Events: Arizona - Phoenix - Scottsdale

Giddy up! It’s time to round up in celebration of the city of Scottsdale’s Annual Western Week. From Saturday, Jan. 27 through Sunday, Feb. 4, Western Week honors Scottsdale’s Western roots and Native American heritage through a series of historical events, educational engagements, family-friendly activities and entertainment. Each unique event shines the spotlight on Scottsdale’s rich history and the vibrant cultures that define the community today.

“We’re pleased to announce the return of Western Week, our annual dedication to the city’s history, culture, people and heritage,” says Karen Churchard, director of Tourism and Events for the city of Scottsdale. “As the event has evolved, we are delighted to partner with many of our local businesses to present new and exciting opportunities for guests to participate in Western Week.”

Western Week kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024 in Historic Old Town and continues Sunday, Jan. 28 at the Marshall Way Bridge. Visitors can expect blacksmith demonstrations, line dancing, live entertainment and more. Signature events taking place during Western Week include:

Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market

Saturday, Jan. 27 | 8 a.m.-1 p.m.  

Guests can enjoy live music from a western band as they peruse the aisles of this city’s popular farmers market.

Western Spirit Gold Palette ArtWalk

Thursday, Feb. 1 | 6:30-9 p.m.

Scottsdale Arts District — from Main St. from Scottsdale Rd. to Goldwater Blvd., and north of Indian School Rd. on Marshall Way to 5th Ave.

Art enthusiasts are encouraged to mosey on through the Scottsdale Arts District, where they can enjoy Western Week-themed entertainment as well as featured exhibitions in the various participating Scottsdale Gallery Association member galleries.

The West’s Most Western Town – “THEN & NOW”

Thursday, Feb. 1 | 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West

Scottsdale’s Community Historian Joan Fudala leads this special presentation, which serves as a photo-rich history of the Parada from its origins to date.

66^th Annual Hashknife Pony Express Arrival

Friday, Feb. 2 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West

This one-of-a-kind experience celebrates the real-time arrival of the Hashknife Pony Express, the oldest officially sanctioned Pony Express in the world, which delivers more than 20,000 pieces of U.S. Mail to the steps of Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. In anticipation of the riders’ arrival at noon, the event kicks off at 9:45 a.m. on Marshall Way with a special History of Hashknife Pony Express Arrival presentation. Then at 11 a.m., guests can enjoy live music, bands, line dancers, Native American hoop dancers and royalty, kids’ activities and food trucks. Event is free, as is admission to the museum all day from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2 and Saturday, Feb. 3.

Arizona Indian Festival

Saturday, Feb. 3 | 9 a.m.-6 p.m.| Sunday, Feb. 4 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Scottsdale Civic Center

The Arizona American Indian Tourism Association (AAITA), in partnership with Arizona’s Native American tribes, hosts this annual event presenting guests with opportunity to discover more about the state’s Native American Indian tribes by exploring examples of traditional Indian villages and dwellings, experiencing traditional arts and crafts demonstrations and enjoying native food vendors and native mainstage entertainment such as dancing and singing. The Tribal Travel and Tourism offices will also be showcasing their native destinations.

70^th Annual Scottsdale Parada del Sol Historic Parade and Trail’s End Festival

Saturday, Feb. 3 | 10 a.m.-noon (parade), noon-4 p.m. (festival)                                      

Old Town Scottsdale – Scottsdale Road

Celebrating its seventh decade, the theme for the 70^th Annual Scottsdale Parada Del Sol Historic Parade and Trail’s End Festival is “Still Groovin’ After 70 Years.” This long-running beloved community event tips its hat to the city’s Wild West roots, beginning with a family-friendly parade featuring more than 125 entries such as vibrant floats, mounted horse-riders, horse-drawn carriages, school marching bands, wagons and stagecoaches representing multiple cultures from Mexican and Native American to Arabian and Western. The parade follows a route from Drinkwater Blvd. along Scottsdale Rd., finishing at Brown Ave. and Indian School Rd.

Immediately following the parade, Historic Old Town transforms into a massive Western-style block party with a kids’ zone, food trucks, merchandise vendors and multiple stages with live entertainment including concerts from today’s popular bands to traditional performers. Guests can expect the traditional nod to the Old West — with some groovy new additions in honor of the event’s 70^th anniversary. New this year, the 2024 Phoenix Men’s Final Four Fan Jam will make an appearance. The Fan Jam tour builds excitement for the coming 2024 Men’s Final Four — set to take place Saturday, April 6 and Monday, 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale — with basketball-themed games and other family-friendly activations.

In addition to these popular signature events, the city of Scottsdale is working with local merchants and businesses to present new experiences for this year’s Western Week. These exciting experiences will soon be announced!

More details on each of these events and the entire Western Week experience can be found at scottsdalewesternweek.com.

The city of Scottsdale’s rich history dates back more than 130 years to the original farming and ranching operations that earned it the title of “The West’s Most Western Town.” Today, Old Town is a bustling and sophisticated area with dozens of local boutiques, art galleries, fine dining establishments, wineries and craft breweries. However, the city maintain its “Wild West” charm, keeping its heritage alive and well. For more about the city of Scottsdale, visit scottsdaleaz.gov or oldtownscottsdaleaz.com.