Fun Scottsdale events, November 24-27, 2022 means Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Day! And lots of fun things to do in Scottsdale this weekend — including — ready or not, the Holidays!
With temps in the 70s, there are lots of outdoor and indoor events — 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.
If like me, you didn’t know that there was a Native American Heritage Day and it’s on the day after Thanksgiving in the US. And, if you didn’t know November is Native American Heritage Month, now you do.
A fantastic place to learn about Native American Heritage in Arizona and the US is Scottsdale’s Western Museum in Old Town. It’s also a great way to spend part of Black Friday.
And, we have many great places to observe REI’s Black Friday tradition to go outside and play – for FREE! Scroll to Outdoor Activities below!
Free Fun things to do in Scottsdale, like hitting the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt! Or take a FREE! ride around town on the Scottsdale Trolley weekdays — don’t sweat it!
Take the dogs out to rough-house at the dog parks and make new friends!
- Scottsdale Events November 2022
- Talking Stick Holiday Lights and Events
- Scottsdale Quarter Holiday Weekend Entertainment
- Scottsdale Movie Date
- Art, Music, Theater and Comedy
- Scottsdale Farmers Markets
- Scottsdale Tours
- Ongoing Scottsdale Outdoor Activities
- Upcoming Events in Scottsdale — Plan Ahead So No FOMO!
Scottsdale Events November 2022
Holiday Events and Lights in Scottsdale 2022
Scottsdazzle 2022
Scottsdazzle 2022 kicks off the holidays this weekend at the Waterfront! Enjoy big-scale lighted decorations, Christmas carols and music. From SAT NOV 26 – 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!
SAT NOV 26 | 7 – 9 PM FREE! | Kick-Off, Tree-Lighting and Christmas Carols! WATERFRONT MAP
Holiday Lights at the Railroad Park
Holiday Lights, carousel rides, train rides, and pictures with Santa at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park.
FRI NOV 25 | SAT NOV 26 | SUN NOV 27: 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. November 25 – January 1. Look for kids’ FREE! Wednesdays.
FRI NOV 25 | SAT NOV 26 | SUN NOV 27: 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM| Tickets | MAP
Winter Waterland at OdySea Aquarium
Winter Waterland at OdySea Aquarium is at Talking Stick’s Fun District, SAT NOV 25 – SAT DEC 31. Have a VIP SeaTREK Santa Holiday Experience and a whole school of sea-themed fun holiday activities.
SAT NOV 25 – 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 NOV 26, 9:30 AM – 5 PM | MAP
Scottsdale Quarter Holiday Weekend Entertainment
Scottsdale Quarter is a fantastic outdoor mall to enjoy their Holiday Weekend Entertainment, from SAT NOV 26 – SUN DEC 18.
SAT NOV 26 | SUN NOV 27, 11 AM – 2 PM | Pete Pancrazzi and the Dicken’s Carolers will entertain you as you shop or just come out to enjoy the holiday season for FREE!
Scottsdale Movie Date
New Features and Classic Films
Harkins Camelview Theatre at Fashion Square
THU NOV 24 | FRI NOV 25 | SAT NOV 26 | SUN NOV 27:
Movies on Thanksgiving are a great escape from the heat and drama at home!
And The Menu is the perfect choice for those with strong stomachs. Billed as a comedy horror film, it looks like a scary hoot! Starring as chef is Ralph Fiennes, making Gordon Ramsey look like a kitten. Other favorites are Judith Light and John Leguizamo.
Here are my other in-theatre pics this week:
If you love comedy holiday movie musicals, Spirited is for you, starring Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell and Octavia Spencer. A new take on the classic A Christmas Carol.
The Inspection is Elegance Bratton’s true story of a gay black man joining the marines. It looks moving and inspiring. Bring tissues or grab some napkins at the snack bar. A drama starring Bokeem Woodbine and Gabrielle Union.
She Said is the true story of New York Times reporters who broke the story launching the #MeToo movement, exposing sexual assault in Hollywood. Starring Zoe Kazan, Carey Mulligan and Patricia Clarkson.
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 NOV 18, 6:30 PM – Early Show
Bohemian Rhapsody Sing-A-Long! Starring Rami Malek, Tom Hollander, and Lucy Boynton.
FRI NOV 18, 9:30 PM – Late Show
The Friday Night late show is The Princess Bride. An oldy but goody starring Mandy Patinkin, Billy Crystal, Peter Falk, André the Giant, Carol Kane, Robin Wright, and Cary Elwes.
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 NOV 24, 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
- SAT NOV 26, 8 PM | Jake Shimabukuro – Christmas in Hawai’i | 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
Scottsdale Drag Shows
FRI NOV 25 | SAT NOV 26, 7 PM | Illusions the Drag Queen Show | MAP
SUN NOV 27, 1:30 | Illusions the Drag Queen Brunch Show | Old Town | MAP
SUN NOV 27, 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 NOV 27
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
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
- 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
Ravenscroft Jazz in N. Scottsdale
FRI NOV 18, 7 PM – 9:30 PM — $10 — JAZZBIRD NIGHTS: RUSSELL SCHMIDT QUARTET | MAP
FRI DEC 9, 7:30 – PM | — $10 — JAZZBIRD NIGHTS: BOB RAVENSCROFT TRIO | MAP
Arizona Musicfest
FRI DEC 2, 7:30 PM | Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Wild and Swingin’ Holiday Party | Tickets | 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
CYNO SPORT Dog Agility World Games
WED NOV 30 – SUN DEC 4 – 9 AM – Late Afternoon/Evening | Dog Agility Games at WestWorld | FREE! | $10/Day Parking | MAP
Daylight’s burning — let’s go kick up our heels and not miss a minute of our fun Scottsdale events November 24-27, 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!