What’s on in Scottsdale, AZ

This fall, Scottsdale invites travellers to immerse in a host of new cultural events, outdoor adventures and entertainment for all ages.

It’s a season packed with unique art experiences, kid pleasing science and cultural attractions, music and signature southwestern food:

Engaging events

Scottsdale Arts’ Canal Convergence will celebrate the intersection of performance and public art from Nov. 7-16 at the Scottsdale Waterfront. This free, annual, 10-night event spotlights large-scale public artworks created by artists from around the world alongside live music, dance performances, creative workshops, food trucks, a mini film festival, and beer and wine garden. The fan-favorite fire shows by Walter Productions will also return, lighting up the Arizona Canal nightly. This year’s theme is “Showtime,” to expand on the essential element of performance.

Meander through Old Town Scottsdale’s art galleries while admiring public art and street performances during Scottsdale’s ArtWalk, 7-9 p.m. every Thursday. Scottsdale Gallery Association members offer extended hours on ArtWalk evenings, and the Gold Palette Series presents special themes throughout the year. Wilde Meyer Gallery will host a coinciding reception at the next event on Oct. 16, for its contemporary art exhibition, “The Wilde Wild West.”

Oct. 15-18: At this year’s Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Fall Auction at WestWorld of Scottsdale, car collectors and auto enthusiasts can witness the best bidding action, secure a dream car, mingle with celebrities, gather in the new Fan Zone, and take a joy ride in the latest vehicles from top automakers.

Nov. 7-8: Dreamy Draw Music Festival is returning for a third year to Scottsdale Civic Center, following two sold-out years. This two-day, three-stage music and arts festival will double its footprint, audience capacity and energy. Headlined by The Lumineers, Vampire Weekend, Father John Misty, Marcus King Band, Saint Motel, Houndmouth, Thee Sacred Souls, and Local Natives, the lineup incorporates indie rock, modern Americana and outlaw country.

Nov. 8-9: Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships, held at WestWorld of Scottsdale, has matchups now set. The most-attended polo event in the U.S., it will span a record four days and coincide with the new WestWorld Art & Wine Experience. For the 14th edition of the event, expect expanded action from teams around the globe.

Nov. 15: ​The Arizona Indigenous Food Symposium and Arizona Indigenous Culinary Experience in Old Town Scottsdale brings together Indigenous communities to share traditional knowledge with a focus on food sovereignty, environmental justice and decolonizing food systems. Day one features workshops and discussions on climate resilience, restoring Indigenous foodways and ecological knowledge, while day two highlights Native cuisine, arts and performances, in celebration of Native American Heritage Month. Attendees will enjoy curated tastings, chef demonstrations and immersive cultural activations.

Art, adventure & attractions

Scottsdale Arts, the city’s arts powerhouse, and Cattle Track Arts Compound, a tucked-away artists’ enclave, are launching a creative partnership. The collaboration will create 20,000 square feet of new art space, a residency program, and establish ArtSpark, a career-development initiative for emerging artists. A historic barn relocated from nearby Paradise Valley will be repurposed on the compound as the hub for ArtSpark, which will provide recipients with career development courses, studio or rehearsal space, and a significant stipend. Each cohort – with the first to be introduced next month – will give back locally through community projects and mentoring the next cohort. Cattle Track, which began in 1937 as a family homestead, is a unique hub of multidisciplinary creativity on the National Register of Historic Places.

OdySea Aquarium‘s new digital projection mapping display surrounds the lobby with marine life, ambient ocean sounds and the illusion of being submerged in the sea. This one-of-a-kind, 360-degree installation showcases projection mapping, nine massive globes suspended from above and filled with live fish, and six animated aquatic sequences across towering 23-foot walls. Guests immediately step into an immersive underwater world with the dynamic new entrance, before discovering over 30,000 animals spread across the Southwest’s largest aquarium.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park celebrates its 50th anniversary with updated attractions. A new $13.1-million indoor, train-themed playground and splashpad. The 10,000-square-feet Roundhouse building features a large play structure shaped like a locomotive engine. Plus, a new entry plaza is complete with a seating area and restrooms, public art, and more plants and trees.

Spending a warm evening out on the water kayaking or paddleboarding has quickly become an Arizona must-do. Illuminate the lake with glow sticks and other illuminated accessories on one of Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch‘s “Neon Nights” through September.

Golden hour sunset hot air balloon flights over the desert expanse are back this November. This seasonal adventure is a favorite for locals and visitors alike, available through March with Rainbow Ryders or Hot Air Expeditions.

Around Old Town

Scottsdale’s iconic nightlife destination is back. Maya Day + Night reopened May 23 after a dramatic floor-to-ceiling transformation. Highlights of the 15,000-square-feet venue are immersive art installations by the visionary collective ArtHeavy, including a towering Candelabra Bottle Tree cradling premium spirits and a colossal 3D Goddess Face sculpture with hypnotic OLED eyes. There is a state-of-the-art DJ booth, vibrant cocktail program and completely redesigned layout that’s directly connected to The REMI hotel.

The State of Arizona has officially recognized the Original Chopped Salad, a dish beloved by locals and delighting tourists, as an Arizona staple. This state proclamation honors Chef Bernie Kantak and The Gladlyfor their role in creating one of the state’s most iconic dishes, enjoyed by over 75,000 guests annually. The Original Chopped Salad is also served at The Gladly’s sister restaurants in Scottsdale, Citizen Public House and Beginner’s Luck.

Scottsdale Fashion Square offers visitors unparalleled shopping with some of the nation’s most coveted brands. Coming this fall, shoppers can look for Tori Richard, opening its first retail store on the mainland and bringing island-inspired fashion for resort-style living. A selection of new culinary delights is on the way as well, including Society Swan, the latest Sam Fox Restaurants concept; an American brasserie inspired by New York City, called Catch, and Teleferic Barcelona, a family-owned restaurant serving Spanish tapas and paellas.

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