The WM Phoenix Open
The WM Phoenix Open, played at TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course every February, is Scottsdale's highest-profile annual event and is widely described as one of the highest-attendance tournaments on the PGA Tour calendar, known for a rowdier, party-atmosphere crowd than a typical professional golf event. The tournament reshapes the city during its week: expect heavier traffic, harder-to-get restaurant reservations, and higher hotel rates across Scottsdale, not just near the course itself. Exact dates move year to year, so check the tournament's official schedule if you are planning to attend or planning to avoid it.
Cactus League Spring Training
Cactus League spring training brings Major League Baseball exhibition games to Scottsdale Stadium and other Valley venues, typically getting underway in late February and running into March. It draws its own dedicated wave of visitors on top of the WM Phoenix Open crowd, and the two events can overlap on the calendar in a given year. See our spring training guide for a fuller look at the Cactus League and how to plan around it.
The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show
Held at WestWorld of Scottsdale, the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show is widely described as one of the largest Arabian horse shows in the world and is another fixture of the city's busy February calendar. It draws an equestrian-focused crowd distinct from the golf and baseball audiences arriving the same month, and it adds to the general lift in hotel demand across the city during that stretch.
Old Town ArtWalk and Arts Festivals
Unlike the seasonal events above, the Scottsdale ArtWalk is a year-round weekly fixture, held Thursday evenings when Old Town's galleries along Main Street and Marshall Way open their doors for extended hours. It is the most reliable single event to plan around if your visit does not line up with the winter calendar. Scottsdale also hosts periodic arts festivals through the year; check the Scottsdale Arts organization's calendar or the Experience Scottsdale events page for what is scheduled during your travel dates. See our art galleries guide for more on the gallery district itself.
Parada del Sol and Western Heritage Events
Scottsdale's Western-heritage roots show up in dedicated events as well, including the Parada del Sol parade and festival, typically held in late winter. These events lean into the city's ranching and frontier history in a way that complements the more contemporary gallery and resort side of Scottsdale covered in our Old Town Scottsdale guide. As with the other events on this list, confirm current dates through the event's official source rather than assuming a fixed annual date.
How to Plan Around Event Crowds
If your trip overlaps with one of Scottsdale's major February events, book hotels and dinner reservations earlier than you would for a quieter week, and expect more traffic getting around the city. If you would rather avoid the crowds altogether, early winter before the February run of events, or the shoulder months on either side of peak season, tend to be calmer. See our best time to visit guide for the broader seasonal picture.