The Ultimate Guide to Events in Scottsdale and Phoenix
Experience the pulse of Arizona's 2025 Event Season in Scottsdale, Tempe and Phoenix! From college football bowls to Barrett-Jackson, the lively Phoenix Open, MLB Spring Training, and Innings Fest, discover winter's top events in the Valley of the Sun.
OCTOBER 30, 2024
The end of the holiday season marks the beginning of an exhilarating Event Season in Arizona, making it arguably the best time to experience the state’s vibrant culture. It’s the moment when winter-weary travelers from all corners of the country flock to the sunny haven of Scottsdale and Phoenix, and the calendar is packed non-stop with thrilling activities.
The year starts with a bang as college football brings the VRBO Fiesta Bowl and the newly renamed Rate Bowl, setting the stage for a season of sports and entertainment. The VRBO Fiesta Bowl will host 2 yet to be determined teams on Dec. 31 2024 in Glendale, Az at State Farm Stadium. But first, the Guaranteed Rate Bowl will host two yet to be determined teams on Dec. 26 in Phoenix, AZ at Chase Field.
Things get more exciting as Barrett-Jackson rolls into town Jan 18-26, 2025. Barrett-Jackson hosts more than 1,700 show worthy cars over 9 days in Scottsdale at Westworld. If you are lucky enough to catch the auto auction action, you’ll witness high intensity bidding for cars and for dollars most of us could only dream of. Barrett-Jackson is also starting the week off with the Rock The Block Concert with a yet to be announced artist.
Barrett-Jackson is the crown jewel as well as the largest auction but it isn’t the only rodeo in town. Bonham’s is a one day auction that sees some of the week’s priciest vehicles. Mecum Auctions takes over State Farm Stadium and Gooding & Co., RM Sotheby’s and Worldwide Auctioneers also host auctions in various parts of the Scottsdale & Phoenix Metro Area during Arizona’s auto week.
Right after Auto Week the Waste Management Phoenix Open arrives. Dubbed “The Party of the PGA”, it is a great time to experience golf like no other place. The WM Open is unique in that you don’t need to be a golfer of any sort to enjoy Waste Management Open. Great times and good business deals are to be had here. The kickoff Concert at the 16th Hole Coliseum will host Post Malone in 2024. The Bird’s Nest is the premier nighttime concert venue during the WM Phoenix Open, featuring an abundance of food and drink vendors, making it a must-visit for enjoying performances by some of the world’s top music artists. Every night has a different artist headlining the stage (see schedule below).
Arizona Cocktail Weekend arrives in 2025 on February 27 and runs til March 4. This wonderful event showcases some of the best bartenders and bars from around the world. Enjoy cocktails and dancing at the Cocktail Carnival in Walter Where?House on Saturday night, it’s a great night to enjoy some of the best cocktails along with an immersive light and sound display, art, music and circus performers. Sunday evening hosts our favorite Top Bars, where 40 of the world’s best bars showcase two signature cocktails. There is something for everyone here and is a not to miss event. Monday hosts the exciting The Last Slinger Standing contest, where some of Arizona’s top mixologists battle it out to become champion.
Cactus League Spring Training begins February 20, 2025, and there isn’t a better state to host MLB spring training. Enjoy the Arizona sun with most of your favorite teams’ stadiums all within a 30 minute drive from one another, with one stadium right in Old Town Scottsdale!
Prepare to be amazed on the first weekend of the Innings Festival as the stage comes alive with the dynamic performances of headliners and big names like The Killers, Beck, Fall Out Boy, Boyz II Men, Incubus, and The Black Keys for weekend 1. But that’s not all; Innings Fest is also bringing in Slightly Stoopid, The All-American Rejects, Neon Trees, Jack Kays, Winona Fighter, Boyish, Gary Clark Jr., Jack’s Mannequin, The Kills, Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge, Anna Graves and Good Boy Daisy. What makes this weekend even more special is the presence of baseball legends such as Evan Longoria, Jim Abbott, Jake Peavy, Brett Butler, Jessica Mendoza, Vince Coleman, Chili Davis and Junior Spicy just to name a few, making it an event that seamlessly blends sports and music.
The excitement continues into the second weekend with headliners The Lumineers, Kacey Musgraves and Kings of Leon, putting on unforgettable performances. This weekend promises an equally star-studded lineup of music and baseball legends with the likes of Megan Maroney, Grace Potter, The Red Clay Strays, Maren Morris, Javy Lopez, Andres Dawson, and more.
Don’t wait too long to secure your tickets, as they are already available and in high demand. Grab them before they sell out and make sure you don’t miss out on this epic musical and sporting spectacle.
From April 2-6, 2025, Arizona Bike Week roars into town, offering motorcycle enthusiasts an unmatched experience. WestWorld hosts the official Bike Week event, complete with nightly concerts, stunt shows, and factory demo rides. Just a short 20-minute ride from WestWorld, you’ll discover Cave Creek, the unofficial heart of Bike Week. Here, you’ll find a charming western town with a rich motorcycle history. Its bars and restaurants come alive with bikers and devoted fans of the culture, creating an electric atmosphere that’s not to be missed.
Endless Excitement with Events in Scottsdale and Phoenix
From the revving engines of Barrett-Jackson to the elegance of the Phoenix Open, the thrill of Spring Training, the sophistication of Cocktail Week, and the musical and sporting extravaganza of Innings Fest and The Birds Nest, the beginning of the year is an exciting time to visit Scottsdale and Phoenix. With events catering to a wide range of tastes from Bachelorette Parties, Stag Parties, birthday celebrations, golf trips, and divorce parties, it’s the perfect way to kickstart your year and escape the winter blues.
Looking for the perfect bachelorette gifts to celebrate your bride-to-be’s weekend? Discover our top picks and make her bachelorette celebration unforgettable.