Ongoing, Every Thursday Evening at 7pm

“America’s Original ArtWalk”

Events like the Scottsdale Artwalk are plentiful near our Sunny Scottsdale Condo Vacation Rental. There’s always a concert or streetfair when you stay at our vacation rental condo.

The 30-year tradition of Scottsdale ArtWalk takes place every Thursday evening from 7pm-9pm in along Main Street and Marshall Way in Downtown Scottsdale. The galleries open their doors to the public and show off the work of the Southwest’s outstanding artists. The process is simple – proceed at your own pace, wander into galleries, stroll around a delightful areas punctuated by dramatic statues, dine in famed restaurants and enjoy live music all along the way. Horse-drawn carriage rides and trolley rides are often available.

Galleries to visit include:

1. Amery Bohling Fine Art
2. Ancient Light Gallery
3. Biltmore Galleries
4. Blue Rain Contemporary
5. Bonner David Galleries
6. Calvin Charles Gallery
7. Colores By Wilde Meyer
8. Esses Rare Objects D’ Art
9. Expressions in Bronze
10. Femme Fatales & Fantasies Art Museum & Gallery
11. French Designer Jeweler
12. Gallery Russia
13. Hatuma African Gallery
14. Joan Cawley Gallery
15. LewAllen Galleries Scottsdale
16. Legacy Gallery
17. Mainview Gallery
18. Marshall-LeKAE Galleries
19. May Gallery
20. Nature Exposed Photography
21. Occasions! by Design Galleries
22. Overland Gallery of Fine Art
23. Paul Scott Gallery
24. River Trading Post & Traditional Pueblo Arts
25. Scottsdale Art Auction
26. Scottsdale Fine Art
27. The Lawrence Gallery
28. The Signature Gallery/Charles H. Pabst Gallery
29. Touchstone Gallery
30. Trailside Galleries
31. Victoria Monize Fine Art Gallery
32. Wilde Meyer Gallery Ltd

 

 General Area of Artwalk

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Parking & Map
• Nearby Dining
• Concierge

Public parking is free of charge along with plenty of street parking Complimentary trolley service is available during ArtWalk. Valet parking is available in select areas for a nominal fee. Artwalk galleries are designated in orange in the image below

Great news for all our Scottsdale visitors who love great weather and fun outdoor things to do. The warm breezy days in the 70′s are back and outdoor festivals are following right along. First up is this weekend’s Arizona Taco Festival, just right down the street from our Sunny Scottsdale Condo Vacation Rental. As you’ll find almost all the fun activities and events are within range of our vacation rental condo in Scottsdale because you won’t find a better location!

Great Links to find out more details:

aztacofestival.com

Write up on AZ Taco Festival

Yelp.com reviews of AZ Taco Festival

We have some serious spring fever here in Scottsdale!  It’s pretty easy to understand why with the warm sun shining, the lazy breeze blowing and beautiful flowers blooming everywhere…

We played hooky recently and took a day off to visit the Desert Botanical Gardens – one of our favorite springtime destinations.  It was a perfect day!

One of our favorite winter activities in Arizona is hiking.  Just this past weekend we enjoyed a light trek through the Phoenix Mountain Preserve.  After several days of rain last week, the air was fresh and dewy, laced with the smell of mesquite.  The plants and cacti were green and so alive.  The sky was a breathtaking, turquoise blue scattered with bright white clouds. Sunny and warm with a light, cool breeze.  We could spend every day here…

It is so easy to access nature here in Scottsdale.  Some of our favorite trails — located just minutes away from the Sunny Scottsdale Condo — include Lost Dog Wash Trail and Papago Park, and of course Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak for more experienced hikers.  Please ask us about hiking or mountain biking trails, we are happy to give further recommendations!

Scottsdale glows all year round, but it is especially bright during the winter season.  Old Town Scottsdale becomes a festive wonderland and Scottsdale shops, restaurants, resorts and attractions follow suit.  Whether you drive around town looking at the twinkling lights or tour one of the following attractions, you will certainly be delighted!

Zoo Lights at The Phoenix Zoo Celebrating its 20^th anniversary with 600 displays, the Zoo Lights at the Phoenix Zoo is a delight for all ages.

November 24, 2011 – January 8, 2012
6 p.m. – 10 p.m. nightly

455 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ

Las Noches de las Luminarias at Desert Botanical Garden

The serenity of the nighttime desert becomes magical with 8,000 hand-lit luminarias lighting the paths of the garden.  Hot chocolate and nightly entertainment makes this a special holiday tradition.

December 1 – 30

5:30 – 9:30 p.m.

1201 N. Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ

Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Scottsdale Mall
Celebrate the start to the holiday season with the City of Scottsdale’s official tree lighting ceremony with live entertainment, Santa and snow.

Sunday, December 4^th

3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

3309 N. Drinkwater Boulevard

Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Kids of all ages will enjoy seeing one of Scottsdale’s favorite parks lit up into a winter wonderland.  Opening night festivities will include a tree lighting ceremony, entertainment and a visit from Santa on December 23^rd.

December 9 – 30, 2011 (excluding December 24 & 25)

6:30p.m. – 9:00p.m.

7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale, Arizona

We are so excited for fall to begin and not just because of the gorgeous weather, but because there are so many delicious food festivals to look forward to!   Here’s a taste of what’s to come:

Scottsdale kick’s off the season in September with our personal favorite, Arizona Restaurant Week, where food lovers can savor a three-course meal at some of the most noteworthy restaurants in town for only $20 to $40 per person.  There are over 200 participating restaurants this year and only nine days to try them all… decisions, decisions!

Arizona Restaurant Week

200 participating resturants

September 17 – September 25

www.arizonarestaurantweek.com

The Annual Arizona Taco Festival is a spicy competition in October where everyone from name chefs to my friend’s neighbor’s aunt will be competing for the best taco of the year — and a $7500 prize.  We take our tacos seriously here in Arizona.

Arizona Taco Festival

Scottsdale Waterfront

October 15

www.aztacofestival.com

The Cupcake Love-In is a sweet event that celebrates local treats while doing good for the community. This family-fun event will feature kid’s decorating station, cupcake sampling and a cupcake-eating contest!

Cupcake Love-In

Hotel Valley Ho

October 30

cupcakelovein.com

Is your mouth watering yet?  Stay tuned for more juicy details on upcoming food-related events.

Boasting with some of the hottest nightlife, restaurants, bars and shops in the Valley, Scottsdale sure looks good for turning 60!

The city is celebrating with 60 days of festivities culminating on June 25^th.  Enjoy the fun, and Happy Birthday Scottsdale!

Each spring Arizona residents and visitors celebrate the perfect weather and the local, renowned restaurants with the Scottsdale Culinary Festival at the Scottsdale Civic Center.  Savor five days of decadent food and wine… here’s a list of this year’s event activities:

Tuesday, April 5^th

Kickoff Party - W Scottsdale
Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame – Technique Restaurant at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts

Wednesday, April 6^th

Chef Tribute Dinner – J&G Steakhouse
bBbblies & Bliss – Narcisse Champagne Lounge at Scottsdale Quarter

Thursday, April 7^th

Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner – The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
The Chocolate & Wine Experience – Degree 270 at Talking Stick Resort

Friday, April 8^th

Eat, Drink, & Be Pretty – Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

Saturday, April 9^th

Cooks & Corks™ – Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Great Arizona Picnic™ – Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza
Saturday Cooking Demonstrations – Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza
Chefs Wine Dinners – Various Restaurants

Sunday, April 18^th

Cooks & Corks™ – Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Great Arizona Picnic™ – Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza
Challenge to the Chefs – Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza
Wine Country Brunch™ – Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center
Best of the Fest™ – Hyatt Regency Scottsdale at Gainey Ranch

The Sunny Scottsdale Condo is conveniently located in the center of all the festivities, so you’re never too far away.  And also, there is a gym and lots of walking trails nearby to work off all those calories!

With rolling green hills, bright flowers, bubbling fountains, and nearby attractions, Sunday A’Fair at Scottsdale Civic Center is the perfect way to enjoy a free concert on a relaxing Sunday afternoon.  Bring a blanket and sit on the lawn or enjoy some delicious treats or browse the fine arts and crafts or make your own at the fun hands-on art activities for children and families.

Dates (Sundays):

February 13, 20, 27, 2011

March 6, 27, 2011

April 3, 2011

Time:

Noon – 4pm

Location:

Scottsdale Civic Center Mall

Admission:

Free

The McCormick Stillman Railroad is literally 500 yards or so from our Sunny Scottsdale Condo Vacation Rental. Families love riding the train as it meanders through the beautiful display.

This just in…

Peter Kaczmarowski considers the holiday-lights display at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park his annual labor of love.

Kaczmarowski has fond memories of the tradition that blossomed from a small lights display into a premier annual event at the Scottsdale park, with train rides and costumed characters.

When the event was still in its infancy, Kaczmarowski had just joined the city as a railroad engineer.

“My daughter, who turned 21 this year, said she didn’t remember a year that (I) didn’t do it,” said Kaczmarowski, a volunteer.

Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park kicks off Friday with a tree-lighting ceremony and related festivities. The annual affair runs nightly through Jan. 1, with the exception of Dec. 24, 25 and 31.

The event already was running in 1986 when Kaczmarowski came on board.”It’s a great event, and the opening night is crowded,” Kaczmarowski said. “We run two trains every night. We bring in entertainment and characters to give people something to watch.”

Fond memories

In its early days, the infrastructure could not always handle the electrical demands of the display, Kaczmarowski said. Blackouts occurred, and “one year, it was actually snowing,” he said.

In the early ’90s, Kaczmarowski decided to string lights over the park’s 1907 Baldwin steam engine.

“That’s the first thing people see when they get out of their cars,” Kaczmarowski said. “I thought, ‘Let’s just cover this thing completely with lights.’ ”

Park recreation supervisor Bob McNair said there are tens of thousands of holiday lights on display, along with kid-friendly exhibits and characters. Santa will be on hand through Dec. 23.

The cost to stage the event is about $90,000, covered by approximately $100,000 in revenue, he said. The city-sponsored event also is supported by the Scottsdale Charros and Scottsdale Railroad and Mechanical Society.

This year’s event boasts a new Snoopy display and a 25-foot-tall inflatable sun with sunglasses. Organizers added costumed volunteers several years ago, he said.

Ann Achtziger, a volunteer and assistant principal of Mohave Middle School, said students and volunteers from the Scottsdale Unified School District dress up as Santa’s helpers and popular children’s characters. Families can take free photos with the characters, she said.

The cost for a train ride is $2 and $1 for a carousel ride.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/community/scottsdale/articles/2010/12/08/20101208scottsdale-mccormick-railroad-park-holiday-lights.html#ixzz17a0X5INe