Discover Scottsdale’s Winter Magic with Fresh Resorts, Art Events, and Desert Holiday Celebrations
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As the Sonoran Desert cools down, Scottsdale offers a variety of new experiences perfect for those seeking a winter getaway from the cold—or the daily grind. From resort renovations and pickleball courts to art exhibitions, live performances, and festive holiday events, Scottsdale makes for an ideal snow-free escape filled with warmth and excitement.
Resort Roundup
The Big News: Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort Launches
This month, the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch unveils its stunning $115 million renovation, transforming into the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort—the first Grand Hyatt hotel in Arizona. The newly reimagined resort offers 496 luxurious rooms and six unique dining experiences curated in collaboration with celebrity chef Richard Blais. Guests can enjoy a refreshed 10-acre pool complex and indulge in relaxing treatments at the upgraded Spa Avania, all while embracing the Southwest’s enchanting spirit.
Nestled in the Sonoran Desert, Castle Hot Springs invites guests to experience its newly expanded 2024-2025 programming, centered around the healing power of nature. As Arizona’s original wellness retreat, the resort offers the “Connecting with Water” tour to explore the history and benefits of its mineral-rich hot springs, along with a “Wellness Through Water” package featuring mindful soaking, private Watsu treatments, and rejuvenating hot spring sessions. Additionally, the Farm-to-Bar curriculum now includes a Molecular Mixology class utilizing fresh, homegrown ingredients.
For those seeking active adventures, Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale has added full-time pickleball instructor David Rogers. Guests can enjoy lessons on one of the resort’s 12 courts or book “Pickleball Stay & Play” packages, complete with accommodations, court time, and dining credits. The resort’s spa also offers “pickleball pampering” treatments, topped off with pickleball-inspired cocktails at the Grill Kitchen & Bar.
Art + Entertainment
Starting this month, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation debuts a series of immersive tours and programs at Taliesin West, the architect’s winter home and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the 120-minute Behind-the-Scenes Guided Tour (January-May 2025), weekly Sunsets & Sips happy hour events, a monthly Film Series, and weekend photography workshops with Andrew Pielage. Discovery Day on November 9 offers $5 admission for adults, allowing more visitors to experience Wright’s legacy.
The Musical Instrument Museum opens its new exhibit, Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars, on November 8. This three-day event showcases 70 masterfully crafted string instruments by renowned European makers, including Antonio Stradivari. Visitors can enjoy live performances, curator talks, and family-friendly activities throughout the weekend.
Scottsdale Arts’ Canal Convergence returns to the Scottsdale Waterfront with the theme “Reflections.” This free, 10-night event features large-scale public art installations by global artists, alongside live music, dance performances, workshops, and an educational mini film festival. Attendees can also savor delicious treats from food trucks and unwind in the beer and wine garden.
Winter Wonder
The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North transforms into a winter haven with its “Desert-A-Glow” seasonal programming. Guests can enjoy a Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day brunch, participate in gingerbread-decorating classes, and gather around for outdoor holiday movies. Don’t miss the Gingerbread Afternoon Tea offered each weekend in December, or the special Breakfast with Santa.
Great Wolf Lodge Arizona celebrates the winter season with its beloved Snowland tradition, featuring daily snow showers, Santa visits, themed crafts, and a hot cocoa bar. The lobby hosts a magical Snowfall Celebration each evening, complete with jingle bells, holiday tunes, and festive games for the whole family.
From November 27 through January 12, the Phoenix Zoo and McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park are aglow with holiday lights and displays. Visitors can stroll through ZooLights, featuring glowing animal lanterns and festive light shows, or ride the open-air train at McCormick-Stillman, surrounded by captivating lights and animatronic displays.
For an unforgettable winter experience, Desert Ridge Marketplace’s Ember Lounge returns November 8 through January 12, inviting guests to enjoy cozy craft cocktails and a chef-driven menu beneath a 50-foot dome with mesmerizing projections. And at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, the Christmas at the Princess festival brings holiday cheer with over 10 million twinkling lights, an ice skating rink, and the new “STARLIGHTS: An Electric Symphony” show.
Finally, Scottsdale’s end-of-year celebration, Scottsdazzle, blankets Old Town in seasonal joy from November 30 to December 31. The event kicks off with a tree lighting ceremony and sing-along, followed by the festive Scottsdazzle Stroll, holiday-themed art walks, Peppermint Plaza cocktails, and the Merry Merchantile Market, making it the perfect holiday destination.
