The City of Scottsdale announced the return of its popular holiday extravaganza, Scottsdazzle. With events happening throughout the Old Town area from Friday, November 8 through Saturday, December 21, this impressive line-up is sure to put anyone in the holiday spirit. Many of these seasonal events are free and family-friendly.
The City of Scottsdale invites locals and visitors alike to get in the holiday spirit beginning as early as Friday, November 8 with the unveiling of Canal Convergence, a project dedicated to amazing art installations along the Canal Bank. The featured piece that will stay in place throughout Scottsdazzle is called Standing Wave by Squidsoup, an interactive light and sound installation that will be displayed above the canal.
Murmurations, another interactive art piece will be suspended between the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) and the Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts at Scottsdale Civic Center during Scottsdazzle, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of SMoCA. Murmurations will use a networked data system to connect hundreds of lights and audio sources, creating a responsive data swarm.
During the daytime, “Murmurations” will offer a harmonious auditory experience, but when the sun goes down, a dynamic audiovisual experience will swirl around the museum-like its namesake — a term for a flock of starlings whirling in unison through the sky.
One final art piece that will be featured during Scottsdazzle is “Swarm,” by Toy Studio (United Kingdom). This piece, also suspended along the canal, mimics the flocking behavior found in schools of fish and flights of birds through the movement of light across a series of LED tubes.
On Saturday, November 23, the city’s weekly Old Town Farmers Market located at Brown Avenue and 1st Street becomes the place to find the perfect artisan, local and handcrafted gifts for everyone on the list this year in addition to fresh produce and more. The market is open from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. each following Saturday through December 21.
Scottsdazzle really kicks into high gear on Saturday, November 30 with the official Holiday Sing-Along & Tree Lighting event at Scottsdale Waterfront. From 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. guests of all ages can enjoy a magical evening chock full of holiday goodies and hot chocolate beginning with a Scottsdazzle tradition — a sing-along led by a group of local celebrities featuring classic Christmas tunes and leading up to the actual lighting of the Scottsdale’s specially designed holiday tree featuring an array of customizable color combinations.
November 30 also marks an important shopping day — Small Business Saturday! With all the locally owned shops, retailers and restaurants in Old Town, guests are encouraged to do their part to keep the city’s economy strong (and keep it local!) while also enjoying some great local promotions just in time for the holidays.
On Saturday, December 7 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., 5th Avenue magically transforms into Sugar Plum Avenue — a fairytale village including sugar plum fairies, princesses, snow flake stilt walkers, aerial performances, candy land bounce houses, a tea party in the street, and more.
The free Canal Concert Series also kicks off on Saturday, December 7 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Soleri Bridge Plaza with the melodic sounds of The Scottsdale Chorus. Additional holiday-themed concerts take place at the same place and time on Saturday, December 14 featuring the Phoenix Girls Choir and Saturday, December 21, when Campanillas del Sol Handbell Ensemble takes the stage.
Scottsdale’s popular Gold Palette Artwalk on Thursday, December 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. showcase Old Town’s finest art galleries while also celebrating the holiday spirit! Guests can peruse the quaint streets of the Scottsdale Arts District while mingling with local artists in their own studios. Strolling carolers, other holiday sounds and refreshments are sure to get guests in the seasonal spirit.
In addition to the Canal Concert and the weekly Old Town Farmers Market on Saturday, December 14, there is much more holiday spirit to go around! From 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the traditional Miracle of Roses Pageant takes place at the Old Adobe Mission and then from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., wine aficionados can enjoy the Santa Wine Around, a wine-tasting event featuring special discounts at participating local wineries and a commemorative wine glasses for those over 21-years-old guests who come dressed as Santa, Mrs. Claus, or even an elf.
New this year is the Sweet Treat Trail an immersive dessert tasting experience that takes place in Old Town featuring a “taste-around” at nearly a dozen local sweet shops, taking place on Sunday, December 15 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
On Friday, December 20, just days away from Christmas, the Old Adobe Mission hosts a free event dedicated to celebrating the reason for the season — the Live Nativity with Adult and Children’s Choir Performance from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Throughout Scottsdazzle, a multitude of Old Town merchants and restaurants will offer holiday specials, cocktails and much more during November and December! Scottsdazzle.com will serve as a community resource and directory for these events and offers, with updates being added as new events and offers are available. For more information visit www.scottsdazzle.com.
