January events in Scottsdale: why the month fills up
January is one of the most sought-after months to visit Scottsdale. Winter temperatures are comfortable, the light is soft, and the calendar is packed with nationally known events that pull in sports fans, car collectors, families, and winter travelers who stay for weeks. The same names return every year, which makes planning easier than it looks.
Below is the January rhythm as we see it from the houses: the sporting events at the start of the month, the signature auction in the middle, arts programming throughout, and a run of Western heritage celebrations and festivals that carry the month into February.
College football: the Fiesta Bowl and its parade
The month opens with the Fiesta Bowl, one of college football's most prestigious games and a major draw for the whole Scottsdale and Phoenix area. It is played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, and in years when it is part of the College Football Playoff, the crowds and the energy get bigger still.
The Fiesta Bowl Parade rolls through downtown Phoenix a few days earlier with floats, marching bands, and the kind of community enthusiasm that kicks off bowl season. Both are easy day trips from a Scottsdale rental.
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale: the collector car auction
Barrett-Jackson is Scottsdale's signature January event. Held over roughly nine days in the second half of the month at WestWorld in North Scottsdale, it features hundreds of collector vehicles, celebrity appearances, and a full entertainment program alongside the bidding.
It also reshapes demand across the city. North Scottsdale rentals near WestWorld book out first, and our Troon Ranch Casitas, three casitas in North Scottsdale, tend to go to auction-week guests early. If Barrett-Jackson is the reason for the trip, reserve well ahead.
Arts and performances at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
January brings a full slate to the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, from interactive theater and classical piano with narration to jazz evenings and contemporary dance. The specific program changes each season, so check the Scottsdale Arts calendar once your dates are set. It is an easy evening out for a group that wants culture between the golf and the pool.
Western Week, Parada del Sol, and the Trail's End Festival
The last week of January belongs to Scottsdale's cowboy heritage. Western Week fills Old Town with parades, activities, and demonstrations that spill into the first days of February. It is Scottsdale at its most Western, and a natural fit for guests staying at Wild West Estate near Old Town.
The centerpiece is the Parada del Sol Historic Parade, one of the longest-running traditions in the city, with floats, horses, bands, and community groups moving through Old Town. The Trail's End Festival follows immediately afterward with live music, food vendors, and family entertainment.
Festivals to close the month
The Scottsdale Waterfront Fine Art and Wine Festival sets up along the canal at the end of January, an open-air weekend of fine art, wine tastings, and live music. The Arizona Renaissance Festival in Gold Canyon opens its season the same weekend, with themed performances, artisans, and food that make for a full day out with kids.
January's events attract sports fans, automotive enthusiasts, couples, families, and extended-stay winter travelers all at once, which is exactly why private rentals make sense this month. Multiple bedrooms, a full kitchen, and private outdoor space give a group a real home base during high-demand weeks. For a multigenerational January escape, Valley Vista Estate in Paradise Valley puts thirty people under one roof with room to spare.
Questions we get asked
What is the biggest event in Scottsdale in January?
Barrett-Jackson, the collector car auction at WestWorld in North Scottsdale, is the signature event of the month and the one that fills the most rooms.
What is the weather like in Scottsdale in January?
Comfortable winter temperatures with plenty of sunshine, which is why January is one of the strongest months for visiting.
Is January a good time to rent a house in Scottsdale?
Yes, and a busy one. Ideal weather and a full event calendar make it a prime month, so book early, especially for Barrett-Jackson and Western Week.
What is Western Week in Scottsdale?
A celebration of the city's cowboy heritage in Old Town at the end of January, with parades, demonstrations, and the Parada del Sol Historic Parade followed by the Trail's End Festival.
