As dawn breaks over a new year in Scottsdale, what could possibly go wrong?
According to an AI summary, “Scottsdale generally receives excellent visitor ratings” – with words like “charm” and “beauty” popping out.
Outsiders pour into “The West’s Most Western City” this time of year to escape bone-chilling winters. They generally return home with raves.
“Embrace the calmness,” the website ilovevacations.com urges. “Scottsdale, Arizona is renowned for its luxurious resorts, stunning desert landscapes, and vibrant culinary scene.”
Millions of visitors annually pump nearly $4 billion into the booming local economy.
While cranes dotting Scottsdale’s landscape silently testify to the growth of the city, invisible transactions filter millions of “bed tax” and sales tax to the city’s government, allowing it to make scores of new hires.
Sounds good all-’round, right?
And yet …
Some will tell you the visitors – and even casually-engaged residents – only see the city’s facade.
Indeed, Scottsdale is coming off perhaps its most fractious year in decades.
Mayor Lisa Borowsky spent her first year in office being thwarted by City Council representatives Barry Graham, Kathy Littlefield, Adam Kwasman and Jan Dubauskas.
Councilwoman Solange Whitehead mockingly dubbed those four “the bloc,” insinuating they were using back channels to frustrate not only the mayor – but the majority of residents.
In fitting fashion, the last meeting of 2025 had Graham insisting procedural changes pushed by the bloc gives residents more time to speak – with Whitehead countering that removing the public comments section that opened meetings for decades was an effort “to silence the public.”
The harsh words likely will continue in 2026, as Whitehead and Graham launch reelection campaigns.
Kathy Littlefield will “term out” to put a third council seat on the ballot; Bob Littlefield, Kathy’s husband and a former city councilman, is pondering another run.
They and other candidates will debate how Council is steering the city.
In 2026, the city of Scottsdale will mark its 75th anniversary since its incorporation in 1951.
Here are some of the big events for Scottsdale in 2026:
January
The Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board, coming off a 2025 that rivaled Scottsdale City Council for drama, holds its first meeting of the new year at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6.
In December, capping months of emotional pleas and depressing slide shows on declining enrollment, the SUSD board voted to close two schools.
This year’s SUSD meetings are likely to be just as heightened, as Superintendent Scott Menzel has a plan for more school closures.
This time last year, “the bloc” shocked many by canceling a month-old sustainability plan, following that by “canceling” the city’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
This year, Borowsky just fired the first shot in her battle with the bloc, flexing her muscles to schedule a Jan. 7 “downtown Council summit.” The special meeting is likely to take on the planned parking garage that Borowsky reviles, as “downtown parking solutions” is featured on a draft agenda.
City Council is scheduled to have its first regular meeting of the year Jan. 13.
A few days later, “The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions” returns to Scottsdale.
The Barrett-Jackson event takes place at WestWorld Jan. 17-25.
Thousands of high-end, unique and collector’s dream automobiles will be auctioned, with millions captivated in-person or watching on live television and streaming.
Back on the local politics front, Borowsky is scheduled to give her “State of the City” address at 8 a.m. Jan. 22 at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.
Next up for a busy month: Scottsdale’s annual “Western Week.”
Event highlights include: Western Week Gold Palette ArtWalk (6 to 9 p.m., Jan. 29); the Pony Express mail delivery (Jan. 30); the iconic Parada del Sol Parade (9 a.m. to noon, Jan. 31); and the culminating Trail’s End Festival (noon to 5 p.m., Jan. 31).
February
Whispering crowds admiring brilliant pro golfers with polite applause?
Not here.
Also known as “The People’s Golf Tournament,” the WM Phoenix Open’s famous/infamous 16th Hole is a frat party on the greens: Beer-chugging spectators alternately lustily cheer and howlingly boo golf shots they praise or declaim.
The tournament was just dubbed “Event of the Year” by the PGA – the sixth time the Scottsdale tournament has scored the honor for “a tournament that excels in every facet of the event, from fan and player experience to charitable impact.”
The 2026 WM Phoenix Open returns to TPC Scottsdale February 2–8, bringing back “The People’s Open” for its 91st edition.
Information: wmphoenixopen.com.
Those interested in a more restrained sporting event can visit the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show.
“The greatest horse show on Earth” returns to WestWorld Feb. 12-22, featuring world-class horses, kid-friendly activities and plenty of entertainment.
February is also “play ball!” time for another top-tier sporting event: spring training.
While half of Major League Baseball teams will train in Florida, the other half ramp up for the long season with spring games around the Valley.
Scottsdale has two venues: Scottsdale Stadium and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick; the latter is just outside the city’s borders.
On Feb. 20, the Arizona Diamondbacks play the Colorado Rockies at Talking Stick. Two days later the San Francisco Giants host the Chicago Cubs at Scottsdale Stadium.
The Cactus League action brings tens of thousands of visitors to Scottsdale.
On more of a “locals only” vibe, the annual Founders Day celebration will be held Feb. 26. The event recognizes Scottsdale’s founder, Chaplain Winfield Scott, and his wife Helen as champions of education. This is the 116th anniversary of the opening of the Little Red Schoolhouse.
March
Spring Training games continue through March 24.
SUSD students end the third quarter March 13, starting a week-long spring break.
April
After circling the globe with his camera, Pete McBride returned home to study a crucial waterway. A showing of his works over two decades documenting the Colorado River will be held April 2 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.
On the local politics front, April is huge:
The deadline to file signatures is April 6, according to City Clerk Ben Lane.
Before soliciting signatures of support, candidates must submit a “statement of interest” form to Lane.
The exhilarating, adrenaline-pumping Arizona Bike Week roars into Westworld April 8.
May
WestWorld is just for horse, car and motorcycle shows, right?
Nope.
On May 16, the Scottsdale event center hosts Collect-A-Con – the nation’s largest trading card, anime and pop culture convention.
The West Coast Conference Baseball Tournament takes place May 20-23 at Scottsdale Stadium.
The West Coast Conference was formed in 1952 and now includes Gonzaga, LMU, Pacific, Pepperdine, Portland, Saint Mary’s, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Clara and Seattle University.
On the topic of colleges … Many Scottsdale Unified seniors will prepare for post-high school education by “walking the walk” at May 21 graduation ceremonies.
Other SUSD students have early release May 22 – the last day of the school year.
June
Scottsdale City Council and the SUSD Governing Board will cap months of meetings and study sessions by passing annual budgets.
The spending plans must be passed by June 30.
July
The city’s celebration of Independence Day takes place at WestWorld.
Bull riding and kid-friendly games will go on for hours – leading up to a big fireworks show after sundown.
August
Speaking of fireworks …
After what is expected to be months of debate, chest-thumping and accusations, Scottsdale’s primary election will be held Aug. 4.
Any of the council candidates can gain enough votes to win “outright.”
Otherwise, depending on the number of candidates who run for the three seats, the field will be narrowed for the November General Election.
September
Feeling a little quilty?
The Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival travels around the country before stopping in Scottsdale Sept. 3-5.
The festival offers “a wide variety of sewing, quilting, needle-art and craft supply exhibits.”
October
For most of October, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park transforms into a “haunted park of fun for our annual Halloween Spook-Track-ula.”
The kid-centric events are “a little spooky, but never too frightening.”
November
The General Election is Nov. 3.
Also in November, Scottsdale will light up with “Canal Convergence,” an annual arts show along the waterfront that draws thousands to Old Town.
Dates have not been announced, the festival typically starts around Nov. 7 and runs for 10 days and nights.
December
The city gets festive with the annual Scottsdazzle celebration, which unofficially kicks off the holiday season.
Dec. 31 marks Councilwoman Kathy Littlefield’s last day in office.
The question, just under a year away: Who will replace her?
And will Graham and/or Whitehead be reelected – or will one or both of them also “clock out” at the end of 2026?
Stay tuned …