Vineyards in the Valley This Weekend

Good morning, Scottsdale. You’re reading Scottsdale Scoop, your insider pass to what’s fun, fresh, and worth checking out around town. Every issue features hand-picked events, local business spotlights, and hidden gems that make our city great.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I headed up to Prescott with the family and soaked up some quality time together. The best part was my oldest brother coming to visit. I got to take him out Saturday and show him all the spots I write about each week.

This weekend is absolutely packed with things to do. Nothing like kicking off December with a bang. Let's get into it.

Vineyards in the Valley is back for its second year at Scottsdale Stadium on Saturday, December 6, and this wine tasting event supports Hope for Haiti's healthcare initiatives in rural Haiti. We're talking breast and cervical cancer screenings, nutrition support for mothers, and life-saving medications for families who need them most.

This curated wine experience brings together ultra-premium boutique wineries from acclaimed regions worldwide. The main tasting runs from 4-7:30 PM at the Charro Lodge, featuring an incredible lineup of wineries including Diamond Creek Vineyards, Blackbird Cellars, and Pahlmeyer. Plus there's an auction with vintage bottles and unique winery experiences that you won't want to miss!

If you use code SCOOP at checkout you can get $25 off of ticket prices.

If you've got little ones (or you're a big kid at heart), the Festival of Trains is happening this weekend at WestWorld with unlimited rides on Thomas the Tank Engine and kids' rail pedal cars.

Adult tickets are $12 online ($15 at the door), child tickets (ages 2-15) are $8 online ($10 at the door), and infants under 2 are free. There's also an engineer costume contest on Saturday at 1 PM and Sunday at 12 PM with prizes for creative outfits!

The event features multiple model train layouts, vendor booths selling train collectibles, and a wooden train play area where kids can watch Thomas episodes while they play.

Get ready to celebrate Arizona's favorite meal at the AZ Brunch Fest on Sunday, December 7th at Scottsdale Stadium, featuring unlimited bites from the Valley's best brunch spots alongside refreshing mimosas, craft cocktails, and local beer.

The 4-hour event runs from 10am-2pm with special amenities including a Bloody Mary Bar by Tito's Vodka, Espresso Martini Bar by SanTan Spirits, and Mimosa Bar by Craft Culture Draft Solutions.

VIP tickets ($100) include early entry, 15 drink tickets, and a souvenir tasting glass, while GA tickets ($65) offer 10 drink tickets with 11am entry. It's the perfect way to kick off the holiday season with friends, plus State Forty Eight fans can snag a limited-edition collab shirt at checkout!

Here's something that might affect how we can engage with city government. Scottsdale officials are considering controversial changes to city council meetings that would cut public comment time from three minutes to two and reduce speakers from ten to eight for non-agenda items.

The proposal has sparked significant pushback from regular attendees like John Washington and Craig Milbourn, who've been speaking at meetings for over two decades. Mayor Lisa Borowsky has voiced opposition to the changes, and Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas does not support the initiative.

Scottsdale City Council was set to debate this proposal at its December 2nd meeting. Given that Fountain Hills recently eliminated public commentary entirely, many of us are watching closely to see if Scottsdale follows suit or maintains its commitment to citizen engagement.

If you want to explore Phoenix’s craft beer scene without drawing straws for a designated driver, City Brew Tours Phoenix has you covered.

In just 3.5 hours, you’ll sip up to 12 craft beers at 3 local breweries, get behind-the-scenes access, a beer paired snack, and let your expert Beer Guide handle all the logistics.

It’s the easiest (and tastiest) way to discover new favorites, learn the brewing process, and hang with fellow beer fans—no planning, no driving, no stress. Plus, you’re guaranteed to get insider stories you wouldn’t get on your own. 

Private tours are available for groups that want the whole adventure to themselves and are ready to skip the usual dinner-and-drinks routine. 

Reserve Your Tour Here

Craig Billiards is one of those local businesses that instantly stands out for doing things differently. Family-owned and proudly based right here in town, they specialize in designing custom pool tables, shuffleboards, and other high-end game room pieces.

Every piece is made with craftsmanship and character, giving your home or office a unique local touch. I had to spotlight them since they’re the kind of Scottsdale original that deserves some love.

Isabella's Kitchen sits right on the Talon Course with McDowell Mountain views that are insanely gorgeous during golden hour. The patio wraps around the building, so you can pick your perfect spot for full sun or shade depending on your mood. It’s my favorite patio in all of North Scottsdale.

It feels like it’s styled it like a hip country roadhouse and is unpretentious, which makes it great for casual dates. The indoor dining room has large roll-up doors that blur the line between inside and out when the weather's this nice.

Their handcrafted menu covers lunch and dinner with solid options, and happy hour gives you a nice way to ease into the date without breaking the bank. Plus, no club membership required, so anyone can enjoy those mountain views from the wraparound patio.

The Arizona Renaissance Festival returns in 2026 for another legendary season of jousting, turkey legs, and timeless fun.

Step back into the 16th century for a day of live entertainment, artisan markets, hearty feasts, and a bit of royal mischief at every turn.

The festival kicks off January 31st and runs weekends through March 30th, so you’ve got plenty of time to grab your crew, don your best medieval garb, and make some history of your own. Plus, who can resist those giant turkey legs?

Grab Your Tickets Here!

Wednesday, December 3

🎭 SHUCKED | ASU Gammage | (multiple days: Dec 2-7)

🍵 Gongfu Tea Tasting at Sapiens | Sapiens Paleo Kitchen | 5:00 PM

🎲 Loteria (Mexican Bingo) | Pinnacle Brewing Company | 6:30 PM

Thursday, December 4

🍷 Holiday Wine & Dine Event | The Shops Gainey Village | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

🎵 Music Bingo | Pinnacle Brewing Company | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Friday, December 5

📸 Weekend Photography Workshop | Taliesin West | (multiple days: Dec 5-7)

🧑‍🍳 Gourmet Class – Festive Feast | Classic Cooking Academy | 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

🕵️‍♀️ Mystery in the Museum @SMoCA | SMoCA | 6:30 PM

🎬 First Friday Movie Night | The Scottsdale Resort and Spa | 7:30 PM

Saturday, December 6

📸 Weekend Photography Workshop | Taliesin West | (multiple days)

🛍️ lululemon members’ Holiday Shop | lululemon Scottsdale Fashion Square | 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

🥑 Toastique Grand Opening | Toastique | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

🎅 Breakfast with Santa | Dave & Buster's | All Day

🍪 Holiday Cookie Exchange | Classic Cooking Academy | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

⚙️ Family Workshop: Windmill Engineering Challenge | Taliesin West | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

🍇 Vineyards in the Valley | Scottsdale Stadium | 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM

💃 Hung Dance | Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts | 7:30 PM

🎸 Mick Adams and The Stones Holiday Show | Casino Arizona | 7:30 PM (multiple days)

Sunday, December 7

📸 Weekend Photography Workshop | Taliesin West | (multiple days)

🥂 AZ Brunch Fest | Scottsdale Stadium | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

🍵 Nodate: An Outdoor Tea Experience | Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix | 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM

🐾 Yappy Hour | Pinnacle Brewing Company | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Featuring the most expensive home sold in Scottsdale this week at $4.025M! This one is deep in Rolling Hills within Sonoran Crest and has insane views that are worth the selling price.

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

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