Mega events like the Barrett-Jackson glam car auction, WM Phoenix Open golf tournament and spring training draw visitors to Scottsdale by the thousands this time of year.
Western Week, by contrast, is more of a “locals only” scene.
“Happy Western Week, Scottsdale!” Mayor Lisa Borowsky recently posted. “Are you ready Scottsdale?!?! Because I am ready to saddle up with you!”
Scottsdale – also known as “The West’s Most Western Town” – gets ready to ride into another weeklong celebration honoring the city’s Western roots, Native American cultures and local history.
The annual event takes place throughout Old Town Scottsdale from Saturday, Jan. 24, through Sunday, Feb. 1, featuring family-friendly activities, cultural experiences and signature community events.
Visitors as well as residents are invited to hands-on workshops, historical programs, live entertainment and trips to the Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West.
The week-plus festival culminates with the favorite event of many longtime Scottsdalers: the Parada del Sol Historic Parade.
“Western Week is a meaningful way to celebrate the people, stories and traditions that helped shape Scottsdale,” City Manager Greg Caton said. “As we celebrate Scottsdale’s 75th anniversary in 2026, this tradition connects our past with the vibrant, welcoming community we are today and invites everyone to be part of that legacy.”
The week begins with interactive events such as a frybread-making workshop at the Scottsdale Waterfront, a Parks and Recreation Wild West Roundup for families at the Civic Center and Scottsdale’s Magical History Tour at the Civic Center Library.
Throughout the week, Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West will host classic Western films – with free admission days in celebration of Western Week.
Old Town galleries join the festival with the Western Week Gold Palette ArtWalk starting at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29.
The popular Pony Express Ride lands in Old Town at 11 a.m. Jan. 30.
One of the week’s largest events, the Arizona Indian Festival, returns to the Scottsdale Civic Center on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.
Hosted by the Arizona American Indian Tourism Association, the festival features representatives from all 22 Arizona tribes, along with traditional arts and crafts, cultural demonstrations, food, performances and the Indigenous Food Symposium.
The grand finale is the 72nd Annual Scottsdale Parada del Sol Historic Parade and Trail’s End Festival Jan. 31. Approximately 150 entries including floats, mounted riders, marching bands and horse-drawn carriages will celebrate Scottsdale’s diverse cultural heritage under the 2026 theme, “A Diamond in the Desert: Celebrating 75 Years of Scottsdale.”
Following the parade, Historic Old Town will transform into a Western-style festival with live entertainment, food trucks and activities for all ages.
For a schedule of events, maps and details, visit OldTownScottsdaleAZ.com.