Scottsdale 4th of July Weekend 2023 means lots of fun hot and cool things to do! Here are the fun Scottsdale events, June 29 – July 4, 2023.
- Scottsdale’s 4th of July Events
- Stay Cool in Scottsdale
- FREE! Fun things to do in Scottsdale
- Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
Scottsdale’s 4th of July Events
Red, White and Choo and Choo
Budget-friendly family fun at McCormick Stillman Railroad Park in Central Scottsdale. Food trucks, fireworks, live music, water slides, food cannons, train rides and lots more fun!
SUN JULY 2, 4 – 9 PM: Red, White and Choo and Choo | Tickets | MAP
Red, White and Cool
Lots of fun for the whole family including Bar-B-Q, fireworks, cool indoor activities, and the whole shootin’ match. It’s pricey, with the bargain being $45/car to watch fireworks from the polo field. North Scottsdale.
TUE JULY 4, 5 – 10 PM: Scottsdale’s 4th of July Celebration at WestWorld |Tickets | MAP
Stay Cool in Scottsdale
There are lots of ways to stay cool in Scottsdale — scroll for FREE! and low cost events and activities.
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!
High temps are reaching upwards of 110. 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 desert still blooms with lots of showy, heaven-scented flowers, against a backdrop of hot, blue sky and mountains — amid Scottsdale’s famous architecture and public art. You can see these in the early mornings, from your car, and later from a balcony or pool to keep cool.
Let’s hit the trails, parks, dog parks and our famous golf courses EARLY, watch the sunrise and enjoy the still cool mornings.
Free fun things to do in Scottsdale, include hitting the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt!
Catch a movie — or, a FREE! summer concert later, after watching the sunset — it’s own free show!
The Water Parks, splash pads and aquatic centers are open for summer! They are either FREE! or with a small fee — to enjoy hours of cool fun in the sun. Wear your sunscreen, hat and sunglasses!
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 a bit of sun and have fun!
June Days in Scottsdale Events/Activities
The June Days Calendar of Events is wrapping up its part of summer with fun things to do in Scottsdale!
FREE! Fun things to do in Scottsdale
Scottsdale ArtWalk
THU JUNE 29, 7 – 9 PM | — FREE! Scottsdale ArtWalk in Old Town. Get a gelato and saunter in and out of cool galleries and hot night!
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!
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.
Scottsdale Movie Date
New Features and Classic Films
Harkins Camelview Theatre at Fashion Square
THU JUNE 29 | FRI JUNE 30 | SAT JULY 1 | SUN JULY 2-4:
Here are my pics this week to escape the summer heat:
Past Lives is an English/Korean romance and drama indie. Starring Greta Lee, Teo Yoo and John Mangaro — it looks really good!
What critics are saying:
- ‘A stunning, pitch perfect romance.’ [Rolling Stone]
- ‘Gentle, funny, and achingly gorgeous. A Miraculous film.’ [VOX]
- ‘Celine Song’s exceptional debut will have audiences swooning.’ [Variety]
- ‘A decades-spanning romance that makes you catch your breath.’ [The Hollywood Reporter]
- ‘The year’s first great movie.’ [Slate]
Ratings: 8.4/10 IMDb 3.5 | 97 % Rotten Tomatoes | 93% Google Users Liked | PG13 | 1 HR 46 MINS
Asteroid City is a quirky space age Wes Anderson retro romcom, with a star-studded cast including Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Margot Robbie, Bill Murray and many more of your favorites. And likely some who aren’t. It’s waaay out there!
Ratings: 7.1/10 IMDb | 73 % Rotten Tomatoes | 71% Google Users Liked | PG13 | 1 HR 45 MINS
No Hard Feelings is a comedy starring Jennifer Lawrence as Maddie and Andrew Barth Feldman as Percy. She gets hired by Percy’s parents to turn him into a man.
It looks so bad, it might be good — but I think only for a senior discount, matinee, or if your A/C breaks.
If nothing else, the best part goes to Matthew Broderick as the Percy’s dad.
Ratings: 6.8/10 IMDb | 67% Rotten Tomatoes | 90% of Google Users Liked | R | 1HR 43 MINS
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 JUNE 29, 7 – 9 PM | — FREE! Scottsdale ArtWalk in Old Town.
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 Center for the Performing Arts
- FRI JUNE 30, 7 PM: Shine on Floyd- Tribute to Pink Floyd | Tickets
Scottsdale Drag Shows
FRI JUNE 30 | SAT JULY 1, 7 PM | Illusions the Drag Queen Show | Old Town | MAP
FRI JUNE 30, 7 PM: Diva Royale Drag Queen Show | Wasted Grain Old Town | MAP
SAT JULY 1, 1:30 PM | Diva Royale Drag Queen Show | Wasted Grain Old Town | Tickets | MAP
Upcoming Scottsdale Events 2023:
Plan ahead so no more FOMO. Get your tickets! Don’t miss any of these peak Scottsdale experiences:
Talking Stick Events
- FRI JULY 14, 8 PM: Happy Together Tour | Tickets | MAP
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 Market
SAT JULY 1:
Old Town Farmers Market — 7 – 10 AM. Lots of great food, entertainment, artisanal fare, and people and dog watching! MAP
Ongoing Scottsdale Outdoor Activities
More Fun things to do in Scottsdale Outdoors
With the desert heating up, get out early this time of year to do your hiking, biking, walking and dog walking, running, 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 getting very hot. 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.
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 — let’s go kick up our heels and not miss a minute of fun Scottsdale events and fun things to do, July 4th Weekend — June 29 – July 4, 2023! Play safe.
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!