Experience Scottsdale in Winter

  • December 9, 2009
Experience Scottsdale in Winter
If you're thinking of a Scottsdale getaway in December, there's plenty of holiday spirit to go around. Las Noches de Las Luminarias is a seasonal tradition in which thousands of hand-lit luminarias light the pathways and cast a soft glow on the Desert Botanical Garden's world-renowned plant collection. Talented local musicians provide live entertainment along the Garden trails . Next door at Zoolights, more than 2,500,000 lights turn the Phoenix Zoo into a holiday wonderland. And at WestWorld of Scottsdale, the Scottsdale Fantasy of Lights is a spectacular drive-through holiday lighting event that entertains with giant animated displays.

Scottsdale rings in the New Year with two of college football's most popular bowl games. On New Year's Eve, college football takes center stage as Minnesota and Iowa State go head-to-head at ASU's Sun Devil Stadium during the 21st Annual Insight Bowl. Then on Jan. 4, the excitement reaches a fever pitch when the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, a member of the Bowl Championship Series, hosts Boise State and Texas Christian Univerisity at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Early in 2010, a host of Scottsdale's most popular annual events return. For runners and their fans, the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon & ½ Marathon combines perfect winter running weather with live music every mile. Car buffs won't want to miss The Barrett-Jackson Week. Featuring the world's greatest auction Collector Car Auction showcasing an unparalleled collection of classic, one-of-a-kind, exotic and muscle cars. At the TPC Scottsdale, the FBR Open draws the PGA TOUR's largest gallery for a week of thrilling golf competition. And Native Trails celebrates Native American culture with free noontime festivals that include live music, traditional dances, and arts and crafts.

Best of all, this is merely a sampling from Scottsdales up-coming special events calendar. It's going to be an eventful season in Scottsdale.