Held from March 8th through March 10th, 2019, the Scottsdale Art Festival is an annual fair featuring food & drink, live music and of course art. Over 175 jury-selected artists compete in a juried contest and have booths with their art on display and for sale.
With two stages of rotating musical acts, there will be almost non-stop music to entertain you throughout the weekend. There will be delicious offerings from local food trucks, and you can indulge in your favorite adult beverages as you stroll through the amazing art-filled booths.
Festival Activities & More
Bring the kids—there will be kid-friendly activities at the festival. There’ll be giant yard games; who doesn’t like to play Giant Jenga? There are hands-on activities too, including Escape to Marble Mountain, where participants will learn to marble dye fabric and will be able to take home their creations.
The festival hosts an online art auction to raise funds for youth art education programs at the Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts, and last year the auction raised over $13,000. Bidding on the auction items is open for bidding during the festival, and all auction items are original works of art donated by festival artists.
Friday and Saturday festival hours are from 10am to 8pm, and Sunday hours are 10am to 5pm. Tickets for adults are $12/single day pass or $20/two-day pass, student (under 18 and with a valid student ID) tickets are $6, and the festival is free for kids. Visit the festival’s website for additional discounts and restrictions. And, as a festival goer, you can enjoy free admission to the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during festival hours.
The festival has teamed up with Scottsdale Trolley to provide extended hours of service during the festival weekend. Take advantage of the many free public parking lots and garages in the downtown area, then take the free trolley to and from the festival. There are also many paid parking lots surrounding the area.
There will be a wide variety of art mediums on display, from hand crafted jewelry, woodworking, ceramics, photography, sculpture and painting (including oil, acrylic and watercolor). There will be something for every taste and budget. Visit the festival’s website for more information on activities and artists.
Book Your Vacation to Scottsdale Now!
While you’re making your plans to attend the Scottsdale Art Festival this year, let Parsons Villa help you decide where to stay. Let our experienced staff help you find a rental property that fits your needs. Give us a call today at 888-600-7231!
Scottsdale Art Festival
Scottsdale Civic Center Park, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
7380 E. Second Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-499-8587
info@sccarts.org
Scottsdale’s Celebration of Fine Arts lasts for ten weeks, starting January 12, 2019 through March 24, 2019. For over 29 years art lovers have been coming out to the “big white tent” to browse booths filled with original artwork and meet the artists who create them.
Known as the “place where art lovers and artists connect,” this annual event allows you to explore more than 100 actual working artist’s studios. Watch each artist create works of art for display and sale. Artists will demonstrate their techniques for you as they work. Whether you are an art collector or are just thinking about becoming one, this is your chance to visit your favorite artist or meet a new artist and add to your collection. Or if you just love the act of creating, this is your chance to meet and interact with artists while they create their next masterpiece.
Fine Art in the Desert
This juried invitational show features artists from around the country and a wide variety of mediums. For a preview of the participating artists and examples of their work, visit the Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale artists webpage. Don’t forget to take note of the booth number for the artists you’d like to visit! You can also see photos of the past Celebrations on their Facebook page. Handcrafted jewelry, sculptures in bronze, stone and wood, ceramics, mosaic and fiber creations, glass items and photography are just a few of the different art mediums represented. Painting and drawing mediums include pencil, charcoal, pastels, acrylic, oil, and watercolor. Don’t miss the gourd art or the lost-wax castings! And all styles of art are represented: mid-century modern, impressionistic, contemporary, traditional, and western. There will be something here for everyone!
Visiting Scottsdale for the Event
The Celebration is open rain or shine, seven days a week, from 10am to 6pm, for ten weeks. Tickets are $10/adult, $8/seniors and military. Children under 12 are admitted free. Your ticket will act as a pass for the entire 10 weeks the festival is open. Free parking is available to make things easy. And, the Celebration Café will be open every day providing a relaxing spot for an art break.
While you are planning your trip to the Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale, let Parsons Villas help you find the best rental for your trip. Give our helpful, experienced staff a call today at 888-600-7231!
Celebration of Fine Art
18400 North Hayden Road
Big White Tents
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-443-7695
info@Celebrateart.com
One of two main fine arts festivals in Scottsdale, the Arizona Fine Art Expo lasts for ten weeks, from January 11, 2019 to March 24, 2019. This annual event gives you the opportunity to stroll through more than 100 actual working artist’s studios. You’ll be able to watch each artist as they create their masterpieces for display and sale at the event. Artists will share their techniques and inspirations.
Meet a Variety of Artists
If you are an art collector or you just love art, this is your chance to visit your favorite artist, or meet a new artist and add to your collection. And, it’s a rare chance to meet artists while they work and create their next masterpiece.
Artists from across the country will be showcasing their talents in a wide variety of mediums: stone carving, bronze and copper sculptures, wood sculptures, furniture, ceramics, paintings, glass, and photography. And all styles of art are represented, including mid-century modern, impressionistic, contemporary, traditional, and western. There will be something here for everyone.
For a preview of the participating artists and examples of their work, visit the Arizona Fine Art Expo’s artists’ page. Don’t forget to take note of booth number for the artists you’d like to visit. And, brush up on your fine art knowledge with the Expo Art Journal, the festival’s blog.
Don’t forget to visit the Garden Studios, this year featuring the work of Gregory Tombs and Jess Davila. Watch Gregory demonstrate the art of glassblowing and take a class in glassblowing or fused glass. Jess is famous for his stylized buffalo sculptures. Watch as he creates his works of art using marble, alabaster and limestone.
Visiting the Arizona Fine Art Expo
The Celebration is open seven days a week, from 10am to 6pm, for the full ten weeks. Purchase a season pass and return as many times as you like. Tickets/season pass are $10/adult, $8/seniors and military. Children under 12 are admitted free. Free parking is available onsite. And, the Café de EXPO will be open every day offering coffee, tea, sodas and snacks as well as a full menu (including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options) from 11:30am ‘til 3:00pm.
Whether you plan to attend the festival for all ten weeks or just a few days, let Parsons Villas help you find the best rental for your trip. Need help or have questions? Give our knowledgeable staff a call today – 888-600-7231!
Arizona Fine Art Expo
26540 N. Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ
480-837-7163
info@arizonafineartexpo.com
For over 30 years, the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts has been presenting the Sunday A’Fair in Scottsdale. From January through April, on almost every Sunday from noon until 4pm, the park around the Civic Center Mall becomes an open-air concert venue.
About the Sunday A’Fair
Each Sunday offers two different musical performances from the best Arizona-based artists. The first concert starts at noon and the second concert begins at 2pm. A few of the upcoming concert performances include La Luz del la Luna (traditional, Mexican Folklorico music including ranchera, bolero, and huapango), and Jaleo (big band jazz meets traditional Columbian music). Singer-songwriter Tessa Karrys and Nolan McKelvey & Muskellunge are also scheduled, and both will be performing their own original music. Also on the schedule are Indie folk-rock band Dirty Sunset and reggae/alt-rock/funk band Pride through Strife. And what would St. Patrick’s Day be without Irish music? Dublin-born singer Paul Carroll and the traditional Irish band Stilicho will be providing. Check the fair’s website for the concert schedule.
Sunday A’Fairs also have “pop-up” arts & crafts market on some select Sundays. There are always fun activities for the kids, and you can take advantage of the free docent-led tours of the sculptures in the park – including the famous LOVE sculpture. The LOVE sculpture’s location has been moved slightly and now stands at the NW corner of the Scottsdale Civic Center Library, but don’t worry, it’s still easy to find!
Bring your blanket and a picnic basket or purchase food from the food trucks. Lay back, relax and enjoy one or both concerts. Keep track of the weather as events may be canceled if bad weather rolls in. If the weather turns bad, you can head for the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Bad weather or not, plan on allowing enough time on your Sunday for a visit to the museum – admission is free during Sunday A’Fairs. SMoCA is open from noon to 5pm on Sundays. And, you can shop for unique items by local artists in The Store @ the Center while the museum is open.
Make Your Way to Scottsdale
While you’re planning your trip to Scottsdale, be sure to check the A’Fair’s concert schedule and plan accordingly. And let Parsons Villa help you with reserving your rental. Our experienced staff will help you find the perfect location for your trip. Give us a call today at 888-600-7231!
Sunday A’Fair in Scottsdale
Scottsdale Civic Center Mall
Selected Sundays – January 13 – April 7 2019
The Scottsdale Culinary Festival is a favorite Scottsdale festival. Held every April, this event is sponsored by the Scottsdale League for the Arts, an organization that hosts food-related events to raise funds for local non-profit organizations. The 2019 Culinary Festival runs from April 13th through the 19th at the Scottsdale Civic Mall. 100% of the net proceeds will go to supporting arts programs in Arizona.
About the Scottsdale Culinary Festival
Food, music, and beer! This year’s festival features over 35 restaurants and 18 live local bands performing on three stages. This year’s headliner is Berlin. Remember that song from Top Gun you couldn’t get out of your head? Well, this is that band! They will be on performing on the Stella Artois Stage on Saturday night. Bring your blanket, grab a brew and sit back and enjoy a blast from the past.
Buy a ticket to the Beer Garden where 200 specialty beers will be available for tasting. Presented by Four Peaks Brewing Company, you can sample different brews (in your very own souvenir mug) while talking to craft brewers and distributors. Or head over to Tito’s Handmade Vodka Lounge or Liquid Arizona. Presented by Phoenix Magazine, Liquid Arizona will feature Arizona spirits, wines, and craft beers.
The Family Fun Zone will have fun, crafts, and games with prizes for the kids! Admission to the Fun Zone is free with your Festival ticket. Visit the Scottsdale Culinary Festival’s website for FAQs and information on event times through the weekend. The festival is held rain or shine, and free parking is available in the Civic Center Garages.
Festival hours are Saturday, April 13th from 12-9pm, and Sunday, April 14th from 12-6pm. General Admission is $12/person online and $15/person on site. General Admission Tickets are for admission to the festival only and do not include food or beverages. Kids under 12 get in free! Beer Garden Tickets are $42/person online and $45/person onsite. Beer Garden Tickets include general admission, 20 4-oz beer samples and a souvenir mug (food sold separately). The Beer Garden is open from 12-7pm on Saturday and 12-6pm on Sunday. Tickets for the VIP Experience are $150/person for Saturday and $125/person on Sunday and include general admission plus catered food in the VIP tent, complimentary drinks and access to the Beer Garden.
Visiting Scottsdale
If you are planning a trip to the Scottsdale area for the Culinary Festival, let Parsons Villas help you find the best rental for your trip. Give us a call today at 888-600-7231 and let our friendly, knowledgeable staff can help you plan your trip.
Scottsdale Culinary Festival
Scottsdale Civic Mall
7380 East 2nd Street
Scottsdale, AZ
Planning your next visit to Scottsdale? Schedule your visit to coincide with the Parada del Sol Parade and/or the Parada del Sol Rodeo. The highlight of Western Week in Scottsdale, the parade is held in the beginning of February. Since its start in 1983, the parade has grown to be one of the world’s longest horse-drawn parades. The Parada del Sol Rodeo is held a month later, in the beginning of March.
The 2019 parade theme is Arizona Heroes, so come out and support the troops and first responders! Pre-parade entertainment starts at 9am with the famous Spanish Cabalgando X Arizona dancing horses. The official start of the parade is 10am.
After the parade, head over to the Trail’s End Festival in Old Town Scottsdale. Basically a giant block party, there will be live music, food and beverages and fun for all ages. The Kid’s Area will have pony rides, Old West gunfights and more. The Parade and Trail’s End Festival are both free events. Several streets in Old Town are closed to vehicular traffic and the festival takes over.
As part of the Western Week and Parada del Sol celebrations, The Arizona Indian Festival will be held at the Scottsdale Civic Center on Saturday, February 9, 2019 (from 9am – 6pm) and Sunday, February 10th 2019 (10am – 4pm). This free event celebrates Arizona’s indigenous communities.
The Parada del Sol Rodeo is a PRCA Sanctioned Rodeo event and is held at WestWorld in Scottsdale from March 7, 2019 through March 10, 2019. Cowboys (and cowgirls) will compete in roughstock events and timed events. Roughstock events include bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding, while timed events include steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, barrel racing and steer roping. This is the place to see Arizona’s best bull riding. Make sure to attend the Pro Bull Riding Event on Thursday night when the rodeo pits the country’s top bull riders against the meanest bulls in the rodeo! Ticket prices vary from $10 to $45 depending on the day and the event. Visit the Parada del Sol Parade and Rodeo website to buy your tickets.
And after the rodeo, stick around for the Coors Hoedown on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and on Saturday night be sure to join your fellow cowboys for the Rodeo Dance.
Book Your Scottsdale Vacation Today and Visit the Parada Del Sol Rodeo
If you are planning to be in town for the parade or for the Rodeo, let Parsons Villas help you find the best rental for your trip. Need help or have questions? Give our knowledgeable staff a call today at 888-600-7231!
Parada del Sol Rodeo, WestWorld
16601 North Pima Road
Scottsdale, AZ
Tickets: 480-648-4369
Office: 480-990-3179
By now, almost everyone is familiar with PF Chang’s Rock’n’Roll Marathon. Runners compete in a half and full marathon while listening to local bands play on several stages staggered throughout the course. And the marathon courses are known for cutting through the downtown areas of major cities throughout the country and abroad, bringing the race in direct contact with locals. The Arizona marathon is slightly different. This marathon course runs through three cities: Tempe, Phoenix, and Scottsdale.
About the Race
Usually held the Sunday before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, events include a full marathon, half-marathon, 10K, one mile and kid’s race. The race course is practically flat, with a rise of only 150 feet in elevation in the first ten miles. The 2020 PF Chang’s Rock’n’Roll Arizona Marathon will be held on Sunday, January 19th. And, with an average starting temperature around 40°, January in Arizona is perfect for runners.
The marathon and half-marathon courses are split, with the marathon course starting in downtown Phoenix near the CityScape Plaza while the half marathon and the newly added 10k start in Tempe. Both marathon races finish up in Tempe just outside Sun Devil Stadium. The recently redesigned half-marathon course is now an out-and-back loop starting and finishing near the Arizona State University’s Tempe campus. The course takes runners through Tempe and Scottsdale, crosses the Salt River twice, heads through Eldorado Park and takes a long stretch through Papago Park.
Register online at the PF Chang’s Rock’n’Roll Arizona Marathon’s website, and be sure to sign up for the newsletter; it’s full of updates and race information as it becomes available. Fees for the race are as follows: $80/half marathon, $90/full marathon, $50/10K. There are also senior runner discounts and discounts for running for a charity. Of course, there may be changes made to the race course and fees, and other events may be added, so keep checking the website. If you have any questions, there is an extensive FAQ page on the website. And be sure to visit the marathon’s Instagram and Facebook pages for plenty of pictures of past races. You can also download the Rock’n’Roll Marathon app – it provides real-time tracking and event information.
Rest After PF Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon
Whether you plan to run the half or full marathon or just cheer your friends on, let Parsons Villas help you find the best rental for your stay in the Scottsdale area. If you need help or have questions, just give our knowledgeable staff a call today at 888-600-7231!
So here you are, vacationing in the beautiful Southwest, and you realize it’s St. Patrick’s Day! Where are you going to celebrate? And do they even celebrate your favorite fun Irish holiday out here in the desert? Of course we celebrate it, and finding where to go is easy! Grab the family, put on as much green as you can, and head over to the annual Fountain Hills St. Patrick’s Day celebration, the Irish Fountain Fest. Just look for the giant green fountain!
About the Event
Fountain Hills and its famous fountain are located just 31 miles from Scottsdale to the northeast. The fountain shoots water 562 feet into the air for fifteen minutes every hour. And during the Fountain Hills St. Patrick’s Day celebration, as part of the city’s Irish Fountain Fest, the fountain is dyed green twice a day (at noon and again at 6pm).
There may not be a parade, but there are plenty of things to do and plenty of Irish-themed events to keep you in the mood. Lasting several days, the Irish Fountain Fest features traditional Irish Folk Dancing performances and Celtic rock bands will be performing. Bring the kids too; there is a giant kids’ zone with arts and crafts, wall climbing and a petting zoo. And the “Loving Leprechaun” will be wandering around giving away “lucky charms” to kids of all ages. And there will be bagpipers and food trucks and lots of beer!
Free of charge, the festival opens at 11am on St. Patrick’s Day. You can also wander through the Fountain O’Green Artisan Market, and admire (and buy) local original works of art, jewelry and apparel, Irish or not. Come on out – everyone loves to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day; it’s the one time of year where everyone has fun talking in their best (or worst) Irish accent.
You can find directions, up-to-date festival dates and more information on the Fountain Hills Irish Fountain Fest website, or give them a call at 480-816-5185. Fountain Park can be found at 12925 North Saguaro Boulevard in Fountain Hills.
Book Your Fountain Hills St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Getaway with Parsons Villas
If you happen to be in the Scottsdale area over St. Patrick’s Day, plan to attend the Irish Fountain Fest in Fountain Hills. And while you are scheduling your Irish Fountain Fest visit, let Parsons Villas help you find the best rental for your trip. Need help or have questions? Give our knowledgeable staff a call today at 888-600-7231!