As temperatures cool in the Sonoran Desert, the destination has a variety of new experiences for travelers looking to escape the cold – or hustle and bustle at home – this winter. From a grand resort renovation, to pickleball and wellness through water, plus new art exhibitions, live performances, and a whole host of holiday festivities, Scottsdale is the perfect no-snow, uplifting escape.
RESORT ROUNDUP
THE BIG NEWS: As of this month, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch is unveiling its highly anticipated $115 million property-wide renovation and rebrand to Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort, marking the first Grand Hyatt hotel in Arizona. The newly reimagined luxury resort with 496 rooms invites guests to connect with the captivating spirit of the American Southwest, complemented by six distinct, elevated dining concepts in partnership with celebrity chef Richard Blais, as well as a refreshed 10-acre pool complex and Spa Avania.
- Tucked within the Sonoran Desert and Bradshaw Mountains, Castle Hot Springs reveals a new slate of 2024-25 programming that embraces the healing power of nature. As Arizona’s first wellness resort in the late 1890s and a member of Historic Hotels of America, Castle Hot Springs now offers the “Connecting with Water” tour, to discover the history, geology and therapeutic benefits of its mineral-rich hot springs. Additionally, the new “Wellness Through Water” package features mindful soaking, a private 60-minute Watsu treatment and hot springs. The resort’s Farm-to-Bar curriculum also expands with the Molecular Mixology class using fresh, farm-grown ingredients from resort crops.
- Winter is prime time for pickleball in the desert and the Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale has added full-time pickleball instructor, David Rogers to its roster of sports professionals. Guests can join Rogers for lessons on one of the resort’s 12 pickleball courts and find “Pickleball Stay & Play” packages, which include nightly accommodations, court time, and food and beverage credits. In conjunction, the spa will offer “pickleball pampering” for players, topped off by “pickleball perfect cocktails and provisions” at the Grill Kitchen & Bar.
- The 23-acre luxury oasis, Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows is host to a honeybee hive and two wild bee homes, as part of an onsite beekeeping program in partnership with Alvéole. By installing beehives on the property, Andaz takes part in the movement for more eco-conscious cities and nature-based solutions to support urban biodiversity and engage the community. The bees pollinate the surrounding urban flora during the summer and at the end of the season, the honey is harvested for limited-time-only culinary and cocktail creations at Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen.
ART + ENTERTAINMENT
- Starting this month, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation debuts new tours, enriching and dynamic public events and interactive programs for visitors to explore Wright’s legacy at Taliesin West, the famed architect’s winter home and UNESCO World Heritage Site. New programs at Taliesin West include a 120-minute Behind-the-Scenes Guided Tour (Jan.-May 2025), Sunsets & Sips happy hour on select Thursday evenings (Oct. 2024-Jan. 2025), a Film Series once a month on select Fridays (Oct. 2024-Jan. 2025), Discovery Day for only $5 per adult (Nov. 9), and Weekend Photography Workshops with Andrew Pielage (Jan. 24-26 and Feb. 21-23, 2025).
- Nov. 8-10: The Musical Instrument Museum opens its newest special exhibition, Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars, with a three-day signature event. The exhibition presents over 70 string instruments and bows made by Antonio Stradivari and preeminent European makers of the 16-19th centuries. This collection of violins, guitars, lutes and bows shows how the materials and techniques elevated fine string instruments into timeless masterpieces. The weekend includes family-friendly activities such as curator talks, instrument demonstrations and live performances.
- Nov. 8-17: Scottsdale Arts‘ Canal Convergence will explore the theme “Reflections” in both literal and metaphorical realms through engaging public art, performances and programming at the Scottsdale Waterfront. The free, annual, 10-night event spotlights large-scale public artworks created by artists from around the world alongside live music and dance performances, creative workshops, educational tours and activities, food trucks, a mini film festival and a beer and wine garden.
- Nov. 22-23: The Arizona Indigenous Food Symposium and Arizona Indigenous Culinary Experience present an opportunity to gather with and learn from Indigenous peoples while celebrating and revitalizing their food traditions. With a focus on food sovereignty, environmental justice, health and wellness, and preserving cultural food practices and relationships with land and natural resources, the symposium promises to enlighten and inspire. On the second day, the Arizona American Indian Tourism Association will recognize Native American Heritage Month.
- Through Jan. 5, 2025: Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, a department of Scottsdale Arts, will exhibit “ArtRx: The Mind-Body Connection” to explore the healing qualities of arts engagement through music, visual art, poetry, dance and architecture. Each healing arts discipline will be given a section in the gallery. Some of the organizations involved in “ArtRx” include Ballet Arizona, Academy of Neuroscience in Architecture and the Arizona State University School of Music. The exhibition will be on display at the Center Space gallery inside Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.
- Through April 13, 2025: Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts has an inspiring lineup for its 2024-25 season, bringing Broadway to Arizona, including Tituss Burgess, drag superstar Sasha Velour with “The Big Reveal Live Show!”, Aimee Mann, The Commodores, and Rosanne Cash. Plus, Scottsdale Arts welcomes jazz legends Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Branford Marsalis and Hiromi’s Sonicwonder. Dance also takes center stage, with Martha Graham Dance Company’s “Dances of the Mind,” focusing on Graham’s psychological works and multifaceted women characters.
WINTER WONDER
- The scenic setting of Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North at the base of Pinnacle Peak mountain becomes even more swoon-worthy with “Desert-A-Glow” programming that captures the spirit of the season, including a brunch buffet on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day, and gingerbread cookie-decorating classes for children. Guests can also partake in Gingerbread Afternoon Tea every Friday, Saturday and Sunday Dec. 6-29, beloved holiday classic movies on an outdoor screen and a special Breakfast with Santa.
- The fireplace is crackling, lights are gleaming in the lobby and the smell of hot cocoa fills the air, as Great Wolf Lodge Arizona gears up for its annual Snowland celebration. Families will be immersed in winter with activities such as daily snow showers, visits from Santa, themed crafts, a hot cocoa bar and festive games. The grand lobby is also home to the nightly Snowfall Celebration, an interactive show for families to ring jingle bells, and dance and sing to holiday melodies.
- Comfortably chilly desert nights transform into an enchanting, mesmerizing spectacle as holiday lights and displays once again illuminate the Phoenix Zoo and McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. From Nov. 27-Jan. 12, the ZooLights show of animal lanterns and dazzling lights delights visitors of all ages, who can also warm up with hot cocoa and treats at s’mores firepits. From Nov. 29-Dec. 30, McCormick-Stillman’s Paradise & Pacific Railroad welcomes back families to take a ride on the open-air train through captivating lights and animatronic characters.
- Nov. 8-Jan. 12, 2025: Shopping and dining destination, Desert Ridge Marketplace, is bringing back the Ember Lounge, where inside the striking 50-foot District Dome, guests can enjoy an evening under the stars, complete with a cozy atmosphere, whimsical craft cocktails, a chef-driven menu, and a state-of-the-art projection show. Following the last year’s successful launch, Ember Lounge returns with new offerings, including the highly anticipated Dome After Dark.
- Nov. 22-Jan. 4, 2025: Celebrate the splendor of the season at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, a AAA Five Diamond award-winning resort that will transform into an enchanting winter wonderland during Christmas at the Princess . The festival adds a touch of magic with more than 10 million sparkling LED lights, ice skating in the desert, a Ferris wheel, S’moresland and more, during clear, crisp winter nights. Visitors can also check out exclusive experiences like Aurora Ice – a lounge made entirely of real ice, luxury fire tables at Chateau Champagne and the new entrancing glowshow, “STARLIGHTS: An Electric Symphony.”
- Nov. 29-Dec. 30: An annual tradition, Desert Botanical Garden’s Las Noches De Las Luminarias presents an even brighter spectacle this year, with “LIGHT BLOOM” by HYBYCOZO, where nature and light unite in stunning, geometric light installations alongside luminaria-lit trails, twinkling holiday lights, musical performances, and festive food and drinks. Travelers can see the garden aglow select dates in Nov.-Dec. 2024.
- Nov. 30-Dec. 31: The city of Scottsdale’s end-of-year extravaganza, Scottsdazzle – now in its ninth year – blankets Old Town with more seasonal cheer and events. The Sing-Along & Tree Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 30 kicks off over a month of festivities including the free Scottsdazzle Stroll along decorated canal banks, holiday-themed Gold Palette ArtWalk, Peppermint Plaza cocktails and the Merry Merchantile Market.
