Fun Scottsdale Events, August 10-13, 2023

Fun Scottsdale events August 10-13, 2023 means the hottest ticket this weekend is FREE! It’s the Civic Center Movie Night on Saturday!

We still enjoy lots of cool fun things to do in Scottsdale — even on sizzling hot monsoon weekends! Temps will be 105° +/-, so let’s make good choices to stay cool and safe. Scroll for FREE! fun and low-cost things to do in Scottsdale.

Let’s face it. Those who can’t take our heat escape it. The rest of us make the best of it. Not all sidewalks are rolled up. Here are great ideas to have lots of summer fun right here!

Here’s what’s HOT in Scottsdale this weekend!

Scottsdale Civic Center Movie Night – FREE!

Speaking of FREE! fun things to do in Scottsdale! It’s Family Fun Movie Night, showing The Super Mario Bros. Movie at the newly revamped Scottsdale Civic Center!

Besides the movie, there will be lawn games, food trucks, and kids of all ages can horse around at the NEW Water and Fog Plaza.

The movie starts shortly after sunset at the East Stage. Bring your lawn chairs, beach towels, picnic basket, and blankets. Super Soakers if you dare!

SAT AUG 12, 7-9 PM: The Super Mario Bros. Movie | Parking MAP | Google MAP

Civic Center’s Water and Fog Plaza is Open

Splashing into Old Town just in time for our heat wave is the the revamped Civic Center’s NEW Water and Fog Plaza for kids — FREE!

Scottsdale Public Pools, Water Parks, Aquatic Centers and Splash Pads

Looking for a hot time? Then hit Scottsdale’s Public Pools and Splash Pads! Scottsdale boasts 4 Aquatic Centers and 2 Water Parks — plus 5 Splash Pads!

Here’s my New Aquatic/Fitness Center post with ALL of the details, and a table of them from N-S of the centers with amenities and links to maps. Plus, how to register for Membership, Passes, Classes and Activities!

Note: while the Aquatic/Fitness Centers, Classes and Activities are not free, unless there are special free events — you can go at a low cost. Both residents and non-residents are welcome to attend. Just be sure to register.

There’s no better way to cool off with more FREE! fun things to do and at a low cost in Scottsdale. Enjoy hours of cool fun in the sun. Wear your sunscreen, hat and sunglasses and bring some water!

Scottsdale’s Splash Pads

Scottsdale also has 4 public Splash Pads, Spray Poles, and a Spray Pad maintained by the City — for FREE!

They’re open from mid-March/April 15 — October 15. And, are turned on at 9 AM and off at 7 PM.

Questions? Give ’em a call weekdays 8 AM – 5 PM: (480) 312-7275

They are located at these parks, from N to S:

• The newly revamped Civic Center has Water and Fog plaza for kids to spray themselves silly!
• Spray Pad – Florence Ely Nelson Desert Park | MAP
• Splash Pad – Chestnutt Park | MAP
• Splash Pad – Paiute Park | MAP
• Splash Pad – Vista Del Camino Park | MAP | Note: this is a BIG park. The Splash Pad is located near the parking lot at 7712 E. Roosevelt St.

Scottsdale Quarter’s FREE! Splash Fountain

Scottsdale Quarter Splash Fountain — Yep, and this one’s posh and in N. Scottsdale. Right now, in the blazing heat, they’re running the Pop Jets 24/7, so all can come early and stay late!

Seasonally, the Splash Fountain and Pop Jets run from March/April until ~ October. For the holidays, starting in November, there is flat water with no pop jets. It’s hard to believe it will ever be cold again, huh?

Questions? Call ’em: (480) 270-8123

Here’s my post for Shopping in N. Scottsdale, featuring The Quarter, so you can take turns watching the kids splash, escaping the heat inside icy shops and restaurants.

Scottsdale’s Fall Recreation Class/Activity Sign Up

Registration is open for Scottsdale’s Fall Recreation Classes/Activities and programs. Here’s my new post with EVERYTHING you need to know and do — to register and sign up NOW. You don’t want to miss anything fun you love and that’s on your bucket list!

Scottsdale’s Museum of the West

Spirit of Summer Family Days

Get this! Our Best Western Museum has Artist Tuesdays and Western Wednesdays during Spirit of Summer Family Days! They’re hosting lots of special activities — with children 5 and under admitted FREE!

AUG 2 – 23: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Tickets

It’s a great and inexpensive way to spend a cool few hours indoors. Get wowed by extraordinary Art. And, learn about the Old West and Native American life and culture.

Stay Cool in Scottsdale

There are lots of ways to stay cool in Scottsdale — here are more FREE! fun things to do, and low cost events and activities.

Walking the Mall

Walk at the Taj Mahal of Scottsdale malls for a cool and luxurious early indoor walk! FREE! — unless you find an irresistible must-have when the mall opens for biz!

Hitting the Libraries

Scottsdale’s amazing libraries are another great way to stay cool, meet new friends, learn, get interactive and of course — read! All for FREE! They have a fantastic summer events calendar for every age.

Heading Outdoors Early and with Caution

With high temps are reaching 105°+/- degrees, be smart in the heat, especially if you’re visiting. It’s dangerous to you, your loved ones and pets — if you’re not careful.

The summer desert is surreal against a backdrop of hot, blue sky, monsoon clouds and mountains — amid Scottsdale’s famous architecture and public art.

You can see these going out in the early mornings, and later in your car with the A/C blasting — or from a patio, pool or balcony to keep cool.

Sunrises and sunsets are striking! But head indoors to avoid a monsoon and its dust, thunder, lightning and hopefully rain!

Trails, Parks, Dog Parks, Greenbelt and Golf Courses – Early!

Let’s hit the trails, parks, dog parks and our famous golf courses EARLY, watch the sunrise and enjoy the warm mornings before they get too hot.

Free fun things to do in Scottsdale, include hitting the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt!

How About a Resort Staycation or Daycation?

Discounted Resort Rates are back summer — for a romantic weekend getaway at a posh desert oasis, or take the family for a wet and rambunctious staycation. My Resort post has tables to find what suits your vibe – fast!

With lots of outdoor and indoor events — and activities for every age and budget, let’s get out there. Soak up some shade and have fun!

Scottsdale Movie Date

New Features and Classic Films

Harkins Camelview Theatre at Fashion Square

THU AUG 10 | FRI AUG 11 | SAT AUG 12 | SUN AUG 13:

Summer Blockbusters are still here ‘MISSION BARBENHEIMER:’ Barbie, Oppenheimer, Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Part One!

What’s better than hot movies in a cool theater? Here are my pics this week to escape the summer heat:

Theater Camp ‘Tony Award winner Ben Platt and Molly Gordon star in the original comedy [Theater Camp] as Amos and Rebecca-Diane – lifelong best friends and drama instructors at a rundown camp in upstate New York. When clueless tech-bro Troy (Jimmy Tatro) arrives to run the property (into the ground), Amos, Rebecca-Diane, and production manager Glenn (Noah Galvin) band together with the staff and students, staging a masterpiece to keep their beloved summer camp afloat.’

Winner at Cannes and SXSW, it looks like a charming hoot of movie —I’m going!

Ratings: 7.4/10 IMDb | 84 % Rotten Tomatoes | 78% Fandango | 91% Google Users Liked | PG13 | 1 HR 32 MINS

OPPENHEIMER

‘Oppenheimer is an IMAX®-shot epic thriller that thrusts audiences into the pulse-pounding paradox of the enigmatic man who must risk destroying the world in order to save it.

The film stars Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer and Emily Blunt as his wife, biologist and botanist Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer. Oscar® winner Matt Damon portrays General Leslie Groves Jr., director of the Manhattan Project, and Robert Downey, Jr. plays Lewis Strauss, a founding commissioner of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.’ [Harkins]

‘During World War II, Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves Jr. appoints physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer to work on the top-secret Manhattan Project. Oppenheimer and a team of scientists spend years developing and designing the atomic bomb. Their work comes to fruition on July 16, 1945, as they witness the world’s first nuclear explosion, forever changing the course of history.’ [Google]

It’s got a star-studded cast of studs – Matt Damon, Gary Oldman plays President Truman, Kenneth Branaugh plays Niels Bohr, Robert Downey Jr., Tom Conti is Einstein, Matthew Modine . . .

Great way to learn about the Manhattan Project and get your physics on with all the boring science and scientists!

Ratings: 8.8/10 IMDb | 94 % Rotten Tomatoes | 94% Google Users Liked | R | 3 HRS

Here are other films playing this week and everything you need to know about Harkins! See you at the movies!

Art, Music, Theater and Comedy

Art Walks and Festivals

Scottsdale ArtWalk — FREE!

THU AUG 10, 7:00 – 9 PM | — FREE! Scottsdale ArtWalk in Old Town. Heat + Monsoon Warning!

Live Music Daily, Weekly, Weekends — Downtown | Old Town

• JOJO Coffeehouse — Live music at Brunch, SAT/SUN 11 AM – 2 PM
• Belle’s Nashville Kitchen — Live music daily
• Rusty Spur Saloon — Since 1951. Live music every day
• Dierks Bentley Whiskey Row — Live music weekly

Parking Map and Tips in Old Town

Arrive early for good parking or hitch a ride share! Here are other fun, safe ways to avoid Old Town traffic snarls, tickets and DUIs: Riding Around Old Town Scottsdale.

Old Town Parking Map

Scottsdale Drag Shows

FRI AUG 11 | SAT AUG 12: 7 PM | Illusions the Drag Queen Show | Tickets | Old Town | MAP

FRI AUG 11, 7 PM: Diva Royale Drag Queen Show | Tickets | Wasted Grain Old Town | MAP

SAT AUG 12, 1:30 PM | Diva Royale Drag Queen Show | Wasted Grain Old Town | Tickets | MAP

Talking Stick Resort Events

Orange Sky Lounge Entertainment

Friday and Saturday 7 – 11 PM – FREE!

• FRI AUG 11: Gustavo Angeles Trio
• SAT AUG 12: Paul Wells Duo

Casino Arizona

Showstoppers Live! Tribute band faves and comedians August 4 – August 14, 2023. Tickets sell out fast, so don’t miss your favorite shows!

Upcoming Scottsdale Events August 2023:

Plan ahead so no more FOMO. Get your tickets! Don’t miss any of these peak Scottsdale experiences:

Talking Stick Resort Events

• FRI SEP 15, 8 PM: Chiquis | Tickets
• THU OCT 26, 8 PM: Jake Owen | Tickets

Orange Sky Lounge Entertainment

Friday and Saturday 7 – 11 PM — FREE!

• FRI AUG 18: Gustavo Angeles Trio
• SAT AUG 19: Paul Wells Duo
• FRI AUG 25: Gustavo Angeles Trio
• SAT AUG 26: Paul Wells Duo

Casino Arizona

Showstoppers Live! Tribute band faves and comedians July 7 – August 26, 2023. Tickets sell out fast, so don’t miss your favorite shows!

Scottsdale Farmers Markets – Closed Until Fall

Ongoing Scottsdale Outdoor Activities

More Fun things to do in Scottsdale Outdoors

With the desert hot as Hades, get out early this time of year to do your hiking, biking, walking and dog walking, running, golfing, tennis, pickle ball, etc. There are so many desert and flat trails in the city, including Accessible ones. See my post and table links below. Consider our wonderful water parks and aquatic centers, plus indoor fitness centers — see links and tables below.

Free fun things to do in Scottsdale, include hitting the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt! Or take a FREE! ride around town on the Scottsdale Trolley weekdays. Take the dogs out to rough-house at the dog parks and make new friends! Did you know Scottsdale is the number 1 pet-friendly city?

Top Golf Scottsdale’s Bargain Special:

MON – FRI 10 AM – Noon | $15 per person | Hit unlimited balls!

How about golf, hiking, strolling or cycling to maximize your outdoor fun for FREE? Disc golf is Free! Here you go — everything you need to know and tables of amenities for fast choices to suit everyone’s wants and needs to seize a little sunshine, shade and fresh air!

Here are posts and tables to ease your search for fun and FREE or low-cost things to do in Scottsdale:

• Aquatic and Fitness Centers
• Hiking, Walking, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing and Horseback Riding
• Golf: Table from N. to S. with all the good stuff!
• The Indian Bend Multi-use Trail
• Parks, Playgrounds, Fishing and Dog Parks
• Scottsdale Cycling and Self-Propelled Wheeling
• Tennis and Pickleball

Be Smart and Safe in the Desert

The desert is a land of extremes and it’s extremely very hot right now. Be smart. Bring plenty of water and snacks. Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, your hat and the right shoes. Check the weather and bring other appropriate gear.

Be mindful of your furry friends, plus tiny and older ones getting too tired and hot.

If hiking, stay on the trail and watch where you’re stepping, for rattlesnakes, cacti and rocks — no bites, pokes, sprains, falls or helicopter rescues need to spoil your fun. Don’t pester or feed wildlife. Pick up your dog’s poop. Don’t take anything out but your trash and dog poop.

Give yourself plenty of time to make it on and off the trail safely and see a stunning sunrise.

Churches and Temples in Scottsdale

There are many choices for worship, faith traditions, and community at Scottsdale Churches and Temples. And, if you seek fellowship or are struggling, Scottsdale has a strong 12-Step recovery community. Many recovery meetings are held in churches, temples and North Scottsdale Fellowship Club.

Daylight’s burning for real — let’s go kick up our heels and not miss a minute of fun Scottsdale events — and FREE! fun things to do in Scottsdale, August 10-13, 2023! Play safe.