Scottsdale Holiday Activities and Events for Every Occasion

Sometimes the warm weather and sunny days can make it feel like winter skipped Scottsdale. Good thing our town accounts for that with some entertaining Scottsdale holiday activities and events! 

Our small town is a great place to spend the holidays because there are tons of Scottsdale holiday activities to try that don’t come with frost-bitten noses and numb toes! The pleasant climate makes it fun to dawn a sweater and be outside all day long. You and your family can enjoy all the outdoor events without needing to take cover indoors.

What we lack in snow we make up for in holiday spirit. From family events to upscale Scottsdale holiday parties, our town can deliver. No matter what you want to get into this Christmas season, you’ll be able to find it here! 

Pedaling through festive holiday lights

Arizona Party Bike is providing fun rides through the best of the Scottsdale lights for another year! This is a true holiday tradition Friends and families all over the area.

Our Old Town tours of the beautiful winter lights are the perfect way to add a little cheer to your standard night out. Put on your favorite holiday music, dawn your favorite holiday sweater and start practicing your Christmas carols while pedaling!

Want to branch out to Tucson for an amazing annual festival of lights? Winterhaven public rides on the party bike are perfect for friends, families, and company holiday parties! Each bike holds up to 14 people, but you may be able to reserve a larger group if you reach out early. Find even more Tucson outdoor activities to try when the temps drop!

scottsdale holiday activities ice skating

Try ice skating at The Fairmont Princess

Throw on some skates and hit the rink at The Princess!

Every winter, this Scottsdale luxury hotel creates a winter wonderland in sunny Scottsdale. From enjoying colorful LED light shows to roasting s’mores over a fire, Fairmont Princess really delivers the winter wonderland. This also includes a lovely ice rink! You can enjoy the classic winter activity without actually freezing your butt off! 

Enjoy an afternoon skating around with your family, grab a cup of hot chocolate, see Santa, and even try a magical Christmas wish-writing ceremony! 

Scottsdale Christmas dinner

Credit: Sanctuary Camelback Mountains Holiday Dinner

Enjoy a luxury Christmas dinner

Will you be in town on Christmas day? This is the toughest day of the year to find open businesses, but thankfully you can have your pick of luxury establishments! A few Scottsdale restaurants host amazing Christmas dinners, from a la carte menus to six-course extravaganzas. 

If you’re looking for a modern-chic take on a Christmas dinner with stunning views, The Sanctuary is a great option. For a much more classic and traditional feel, try Prado at the Omni hotel. And if you want a gourmet dinner to-go, The Fairmont Princess makes delicious takeaway full dinners ton pick up and eat back at your home or vacation rental.

Scottsdale Christmas Activities

See the lights during Scottsdazzle

See the lights, support local businesses, and experience some sparkling festive events for an entire month! December is the time of Scottsdazzle, a month-long celebration of festivals, concerts, unique events, stunning decor, dining, shopping, drinks, and more.

Tons of local businesses join in the fun! With stunning light displays and a jolly atmosphere everywhere you go, you can get into the “it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” mindset.

Scottsdale holiday events

Credit: Desert Botanical Garden

Experience Las Noches De Las Luminarias

If you want a holiday event so beautiful it borders the line of magic, head into the desert and experience Las Noches De Las Luminarias

The Desert Botanical Gardens puts this illuminated celebration on every year that includes both the lights and sounds of the season. Electric Desert sets the stage for holiday magic at the Garden during the holidays. Each evening will feature more than 8,000 hand-lit luminaria bags and thousands of white twinkle lights to explore. 

Wander through the desert and take in the warm glow of the holidays with this unique take on a Scottsdale holiday activity.

holiday milkshakes from zuzu

Credit: Zuzu at Hotel Valley Ho

Get a show-stopping holiday shake

If we know anything about the holidays, it’s this – there is no bad time to enjoy something sweet. If you want to really satisfy your sweet tooth, Head to ZuZu at the Valley Ho for some of the most epic milkshakes you’ve ever experienced. 

The “Showstopper shakes are served October through December and feature flavors like carrot cake, strawberry cheesecake, and chocolate cake that all include their custom toppings. 

From entire mini pies to multiple donuts topping these glorious desserts, you are sure to get your fill of sugar. And if it sounds like too much, there are mini sizes of each flavor too!

Don’t let the sunny and warm days fool you – the holiday spirit runs strong here. With all of the Scottsdale holiday activities and events to enjoy, you’ll be humming Christmas carols for weeks to come. If you need to add a little more holiday cheer to your plans, make sure to reach out to us for holiday parties, Winterhaven tours, and more! Happy holidays!

Scottsdale Holiday Activities and events

Related Posts