HEADLINE NEWS

Play ball! Tickets for 2026 Giants Spring Training are now on sale. Baseball is right around the corner, and Scottsdale is gearing up for another unforgettable Spring Training season. Tickets for the 2026 Spring Training games at Scottsdale Stadium are now on sale, giving fans the chance to secure seats early for one of the city’s most iconic traditions - and they make a perfect gift for the upcoming holiday season.

Scottsdale Stadium—home to the San Francisco Giants during the Cactus League season—will welcome fans beginning in February 2026 for weeks of baseball, sunshine and community celebration.

MAG approves funding swap, securing $29.29 million for Scottsdale Road project. The Maricopa Association of Governments has approved a funding swap that secures the full $29.29 million needed for Scottsdale’s Scottsdale Road improvement project between Jomax Road and Dixileta Drive. The change shifts the project from federal funding to regional Proposition 400 sales tax funding after design updates made the project ineligible under the original federal grant criteria. MAG and the city worked together to reassign the federal dollars to other eligible regional projects while replacing them with regional sales tax funds to keep Scottsdale’s project on track. With funding secured, Scottsdale will continue moving forward with design and construction planning for this key north Scottsdale corridor.

Learn more.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

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 Dec 8:

• Human Relations Committee Regular Meeting: 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8
• Library Board Regular Meeting: 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10
• Planning Commission Regular Meeting: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10
• Scottsdale Environmental Advisory Commission Regular Meeting: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10
• PSPRS Police Local Board Regular Meeting: 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 11
• Development Review Board Regular Meeting: 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11
• Human Services Advisory Commission Regular Meeting: 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11
• Audit Committee Regular Meeting: 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12

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

Find more public meetings.

THINGS TO DO

Meet Santa at the Farmers Market. Old Town Scottsdale’s beloved Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market continues with a festive twist and a special holiday guest! Santa will be joining the wide array of farmers and vendors to make for a very special Saturday morning. Children of all ages and furry friends too can sit with Santa and receive a printed photo to cherish for years!

Be sure to visit all the local merchants and artisans to see their deliciously fresh produce and offerings, perfect for the holiday table. You just may find gifts for everyone on your list!

• 9 a.m. - noon Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market, 3806 N. Brown Ave.

Merchantile Market. Step into the magic of The Merchantile's vibrant outdoor market! Immerse yourself in a bustling atmosphere with over 100 vendors, engage in hands-on make and take experiences, sip on your favorite beer or cocktail while you groove to live music, eat delicious food, and let the kids in your life partake in free activities tailored especially for them.

• 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Scottsdale Civic Center, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

Holiday Art Show. Art students from our senior centers will display their work including watercolor, oil & acrylic, photography, ceramics and more. This is a free event will include live music, refreshments, and a coffee bar.

• 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda

Interested in submitting your art? Artists can submit four pieces to the Via Linda Senior Center front desk from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Monday - Thursday, through Dec. 11. Call the Via Linda Senior Center at 480-312-5810 for more information.

Chocolate Wonderland. Enjoy an afternoon outside on the beautifully decorated Scottsdale Waterfront while indulging in one of life's treasures...chocolate!

Press pause on the holiday bustle and learn how to create your very own chocolates by rolling, dipping and coating your signature flavor. To kick off the class, you’ll discover how chocolate is sourced and chocolate 101 facts followed by a guided tasting. Then it is time to roll up your sleeves to create a scrumptious delicacy to take home. The class is led by Sue Berliner, owner of Old Town Scottsdale’s b Naked Chocolates and creator of locally-made, clean chocolates and sweets.

• Noon Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Marshall Way Bridge, 7124 E. Stetson Drive
• Tickets are $35
• Register online

Holly Jolly DIY Decor. While humming to the sounds of live holiday music at the beautifully decorated Scottsdale Waterfront, join the Scottsdale Artists’ School for a hands-on, 3D ornament-making session. Professional artists will lead attendees in decorating and creating their very own unique holiday decoration. Enjoy live holiday music during the event!

The event is free and does not require reservations, but we kindly ask you to RSVP to help us prepare supplies and ensure a first-class experience for you.

• 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Marshall Way Bridge, 7124 E. Stetson Drive

Scottsdazzle Stroll & Shop. Wander through Old Town Scottsdale’s own winter wonderland and stroll to the beat of local musicians! Get enveloped in the spirit of the season while meandering along the canal banks of the Scottsdale Waterfront, which is illuminated with holiday lights and stunning decor. Stop by the stunning 36-foot Scottsdazzle Tree for a selfie or a family photo, enjoy concerts and live entertainment and warm up with hot cocoa and seasonal snacks. Wander through Old Town Scottsdale’s own winter wonderland and stroll to the beat of local musicians!

• 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Scottsdale Waterfront Canal Bank, 7135 E. Camelback Road

Sparkle & Spin Scavenger Hunt. Discover Old Town in a whole new way! Led by a city of Scottsdale’s Police Detective, this holiday head-scratcher invites guests to hop on their bikes and spin around Old Town for a seasonal scavenger hunt. Puzzles and riddles lead participants from clue to clue, culminating in one final challenge to earn a unique holiday keepsake. Participants are encouraged to level up the festive fun by decorating their bikes and dressing in their best (or worst) holiday attire.

• 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Marshall Way Bridge, 7124 E. Stetson Drive
• Tickets are $15
• Registration is required.

All aboard for Holiday Lights at the Railroad Park! Holiday Lights will take place 6-9:30 p.m. through Tuesday, Dec. 30, at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. The park will be transformed into a festive winter wonderland featuring dazzling light displays and train rides aboard the Paradise & Pacific Railroad. With limited capacity to enhance the guest experience, this popular event offers residents and visitors a chance to enjoy Scottsdale’s holiday spirit and create lasting memories with family and friends. Purchase tickets online.

Explore galleries during Scottsdale ArtWalk. Scottsdale is home to more than 100 galleries, dedicated to exhibiting the finest visual art from around the world and locally. Stroll at your own pace. 7-9 p.m. Thursdays. 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.
• Find McDowell Sonoran Conservancy events.
• Discover Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West activities.
• Get Scottsdale Sister Cities events.

Get more events information.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Scottsdale’s Xeriscape Garden Tour. Take a guided walking tour through Scottsdale’s demonstration garden. It’s the perfect way to see how desert-friendly landscaping can be both stunning and simple! The walking tour may be up to two miles. Please meet in front of the restrooms between Softball Fields 1 & 2. Bring water, a hat and sunscreen. Space is limited, please register to reserve a spot.

• 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at Chaparral Park, 5401 N. Hayden Road

Register online.

FYI

Learn about proposed updates to Scottsdale’s fire-defensible space rules at upcoming open houses. The city is hosting two open houses where residents can learn about and comment on proposed changes to the Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) Ordinance and the Fire Code. These updates focus on how fire-defensible space is managed within ESL areas.

The goal of the changes is to modernize the rules, so they better reflect current environmental conditions and address issues identified in the existing ordinance.

• 3 – 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Florence E. Nelson Desert Park Community Multi-Use Room, 8950 E. Pinnacle Peak Road

Additional meeting dates and locations are to be scheduled. View the case info sheet for more details.

Donate to Scottsdale Fire Department’s Annual Toy Drive. Scottsdale Fire is now collecting unwrapped toys and gift cards through Dec. 22 at all fire stations and headquarters to support families in need. Each year, the effort gathers around 10,000 toys, helping more than 1,000 families. Donations are distributed to organizations such as Vista Del Camino, HonorHealth, Family Promise, Fosters Alliance and Harvest Compassion Center. Donors are especially encouraged to give items or gift cards suitable for children ages 7–12 and 13–18, which are often harder to shop for. For fire station locations, visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov and search “About Scottsdale Fire.”

Job of the Week: Assistant City Attorney II. This position provides a broad range of legal services to multiple city departments, offering critical guidance that helps ensure Scottsdale’s operations remain effective, transparent, and aligned with local, state, and federal law. In this role, you will identify, analyze, and resolve complex legal issues; prepare legal opinions and memoranda; draft, review, and negotiate contracts and other key documents; and provide knowledgeable counsel to city staff, leadership, and, when needed, the City Council. By delivering sound legal guidance, this position directly benefits the Scottsdale community—helping the city manage risk, uphold public trust, and provide high-quality services to residents and businesses.

Learn more and apply.

NEW ONLINE:

A wild day at the Family Resource Center! Things got wild at the Scottsdale Family Resource Center when the Phoenix Zoo dropped in for a special “Zoo to You” visit! Families enjoyed animal story time, hands-on learning, and up-close encounters with a snake, a hawk, and even an armadillo. Want to see the excitement for yourself? Go watch the reel and catch all the adorable, surprising moments!

Scottsdale City Hall through the decades. Take a quick trip back in time with a look at Scottsdale City Hall as it appears today compared to its 1968 debut. Designed by renowned architect Bennie Gonzales, the building’s shaded walkways, natural light, and Pueblo-inspired style helped define Scottsdale’s distinct civic identity. More than 50 years later, it still stands as the welcoming landmark he envisioned. See the transformation and discover more Scottsdale history.

Scottsdale’s holiday elves are here! Holiday magic is popping up all over Scottsdale as our Parks and Recreation maintenance team places mischievous elf statues throughout the city. These festive helpers—sent straight from the North Pole—are keeping an eye on who’s being naughty or nice while adding a touch of cheer to our parks and public spaces. See where the elves are hiding and join in the festive fun!

QUICK LINKS:

• City Call Center – 480-312-3111
• Report things that need to be fixed, or submit other requests via Scottsdale EZ
• Traffic Restrictions Map
• Stay in the loop, subscribe to ADOT Loop 101 construction updates
• Brush and Bulk Schedule
• Scottsdale Weather