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
- Modern Phoenix architectural expo and seminars through 30 March.
- Arizona Bike Week. Cyclefest at Westworld begins Wednesday 28 March. The 16th annual Cyclefest at WestWorld. Nightly concerts with Quiet Riot, Puddle of Mudd, REO Speedwagon, and TESLA. Demo rides, and hundreds of vendors.
- Spring Butterfly Exhibit, Desert Botanical Garden, through 13 May.
- 17th Annual Scottsdale Artist League Spring Paintout, Desert Botanical Garden, through Sunday 1 April.
- Now through April 1, 8th Annual Arizona Fine Art Expo – 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Southwest corner of Jomax & Scottsdale Rd. 100 nationally acclaimed fine artisans working in studio environment, hands-on art demonstrations and workshops, entertainment, a café, weekends feature musical entertainment, $8, , 480-837-7163.
- 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.
Monday 26 March
- 1 p.m., San Francisco Giants Spring Training Baseball at Scottsdale Stadium.
Tuesday 27 March
- 1 p.m., San Francisco Giants Spring Training Baseball at Scottsdale Stadium.
- 4 p.m. Scottsdale City Council “work-study session,” to discuss the Bond Task Force draft recommendations, the Desert Discovery Center feasibility recommendations, and Alternative Funding Sources for Preserve land acquisition. Meeting starts at 4 p.m. You can watch it via CityCable Cox Channel 11 or streaming online.
Wednesday 28 March
- Arizona Bike Week. Cyclefest at Westworld
- 1 p.m., San Francisco Giants Spring Training Baseball at Scottsdale Stadium.
Thursday 29 March
- Arizona Bike Week. Cyclefest at Westworld.
- 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free SMoCA Thursdays, Designed by award-winning architect Will Bruder, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art’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.
- 6 – 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 p.m., SMoCA Film Screening: Infinite Space: The Architecture of John Lautner, $7.
- 7 – 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. This week Taste of Art Walk features restaurant samples!
- 7 to 9 p.m. Free Stagecoach rides, Thursdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays through March, Fifth Avenue and Southbridge area west of Downtown.
- 7:30 p.m., Selected Shorts: Springtime, Sex and Baseball, stage adaptation of the popular public radio series. SCPA, starting at $29.
Friday 30 March
- Arizona Bike Week. Cyclefest at Westworld.
- 6-10 p.m., 10th Annual Agave on the Rocks, Desert Botanical Garden, $60/$55 for DBG members. Celebrate the essence of the margarita and the spirit of the Southwest. Savor an evening of gourmet eats prepared by the Valley’s best restaurants & caterers and Samba under the stars to vibrant Latin rhythms.
Saturday 31 March
- Arizona Bike Week. Cyclefest at Westworld.
- 7:30-2 Household Hazardous Waste drop-off day.
- 8-5 Arizona Dressage Association, through Sunday, WestWorld of Scottsdale, FREE to the public.
- 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.
- 11-5:30, Modern Phoenix architectural expo and seminars at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Seminars free, other events vary.
- 1 p.m., San Francisco Giants Spring Training Baseball at Scottsdale Stadium.
- Noon – 1:30 p.m. Native Trails, performances take place from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the outdoor amphitheater at the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. This week featuring Ron Carlos – Akimel O’odham (Pima); Pottery, rattles, traditional song, grinding tools. Welcome honored guest, Dr. Clinton M. Pattea, President of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Council. During his tenure with the tribal council, Dr. Pattea has been instrumental in defeating the Orme Dam project that would have flooded tribal lands, initiating funding for tribal housing, improving education for Native Americans, and promoting economic growth for the community through farming, government services and tourism offerings like casino gaming, golf courses and resort and convention center business.
10th anniversary season of free outdoor festivals celebrating the Native American cultures of the Southwest through song and dance; artisans selling specialty items like jewelry, baskets, flutes and paintings; local merchants who will sell fresh and packaged items indigenous to the area; home bread, muffins, and soup mixes that combine staple ingredients used by Hopi, Diné and Zuni tribes; and food vendors offering local culinary delights that you can enjoy on the spot for a picnic in Scottsdale’s sunny winter weather. Bring your blanket or lawn chair to Civic Center Park and enjoy idyllic weather and exciting performances that will take you on a journey to the first Nations of Arizona and North America. - 1 to 4 p.m. Free Stagecoach rides, Saturdays and Thursdays 7 to 9 p.m. through March, Fifth Avenue and Southbridge area west of Downtown.
- 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., 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.
- 8 p.m., actress and singer Jane Krakowski at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, tickets start at $59. Contact:
Sunday 1 April
- Arizona Bike Week. Cyclefest at Westworld.
- 8:30 a.m. 7th Annual Cycle the Arts, free, family-friendly bicyle ride to Scottsdale’s public art through Downtown Scottsdale and the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA). Helmets required. Free admission to SMoCA afterward! Stay for the Sunday A’Fair in the Scottsdale Civic Center for music and dance performances.
- 8-5 Arizona Dressage Association, through Sunday, WestWorld of Scottsdale, FREE to the public.
- 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.
- Noon to 4 p.m., Sunday A’Fair, Scottsdale Civic Center Mall in Old Town Scottsdale, outdoor concerts by Arizona’s top musicians. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket for the grass, relax and enjoy the music. Browse the fine arts and crafts or shop outside the box at the Store @ Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. There are fun, hands-on activities for children and families. Delicious food and beverages are available for purchase and picnic baskets are welcome. FREE.
- 3 p.m. Sunday Outdoor Sculpture Tours, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Learn more about the sculptures found in our nearby Scottsdale Civic Center Mall park by taking a free guided tour led by one of SMoCA’s expert docents. 1st Sunday* each month. Walk-ins welcome. SMoCA is proud to offer the FREE Sculpture Tours and FREE Museum admission in conjunction with Sunday A’Fair outdoor concert dates.