark — a career-development program for emerging artists — as well as an Artists-in-Residence program, and new art spaces at Cattle Track.

Nearly 63 years after her death, Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West will display prominent Southwestern artist Mac Schweitzer’s family collection of artwork and archives. The exhibit, “Mac Schweitzer: A Southwest Maverick Rediscovered,” marks the first comprehensive museum showing of Schweitzer’s work, featuring unseen pieces that showcase her abstract desert style and groundbreaking role in Tucson’s modern art scene.

Musical Instrument Museum‘s next special exhibition, “The Magical Flute: Beauty, Enchantment, and Power,” opens Nov. 7. Showcasing over 100 finely crafted instruments, clothing and costumes, the exhibit explores the legacy of the world’s first wind instruments, including an 8,000-year-old Chinese yue bone flute, Napoleon’s faceted glass flute, decorated ancient panpipes from Peru’s Nazca people, an ancient Maya figural double duct flute, a carved wooden Māori kōauau, a flute by historic maker Theobald Boehm, and flutes played by acclaimed musicians such as jazz flutist Herbie Mann, Sheridon Stokes and Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai.

The Ravenscroft Concert Series is bringing internationally recognized jazz musicians and Grammy-winning artists to its intimate concert hall. Jazz pianist Noah Haidu and legendary trumpeter Eddie Henderson opened the series, celebrating the music of the late Kenny Kirkland, a modern jazz visionary composer and pianist.

As pickleball remains the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., Electric Pickle hosts themed nights like Margarita Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, Wings Wednesdays and Thirsty Thursdays. Joining the scene soon, PURE Pickleball & Padel is developing an 11-plus-acre site within the Talking Stick Entertainment District. PURE will be a world-class pickleball and padel facility and pro arena, aiming to be the largest indoor pickleball and padel facility in the world.

Attractions + events

The International Dark Sky Discovery Center, opening next summer in nearby Fountain Hills, installed the largest telescope in the Phoenix metro area on Sept. 29. The Dark Sky Observatory is the first of four key aspects, which include an advanced planetarium, 150-seat theater and exhibit hall. The telescope is equipped with advanced astrophotography cameras that will be used for both research and education in addition to public viewing.

At Arizona Boardwalk, adorable axolotls, also known as “walking fish,” have found a new home. Patrons can view these critically endangered amphibians, which have a captivating, one-of-a-kind appearance at Butterfly Wonderland’s impressive Rainforest Reptiles Gallery.

Now in its 50th year, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park continues its tradition of hosting popular family events full of festive displays. The Paradise & Pacific Railroad transforms into a winter wonderland during Holiday Lights (Nov. 29 – Dec. 30). For families with an early bedtime, celebrate Noon Year’s Eve (Dec. 31) with a train ride, music, activities and a countdown to the New Year at noon. While there, stop by the Roundhouse indoor play space and (on warm days) the outdoor splashpad, part of a $13.1-million improvement to the park that debuted earlier this year.

Nov. 7-16: Scottsdale Arts’ Canal Convergence returns to Scottsdale Waterfront in Old Town Scottsdale with this year’s theme, “Showtime,” celebrating the vibrant intersection of performance and public art. The free, annual, 10-night event spotlights large-scale artworks by international artists alongside live music and dance, creative workshops, educational activities, food trucks, a mini film festival, and a beer and wine garden. The fan-favorite nightly fire shows by Walter Productions will once again light up the Arizona Canal each night.

Nov. 13: The Scottsdale Gallery Association‘s Gold Palette ArtWalks return monthly through April, complementing weekly Thursday evening ArtWalks. These events have extended gallery hours, themed activities, complimentary wine tasting and live music. The upcoming Gold Palette ArtWalk will be themed around Canal Convergence’s “Showtime.”

Nov. 21 – Jan. 3, 2026: For 16 festive years, Christmas at the Princess has dazzled the nation as one of the country’s premier holiday spectaculars. Taking place at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, travelers can embrace the holiday magic — from ice skating and indulging in s’mores by the fire, to meeting Saint Nicholas and marveling at the Sonoran Desert illuminated by 10 million twinkling lights.

Nov. 22-23, Dec. 13: Step into The Merchantile‘s vibrant outdoor market at Scottsdale Civic Center, a bustling atmosphere of over 100 vendors, hands-on make-and-take workshops, delicious food and beverages, live music and free activities for kids.

Nov. 26 – Jan. 16, 2026: One of visitors’ and residents’ favorite holiday traditions, ZooLights, will feature brand-new lights, lanterns and activities for this year’s twinkling strolls and light shows at Phoenix Zoo.

Nov. 28-30, Dec. 5-6, 12-14, 18-23, 26-30: Enter a desert wonderland this holiday season at Desert Botanical Garden’s Las Noches De Las Luminarias. Enjoy an evening filled with sparkling luminarias, twinkling holiday lights, musical performances and entertainment. New this year, the event includes large-scale sculptures of “Playing with Stars” by Rotraut.

Nov. 29 – Dec. 31: The city of Scottsdale’s holiday extravaganza, Scottsdazzle,blankets Old Town with seasonal cheer and holiday spirit for the ninth year. Among the more than 45 events are a Sing-Along and Tree Lighting Ceremony, Outdoor Holiday Market, Gold Palette Artwalk, Live Nativity, and Sparkle and Spin Scavenger Hunts.

The Scottsdazzle Holiday Lights Tour by Segway of Scottsdale takes visitors on an illuminated, festive, holiday adventure to see all of downtown Scottsdale, and the famous mile-long (canal) waterfront holiday lights.

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