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Old Town Scottsdale Events
January
Annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Held on January 1
Location: Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe. 480-350-0900
Root for your favorite team at the annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium!
Celebration of Fine Art
Held mid January - late March
Location: Scottsdale Rd. at Loop 10. 1480-443-7695. Admission Charged
Annual celebration and one of Scottsdale's most anticipated events. More than 100 artists set up working studios so you can watch art develop. Art in all styles and mediums is available. Visitors return often to visit with the artists and enjoy watching the progress of their favorite painting, sculpture, basket or ceramic vessel.
Russo and Steele Auto Auction
Held in late January
Location: Corner of Scottsdale Rd and Mayo Blvd. 480-517-4005
Russo and Steele offer an impressive selection of automobiles in a variety of categories, including European Sports, American Muscle, Customs and Hotrods in two evening programs.
February
The Best and the Brightest
Held early - late February
Location: Scottsdale Artists' School. 480-990-1422. Admission Free
Annual juried art show and sale.
Annual World Championship Hoop Dance Contest
Held in early February
Location: Heard Museum. 602-252-8848. Admission Charged
The chance to clinch the World Champion Hoop Dancer title draws together the very best Native hoop dancers from throughout the United States and Canada for one spectacular weekend of athleticism, speed and grace.
Desert Foothills Musicfest
Held mid February - mid March
Location: Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center. 480-488-0806. Admission Charged.
During MusicFest, the nights and afternoons are filled with magic. Classical Masterpieces, Jazz Standards, Opera, Broadway; ending with an the Annual Musicfest Family Concert, created in the spirit of Leonard Bernstein's legendary "Saturday Morning" concerts from a generation ago.
Arizona Statehood Days Celebration
Held in mid February
Location: Rawhide. 480-502-5600. Admission Free
Bring out the whole family for an old-fashioned, hometown celebration. This annual three-day weekend features parades, live entertainment, fireworks, clowns, face painting, kids games and contests, prize drawings, food booths, desert cookout and live country western music.
Parada del Sol Concert & Rodeo
Held in mid February
Location: Rawhide Wild West Town. 602-996-8289
Enjoy a full weekend of boot-stompin' fun in celebration of Scottsdale's annual month-long Parada del Sol festival. Activities include PRCA-sanctioned rodeo, rodeo dances, live Country/Western music and children's activities.
Scottsdale Fine Art & Chocolate Festival
Held in mid February
Location: Scottsdale Pavilions. 480-837-5637. Admission Charged
Just in time for Valentine's Day, Thunderbird Artists takes center stage with the annual Scottsdale Fine Art & Chocolate Festival. The Scottsdale Pavilions provides the handsome backdrop to this elegant affair. Held outdoors in the Arizona Sun, patrons stroll throughout this celebration of juried fine arts and crafts in a park setting on luscious green grass. The nearby lake reflects numerous white-canopied tents, containing original works from over 150 uniquely talented artists from throughout the United States.
Arizona Baseball Charities Celebrity Game
Held around Valentine's Day
Location: Scottsdale Stadium. 480-312-2586. Admission Charged.
Arizona Baseball Charities presents the Annual Celebrity Baseball Game at Scottsdale Stadium The event benefits and supports Arizona Baseball Charities.
Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show
Held mid - late February
Location: WestWorld. 480-515-1500
The Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show is one of the largest Arabian shows in the world, a must-see Scottsdale signature event with parties, shopping, food, decorated barns. Each year this event draws over 2,000 of the world's finest Arabian horses to compete for the coveted title of "Scottsdale Champion."
Fountain Hills Great Fair
Held in late February
Location: Avenue of the Fountains, Downtown Fountain Hills. 866-368-6445. Admission Free
Each February the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce hosts this three day event, which features nearly 500 artists and artisans from around the country lining the shaded Avenue of the Fountains. This festival also features the annual Hot Air Balloon Rally. There are great photo opportunities of balloons reflecting against the water with the fountain in the background. A unique tradition among the balloonists is to attempt to dip their baskets into Fountain Lake.
March
Phoenix Children's Hospital Showhouse
Held the entire month of March
Location: Venue changes, call for information. 602-695-2054
Come and tour the annual Arizona Foothills magazine Showhouse. Interior designers have decorated each room in this spectacular home.
Annual Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival
Held in early March
Location: Downtown Carefree, Easy & Ho Hum Streets. 480-837-5637. Admission Charged
Travel the world over and you would be hard pressed to fine a more spectacular gathering of artists than at the Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival. These nationally acclaimed, juried fine art festivals attract artists and art collectors from throughout the United States and abroad, all sharing in their love and appreciation for magnificent fine art.
Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market
Held in early March
Location: Heard Museum. 602-252-8848. Admission Charged
The Heard Museum's Indian Fair & Market brings together some of the finest Native artists against a backdrop of entertainment and food. Each spring, nearly 18,000 people experience the sights, sounds and smells of one of the world's finest Native American art festivals - an unparalleled combination of art, architecture and entertainment.
Scottsdale Arts Festival
Held in mid March
Location: Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. 480-994-ARTS
Don't miss the annual Scottsdale Arts Festival! Stroll the beautiful grounds of the Scottsdale Center for the Arts and explore the work of more than 185 nationally acclaimed artists exhibiting at this premier arts festival. Enjoy continuous live entertainment from three festival stages, savor food and beverages from the Valley's top culinary establishments, and experience creative fun in the Scottsdale Arts Festival Kids area.
Festival of the West
Held in mid March
Location: Rawhide Wild West Town. 602-996-4387
Admission Charged
One of the country's largest celebrations of the Old West and the American Cowboy. A visit is like a step back in time with plenty to see and do during four action packed days, including the western music jamboree, western trade show, log home show, western film festival, cowboy spirit award, special tribute to John Wayne, cowboy poetry, chuck wagon cook off, arena events, and mountain man rendezvous.
Easter Sunday Eggstravaganza
Held at Easter time
Location: Rawhide. 480-502-5600. Admission Free
This annual Easter Day celebration includes children's Easter Egg Hunt, children's games and contests, and photos with Cowboy Cottontail, Rawhide's very own Easter bunny. Stay for a great Easter dinner in the Rawhide Steakhouse.
April
Sonoran Festival of Art
Held in early April
Location: Carefree Town Center. 480-5980-9090. Admission Free
100 national and locally acclaimed artists display their creations at Carefree Town Center. In addition to the outstanding collection of art and artists, the festival includes a variety of food and refreshments along with entertainment, art lectures, and hands-on demonstrations.
Scottsdale Culinary Festival
Held in mid April
Location: Scottsdale Center for the Arts & Various Resorts. 480-945-7193. Admission Charged
From the east coast to the west coast this premiere gourmet wonderland has swept the nation for years of indulgence. Featuring over 250 wineries, celebrity chefs, live music from jazz to rock and roll, locals and tourists alike gather together for a culinary affair, savoring their way through some of the nation's best chefs.
Tostitos Southwest Salsa Challenge
Held in late April
Location: Scottsdale Stadium. 602-955-3947. Admission Charged
A culinary event with more than 50 homemade salsas by Valley Chefs, free salsa and chips all day, three live bands, a kid's zone and a margarita competition.
October
Scottsdale International Film Festival
Held in late October
Location: Harkins Camelview Luxury Cinemas. 602-410-1074 Admission Charged
The Annual Scottsdale International Film Festival returns with a student competition; a digital filmmaking presentation by the "Father of Digital Filmmaking," Laurence Gartel; several American independent films; two cinema vault films; and several GLBT themed films.
Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival
Held in early November
Location: Downtown Carefree. 480-488-3381. Admission Charged
Over 150 top artists at one of Arizona's largest wine-tasting events. Event also has live music.
Smithsonian Magazine's CultureFest
Held mid November
Location: Scottsdale & Phoenix area venues. 800-774-5020
Join Smithsonian experts in a celebration of the world-renowned art, culture, music and heritage of Arizona.
Fountain Festival of Arts & Crafts
Held in mid November
Location: Avenue of the Fountains, Downtown Fountain Hills. 480-837-1654. Admission Free
Each November the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce hosts this three day event, which features nearly 500 artists and artisans from around the country lining the shaded Avenue of the Fountains. This festival attracts an estimated 150,000 visitors from all over the Valley and state, who come to appreciate and purchase fine art and enjoy some good food and entertainment. Several musicians entertain the crowd at various locations throughout the fair, also selling their musical recordings. Shaded seating areas are provided near the food courts, making it the perfect way to spend a cool sunny November in Fountain Hills.
ArtFest of Scottsdale
Held mid November
Location: Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. 888-ART-FEST. Admission Free
ArtFest of Scottsdale is held at the Scottsdale Civic Center in Downtown Scottsdale. It features over 200 fine artists and excellent food.
Good Guys Rod & Custom Car Show
Held in mid November
Location: WestWorld
480-312-6802
Admission Charged
Over 2,000 rods, customs, classics and muscle cars, plus kids area and special awards.
December
Insight Bowl
Held in late December
Location: Bank One Ballpark. 480-350-0900. Admission Charged
Termed as "College Football Like You've Never Seen It Before", the Insight Bowl brings action and excitement both on and off the field. The East takes on the West as the Big East faces the Pac-10. Seats so close to the field you can feel the action, and no nets in the end zone mean you keep what you catch. This truly unique football experience is held within Bank One Ballpark. An electric atmosphere featuring bands, cheerleaders, hard-hitting action on the field and rambunctious fans in attendance to support their teams are staples of the game.
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