Scottsdale Update - Nov. 9, 2026

Most city offices and facilities will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day.

Trash and recycling collection is not affected. Place your containers in their usual spot by 5 a.m. the morning of collection or the night before.

Honor veterans at Scottsdale’s Nov. 11 ceremony.

Join Scottsdale’s free Veterans Day ceremony at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, between the Merci Train and the Blue Star Memorial. Former U.S. Navy SEAL Lt. Rob Sarver will deliver the keynote address. The program includes remarks from Mayor Lisa Borowsky, the national anthem performed by MCSO Sgt. Lenny Miller and recognition of student writing contest winner Pippa Arthur. Pre-ceremony music begins at 2:30 p.m.

Scottsdale Water adjusts treatment operations following storm runoff.

Scottsdale Water increased staffing and monitoring at its Chaparral Water Treatment Plant after recent storms caused higher river flows and sediment levels in untreated water from the Salt and Verde watersheds, taking additional steps to maintain safe, reliable drinking water service. Although increased reservoir releases and runoff have raised water levels in the SRP system, they do not change Scottsdale’s existing water supply entitlements; however, the city may benefit from available Roosevelt Lake storage and is evaluating infrastructure improvements to move treated SRP water into northern Scottsdale.

Get a head start learning about city issues, projects and activities by attending or listening in on the many public meetings we host.

Week of Nov. 9:

• City Council Regular and Work Study Meeting: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10
• Human Services Advisory Commission Regular Meeting: 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12

Week of Nov. 16 – Check back next week for the full list:

• Personnel Board Regular Meeting: 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 16
• Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee Regular Meeting: 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16
• PSPRS Police Local Board Regular Meeting: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18
• Council Committee on Community Safety Regular Meeting: 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18
• Airport Advisory Commission Regular Meeting: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18

Learn about the responsibilities of city Boards and Commissions and how you can serve.

Find more public meetings.

Canal Convergence.

Canal Convergence is a free, 10-night event featuring 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 and a beer and wine garden. In addition to the event’s perennial focus on interactivity and the union of water, art and light, this year's theme is Western Nature.

Stroll along the canal to experience a wide range of subjects, from physical elements, such as water resources, natural landscapes, climate and native flora and fauna, to more complex topics like the diverse cultures, histories and characteristics of the American West.

• Nov. 6-15, at the Scottsdale Waterfront
• Learn more.

U.S. Navy Band Commodores: Live in Scottsdale.

The Commodores will perform at the Scottsdale Civic Center, offering a free opportunity to experience an outstanding ensemble of professional Navy musicians. The Commodores are a 19-member ensemble that has performed for the Navy and the nation for more than 50 years. Their music celebrates the breadth of American jazz, featuring everything from World War II-era swing and classic big band standards associated with Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Thad Jones to vocal jazz honoring Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. The band also showcases original compositions written by its own musicians.

• 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
• No tickets required. Learn more.

Scottsdale Civil War Roundtable.

The Scottsdale Civil War Roundtable will host constitutional scholar and author Mark Graber for a discussion about the Constitution of the Confederate States of America and its role in the American Civil War. Graber will draw on his book, Punish Treason, Reward Loyalty: The Forgotten Goals of Constitutional Reform After the Civil War, along with his extensive research and publications on American constitutional history.

• 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, in the Copper Auditorium at Civic Center Library
• The doors will open at 5 p.m., providing an opportunity to meet the speaker,
• browse the book sale and view Civil War videos.
• Learn more about this free event.

Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market.

The Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market is a crowd favorite on Saturday mornings in Old Town Scottsdale! Bustling with locals, it features over 100 local growers and specialty food producers. Whether it is the aroma of freshly baked bread that you can't resist or you are on the hunt for seasonal ingredients, you are sure to find it at the market.
Please note: The farmers market has moved to its new location at the Scottsdale City Hall parking lot.

• 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturdays at 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
• Learn more.

Join the Scottsdale 75 Picture Scavenger Hunt.

Never been to Taliesin West? Or the Mustang Wall at Mustang Library? The Scottsdale 75th Anniversary Picture Scavenger Hunt is underway, offering a fun way to explore places you’ve never visited and revisit longtime favorites across the city. This all-ages community challenge highlights the people, places and history that have shaped Scottsdale.

Using the Seeker app, participants visit 75 designated locations, take selfies to earn points and can pick up some city swag while learning more about the West’s Most Western Town. Complete all 75 stops and bonus activities to be entered to win grand prizes.

To play along, create a free account. Be sure to send it out to your family and friends to participate as well.

Explore galleries during Scottsdale ArtWalk.

Scottsdale is home to more than 50 galleries, dedicated to exhibiting the finest visual art from Arizona and around the world. Stroll at your own pace. 7-9 p.m. most Thursdays throughout the year. Specialty-themed Gold Palette ArtWalks are held 6:30-9 p.m. about once a month.

Ongoing

• Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts: Attend exciting, live performances throughout the year.
• Discover Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West activities.
• Get Scottsdale Sister Cities events.

Get more events information.

Free fall workshops help Scottsdale residents save water.

Scottsdale Water is offering a series of free fall workshops to help residents conserve water, improve landscape efficiency, understand utility bills and learn more about the city’s long-term water supply. From September through November, workshops will cover topics including converting grass to xeriscape, selecting desert-friendly plants, detecting leaks, understanding rebates and learning about Scottsdale’s diversified water portfolio. The series also includes a guided tour of the Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden, where residents can see practical examples of water-efficient landscaping.

Learn more and register online.

Job of the Week: Deputy Director – Tourism & Events.

ou’ll oversee day-to-day department operations and guide teams responsible for special events, marketing, tourism programs and venue business development. This position manages major city contracts and partnerships, including Experience Scottsdale and Scottsdale Arts, ensuring accountability, fiscal responsibility and alignment with city priorities. Your work helps ensure Scottsdale’s tourism and cultural programs deliver meaningful value to the community.

Learn more and apply.

A howdy to Scottsdale’s history.

Scottsdale's reel revisited the Howdy Dudettes, a group of Western-dressed goodwill ambassadors established in 1959 to welcome visitors and represent Scottsdale at community events, parades, ribbon-cuttings and conventions. From greeting guests at Hotel Valley Ho to participating in the Parada del Sol parade, the Howdy Dudettes shared Scottsdale’s Western spirit from the 1950s through the late 1970s and early 1980s. The historical feature is part of the city’s yearlong celebration of Scottsdale’s 75th anniversary.

Desert wildlife spotlight: Harris’s antelope squirrel.

The Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve is highlighting the Harris’s antelope squirrel, a small ground squirrel native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts that can easily be mistaken for a chipmunk. The feature shares some of its unique adaptations for desert living, including using its bushy tail as a sunshade, climbing barrel cacti to eat the fruit and building underground burrows beneath shrubs and trees to escape the heat. Hikers are encouraged to watch for these resourceful desert residents while exploring the Preserve.

Scottsdale Fire promotes wildfire preparedness.

Scottsdale Fire recently hosted a Wildland Fire Prevention and Mitigation Training Event at Fire Station 613, bringing together 21 attendees, including North Scottsdale residents, representatives from local Firewise communities and members of the media. Presentations from Scottsdale Fire, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and Solid Waste highlighted coordinated efforts to reduce wildfire risks throughout North Scottsdale. The event emphasized the importance of community preparedness and partnerships.