Scottsdale Update - Nov. 24, 2025
HEADLINE NEWS
Scottsdazzle kicks off Saturday, Nov. 29! Experience a month-long holiday celebration like no other - complete with dazzling decor, exceptional dining and shopping, festive tours and unforgettable events. Join us at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, for the Jingle & Jazz Tree Lighting Spectacular. This year's event is hosted by community and city leader, Kira Peters, and features a main stage jazz performance by The New Guard Big Band, as well as kids activities, dance performances and stunning decorations. Sip on a hot cocoa, nibble on seasonal snacks and engage in general merriment sure to put you in the mood for a very happy holiday indeed. The night culminates with the lighting of a 36-foot Scottsdazzle tree.
Most city offices and facilities will be closed Nov. 27-28 for Thanksgiving. Solid Waste collections will shift for the holiday: Thursday pickups move to Friday, and Friday pickups move to Saturday. Remember to place your containers in their usual spot by 5 a.m. on collection day—or set them out the night before to ensure timely service.
Scottsdale Fire Department Annual Toy Drive kicks off early. 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.
Council amends zoning ordinance in response to state legislation. The Scottsdale City Council has amended the city’s Zoning Ordinance to comply with Arizona’s new Middle Housing law (HB2721), which requires cities to allow duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes on certain single-family residential lots. While Scottsdale previously restricted multi-unit housing on single-family lots, the new law mandates that Middle Housing be permitted within one mile of Old Town and in portions of large new residential developments over ten acres. The law includes several limits and requirements, such as ensuring eligible areas have full city services and preventing cities from imposing restrictions like height limits below two stories, commercial building codes, fire sprinklers or excessive parking requirements.
Learn more about the zoning ordinance ammendment
Scottsdale Farmers Market finds new home at City Hall. The Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market is moving from its longtime spot at the First Street and Brown Avenue parking structure to the City Hall surface lot at 75th Street and Bennie Gonzales Way. The relocation, approved by the Scottsdale City Council on Nov. 17, will begin with the 2026–27 season to accommodate an expansion of the current parking structure. City leaders emphasized that the goal is to keep the market thriving with minimal disruption while still supporting vendors and visitors. The new location will offer more space and easier access while continuing to host the same wide variety of goods, activities and community events.
Learn more about the new Farmers Market home
Axon Headquarters agreement moves forward. The Scottsdale City Council voted 4–3 to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with Axon Enterprise, Inc., moving forward plans for an expanded international headquarters campus in the city. The agreement allows Axon to develop a multi-phase campus that includes new office space, a manufacturing facility, a hotel, commercial areas and supportive multi-family housing, with residential density reduced from 1,882 units to 1,200. Axon will also be responsible for building key infrastructure such as road improvements, utility upgrades, a public dog park and a one-mile pedestrian and bike loop around the site. As part of the MOU, the company will provide the city with five years of no-cost access to Real-Time Crime Center technology to support public safety.
Learn more about the Axon Headquarters Agreement
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 1:
- City Council Regular Meeting – 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1
- City Council Regular Meeting – 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2
Learn about the responsibilities of city Boards and Commissions and how you can serve.
THINGS TO DO
All aboard for Holiday Lights at the Railroad Park! Holiday Lights will take place 6-9:30 p.m. Nov. 28-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.\
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
Veterans AZ: Mike Fallon and Jim Unsworth - Marine recon on Hill 119, Vietnam. High atop a remote hill in Vietnam, United States Marines found themselves in a regular fight for survival. Hill 119 was seemingly cut off from the world, but the Marines who stood watch there survived together through duty, grit, and brotherhood. In this episode of Veterans AZ, we sit down with Mike Fallon and Jim Unsworth, both Arizona residents who spent time on that distant hill during the height of the Vietnam War. They share what that experience was like – theirs is a story of war, resilience, and the lasting power of shared service.
FYI
Job of the Week: Civil Engineer. In this role, you’ll provide innovative engineering solutions and expert guidance on a wide variety of development projects, helping shape the city’s growth and infrastructure. While your work will be technical, you’ll also collaborate closely with private developers, consultants, public agencies, and multiple city departments. Your expertise ensures that development projects meet high standards, helping Scottsdale remain a leader in quality of life, innovation, and responsible growth.
NEW ONLINE:
Scottsdale Police go “Over the Edge” for Special Olympics Arizona. Scottsdale Police joined participants rappelling 27 stories off the City Center building in downtown Phoenix to support Special Olympics Arizona during its Over the Edge event. The event highlights the daily challenges faced by individuals with developmental disabilities—and inspires courage in all of us. Check out the photos of SPD in action!
Don’t hit the road without the essentials! Heading out for the holidays? Make sure your vehicle emergency kit is stocked with the right items to keep you safe on the road. Learn more about the must-have essentials before your trip!
Scottsdale Fire mentors future firefighters at Coronado High.
Engineer Chad Gibby spent the morning guiding East Valley Institute of Technology Fire Science Academy students through real-world firefighting skills, from hydrant operations to attack line techniques. Find out how Scottsdale Fire is helping prepare the next generation of firefighters with hands-on training and mentorship!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