Parada del Sol, Kierland Art & Wine Fest and More

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We’re heading into February with over 11K subscribers! Crazy! Thanks to you all for the support and constant feedback. Every little bit helps.

We have a PACKED week/weekend ahead of us. With Parada del Sol, Kierland Fine Art & Wine Festival, A Taste of AZ Food & Drink Festival and all the other great events taking place there’s a ton going on.

Let’s dive in!

Big things are happening in Old Town! Scottsdale is putting serious money where its mouth is with a $47 million investment in infrastructure, streetscape beautification, and economic development designed to keep our downtown thriving for years to come.

Recent pavement improvements across roads and alleys are already making a difference for safety and accessibility, while sewer upgrades near Stagebrush Theater and the completed Second Street and Goldwater Boulevard project are modernizing systems that keep everything running smoothly. More good stuff is on the way too, including expanded tree planting, new street furniture, wayfinding signs, and those gorgeous Fifth Avenue monument signs to strengthen the district's identity.

The Scottsdale Farmers Market is also relocating to a larger space outside City Hall, which is great news for anyone who's dealt with the crowds at the current spot. This is what smart investment in our community looks like!

The Parada del Sol Historic Parade returns this Saturday, January 31st, and it's one of those quintessentially Scottsdale events that's been running strong for over 70 years. More than 35,000 spectators will line the streets of Old Town to watch nearly 150 parade entries march down Scottsdale Road starting at 9:30 AM.

Once the parade wraps up around noon, the Trail's End Festival kicks off and runs until 5:00 PM. It’ll have live concerts, food trucks, vendors, and a KIDZ Zone with games and pony rides to keep the little cowpokes entertained. This is part of Old Town Scottsdale Western Week, so plan to make a full day of it!

Double-header weekend alert! The Kierland Fine Art & Wine Festival takes over Kierland Commons on Saturday, January 31st and Sunday, February 1st from 10 AM to 5 PM.

You'll find more than 100 juried artists showcasing their work, wine tastings from Arizona regional wineries, and live musical entertainment in that perfect open-air setting. Admission is free (wine tasting requires a paid ticket). I went to this event last year and had a lot of fun!

Here's a really cool event coming up on March 7th. Philanthropic Foodies brings together world-class chefs (including a James Beard Award winner) for an elevated culinary adventure at a private Paradise Valley residence from 6pm to 10pm.

You'll get to enjoy signature dishes crafted exclusively for this event, mix with fellow food lovers, and experience live music in an intimate, upscale setting. But what makes this special is the purpose behind it. Throughout the evening, there's a silent auction and live auction raising funds for The Singletons, a nonprofit that provides meals, support services, and relief for single-parent families navigating a cancer diagnosis.

It's one of those rare events where incredible food meets meaningful impact.

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Okay this looks fun! Looking for a date night or family outing that's way more memorable than dinner and a movie? Puzzle Rides in Old Town combines the thrill of an escape room with a golf cart tour, and it's genuinely unlike anything else around here.

Here's how it works: you and your crew pile into a golf cart with your own personal Puzzlemaster, then race against a 75-minute clock solving clues that lead you from one Scottsdale landmark to the next. The puzzles incorporate local history and hidden spots around town, so you're actually learning something while your brain works overtime. If you get stuck, your guide is right there with hints to keep things moving.

They've got five different themed rides ranging from beginner-friendly to their toughest "Category 5" challenges. The Wild West Heist has you tracking down 1880s bank robbers through Old Town's historic streets, while the Pirate's Treasure Adventure is their most popular option for families. Prices run $59-$69 per person depending on the ride and I love that they’re Veteran owned!

I recently visited 40 Love in Old Town and had to share because this place is an amazing date spot!

The service was top notch from the moment we walked in. I tried the crudo and arancini as apps and a ribeye for my main. They had a brown butter “pommes” (like mashed potatoes but smoother and creamier) and it blew me away. Everything was just so good.

The menu blends American classics with French technique and Japanese influences, and you can taste that care in every bite.

I can never pass up a tiramisu, so of course I had to try theirs for dessert. Couldn't stop eating it.

If you're looking for somewhere with great food, solid atmosphere and service that makes you feel taken care of, put 40 Love on your list!

Wednesday, January 28

🧘 Twilight Yoga | The Scottsdale Resort & Spa | 5:30 PM (multiple days)

💘 Singles Meet Up | Electric Pickle, Tempe | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Thursday, January 29

🎨 ArtWalk | Old Town Scottsdale | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

🤠 Learn to Lasso | Scottsdale Rodeo Museum | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Friday, January 30

🐴 Pony Express | Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West | 11:00 AM

🤠 Learn to Lasso | Scottsdale Rodeo Museum | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Saturday, January 31

🛒 Western Week at the Farmers Market | Old Town Scottsdale | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

🧘 Saturday Sweat Series | Caesars Republic Scottsdale | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

🤠 Parada Del Sol Parade | Old Town Scottsdale | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

🎾 Court Connect Event | Sanctuary Camelback Mountain | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

🌞 Get Up & Glow: Workout & Resolution Realignment | The Scottsdale Resort & Spa | 11:45 AM – 2:30 PM

🍕 A Taste of AZ Food & Drink Festival | Salt River Fields | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

🍞 Frybread Making Class | Marshall Way Bridge, Scottsdale Waterfront | Time TBD

🍷Kierland Fine Art & Wine Festival | Kierland Commons | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (multiple days)

Sunday, February 1

🧩 Escapeology Grand Opening | Escapology Scottsdale | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Featuring the most expensive home sold in Scottsdale this week at $5.2M! I’d consider this DC Ranch (outskirt) and absolutely love the Spanish influence. Looks like a villa more than a family home!

Here’s the link if you want to check it out.

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Scottsdale Scoop is 100% free and independently run (it's just me over here). Your support helps me keep bringing you the best local spots, events, and inside scoop on what's happening in Scottsdale every week. Your contribution will go towards keeping the Scoop going so we can have more fun in community events! really appreciate all the support all of you 🙂 - John