Every fall our clients ask us the same thing: which Scottsdale weeks are actually worth flying in for? For the 2026–2027 season, three dates stand out. Barrett-Jackson has grown to nine days. The WM Phoenix Open's final round falls on Super Bowl Sunday, which this year is also Valentine's Day. And the private villas closest to WestWorld and TPC Scottsdale are already being reserved.
The weather is the easy part. From November through March, Scottsdale afternoons usually reach the mid-60s to low 70s, and nights drop into the 40s. That's why we look for a heated pool and a fire pit in every villa we recommend.
Below are the top Scottsdale winter attractions in calendar order, along with how we plan each one for our guests.
The Holidays: Christmas at the Princess, Scottsdazzle and the Luminarias
The season opens with Christmas at the Princess at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. This is its 17th year, and it runs November 20, 2026 through January 2, 2027. The resort strings more than 17 million lights across its lagoons. There's an outdoor ice rink, a four-story tree that plays along to Christmas music, real snowfall in Winterland, and fire tables for s'mores. Our advice is to go on a weeknight early in the run and buy tickets in advance, because weekends in late December get crowded.
In Old Town, Scottsdazzle carries the holidays through December with a tree lighting on the Scottsdale Waterfront, live music along the canal, and holiday markets. About 20 minutes away in Phoenix's Papago Park, the Desert Botanical Garden holds Las Noches de las Luminarias on select evenings. Thousands of hand-lit luminarias line the trails between the saguaros, with musicians stationed along the way. If you're planning a date night over the holidays, this is the one we'd book, and tickets tend to go quickly.
If you're coming in for New Year's, think about hosting it at the villa. We regularly set up a decorated house before arrival, a private chef for Christmas dinner, and a New Year's Eve at home around the fire pit, with no crowds and no waiting on a driver at 1 a.m.
Fiesta Bowl: College Football Playoff in Glendale
On Wednesday, December 30, 2026, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl hosts a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. It fits easily into a Christmas-to-New Year's stay in Scottsdale. We can arrange suite seating and a chauffeured round trip, which is worth it for the stadium traffic alone.
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2027: Nine Days at WestWorld
This is the first year of Barrett-Jackson's expanded nine-day format. Live bidding runs Saturday, January 23 through Sunday, January 31, 2027 at WestWorld of Scottsdale. The week starts with the Rock the Block concert on Thursday, January 21, followed by the invitation-only Opening Night Gala on Friday, January 22.
Adding the second weekend means the docket should top 2,000 collector vehicles, from muscle cars and pre-war classics to modern hypercars. You don't need to bid to enjoy it. The manufacturer displays and the charity lots, when the whole room stands up for the final hammer, are worth the trip on their own.
During auction week, the whole city becomes a car show. Restaurant valet lines fill with Ferraris and Lamborghinis, so arriving in something interesting is part of the fun. We deliver an exotic car to your villa before you land, arrange VIP auction access, and keep a driver on call for the late nights. A tip from our planning: WestWorld and TPC Scottsdale are only a few minutes apart in North Scottsdale, so one well-placed villa works for both Barrett-Jackson and the Phoenix Open.
WM Phoenix Open 2027: Super Bowl Sunday and Valentine's Day in One Weekend
Tournament week runs February 8 through 14, 2027 at TPC Scottsdale, with PGA TOUR rounds Thursday through Sunday, February 11 to 14. Monday and Tuesday are free to attend. Saturday is the Green Out, when the crowd wears green to raise money for the tournament's sustainability fund. Sunday's final round wraps up before the Super Bowl kicks off, and it's also Valentine's Day.
They call it "The People's Open" for good reason. It's the most-attended event in golf, and the par-3 16th is surrounded by a full stadium of fans who cheer or boo every tee shot. At night the party moves to the Birds Nest, the tournament's concert venue across from the course.
How you experience the week makes all the difference. We book hospitality on the 16th and 18th holes, private transportation that bypasses the shuttle lines, and villas a few minutes from the course. Our favorite way to finish: watch the final putt, be home in fifteen minutes, and host the Super Bowl with a catered spread, then end the night with a Valentine's dinner. Many guests also fit in a morning tee time of their own earlier in the week.
Arabian Horses and Spring Training
From February 11 through 21, 2027, the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show returns to WestWorld. It began in 1955 and is considered one of the most important Arabian horse shows in the world. Because its first days overlap with the Phoenix Open, you can see championship golf one afternoon and champion horses the next morning.
In late February, Cactus League spring training brings Major League Baseball to the Valley. The San Francisco Giants play at Scottsdale Stadium in Old Town, and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick hosts the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies. An afternoon game in Old Town followed by a walk to dinner is one of the most relaxed days you can have in Scottsdale.
Golf, Spas and the Sonoran Desert
Outside the big event weeks, winter is still the best time to be outdoors here. The Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale lets you play the same 16th hole you saw on TV. Troon North's Monument and Pinnacle courses wind through granite boulders and saguaros, and We-Ko-Pa and Grayhawk round out the list we send to serious golfers. Peak-season tee times go fast, so we book them when we book your villa.
For the desert itself, take a sunrise hot air balloon ride that ends with champagne, an early-morning hike on Camelback Mountain or in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, or a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a longer day, we can arrange a helicopter or chauffeured trip to Sedona or the Grand Canyon.
Scottsdale is also one of the country's top spa destinations. Many of our guests skip the resort spa completely and have massage therapists, yoga instructors and wellness chefs come to the villa instead.
Old Town Scottsdale: Dining, Art and Nightlife
By day, Old Town is a walkable mix of galleries, boutiques and Western storefronts. The Thursday night ArtWalk is a long-running local tradition, and Scottsdale's Museum of the West and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art are both worth a visit. Scottsdale Fashion Square, a few blocks north, is the main luxury shopping destination in the region.
Restaurants range from Southwestern and modern Mexican kitchens to steakhouses like Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. During Barrett-Jackson and Phoenix Open weeks, the best tables book up weeks ahead, so let us know where you want to eat when you book your stay. After dinner, the Entertainment District puts rooftop lounges, cocktail bars and clubs within a few blocks of each other. We handle the table reservations and keep a driver waiting.
Plan Your Scottsdale Winter with Travel with Aspect
We start with the villa. Our luxury villa rentals in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley include private estates with heated pools, outdoor kitchens and views of Camelback Mountain or the McDowell range. Paradise Valley gives larger groups space and privacy. North Scottsdale keeps you close to TPC Scottsdale, WestWorld and the best golf. Old Town puts restaurants and nightlife within a short ride. Tell us why you're coming and we'll suggest the right home.
Next is the car. Our exotic car rentals put a Lamborghini, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce or luxury SUV in your driveway before you arrive, and we arrange chauffeured cars and group transportation for event days.
Our concierge team handles the rest, including event tickets and hospitality, tee times, private chefs, in-villa spa services, restaurant reservations, balloon flights and day trips. You'll have one contact for the whole trip.
Travel advisors, talent managers and agents can offer the same service to their own clients through the Travel with Aspect white-label concierge platform.
The busiest weeks this season are January 21 to 31 and February 8 to 21. If either is on your calendar, contact Travel with Aspect now to reserve your Scottsdale villa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Scottsdale in winter?
Late January through mid-February is peak season, when Barrett-Jackson, the WM Phoenix Open and the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show all happen. December is quieter and great for holiday lights, and late February brings spring training baseball.
What is the weather like in Scottsdale in winter?
Expect sunny afternoons in the mid-60s to low 70s and cool evenings, often in the 40s. Bring layers for mornings and nights.
When is Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2027?
The auction runs January 23–31, 2027 at WestWorld of Scottsdale, with opening events starting January 21. It's the first year of the nine-day format.
When is the WM Phoenix Open in 2027?
Tournament week is February 8–14, 2027 at TPC Scottsdale, with competition rounds Thursday, February 11 through Sunday, February 14.
Is the WM Phoenix Open on Super Bowl weekend in 2027?
Yes. The final round is Sunday, February 14, 2027, which is Super Bowl Sunday and Valentine's Day. Play finishes before kickoff.
Where should I stay in Scottsdale for a luxury winter trip?
North Scottsdale villas are closest to both WestWorld and TPC Scottsdale. Paradise Valley offers the most privacy and space for groups. Travel with Aspect matches each group to the right home and adds exotic cars and full concierge service.
How far in advance should I book?
For Barrett-Jackson and Phoenix Open weeks, the best homes are usually reserved several months ahead. Booking in the fall gives you the most choice of villas, cars and event hospitality.
