Scottsdale Update - Oct. 19, 2026

What keeps Scottsdale running? Meet the people behind your everyday city services.

Arizona Cities & Towns Week is underway through Oct. 24, and Scottsdale is spotlighting the employees, volunteers and elected officials who keep the community running. From delivering safe drinking water and maintaining roads to responding to emergencies, caring for parks and providing library, recreation and senior services, city teams support residents in countless ways every day.

Learn more.

Forbes ranks Scottsdale Airport No. 8 among nation’s busiest business jet airports.

The ranking recognized the airport's role in connecting businesses and visitors to the region. The airport handles more than 160,000 takeoffs and landings annually and supports over 5,170 jobs, approximately $392 million in payroll and nearly $1.1 billion in annual economic output. Located near Scottsdale’s business and tourism destinations, the airport supports corporate aviation and regional connectivity, while the surrounding Scottsdale Airpark serves more than 59,000 employees across major companies and small and midsized businesses.

Learn more.

Run the Runway returns to Scottsdale Airport Oct. 25.

The event features an all-ages 5K, a one-mile fun run for children 12 and younger, and a post-race festival with aircraft displays and entertainment. Registration costs $50 for the 5K and $30 for the kids’ race, plus fees, with proceeds benefiting local nonprofits that support youth activities, aviation history, veterans and aviation career scholarships. Separately, the airport’s runway and all taxiways will close at 9 p.m. Oct. 24 for scheduled pavement preservation and are expected to reopen at noon Oct. 31.

Learn more.

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 Oct. 19:

• Tourism Development Commission: 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20
• City Council Special Meeting: 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20
• City Council Regular and Work Study Meeting: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20
• Audit Committee Regular Meeting: 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21
• Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting: 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21
• Airport Advisory Commission Special Meeting: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21
• Scottsdale Housing Agency Governing Board Regular Meeting: 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22
• Human Services Advisory Commission Regular Meeting: 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22

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

Find more public meetings.

Eek at the Peak!

For a ghoulishly good time, join us for this fun, free event at Pinnacle Peak Park for a pre-Halloween skele-bration! We will have costume contests set up by age groups with gift card prizes, educational tables, bat visitors and craft tables set up for the whole family to enjoy! Costumes are encouraged but not required. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a water bottle if you plan on hiking the trail.

• 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at 26802 N. 102nd Way.

Desert Dog Police K9 Trials & Public Safety Expo.

Desert Dog Police K9 Trials & Public Safety Expo, hosted by Arizona Law Enforcement Canine Association (ALECA), welcomes fans and followers to WestWorld of Scottsdale in the largest Police K9 competition in the country. These furry, four-legged officers will show off what it takes to be a canine in active duty in an action-packed two-day K9 competition!

Fans will witness the talent of 70 canine teams from across the country, as they take over the Tony Nelssen Equestrian Arena and test their skills through exhilarating on-field obstacles, simulating real life scenarios that law enforcement encounters daily.

• 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, and Sunday, Oct. 25, at WestWorld of Scottsdale
• 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.

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 starting Oct. 3, 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.

WIMBY: What’s in my backyard?

Get answers to that question at a relaxed community open house with food, a tour of the fire station and department vehicles and the chance to talk one-on-one with city staff. Learn about projects, services and events happening in your neighborhood while connecting with friends and neighbors close to home.

• 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at Fire Station 607, 11230 N. 132nd St.
• Register online.

Government 202: Understanding and connecting with your city.

What is Scottsdale's form of government? Where can you find information about city projects and initiatives, or about City Council, board or commission meetings? Who handles city elections and how does one begin their journey to run for office? How can you offer input or get more involved? These are just a few of the topics that will be covered in "Government 202: Understanding and connecting with your city." This deep dive session will feature presentations and discussions with the Scottsdale City Clerk and Community Involvement.

• 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at the Scottsdale Community Design Studio, 7506 E. Indian School Road
• Register online.

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.

Register for fall Neighborhood College classes.

Strong neighborhoods start with engaged residents. Scottsdale’s Neighborhood College gives residents, neighborhood groups and homeowners associations the knowledge, resources and tools to help address community issues and become effective neighborhood leaders.

Learn from professional and volunteer instructors through classes covering city programs and services, volunteer opportunities, personal safety, HOA guidelines and more. Classes are free, but registration is required.

View the class schedule and register online at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “Neighborhood College.”

Thomas Road waterline improvements start this week.

Work on the Thomas Road Improvement Project will transition from sewer system improvements to water line upgrades this week. Water improvements will happen in two phases. The first phase will begin Oct. 19 at the Thomas and Scottsdale roads intersection. On Oct. 26, work will move to the Thomas Road and 68th Street intersection. The first phase of work is scheduled to be complete by Thanksgiving.

The second phase of work, in the same locations, is scheduled to start in April 2027 and will be complete in June 2027.

Both intersections will remain open during construction with occasional travel lane restrictions to accommodate crews. Business access will be maintained throughout the project. Crews will work daytime hours, Monday through Friday. Traffic barricades will remain in place 24/7 to protect the work zone.

The sewer and water projects are taking place prior to a roadway improvement project that will address pavement and maintenance issues on Thomas Road between 56th and 73rd streets.

Job of the Week: Deputy Director Water Quality.

You’ll lead a team of water quality professionals and oversee drinking water compliance, laboratory operations, scientific testing, and environmental protection programs. From managing regulatory requirements to guiding long-range planning, you’ll help ensure the city meets rigorous water quality standards. Your work also helps ensure Scottsdale residents have access to safe, reliable, high-quality water while protecting the community and environment from potential contamination.

Learn more and apply.

Meet Scottsdale’s new preserve manager.

Scottsdale welcomed Justin Eddinger as the new McDowell Sonoran Preserve Manager. He brings experience in land stewardship, habitat restoration, trail planning and volunteer engagement, along with an environmental management degree from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in geographic information systems. In his new role, Justin will oversee daily Preserve operations, support staff and volunteers, coordinate ecological monitoring and work with conservation partners to protect more than 30,000 acres of Sonoran Desert.

The story behind Scottsdale Spring Training.

Scottsdale’s Spring Training tradition began with a conversation at the Pink Pony in March 1955, when a request was made to bring the Baltimore Orioles to town. With no ballpark in place, local regulars quickly rallied to raise money for a new facility. Construction began that June, and the ballpark opened by November, helping establish the foundation for Scottsdale’s connection to the Cactus League. The city’s Facebook reel revisits this piece of local history as Scottsdale celebrates its 75th anniversary.

WestWorld drainage improvements underway.

Construction is underway on a major drainage improvement project at WestWorld to strengthen stormwater management and help reduce flooding risks during heavy rain events. Crews are installing a new drainage system designed to increase the site’s stormwater capacity and provide long-term protection for WestWorld and nearby areas. Take a closer look at the project.