SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Oct. 17, 2023) – Create joyous moments this winter with enchanting festivities, tasty treats, refreshed resorts, and awe-inspiring art.

HOLIDAYS IN SCOTTSDALE

Nov. 17, 2023 – Jan. 6, 2024: The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess transforms into a holiday headquarters during Christmas at the Princess, complete with 6.5 million sparkling LED lights. In addition to the Desert Ice Rink, S’mores Land, the Princess Express Train, and The Village, new this year is Aurora Ice, an ice lounge bathed in an illumination reminiscent of the Aurora Borealis, better known as the Northern Lights.
Nov. 24 – Dec. 31: Enchant, an immersive, extravagant winter celebration, returns with a new light maze where visitors help a mischievous elf named Eddie, and Sparky the reindeer, recover missing toys before Santa’s big night. The event also includes an ice-skating trail, live entertainment, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Select dates Nov. 24 – Dec. 30: Hundreds of hand-lit luminarias create a soft glow around the Desert Botanical Garden as live performances and entertainment, and festive snacks complete a picture-perfect evening at Las Noches de Las Luminarias. Celebrate the Mexican holiday tradition of La Posada (Dec. 17) with singing processions, traditional Mexican food and beverage, as well as a piñata breaking experience for children.
Nov. 25 – Dec. 31: Scottsdazzle, Old Town Scottsdale’s signature holiday spectacular, starts with the annual Sing-Along & Tree Lighting Ceremony (Nov. 25) and is followed by festivities such as a Merry Merchantile Market (Dec. 2), a reception at Wilde Meyer Gallery featuring artwork from Jaime Ellsworth, Sue Goldsand, and Sarah Webber (Dec. 7), and a Sparkle & Spin bicycle scavenger hunt (Dec. 10, 17).
Nov. 25: Scottsdale Quarter’s Santa Social offers an endless supply of cheer with special character appearances, its annual tree lighting ceremony, a holiday feature film, and of course, a visit from Old St. Nick himself.
Select dates Dec. 2-23 Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North brings the North Pole to the Southwest with Breakfast with Santa for the little ones, and a Cryotherapy Energizing Facial and Cryotherapy Pedicure for the adults.
Dec. 7: The SHOPS at Gainey Village welcomes its eighth annual “Holiday Wine and Dine” event with complimentary wine tastings, cheerful horse and carriage rides, and live music.
Dec. 9-10: The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) showcases how cultures from around the world celebrate their unique winter holidays through “‘Tis the Seasons: Holidays at MIM” with live music and festive-themed activities.
Returning for another dazzling year, the Phoenix Zoo and JoyRidesAZ each offer fun ways to have a merry and bright night. Zoolights’ hundreds of twinkling lights include North America’s largest floating digital tree, a 200-foot-long light tunnel, and a reinvented Glow Garden across the 125 acres of the Phoenix Zoo (Nov. 22-Jan. 14, 2024). JoyRidesAZ’s Holiday Light Tour takes guests on a personal tour via electric cart to see all that glimmers in Old Town’s nine districts (Nov. 25-Dec. 23).

RESORT ROUNDUP

THE BIG NEWS: Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia completed a multimillion-dollar renovation of its 293 guest rooms and 38 luxury suites. Cactus silk pillows, homemade ceramics, fresh artwork, and more enhance the elegant Spanish design of the sprawling desert oasis at the foot of Camelback Mountain

ART + ATTRACTIONS

THE BIG NEWS: Scottsdale Civic Center’s $33.5-million revitalization is now complete with a centrally located 360‐degree performance structure, a kid’s splash pad and play area, and shaded social and picnic areas. Civic Center – surrounded by City Hall, Scottsdale Public Library and the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts – has long been a gathering place and event space in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. It will host the inaugural Dreamy Draw Festival Nov. 3-4, 2023, and the Arizona Concours d’Elegance car show Jan. 21, 2024.

SIP + SAVOR

UP NEXT

For more Scottsdale travel news and story ideas, visit www.ScottsdalePressroom.com.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Laura McMurchie, Vice President of Communications
480-429-2253, lmcmurchie@experiencescottsdale.com

Christina Dicksen, Director of Communications
480-889-2709, cdicksen@experiencescottsdale.com

Emily Lawrence, Senior Communications Manager
480-424-1958, elawrence@experiencescottsdale.com

Emily Holdaway, Communications Coordinator
480-424-1980, eholdaway@experiencescottsdale.com

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