Scottsdale Update - Sept. 21, 2026

Last call for Scottsdale Salutes nominations.

The program recognizes local veterans, active-duty military members and National Guard and reserve members. Selected honorees will have banners displayed on Old Town light poles for two weeks in November, be recognized at a special Veterans Day reception and be invited to participate in the annual Parada del Sol Historic Parade. Nominees must live in Scottsdale, have previously lived in the city or have a strong local connection, such as working in Scottsdale for at least five years. Nominations are open through Friday, Sept. 25.

Learn more and submit a nomination.

Scottsdale Airport schedules routine runway maintenance.

Scottsdale Airport will temporarily close Runway 03/21 and all taxiways in October for pavement preservation work designed to extend the life of the existing airfield. Overnight closures will run from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Oct. 18–23, followed by a full closure beginning at 9 p.m. Oct. 24, with the airport scheduled to reopen at noon Oct. 31; no aircraft operations will be permitted during the closures. Funded through aviation enterprise revenues, the project will help preserve the pavement between major resurfacing projects, reduce future maintenance needs and support safe, efficient airport operations.

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 Sept. 21:

• City Council Regular and Work Study Meeting: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22
• Industrial Development Authority Regular Meeting: 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23
• Neighborhood Advisory Commission Regular Meeting: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23
• Planning Commission Regular Meeting: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23
• Scottsdale Housing Agency Governing Board Regular Meeting: 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24
• Human Services Advisory Commission Regular Meeting: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24

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

Find more public meetings.

Scottsdale Airport Blood Drive.

To reserve your donation time, sign up online at Vitalant.org (Enter Code: 100560358) or scan the QR code at the bottom of the event page. For questions, please email Kelli Kuester or call 480-312-8482.

Donate Sept. 11-30 and receive a glow-in-the-dark Halloween tee! You’ll also receive entry to win one of two $10,000 gift cards in our Fall Giveaway. Donor Rewards program opt-in required.

• 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 1500 N. Airport Drive

Pop Punk Picnic.

Get ready to scream your heart out, Scottsdale! Join Parks and Recreation for our first-ever Pop Punk Picnic. Throw on your most nostalgic outfit, dust off those band tees, and bring your friends to this free, all-ages event featuring a live performance by Mike Goodrick playing all of your favorite pop-punk hits. On top of the live music, we’ll have local food vendors, a cocktail garden, photo booths and pop-punk themed activities for everyone to enjoy, so come relive the glory days, grab a drink and let’s rock out under the stars.

• 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at Scottsdale Civic Center

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 7495 E. Bennie Gonzales Way
• Learn more.

Arizona Restaurant Week.

Eateries offer a prix fixe dinner for $33, $44 or $55 (prices can be per person or per couple), giving locals and visitors the chance to channel their inner foodie and finally try that restaurant on their wish list. Participating restaurants are not only known for their exceptional cuisine, but they also spare no expense to give diners an extraordinary culinary experience!

• Sept. 18-27, in Old Town Scottsdale
• 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.

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.”

Nominations for Spirit of Scottsdale Awards are open.

The city is accepting nominations to recognize those who strengthen our community through their commitment to and involvement in Scottsdale neighborhoods. The Spirit of Scottsdale Awards, presented by the Neighborhood Advisory Commission, celebrate residents and organizations that have shown dedication to enhancing neighborhood identity and addressing community needs by fostering productive dialogue and contributing time, effort, skills, and/or financial resources. The deadline for nominations is Thursday, Dec. 31. To learn more about the Spirit of Scottsdale Awards and to submit a nomination, visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov and search “Spirit of Scottsdale Awards.”

Job of the Week: WestWorld Operations Tech III.

This hands-on position leads daily maintenance and facility operations while preparing arenas, maintaining grounds, responding to safety concerns and operating a variety of heavy equipment. From equestrian to special events, you’ll help keep WestWorld safe, clean and ready for every occasion.

Learn more and apply.

Where you place it matters.

Scottsdale offered a quick reminder to residents that where you place brush and bulk piles can make a big difference. Keep piles in open, unobstructed areas and at least four feet away from water meters, utility boxes, fire hydrants, city containers, block walls and other fixed objects. Materials should also stay clear of landscape lighting and irrigation systems to help prevent damage from collection equipment.

Before splash pads, there was a fire hose!

This flashback post from Scottsdale Parks and Recreation takes us back to the 1970s, when kids at Eldorado Park found a unique way to cool off during the Scottsdale summer. Rural/Metro Fire Department crews sprayed water from a fire hose atop a tall ladder, turning the park fields into a giant neighborhood splash zone. Decades later, the ways to beat the heat may have changed, but the goal remains the same: getting outside, having fun and making memories.

Scottsdale firefighters answer the call in Oregon.

Scottsdale Fire Department personnel with Arizona Task Force 7 are continuing wildfire operations in Oregon, helping protect homes, infrastructure and other areas at risk. Near Dayville, crews have secured spot fires and supported strategic burning operations to help slow the wildfire’s spread. Scottsdale firefighters are also working alongside wildland crews from Australia and New Zealand as agencies from around the world come together to fight the massive blaze.