There’s always something spectacular to do in Scottsdale, whether you’re looking for a fun weeknight out or you’d like to spend the weekend exploring our beautiful city – and December 2018 is no exception. There are dozens of fantastic things to do around town this month, and this list will help kick your adventures into high gear.
Scottsdale, AZ Events: December 2018
Check out these great events to stroll into December on the right foot.
- McDonald’s Rock ‘n Roll Car Show
- Carnival of Illusion
- Urban Art Tour
- Electric Desert
- Scottsdale Wine Fest
- Local Light
- Jurassic Winter Wonderland
- Christmas in the Rainforest
- Scottsdazzle
- Fountain Hills Stroll in the Glow
- Carefree Christmas Festival
- ZooLights
- Las Noches de las Luminarias
- Illumination Symphony of Light
- Holiday Lights at Railroad Park
The longest-running show of its kind, the McDonald’s Rock ‘n Roll Car Show is packed with classic cars and motorcycles. It’s a free event that takes place every Saturday throughout December from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: The Pavilions at Talking Stick Shopping Center
8800-9199 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale
More information: https://www.talkingstickarizona.com/mcdonalds-rocknroll-car-show
Explore more than 70 art pieces in the Urban Art Tour, which runs daily in Scottsdale by appointment only.
More information: https://www.joyridesaz.com/
Electric Desert encompasses seven site-specific locations around Desert Botanical Garden and offers spectacular light and music shows.
Location: Desert Botanical Garden
1201 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix
More information: https://www.dbg.org/exhibits/electric-desert/2019-05-12/
Wine tastings, giveaways and so much more await at the Scottsdale Wine Fest on December 1. Tickets are available now for the event, which takes place on December 1 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Wasted Grain
7295 East Stetson Drive, Scottsdale
More information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-scottsdale-wine-fest-wine-tasting-in-old-town-tickets-50406140122
Local Light, run by Scottsdale Public Art, is decorating LDV Winery, On the Edge Gallery, Vintage by Misty, the Herb Box, XO Confections and Carlson Creek Vineyard Wine Tasting Room. You can tour the lights through December 31.
More information: https://www.scottsdalearts.org
Designed for kids of all ages, the Jurassic Winter Wonderland at Pangea – Land of the Dinosaurs is holding its first Christmas celebration this year. Play in real snow, write letters to Santa and join in a snowman building contest. Santa will be in attendance on December 15 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., but the event runs through all of December.
Location: Pangea – Land of the Dinosaurs
9500 East Via de Ventura C-100, Scottsdale
More information: https://pangaealandofthedinosaurs.com/events/
Celebrate Christmas with the butterflies at Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale. Christmas in the Rainforest features festive holiday décor and lets you get up-close-and-personal with the butterflies.
Location: Butterfly Wonderland
9500 East Via de Ventura, Scottsdale
More information: https://butterflywonderland.com/special-events/#wonderland
The Stroll in the Glow Festival is packed with holiday magic. On the Avenue of the Fountains in Fountain Hills, you’ll find thousands of sparkling lights.
More information: http://www.fountainhillschamber.com/stroll-in-the-glow/
The Carefree Christmas Festival offers “holiday fun for everyone.” It starts with the tree lighting ceremony and holiday film night on Friday, November 30, and then there’s a Chanukah menorah lighting each evening at 5:30 between Sunday, December 2 and Sunday, December 9. Then, the Christmas in Carefree Festival lasts from Friday, December 7 to Sunday, December 9 – and that’s where you’ll play in the Holiday Happenings Area, stroll through Carefree Desert Gardens and have breakfast with Santa.
Location: 101 Easy Street, Carefree
More information: https://www.carefree.org/269/Christmas-in-Carefree
The Phoenix Zoo’s annual Zoo Lights festival runs all through December and includes a 200-foot-long Polar Slide™, live reindeer and so much more all included with admission.
Location: Phoenix Zoo
455 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix
More information: https://www.phoenixzoo.org/event-items/zoolights/
December 1 to December 23, and then December 26 to December 31, enjoy the lights of Las Noches de las Luminarias – a Southwestern holiday tradition.
Location: Desert Botanical Garden
1201 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix
More information: https://www.dbg.org/events/las-noches-de-las-luminarias/2018-12-01/
Illumination Symphony of Light is a truly spectacular display of millions of lights coordinated perfectly with music. It’s the world’s largest animated holiday light show, and it’s at two locations this year: One is Diablo Stadium in Tempe and the other is North Phoenix at I-17 and Jomax.
More information: https://worldofillumination.com/
Enjoy holiday lights at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park all throughout December. The lights go on at 6:30 p.m. and go off at 9 p.m.
Location: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
7301 East Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale
More information: https://www.therailroadpark.com/?post_type=event&p=200
Are You Buying a Golf Course Home for Sale in Scottsdale?
Ready to start exploring golf course communities in Scottsdale? Check out our:
- Desert Highlands homes for sale
- Dove Valley Ranch homes for sale
- FireRock homes for sale
- Kierland homes for sale
- Las Sendas homes for sale
- McCormick Ranch homes for sale
- Pinnacle Peak Country Club homes for sale
- Rio Verde homes for sale
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You can also check out listings in all Scottsdale’s golf communities here.
Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team – RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-405-4228
don@azgolfhomes.com
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