Fun Scottsdale Events January 12-16, 2023 means it’s our most wonderful time of year! What’s your dream as we remember Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
If you have a long weekend off, lucky you! Are you ready for some sunshine and 70s in the desert? There are tons of fun things to do in Scottsdale this weekend.
And, we’re gearing up for the mega events that put us on the map. Great things are ahead for homies and visitors to our beautiful city!
It looks like sunny skies on Saturday with rain on Sunday. And with lots of outdoor and indoor events — and activities for every age and budget, you won’t be bored. Scroll for FREE! events and activities.
- Scottsdale Movie Date
- Art, Music, Theater and Comedy
- Celebration of Fine Art
Scottsdale Movie Date
New Features and Classic Films
Harkins Camelview Theatre at Fashion Square
THU JAN 12 | FRI JAN 13 | SAT JAN 14 | SUN JAN 15| MON JAN 16:
Here are my pics this week:
LIVING starring Bill Nighy looks really good, because he is! In this indie drama, he plays a burned out bureaucrat in 1953 London, whose youth blossoms anew under the influence of vibrant, beautiful young people.
Ratings: 95% Rotten Tomatoes, 7.5/10 IMDb and 80% Metacritic
Coursage, an 1877 indie period drama about the feminist awakening of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. If you can handle subtitles, it looks good! Starring Vicky Krieps.
A Man Called Otto stars Tom Hanks as a grumpy widower who gets adopted by a neighbor family. He’s transformed by the cat they foist upon him and a new purpose in life.
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.
Featured Classics this week
FRI JAN 13, 6:30 PM – Early Show
GREASE, the beloved 1980 high school musical comedy starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta. It’s electrifying!
FRI JAN 13, 9:30 PM – Late Show
Spaceballs, the 1987 goofball classic comedy starring John Candy, Rick Moranis and Mel Brooks. Eye-rolling, juvenile good fun! In the Mel Brooks tradition, ‘it’s so bad, it’s good!’
FRI JAN 14 – WED FEB 1: Harkins 90s Film Series features you guessed it — 90s classics Happy Gilmore, Jurassic Park, Tommy Boy, The Matrix, Jerry Maguire and Pulp Fiction — at a budget-friendly $5! Fridays and Wednesdays.
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 JAN 12, 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
Celebration of Fine Art
FRI JAN 14 – SUN MAR 26, Celebration of Fine Art | Tickets — $10 — | MAP
Ravenscroft Jazz in N. Scottsdale
- FRI JAN 13, 7:00 – 9:30 PM | — $10 — JAZZBIRD NIGHTS: TOM WAKELING QUINTET
SCOTT WESLEY BROWN – DEEP WITHIN FUNDRAISER CONCERT | Tickets
SAT JAN 14, 4 – 5:30 PM
SAT JAN 14, 7 – 8:30 PM
SUN JAN 15, 3-5 PM | CHAMBER @ RAVENSCROFT: ELEVATE | Tickets
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
- THU JAN 12, 7:30 PM: The Temptations with Sandra Bassett | Tickets | MAP
- SAT JAN 14, 11 AM: Masterclass with Limón Dance Company | Tickets
- SAT JAN 14, 8 PM: Limón Dance Company | Tickets
- SUN JAN 14, 7 PM: Sippin’ Series: From Wheat to Whiskey |Tickets
Arizona Musicfest
SAT JAN 14, 7:30 PM: Gunhild Carling with the AZ Musicfest Big Band | Tickets | Highlands Church MAP
SUN JAN 15, 2 PM: Young Musicians Winter Concert | Tickets | MIM MAP
Talking Stick
- FRI / SAT, 6 – 6:45 PM — FREE! — Yellow Bird Productions – Native American music, dance, stories and dialog in the Fire Garden | MAP
Scottsdale Drag Shows
FRI JAN 13 | SAT JAN 14, 7 PM | Illusions the Drag Queen Show | Old Town | MAP
FRI JAN 13 | SAT JAN 14 PM | Diva Royale Drag Queen Show | Old Town | MAP
SAT JAN 14, 1:30 PM | Diva Royale Drag Queen Show | Old Town | MAP
Scottsdale Farmers Markets
SAT JAN 14
Old Town Farmers Market — 8 AM – 1 PM. Lots of great food, entertainment, artisanal fare, and people and dog watching! MAP
Farmers Market North Scottsdale — 9 AM – 1 PM @ Living Water Lutheran Church Troon North. Produce, food trucks, live music and artisans. | MAP
SUN JAN 15
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. Early Spring 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! 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 our sunshine and shade!
Be Smart and Safe in the Desert
Even though it’s cooler, it’s still the desert. Be smart. Bring plenty of water and snacks. Wear sunscreen, 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. Or this time of year, too cold. And, it gets dark early right now. Give yourself plenty of time to make it off the trail safely.
Stay on the trail and watch where you’re stepping, for rattlesnakes, cacti and rocks — no bites, pokes, sprains or falls need to spoil your fun. Don’t pester or feed wildlife.
- 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
Churches and Temples in Scottsdale
There are many choices for 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 and temples.
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:
Hold on to your hats, as Scottsdale turns up the springtime fun! Fast cars, horses, baseballs and golf’s ‘Greatest Show on Grass,’ are gearing up for you. Check out our big upcoming events. Book your Resort. Get your tickets. You don’t miss any of these peak Scottsdale experiences:
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
SUN JAN 22, 9 AM: Arizona Concours d’Elegance | Fine Collector Car Show | Tickets | Scottsdale Civic Center | MAP
Upcoming Scottsdale Events January and February 2023:
FRI JAN 20, 8 PM: Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers | Tickets | MAP
Arizona Musicfest
SUN JAN 20, 7:30 PM: Shawn Colvin, Marc Cohn & Sarah Jarosz | Highlands Church MAP
Talking Stick Resort and Casino
SAT JAN 28, 8 PM, Fitz and the Tantrums | Tickets | MAP
Casino Arizona
FRI JAN 20 / SAT JAN 21, 7:30 PM: Strange Days – A Tribute to the Doors | FRI Tickets | SAT Tickets | MAP
- SAT JAN 21 – SAT JAN 29, 8 AM: Barrett Jackson Car Auction 2023 | Tickets | Westworld | MAP
- SAT JAN 28 – SUN FEB 5, Old Town Scottsdale Western Week – Old Town | FREE!
- MON FEB 6 – SUN FEB 12: Waste Management Open 2023 People’s Phoenix Open | Tickets
- MON – TUES FREE General Admission days, courtesy Ford Free Days!
- THU FEB 16- SUN FEB 26: Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, at Westworld. Tickets | MAP
- Spring Training Scottsdale 2023:
- SAT FEB 25 – TUE MAR 28: Salt River Fields tickets for D-Backs and Rockies games
- SUN FEB 26 – SAT MAR 25: Scottsdale Stadium San Francisco Giants Spring Training tickets
Daylight’s burning — let’s go kick up our heels and not miss a minute of fun Scottsdale events January 12 – January 16, 2023!

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!