Fun Scottsdale events, December 1-4, 2022 means the holidays are here! And lots of fun things to do in Scottsdale this weekend — even if the holidays aren’t your thing.
With high temps 70ish, there are lots of outdoor and indoor events — and activities for every age and budget. Even if you’re a Grinch or Scrooge. Or you secretly love Santa! Scroll for FREE! events and activities.
Scottsdale Events December 2022
Holiday Events and Lights in Scottsdale 2022
Scottsdazzle 2022
Scottsdazzle 2022 continues for the holidays this weekend at the Waterfront! Where Downtown meets Old Town, enjoy big-scale lighted decorations as you stroll Soleri Plaza and meander to Old Town. Lots of oohs, ahs and photo ops are yours!
From THU DEC 1 – SAT DEC 31, it’s a big fiesta, with shopping, food, and 45 plus fun Scottsdale holiday events!
See the map below for all events — FREE! and paid. Who says it doesn’t feel like the holidays in the desert? Get out there and be dazzled!
THU DEC 1 | FRI DEC 2 | SAT DEC 3 | SUN DEC 4: | 5:30 – 9 PM FREE! | WATERFRONT MAP
Holiday Lights at the Railroad Park
Holiday Lights, carousel rides, train rides, and pictures with Santa at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park.
FRI DEC 2 | SAT DEC 3 | SUN DEC 4: 6 – 9:30 PM | Tickets available for 6 PM and 8 PM time slots | MAP
Talking Stick Holiday Lights and Events
Holiday Lights Salt River Fields
Enchant Scottsdale includes a light maze, ice skating, village shopping fair, Santa, and more. December 1 – January 1. Look for kids’ FREE! Wednesdays.
THU DEC 1 | FRI DEC 2 | SAT DEC 3 | SUN DEC 4: 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM| Tickets | MAP
Arizona Boardwalk Courtyard – FREE!
SAT DEC 3 | SUN DEC 4 | 10 AM – 4 PM | Scottsdale Sparkle Christmas | FREE! Outdoor Event. Shopping, kids’ face painting, glitter tattoos and more. MAP
Winter Waterland at OdySea Aquarium
Winter Waterland at OdySea Aquarium is at Talking Stick’s Fun District, SAT DEC 3 – SAT DEC 31. Have a VIP SeaTREK Santa Holiday Experience and a whole school of sea-themed fun holiday activities.
SAT DEC 3 – SAT DEC 31 Hours | Tickets | MAP
Native Art Market at Talking Stick
The Native Art Market returns to the Pavilions at Talking Stick — FREE! Enjoy an outdoor Indigenous experience, complete with art, food and performances.
SAT DEC 3, 9:30 AM – 5 PM | MAP
Scottsdale Quarter Holiday Weekend Entertainment
Scottsdale Quarter is a fantastic outdoor mall to enjoy their FREE! Holiday Weekend Entertainment, from SAT DEC 3 – SUN DEC 18.
SAT DEC 3, 11 AM – 3 PM | Dicken’s Carolers
SUN DEC 4, 12 Noon – 3 PM | Pete Pancrazi
CYNO SPORT Dog Agility World Games
THU DEC 1 – SUN DEC 4 – 9 AM – Late Afternoon/Evening | Dog Agility Games at WestWorld | FREE! | $10/Day Parking | MAP
Scottsdale Movie Date
New Features and Classic Films
Harkins Camelview Theatre at Fashion Square
THU DEC 1 | FRI DEC 2 | SAT DEC 3 | SUN DEC 4:
Here are my pics this week:
The Fabelmans, a semi-autobiographical film about our hometown boy Steven Spielberg, who went to Arcadia High School in the Scottsdale school district. A drama directed by — you guessed it, starring Judd Hirsch, Michelle Williams, and Seth Rogen.
NCT DREAM THE MOVIE: In a Dream — OK, it’s not my pick, but there are slim pickings in new flicks this week. It’s about a K-Pop South Korean boy band, NCT Dream.
Moonlight Cinema® is on the rooftop of Fashion Square. See classic movies under the stars with reclining beach chairs, wireless hi-fi headsets, and treats! Dress warm and BYO Blanket — or buy one there.
FRI DEC 2, 6:30 PM – Early Show
Raiders of the Lost Ark, a 1981 Steven Spielberg action-adventure blockbuster, starring Harrison Ford and Karen Allen. (I remember screaming when my friend Gail and I went to see it the first time!)
FRI DEC 2, 9:15 PM – Late Show
Elf the 2003 Christmas comedy starring Will Ferrell, Mary Steenburgen, and Zooey Deschanel
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
THU DEC 1, 6:30 – 9 PM | FREE! Scottsdale ArtWalk in Old Town.
Parking Map and Tips in Old Town
Arrive early for good parking! Here are other fun, safe ways to avoid Old Town traffic snarls, tickets and DUIs: Riding Around Old Town Scottsdale.
Old Town Parking Map
Live Music Daily | Weekly — Downtown | Old Town
- Belle’s Nashville Kitchen — Live music daily
- Rusty Spur Saloon — Since 1951. Live music every day
- Dierks Bentley Whiskey Row — Live music weekly
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
If you’ve never seen a Warren Miller skiing film, go, even if you’re not a skier! They’re thrilling, with beautiful scenery and a good value.
- THU DEC 1, 7:30 PM | Warren Miller’s Daymaker Film | Tickets
- FRI DEC 2, 8 PM | Emerson String Quartet Classical Music| Tickets
- SAT DEC 3, 8 PM | Celtic Woman: A Christmas Symphony | Tickets
- SUN DEC 4, 4:00 PM | Scottsdale Philharmonic | Tickets
Talking Stick
FRI / SAT, 6 – 6:45 PM — FREE! — Yellow Bird Productions – Native American music, dance, stories and dialog in the Fire Garden | MAP
Arizona Musicfest
FRI DEC 2, 7:30 PM | Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Wild and Swingin’ Holiday Party | Tickets | MAP
Scottsdale Drag Shows
FRI NOV 25 | SAT NOV 26, 7 PM | Illusions the Drag Queen Show | MAP
SUN DEC 4, 1:30 | Illusions the Drag Queen Brunch Show | Old Town | MAP
SUN DEC 4, 1:30 PM | Diva Royale Drag Queen Show | Old Town | MAP
Scottsdale Farmers Markets
SAT NOV 26
Farmers Market North Scottsdale — 9 AM – 1 PM @ Living Water Lutheran Church Troon North. Produce, food trucks, live music and artisans. | MAP
Old Town Farmers Market — 8 AM – 1 PM. Lots of great food, entertainment, artisanal fare, and people and dog watching! MAP
Santa will be at Old Town Farmers Market from 9 AM – Noon!
SUN DEC 4
Farmers Market North Scottsdale — 10 AM – 1 PM. * Check link for variable Sunday times @ Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Parish. Produce, food trucks, live music and artisans. | MAP
Scottsdale Tours
Are you a visitor or homie seeking a little or a lot of adventure? Fun things to do in Scottsdale await your bucket list! Get guidance from local experts who will show you a good time, out in the spectacular Sonoran Desert or in Old Town. Fall is perfect for exploring our many outdoor fun spots and meeting new friends:
- Arizona Desert Mountain Jeep Tours — ‘Scottsdale’s “Original” AZ Desert Mountain Jeep Tours’
- Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour at Sunset
- Kactus Jock Rydables Tours — if you’re goofy, this is your ride!
- Old Town Scottsdale Tours
- Scottsdale Walking Tours Oct – April — FREE
- Desert Wolf Tours — ATV tours
- ATV Desert Tours Scottsdale
- Time to Ride Self-guided ATV/UTV tours, Cave Creek
Ongoing Scottsdale Outdoor Activities
More Fun things to do in Scottsdale Outdoors
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!
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 our sunshine and shade!
NOTE: Even though it’s cooler, it’s still the desert. Be smart. Bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen, your hat and the right shoes. Be mindful of your furry friends, plus tiny and older ones getting too tired and hot. Watch where you’re stepping, for rattlesnakes, cacti and rocks — no bites, pokes, sprains or falls need to spoil your fun.
- Golf: Table from N. to S. with all the good stuff!
- The Indian Bend Multi-use Trail
- Parks, Playgrounds, Fishing and Dog Parks
- Hiking, Walking, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing and Horseback Riding
- Scottsdale Cycling and Self-Propelled Wheeling
- Tennis and Pickleball
Upcoming Events in Scottsdale — Plan Ahead So No FOMO!
Check out these upcoming events and get your tickets. So you don’t miss any of these fun things to do in Scottsdale:
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
- FRI DEC 9, 8 PM BODYTRAFFIC – Dance | Tickets
- SUN DEC 11, 4:00 PM | Scottsdale Philharmonic | Tickets
Ravenscroft Jazz in N. Scottsdale
FRI DEC 9, 7:30 – PM | — $10 — JAZZBIRD NIGHTS: BOB RAVENSCROFT TRIO | MAP
Talking Stick
- FRI DEC 9, 8 PM | The Mavericks, Very Merry Christmas Tour, featuring JD McPherson
- FRI DEC 22, 8 PM | ZZ Top | Tickets | MAP
Casino Arizona
FRI DEC 9, 7:30 PM | MICK ADAMS AND THE STONES | TICKETS | MAP
SAT DEC 10, 7:30 PM | MICK ADAMS AND THE STONES | TICKETS | MAP
FRI DEC 16, 7:30 PM | The Pat Benatar Experience | TICKETS | MAP
SAT DEC 17, 7:30 PM | The Pat Benatar Experience | TICKETS | MAP
Daylight’s burning — let’s go kick up our heels and not miss a minute of our fun Scottsdale events December 1-4 2022!
April Halstead
Scottsdale Lifestyle Blogger
I’m a 5th generation native Arizona gal who loves showing and telling what makes Scottsdale an amazing place to visit and make home! I hope you enjoy our city through my lens, making your own discoveries and memories here!
