"Scottsdazle" Returns for 6th Annual Holiday Festivities

Now that in-person events are back, it’s a bright time, and the right time, to rock—or dazzle—the season away.

The sixth annual celebration of Scottsdazzle is back and brighter than ever, and welcomes the entire community to join in the month-long series of shopping, sipping and other social festivities in Old Town Scottsdale.

With its largest lineup yet, this year’s extravaganza is hosting 45 different activities and events, beginning with the city’s signature holiday kick-off of the Sing-Along and Tree Lighting Ceremony.

On Nov. 27, the MusicaNova Orchestra joined the public along the Scottsdale Waterfront, leading the crowd in holiday tunes as the lighting of the a 40-foot Scottsdazzle tree sett the tone for the rest of the event aglow.

However, the party has only gotten started with last week's premiere. From now until Eec. 31, endless opportunities of fun for the whole family to explore continue throughout the season, such as the Ho-Ho-Hoedown barn dance that features a live band, Yuletide Yoga classes, the Sparkle and Spin bike scavenger hunt and a chance to meet Santa at the farmer’s market, plus much more.

“There is truly something for everyone, says Jackie Contaldo, marketing manager for Old Town Scottsdale. “We want to make sure people have fun, safe and exciting holiday events to attend with friends and loved ones – so that they become cherished memories,” Contaldo says.

With events ranging from free admission to Scottsdale’s Gold Palette Art Walk to a $170 Wine-maker dinner party, there are ample activities for community members of all ages to discover and enjoy. So mark your calendars and check them twice, because there are tons of events you will not want to miss.

“There are certain events that are very popular which we bring back annually,” says Contaldo. But although Scottsdazzle has created cherished traditions, the city aims to integrate new programs every year to ensure that “Scottsdazzle is always growing and bringing something new to the community,” says Contaldo.

“Something to be excited about this year is the return of the Sing-Along and Tree Lighting Ceremony…[which] was paused last year due to COVID-19 and is our most popular event,” Contaldo says.

After some serious remodeling and reimagination to accommodate the pandemic social distancing and gathering guidelines, last year’s Scottsdazzle festival included the new Scottsdale Stroll event, which invites community members to walk along the canal banks lined with art installations, live music and food vendors. “It was so popular that we knew we had to have it return this year,” Contaldo adds.

Eager to embrace the crowds following a year off due to the pandemic, the Scottsdazzle event has provided local business owners the opportunity and exposure to return to serving the community.

For manager Lauren Davidson of The Brush Bar, a local mobile art studio which hosts the Holly Jolly Painting Party for Scottsdazzle, the pandemic was especially hard on their business.

“Due to Covid, we closed our first location because of lower attendance, which was heartbreaking for all of us. We had to let go of 12 people… almost all of our staff,” Davidson said.

However, due to exposure from events such as Scottsdazzle, the business was able to stay afloat due to loyal customers who participated in their Art Box program, an at-home paint kit that opens the Brush Bar studio to people all over the country.

“Scottsdazzle has been such a joy to be a part of, in large part because it brings together our local community in new and exciting ways, which we strongly believe in...we are always meeting new people and expanding our reach, which the Scottsdazzle team has really helped with,” Davisdson added.

At this year’s Scottsdazzle, The Brush Bar is excited to join residents once again again for “cheerful and crafty fun” and is ready to welcome the community to celebrate the holidays with them for their step-by-step festive painting party at the Marshall Way bridge at the Waterfront, Davidson said.

“We look forward to being back and better than ever!” added Davidson.

Through the multitude of public events ranging from food tastings to art making activities to pageants, Scottsdazzle encourages the community to shop small and promote community fun and involvement through the event that marks the merriest time of the year.

Along with promoting local businesses through events, the City of Scottsdale is running the ‘Shop Scottsdale Holiday Giveaway’ in an effort to promote shopping small this holiday season as part of Scottsdazzle’s activities.

“For every $25 someone spends at a Scottsdale small business, they are entered to win one of five $250 AMEX gift cards,” says Contaldo.

More information about the Holiday Giveaway is available on Scottsdazzle’s website, as well as an entire calendar of events that give details regarding each event.

Scottsdazzle will continue to ‘dazzle’ residents through the holiday season until just before the New Year, as the final day for community members to participate in the season’s specialty festivities is Dec. 31.