Fresh Resort Experiences, Dining Debuts and Festive Events Fill Scottsdale’s Sunny Days and Crisp Winter Evenings
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Oct. 13, 2026) – Scottsdale will soon step into winter with plenty to celebrate. Another major resort transformation is on the horizon, as new restaurants continue adding to the destination’s award-winning culinary scene and a full calendar of events and adventures invites travelers to make the most of the season.
RESORT ROUNDUP
THE BIG NEWS: The Villa at The Spa at Camelback Inn was just unveiled in late summer, following JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa’s $25 million transformation of the spa earlier this year. The Villa provides an exclusive retreat for up to 10 guests, featuring private access to spa facilities, special amenities and services, and a treatment credit, to allow guests to personalize their day with treatments from the spa’s four Pathways to Well-Being, including Detox, Soothe, Harmonize and Restore. The spa has also introduced programming from a local Reiki master, including a Smoke Cleansing Limpia Ceremony and a Plant Medicine Lesson & Wellness Walk.
- This month, one of the most significant transformations in The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa’s history will be complete. The six-month renovation includes an expansion of the resort’s iconic Scotch Library, the addition of a speakeasy, enhancements to the pool area, a redesigned lobby to flow into its striking new three-tier lounge bar and the modernization of the resort’s three ballrooms and 45 meeting rooms.
- Harvest at Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort offers guests weekly festivities running through November, culminating in the grand finale, Fall Fest on Nov. 27. Throughout the week, families will enjoy friendly outdoor competitions like tug of war, lawn games and pickleball, along with a movie night every Friday, karaoke night on Nov. 6 and Harvest Feast for Thanksgiving on Nov. 26.
- Great Wolf Lodge Arizona’s annual Snowland celebration surrounds families with joy and merriment, Nov. 23 – Jan. 5. The winter wonderland bundles together all the magic of the holiday season without stepping outside, from daily snow showers to towering Christmas trees, visits from Santa, games and seasonal menu items such as Peppermint White Chocolate Shakes.
- ’Tis the season for live music and Southwestern charm at The Hermosa Inn and Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale. Award-winning guitarist Esteban and his band will delight guests with “A Candlelit Christmas with Esteban” in The Hermosa Inn’s garden Dec. 20, complete with wine, tapas and special holiday room rates. The Boulders is introducing new Southwestern-inspired offerings to its lineup of outdoor activities. Families can partake in lawn games, s’mores and live cowboy music, while couples can try a line dancing fitness class. As temperatures dip, the resort, set on 1,300 acres in the Sonoran Desert foothills, becomes a cozy desert retreat with wood-burning fireplaces, warm apple cider and handcrafted holiday cocktails to welcome guests.
SIP + SAVOR
THE BIG NEWS: Dash, a new concept by chef Matt Carter, opens late 2026. Renowned across metro Phoenix, chef Carter’s previous iconic endeavors include Zinc Bistro, The Mission, The House Brasserie and Fat Ox. Created alongside co-founder Brian Raab of Broken Plate Hospitality and in partnership with long-time Fat Ox pastry chef Lisa Graf, Dash brings a lifetime of culinary triumphs under one roof. Both a high-energy, all-day restaurant and a curated retail market, Dash offers premium grab-and-go staples like Fat Ox’s artisanal dried pastas, The Mission’s celebrated chips and guacamole, and Zinc Bistro’s iconic mac and cheese.
- Kuza, a globally inspired Asian restaurant, is now open in North Scottsdale. Centered around an open robata grill and raw bar, Kuza combines live-fire cooking and a seasonally driven sushi program that highlights fish flown in twice weekly from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market. The menu balances Japanese culinary traditions and modern techniques, serving up charcoal-grilled meats and seafood, seasonal raw preparations, sushi and dishes such as slow-developed ramen, house-made gyozas and dim sum.
- One of Scottsdale's newest culinary destinations opened in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale this summer. Wayward is an intimate, globally inspired kitchen and bar where the atmosphere is best described as a speakeasy meets a western saloon, and the slogan is, “come eat something unexpected.” Co-owner and executive chef CJ Kahley — who honed his craft in Las Vegas, San Francisco and the Valley of the Sun — helms the kitchen, while Nathan Padilla serves as bar manager. On the food menu, find sablefish ceviche and koreano garlic buns alongside hearty proteins, taco boards and decadent desserts like the cinnamon French toast crunch.
- Pistoleros Parrilla, a two-story Mexican steakhouse in Old Town, is expanding with Pisto Lounge, an intimate nightlife space located on the lower level of the restaurant. Pisto Lounge features a separate cocktail menu, curated small bites and a DJ, creating a place where guests can keep the fun going after dinner upstairs.
- Scottsdale's oldest bar, the Rusty Spur Saloon, marked 75 years in Old Town in September, while the city of Scottsdale also commemorates its 75th anniversary this year. Housed in the former Farmers State Bank of Scottsdale, the historic landmark preserves the spirit and heritage of the “West’s Most Western Town.” Rusty Spur has retained the original bank vault — now stocked with cold beer — while daily live country music and walls pinned with signed dollar bills live on, a tradition started by cowboys who would leave them behind for a future drink. The dollar bills are now collected and donated to the Phoenix Children’s Foundation once a year.
ART + CULTURE
- Oct. 16 – Jan. 31, 2027: A new contemporary art exhibition will be on display throughout Taliesin West, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the desert laboratory and winter home of the late Frank Lloyd Wright. The exhibition, “Originals,” presents exclusive works from artists-in-residence, Katie Parker and Guy Michael Davis, known collectively as Future Retrieval. “Originals” showcases fiber, ceramics and cut paper mediums, shaped by discoveries made during their two-year residency.
- Nov. 6-8: The Musical Instrument Museum, the world’s largest museum of its kind, opens a new special exhibition with a three-day signature event of curator talks, workshops, dance and demonstrations. “Unearthed Musical Masterpieces from the Southern Kingdoms of Ancient China” showcases musical instruments and objects unearthed from 2,000-year-old archaeological sites — many on display in the U.S. for the first time — alongside archaeological excavation footage.
- Nov. 6-15: Scottsdale Arts’ Canal Convergence, a 10-day public art event, returns to the Scottsdale Waterfront for its milestone 15th year with an exciting new theme, “Western Nature,” inspired by the Southwest. Held at night, light-based public artwork takes center stage with a diverse collection of engaging and interactive large-scale installations commissioned from artists around the globe. Highlights of the free festival include nightly fire shows on the Arizona Canal, live music, dance performances, creative workshops, educational tours, and a beer and wine garden.
- Nov. 11-15: The internationally recognized floral event brand Fleurs de Villes will kick off the holiday season at Scottsdale Fashion Square, home to more than 200 shops and restaurants, with “NOËL.” The free, five-day showcase will display 15 glamorous couture mannequins wearing fresh blooms as well as ticketed floral workshops that are open to the public.
- Nov. 21: During Native American Heritage Month, the Arizona Indigenous Culinary Experience will present “Architecture of Indigenous Flavor and Fashion” at Taliesin West. Bringing together Indigenous chefs, foodways keepers and Native fashion designers, the event will feature curated tasting stations, cooking demonstrations and a fashion show, reflecting the rich tapestry of Arizona’s 22 federally recognized Native American tribes.
- Nov. 22 – Jan. 3, 2027: Ditch the sleigh and pedal instead on Arizona Party Bike’s festive Holiday Lights Bar Crawl in Old Town Scottsdale. Visitors can take in the sights and lights of downtown while jamming to festive tunes and taking advantage of holiday-themed drink specials along the way.
- Select dates December – July 2027: The Scottsdale Gallery Association’s Gold Palette ArtWalks return with special themes in addition to the weekly Thursday evening ArtWalks in Old Town. Galleries extend their hours along with themed activities, complimentary wine tastings, live music and featured artists. Scottsdale's ArtWalk is the longest-running event of its kind in the nation, dating back to 1975.
SIGNATURE EVENTS
- Celebrate the holidays at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park with a magical ride on the Paradise & Pacific Railroad to see expansive holiday light displays (Nov. 27 – Dec. 30), while families with early bedtimes can celebrate Noon Year's Eve (Dec. 31) with a train ride, music, activities and a countdown to the New Year at noon. The park also has a carousel, model railroad museum, historic railcar tours and themed playgrounds, for keeping travelers of every age entertained.
- Nov. 20 – Jan. 2, 2027: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess transforms into a desert winter wonderland for Christmas at the Princess. The Southwest’s premier holiday tradition features 17 million lights, complete with an outdoor ice skating rink, fire tables, the nation’s largest traveling Ferris Wheel, and meet-and-greets with Santa Claus and Christmas characters.
- Nov. 25 – Jan. 15, 2027: Wander through over two miles of trails illuminated by twinkling lights and glowing animal structures during ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo. The mesmerizing Lake Lights Show is all new this year with the tallest floating tree display in North America.
- Select dates Nov. 27 – Jan. 3, 2027: Desert Botanical Garden dazzles during Las Noches de las Luminarias. Thousands of glowing luminarias and twinkling lights line the garden pathways, while live entertainment fills the night with merry melodies.
- Nov. 28 – Dec. 31: The city of Scottsdale's holiday extravaganza, Scottsdazzle, lights up Old Town with seasonal cheer and entertainment. The celebration spans dozens of events, including a Tree Lighting Spectacular, Santa at the Farmers Market, Pancakes & Pajamas with Santa, a holiday movie night and more.
- Jan. 23-31, 2027: The Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction is expanding to nine days of live auction action at WestWorld of Scottsdale, showcasing more than 2,000 collectible vehicles and rare automotive memorabilia. Beyond the auction, eventgoers will find thrilling off-road dirt rides with top automakers, a vast exhibitor marketplace, live music, a food festival and family day for all ages.
WHAT’S NEXT
- In early 2027, Scottsdale will welcome The Sydney, a 26-acre mixed-use entertainment destination offering a walkable array of dining, music, recreation and retail on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community near the Talking Stick Entertainment District. Highlights include a five-story Reverb by Hard Rock hotel; Atashi Yokocho, a Japanese food hall; Ski Lodge, a lounge concept with gondola seating and a walk-in freezer ice bar; Bistecca & Bones, an Italian steakhouse; The Rustic, a kitchen, backyard bar and live music venue; City Winery, a winery and restaurant; and Pickle & Social, a hangout spot for pickleball paired with food and beverages.
- Sanctuary Camelback Mountain has announced a multimillion-dollar, multiyear transformation. The renovation will start next summer, refreshing all 110 guest rooms and casitas, followed by enhancements to the culinary program and Sanctuary Spa in 2028. This news comes after the resort completed a $7 million renovation of its meeting and event spaces late last year, all with the goal of modernizing the guest experience while preserving the character of the historic 53-acre resort. Formerly the Paradise Valley Racket Club, Sanctuary Camelback Mountain is a posh retreat with clean lines and a minimalist approach, originally designed by Frank Lloyd Wright protégé Hiram Hudson Benedict in the 1950s.
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