Scottsdale Arizona is the perfect winter escape. While the rest of the country is layering up, and sometimes even experiencing snow, it’s not uncommon to be chilling out in a beautiful resort poolside while looking out at the mountains all around. We loved getting to experience the warm weather and even some of the great deals and all the great things there are to do in Scottsdale AZ in the winter.
So whether you’re coming in time for all of the holiday and Christmas festivities, or are looking for a break from the cold weather in the early months of the year, check out all of the other fun things to do in Scottsdale, including:
- Best Restaurants in Scottsdale
- Romantic Date Ideas & Things to Do in Scottsdale
- How to Spend a Weekend in Scottsdale
Attend a Holiday Kick-off Tree Lighting Ceremony
Scottsdale officially kicks off its holiday celebrations with a lively Tree Lighting Ceremony. The Sing-Along & Tree Lighting at Waterfront Scottsdale is a traditional local event that features classic holiday music, live entertainment, lots of holiday treats, kids entertainment, photos with Santa Claus, and a grand illumination of a 40-foot-tall Scottsdale Christmas tree. Bring your entire family, enjoy free admission, and get into the holiday spirit right where it begins!
Attend A One of A Kind Light And Art Show
Every year, Scottsdale puts on Canal Convergence, a ten-night art and light show at Scottsdale Waterfront. This free event is entirely outdoor, where large-scale, light-based artworks illuminate the night. Through immersive tours, you can engage in educational workshops, enjoy family-friendly activities, and explore art and history.
Live holiday music and dance performances inspire you while savoring delights from our beer and wine garden and delicious food trucks. The 2024 theme, “Reflections,” encourages artists to think about physical and mental reflections to inspire self-examination and conversation.
See The Dazzling Holiday Lights
The annual McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Holiday Lights truly unveils the magic of the holiday season with festive light displays and miles of twinkling tunnels. Young children always have a great time here hopping on a miniature Paradise Pacific Railroad for a North Pole tour or spin on the Charros Carousel. In addition to train rides, there’s a large playground with slides and climbing structures. Children aged two and younger can join the fun for free.
Attend Holiday Festivities At A Five Diamond Award-Winning Resort
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort is one of the premier holiday destinations in the state, with the most diverse holiday experiences to celebrate the splendor of the season. Every Christmas season, locals and visitors witness this luxury resort transform into a winter wonderland with 10 million lights, 128 fire tables and igloos, the ultimate Santa experience, six lovable Christmas characters, a 120 ft. tall Ferris wheel, and a 6,000 sq. ft. desert ice skating rink with real ice and 2 miles of lights strung around the 4-story Enchanted Plaza tree.
You can even roast marshmallows and make s’mores under the stars at your fire table, hop on a Princess Express train making your way into a 17-foot-long illuminated infinity tunnel to see over 256 million color combinations from high-tech LEDs, and Princess exclusive experiences like Aurora Ice Christmas Classics.
Relax in a Resort
Some people prefer spending the winter or Christmas around snow, but I’ll take the warmth. Scottsdale is know as the resort capital of the World and it’s easy to see why. So many top luxurious resorts are all in this town that set the mood for a vacation that’s full of relaxation. Each resort is unique, whether you’re looking to hang out at the pool all day, looking for a wellness getaway, looking for the best scenery, or anything else to catch your mood.
With so many options, we checked out two of the hotels that each offered something unique. With over 10 pools, the Hyatt Scottsdale was the perfect place for relaxing. For the best mountain views that give you luxury and nature, check out Mountain Shadows Resort.
Get a Massage
Or enjoy in one of the many spa amenities that can be found across Scottsdale. The Hyatt Regency has an entire spa lounge. On top of your treatment, relax in their adults-only spa pool, go between the hot tub and plunge pools, and then unwind in the sauna. Especially in the winter, I love getting to enjoy all the coziness and warmth at the spa. They also have additional treatments like their salt room.
Go for a Hike
With the mountains all around, even on the chillier days of winter, you can warm up with one of the scenic hikes around the area. In fact, you can spend your whole trip just checking out all of the different hikes. Tom’s Thumb Trailhead has so many different hikes and trails with fun rock structures to check out. There’s also the McDowell Mountain Trail Loop for an incredible sunrise or sunset.
Even if you don’t have a lot of time, you can start at the trailhead and just take in all of the giant cacti! For a longer hike where you’re met with breathtaking views of the city below, you can hike up Camelback Mountain!
Indulge in the Great Culinary Scene
From top celebrity chefs who come down to make a home in Scottsdale, to all the photo worthy foodie items, Scottsdale has quite the culinary scene! On your list of things to do in Scottsdale, be sure to plan out your restaurants and where you want to eat because there is so much to see and foods to try. You can read our review of where to eat in Scottsdale.
See the Views From Above
One of the best ways to take in all of the scenery is by balloon! Rainbow Ryders takes you through a tour of the skies with sunrise (and in the winter – sunset) rides. Afterwards you get to celebrate with mimosas and snacks.
Ride Along The Best Drive Through Christmas Light Show In The US
The World of Illumination at the Desert Diamond Casino in Glendale is more than just a light show. With millions of dazzling lights, creative themes, nothing short of extraordinary, and an audio-visual experience, it’s one of the best themed drive-through holiday light shows across the country. Rest assured, at the end of this magical road trip, you’ll return with many unforgettable memories for the whole family that will last a lifetime, all at a budget-friendly price.
Admire The Illuminated Animal Sculptures at Phoenix Zoo
The Phoenix Zoo is the largest privately owned non-profit zoo in the United States, and just as it’s fun to see the animals during the day, the zoo completely transforms on winter nights when it’s adorned in a dazzling holiday lights display and special exhibits! You’ll be amazed by millions of shimmering lights, glowing animal sculptures, and an impressive 200-foot-long light tunnel. Don’t forget to warm up with a cup of delicious hot chocolate and other tasty treats like freshly popped kettle corn.
Check Out the Christmas Lights Bar
The Coach House Bar goes all out for the holidays with Christmas lights all around! If you’re looking to get into the spirit while grabbing a drink, be sure to check this spot out!
See Thousands of Cacti
The Desert Botanical Gardens are beautiful year-round, so even when normal gardens die down for the winter, the cacti are still a sight to be seen! The gardens are filled with hundreds of endangered and rare plants, so you can see cacti and other desert plants that you likely won’t see anywhere else. They even have an adorable butterfly enclosure where you can see them flutter around.
And while there, don’t miss out on Gardens’s glowing holiday celebration this year, “Las Noches De Las Luminarias.” Expect pathways illuminated by luminarias, twinkling holiday lights, musical performances, entertainment, and festive food and drinks. This year, the Garden offers an even brighter spectacle with LIGHT BLOOM by HYBYCOZO, where nature and light come together in stunning geometric brilliance.
Spend A full day of holiday cheer With Your Whole Family
Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide is Arizona’s ultimate family-friendly experience during the holidays, with activities for young people and adults. It’s a true celebration of the Christmas spirit featuring a breathtaking light show in a life-sized gingerbread house with synchronized displays. Little ones can ride a Holiday Express train or unleash their creativity in cookie decorating contests while parents create cherished memories roasting s’mores by the fire pit.
You can even experience a snowfall show, watch heartwarming Christmas movies, and send letters to Santa. Each night unfolds with a festive parade, thrilling stunt shows, holiday shopping, live entertainment, and engaging festive games, making it a truly unforgettable season of joy and togetherness.
Attend A Christmas Performance
It’s not Christmas without a “Nutcracker” performance, and Scottsdale has a perfect venue to enjoy this holiday tradition. Ballet Arizona returns to Symphony Hall with Ib Andersen’s The Nutcracker, featuring Tchaikovsky’s beloved score performed by The Phoenix Symphony. Join Clara on her whimsical journey as she battles mice and meets the Sugar Plum Fairy. This enchanting holiday classic delights audiences, whether it’s your first or 101st!
Go on a Photo Tour
Do you ever go on a vacation and never get a good group or couples photo? Joyrides AZ will take you through all the best photo spots on their golf carts and even help you snap photos to remember your trip. They also have a wide variety of tours for your interests including wine/beer sampling tours, historic tours, sip & shop tours, art & Navajo culture tours, gelato tours, and so much more!
Catch A Christmas Music Performance at A Museum
The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix has a tradition of embracing the spirit of the season with beautifully decorated halls and a variety of special events. The museum hosts live Christmas and Hanukkah music performances, enriching music-making workshops, and Kwanzaa storytelling sessions. Throughout the weekend, Gallery Mini-Tours offers an in-depth perspective on holiday celebrations worldwide, inviting you to celebrate diversity and togetherness.
Some Holiday Shopping at a Christmas Market
Spare some time for holiday retail therapy; there can’t be a better place than the Merry Merchantile Market in Scottsdale Civic Center. Listen to live music while you savor delicious offerings from local food vendors, relax in a Beer & Wine Garden, or try something wild like tattoos, piercings, permanent jewelry, hat bars, and a bracelet stack bar. Bring the whole family to explore free kids’ crafts, play areas, and visits from beloved Disney Princesses.
Taste a Little Bit of Everything
Not sure where to start when it comes to eating? There are so many great restaurants in Scottsdale and with not enough time, one of the best things you can do is sample a little bit of everything. Arizona Food Tours is great for foodies who want to try more because you get to sample different dishes in each spot. They’re able to get smaller portions so you have more room for more spots. Plus along the way you get to learn from a local who is able to provide the best advice and hidden knowledge about the city.
Be part of the Only Snow Run in Scottsdale
The Holiday Snowfest at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale is undoubtedly the best holiday attraction, with over 350 tons of real snow creating a winter wonderland. Feel the adrenaline rush as you zoom down a 20-foot toboggan hill illuminated by 50,000 sparkling lights. Unleash your creativity at snowman-building stations, sip festive cocktails and hot chocolate at Igloo Bars, and gather around the breathtaking 30-foot Christmas tree. Be sure to meet Santa in his magnificent house. Don’t miss out on carnival winter snow games and explore a vibrant holiday vendor village for some last-minute holiday shopping.
Wander Through Old Town Scottsdale
With the old buildings and fun gift shops, Old Town Scottsdale is an area you can spend hours wandering around! Take in all the art and find some great souvenirs and gifts to return to friends and family. Be sure to attend the Old Town holiday festivities, “Scottsdazzle.” This month-long celebration transforms the area into a magical wonderland adorned with seasonal décor and twinkling lights that dance joyfully along the streets. Immerse yourself in various events like the Gold Palette ArtWalk, Pancakes & Pajamas with Santa, Sparkle & Spin Bicycle Scavenger Hunts, live entertainment, and vibrant holiday markets that ignite the spirit of the season.
Visit an Interactive Museum
Wonderspaces Arizona is a museum unlike any other, and perfect for when it’s chilly out in the winter and you want to warm up inside. They have a regularly rotating gallery, so every time you visit, there’s something new and exciting to see. They use multimedia displays where sometimes you’re a part of the art, where you can walk through the art, or experience art with multiple senses.
Go Horseback Riding
You can only cover so much distance by foot, but if you want to see more of Arizona, check out MacDonald’s Ranch where they will take you through the acres of their private property on a guided trail ride. Their property is also a fun spot for walking around with their old Western style town!
Go Wine Tasting
Arizona has quite the wine scene, and there are many great spots in Old Town Scottsdale to go for a wine tasting. What’s great about the Arizona climate too, is that it’s great for Argentinian style malbecs and spicier wine varietals if that’s something you enjoy. However, there is a wide variety of wines to be enjoyed.
Carlson Creek is known for their high quality wines and bold reds!
Winter & Christmas In Scottsdale, AZ: FAQs
Is Christmas a good time to visit Scottsdale?
Every Christmas season, Scottsdale transforms into a winter wonderland with plenty of family-friendly holiday activities and special events. This bustling town features an array of unique boutiques and upscale stores, perfect for winter shopping or finding that special holiday gift. When it comes to dining, the city boasts an impressive selection of fabulous restaurants, each offering delicious cuisine to satisfy any palate. As you explore, you’ll be captivated by the festive atmosphere, with every corner adorned with twinkling Christmas lights and stunning holiday decor, creating a magical experience that makes Scottsdale a must-visit destination during the winter season.
What is Scottsdale like in December?
With the sun shining brightly and temperatures hovering around a delightful 72 degrees, winter transforms Scottsdale into an inviting paradise from December through mid-February. Apart from the weather, lots of family-friendly winter activities and holiday events ensure you’ll leave with lasting memories.
Winter & Christmas In Scottsdale, AZ: Final Thoughts
Even being such a small town, Scottsdale is buzzing with endless winter activities and festive events this holiday season. To some, winter might be off-season in Scottsdale, but for me, it means pleasant weather with sunshine every day, low car rentals and hotel fairs, fewer crowds, and lots of exploring.
Only a few cities can do Christmas this better than Scottsdale does, whether it is walking through holiday light displays, snapping memorable moments with Santa, sipping hot cocoa around a fire table, or having a family-friendly meal inside an igloo at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.
So, it’s still not too late to plan a Scottsdale holiday this year. You definitely won’t regret it.
*Things to do in Winter In Scottsdale was sponsored by Scottsdale. As always, all opinions are my own.
Last Updated 3 weeks ago by Jessica Serna | Published: November 29, 2020
