Winter in Scottsdale: A Holiday Getaway

Need to take a break from the cold chill up north? Venture down to Scottsdale, where the winter season is mild and the fun continues throughout the year. Attractions and activities are offered year-round for visitors and travelers alike, especially through the holiday season all the way to spring!

Golfing Galore!

Nothing says Scottsdale more than golf, so come take part in what many visitors come to Scottsdale for! Be sure to play a round of golf at TPC Scottsdale, for this is the only PGA golf course in Arizona. This course is both fun, challenging, and laid out with stunning views. Other iconic golf courses to try out are Troon North Golf Club, Camelback Golf Club, and Starfire Golf Club, all considered the best Scottsdale has to offer.

In late winter, keep an eye out for the Greatest Show on Grass, the Phoenix Open, making its way to the Phoenix/Scottsdale area every February.

Take an Old Town Stroll

A visit to the Old Town District during the winter season will show you the fashion boutiques, stores, and a great variety of dining options, all with the waterfront and streets illuminated with light. Studios, museums, and western art galleries all showcase a variety of genres and offer a glimpse of early western and cowboy eras. Wander through the Arts District to the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) for an up-close look at artwork from global visionaries and if you’re still downtown around 7 pm, stay close for the weekly Thursday night ArtWalk, where local galleries remain open after hours for you to hop around!

Vehicles of Entertainment

Looking for a good way to get the kids out of the house? Take the kids for a drive-thru light show in Tempe for World of Illumination, an immersive experience where lights are synchronized to the sounds of classic holiday tunes.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park offers one of the season’s most enchanting and family-friendly holiday events. The annual train rides feature a wonderland of holiday lights and displays, and the train park has a museum where parents and kids can view working train models on display!

Next to explore is WestWorld, which is a popular entertainment venue and has a notable equestrian center. For any car enthusiasts in town in January, take a tour over to the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, a huge auction event known for its exquisite cars. Car lovers around describe it as automotive history coming together in one location, housing one of the most exquisite vast variety of collectible vintage and classic cars!

Let It Glow, Let It Glow, Let It Glow

The holidays in Scottsdale are truly magical, full of lights and community and more lights! Prepare to be dazzled with how the city transforms in the wintertime.

ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo is one of the biggest holiday lights displays in the Southwest. There are numerous displays scattered throughout the Zoo and plenty of fun activities to have the kids take part in! ZooLights runs from November to January.

The Desert Botanical Gardens glow year-round but really thrive during the wonderful candlelight event of Las Noches de las Luminarias. Volunteers line the garden pathways with beautiful luminaria bags while you walk the grounds and live music is played. Guests can reserve a table at the restaurant or purchase gourmet bites to enjoy while there. Get your tickets fast if interested, because this event sells out every year!

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort throws one of the biggest holiday parties in the Southwest. With an ice skating rink next to a lovely cactus garden, plus a stunning light display covering the resort’s grounds and lagoons with more than 1.6 million lights, there’s no other place to be during the winter season.

Scottsdale knows how to ring in the holiday fun. Scottsdazzle is a month-long holiday event that is carried through Downtown Scottsdale and Old Town, with various events catered to bringing the public together for the holidays. The city’s unique tree imported from Italy is decorated with more than one million customizable lighting options and glows nightly!

If you’re looking for a winter vacation for the kids, family, or couples’ getaway, Scottsdale has what you’re looking for during the holiday season! These events and many more are easy ways to stay safe, socially distanced, and relaxed while enjoying the beautiful state of Arizona.

Make sure to book with Scottsdale Stays for the best luxury villa deals!

Locations, events, and offerings may be modified according to COVID-19 procedures. Plan ahead and be prepared!

Categorised in: Blog

This post was written by admin