1. Waste Management Phoenix Open
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (602) 870-0163
Address: 17020 N. Hayden Rd.
Insider Pick:
Description: The Phoenix Open is considered the world’s most-attended golf tournament, though many spectators go for the food, cocktails, and people-watching more than the actual tournament. It’s unlike any other golf experience with the rowdy crowds on the stadium-like par-3 16th hole and late-night Bird’s Nest party tent. The tournament course is one of the most picturesque in the West. On a sunny day it’s relaxing to sit on the lawn and watch some of the top golfers in the world. Tickets at the gate cost $25 per person; children 17 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. The TPC course is adjacent to the Scottsdale Princess Resort (see the Resorts chapter).
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 16601 N. Pima Rd.
3. Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (480) 515-1500
Address: 16601 N. Pima Rd.
Description: Founded in 1955, the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show attracts more than 200,000 spectators. It’s one of the world’s largest Arabian horse shows, with 2,400 of the world’s finest steeds competing for more than $1 million in prize and scholarship money. A main arena and 2 secondary arenas run simultaneous classes in halter, English pleasure, trail horse, hunter, jumper, dressage, Western pleasure, and other categories. Two huge tents become display space for more than 250 exhibitors from around the world selling clothing, jewelry, fine art, food, and horse accessories. Daily admission to the 10-day extravaganza is $10 per day. Seniors pay $7; children under 13 are admitted free.
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 16601 N. Pima Rd.
5. Scottsdale Arts Festival
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 7380 E. 2nd St.
Description: The work of more than 185 artists and artisans is featured in this juried outdoor show that is ranked among the top art festivals in the country. Adding to the ambience are musical performances on 2 stages, food and beverage booths, and an area for children. The event takes place on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in mid-March. General admission is $7.
6. Phoenix Film Festival
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (602) 955-6444
Address: 7000 E. Mayo Blvd.
Description: The Phoenix Film Festival is held every spring and brings together independent and experimental filmmakers from the local area and around the world. It runs for a week and showcases some art films with bigger budgets, though the emphasis is on the more cutting-edge, marginalized filmmakers. Visitors have a chance to mingle with the directors, actors, and writers and share ideas on their favorite medium. Individual screenings are as low as $10, but a festival pass is a better value. Passes run from $30 for 1 day to $150 for the whole festival.
7. Scottsdale Culinary Festival
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (480) 945-7193
Address: 7380 E. 2nd St.
Insider Pick:
Description: This long-running annual event is a weeklong salute to the culinary arts, featuring some of Arizona’s top chefs. Events include special dinners for close to $200, including some with wine pairings. The annual Great Arizona Picnic offers food from dozens of Valley restaurateurs. Admission to the picnic costs $10. Live music adds to the festivities, and there’s usually a beer garden in one corner of the mall.
8. Waste Management Phoenix Open
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (602) 870-0163
Address: 17020 N. Hayden Rd.
Insider Pick:
Description: The Phoenix Open is considered the world’s most-attended golf tournament, though many spectators go for the food, cocktails, and people-watching more than the actual tournament. It’s unlike any other golf experience with the rowdy crowds on the stadium-like par-3 16th hole and late-night Bird’s Nest party tent. The tournament course is one of the most picturesque in the West. On a sunny day it’s relaxing to sit on the lawn and watch some of the top golfers in the world. Tickets at the gate cost $25 per person; children 17 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. The TPC course is adjacent to the Scottsdale Princess Resort (see the Resorts chapter).
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 16601 N. Pima Rd.
10. Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (480) 515-1500
Address: 16601 N. Pima Rd.
Description: Founded in 1955, the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show attracts more than 200,000 spectators. It’s one of the world’s largest Arabian horse shows, with 2,400 of the world’s finest steeds competing for more than $1 million in prize and scholarship money. A main arena and 2 secondary arenas run simultaneous classes in halter, English pleasure, trail horse, hunter, jumper, dressage, Western pleasure, and other categories. Two huge tents become display space for more than 250 exhibitors from around the world selling clothing, jewelry, fine art, food, and horse accessories. Daily admission to the 10-day extravaganza is $10 per day. Seniors pay $7; children under 13 are admitted free.
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 16601 N. Pima Rd.
12. Scottsdale Arts Festival
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Address: 7380 E. 2nd St.
Description: The work of more than 185 artists and artisans is featured in this juried outdoor show that is ranked among the top art festivals in the country. Adding to the ambience are musical performances on 2 stages, food and beverage booths, and an area for children. The event takes place on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in mid-March. General admission is $7.
13. Phoenix Film Festival
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (602) 955-6444
Address: 7000 E. Mayo Blvd.
Description: The Phoenix Film Festival is held every spring and brings together independent and experimental filmmakers from the local area and around the world. It runs for a week and showcases some art films with bigger budgets, though the emphasis is on the more cutting-edge, marginalized filmmakers. Visitors have a chance to mingle with the directors, actors, and writers and share ideas on their favorite medium. Individual screenings are as low as $10, but a festival pass is a better value. Passes run from $30 for 1 day to $150 for the whole festival.
14. Scottsdale Culinary Festival
City: Scottsdale, AZ
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (480) 945-7193
Address: 7380 E. 2nd St.
Insider Pick:
Description: This long-running annual event is a weeklong salute to the culinary arts, featuring some of Arizona’s top chefs. Events include special dinners for close to $200, including some with wine pairings. The annual Great Arizona Picnic offers food from dozens of Valley restaurateurs. Admission to the picnic costs $10. Live music adds to the festivities, and there’s usually a beer garden in one corner of the mall.