Scottsdale This Week: Dec 12-18

There’s always something happening in Scottsdale!

Here are a few Scottsdale activities & events (and occasionally an event from a neighboring city). This list focuses on free or inexpensive events, activities, & unique experiences, as well as links to important City government meetings. If you are interested in participating, please check information links or call to confirm info, as dates/times are subject to change.

Also check our Great Links page.

Ongoing

• Exhibits at SMoCA, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, FREE every Thursday from 10-5, 480-874-4654.
• Scottsdale’s Downtown Trolley is a free ride to anywhere you want to go Downtown. Ride around in environmentally friendly bio-diesel shuttles complete with air conditioned comfort during warm weather and fresh air during cooler temperatures. The Downtown trolleys run daily, every 15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Thursdays until 9 p.m. for ArtWalk. The Downtown trolleys connect with Scottsdale’s free Neighborhood Trolley, Tempe’s Orbit trolley system, the Valley Metro bus system and even Light Rail. More information on the Scottsdale’s trolley routes can be found here or by calling (480) 312-3111.
• Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. Take a train ride through many festive holiday lights and displays turning the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park into a winter wonderland. Opening night festivities include a tree-lighting ceremony, entertainment and a visit from Santa. Santa will be at the park through Dec. 23. Train and carousel rides are $2 each with children younger than 3 riding free with a paying adult. Holiday Lights runs nightly Dec. 9-30, excluding Dec. 24-25, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road.

Monday 12 December

• 4:30 p.m. Audit Committee Meeting, City Hall Kiva, to discuss Scottsdale Cultural Council spending. Recent news coverage on this pending meeting is located here.

Tuesday 13 December

• 3:30 p.m. City Council Special Meeting & Executive Session, City Hall Kiva.
• NOTE TIME: 4:30 p.m. City Council Meeting, City Hall Kiva. Consent agenda items include a handful of liquor license approvals, along with City Charter Officer employment agreements.

 Wednesday 14 December

• 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. Shredding Event, Scottsdale Pavilions Plaza. Shred up to 5 boxes of documents. Free, donations accepted to benefit POSA Outreach.

Thursday 15 December

• 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free SMoCA Thursdays, Designed by award-winning architect Will Bruder, SMoCA’s five-gallery minimalist building (an ingenious renovation of a former movie theater) includes a public “skyspace” by the acclaimed artist James Turrell (one of only a handful in the world), where visitors can experience the ever-changing light of the desert sky. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, (480) 874-4666.
• 6 to 10 p.m. every Thursday, ArtBridge Thursdays, Featuring painters, sculptors, illustrators, wood carvers, metal smiths, weavers, and other artists. Live Music and artistic demonstrations. Marshall Way Pedestrian Bridge. Free.
• 7 to 9 p.m. every Thursday, Art Walk, Scottsdale Arts District, just west of Scottsdale Road along Main Street and on Marshall Way north of Indian School Road to Fifth Avenue.
• Free horse-drawn carriage or horse-drawn trolley rides are available every Thursday during ArtWalk 7-9 p.m. along Main Street and every Saturday from 1-4 on Brown and Main Street.

Friday 16 December

• 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. Take a train ride through many festive holiday lights and displays turning the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park into a winter wonderland. Opening night festivities include a tree-lighting ceremony, entertainment and a visit from Santa. Santa will be at the park through Dec. 23. Train and carousel rides are $2 each with children younger than 3 riding free with a paying adult. Holiday Lights runs nightly Dec. 9-30, excluding Dec. 24-25, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road.

Saturday 17 December

• 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free Photos with Santa and Free Carriage Rides at the Scottsdale Promenade, by Nordstrom Rack.
• 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Old Town Farmer’s Market features local growers and specialty food producers. Wide variety of organic and pesticide free produce, seasonal specialities, natural meats, free range eggs, artisan breads, local cheeses, jams, tamales, and more. 3802 N. Brown Avenue. Free.
• 4pm – 8pm, McDonald’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Classic Car Show – Every Saturday night for over 20 years! The Pavilions at Talking Stick. FREE admission. Classic cars and motorcycles in a free open air event complete with 50’s era music provided by “Party Time DJ’s. An average night showcases anywhere from 250 to 500 cars and up to 150 motorcycles.
• 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. Take a train ride through many festive holiday lights and displays turning the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park into a winter wonderland. Opening night festivities include a tree-lighting ceremony, entertainment and a visit from Santa. Santa will be at the park through Dec. 23. Train and carousel rides are $2 each with children younger than 3 riding free with a paying adult. Holiday Lights runs nightly Dec. 9-30, excluding Dec. 24-25, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road.

Sunday 11 December

• 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. SouthBridge SunDays . Artisan Foods, arts and crafts, live art performances. Live music on the patio of the adjacent restaurant, The Herb Box. Southbridge on the Canal, 7135 E. Camelback Rd. Free.
• Sommelier Sundays at Iruna in Old Town. Valley sommelier David M. Johnson offers an informal wine tasting. Tapas are available for purchase. 7217 East 1st St.