Things to Do in Scottsdale in January: Events Guide
Your guide to Scottsdale events in January, from Barrett-Jackson to live concerts and festivals, plus desert UTV tours to round out the perfect Valley trip.
January is one of the best times of year to be in Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix area. As the rest of the country bundles up, the Valley settles into mild highs in the 60s and endless blue skies, and the calendar fills with world-class events. From roaring collector-car auctions to high-energy concerts and the first buzz of baseball season, here’s your guide to the top things to do in Scottsdale in January.
Pro tip: When you need a break between events, trade downtime for desert thrills. A guided UTV tour with Desert Dog Offroad takes you ripping through the Sonoran Desert’s rugged trails, past wild saguaros at golden hour, and into hidden canyons just minutes from Scottsdale.
New Year’s Day Festivities
Kick off the year with low-key, lively ways to ease into the season.
- Phoenix New Year’s Day Brunch Crawl & Fireworks Afterglow – Downtown Phoenix & Roosevelt Row (free entry; reservations via venues)
Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade
- Annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade – Downtown Phoenix. Free viewing along the route, with VIP seating available. Tickets and details at fiestabowl.org/tickets.
Arizona Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Week
- AZMLK Celebration Week – Multiple venues across the Valley. Full schedule and RSVPs at azmlk.org/events.
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction
The Valley’s signature January event, Barrett-Jackson draws huge crowds to WestWorld of Scottsdale for one of the world’s premier collector-car auctions, complete with a headline Rock The Block concert.
- Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction – WestWorld of Scottsdale. General admission and VIP packages at barrett-jackson.com.
- Rock The Block Concert – WestWorld of Scottsdale. Tickets via axs.com.
Between bids, escape with a Desert Dog Offroad Tour and shift from spectator to driver.
Concerts & Live Music
January regularly brings major touring acts to Valley venues like Desert Diamond Arena, TPC Scottsdale, and Mortgage Matchup Center. Check each venue’s calendar for the current lineup and tickets.
Scottsdale Waterfront Fine Art & Wine Festival
- Thunderbird Artists Festival – Scottsdale Waterfront. Tickets and dates at thunderbirdartists.com.
Cactus League Spring Training Warm-Ups
The full Cactus League schedule starts in February, but late January often features free open practices at Scottsdale Stadium. Check cactusleague.com for the latest.
Round Out Your January Trip with a Desert Tour
From parade pomp to rock ‘n’ roll and revving engines, January packs a serious punch in Scottsdale. Pair your event tickets with a guided UTV or sand buggy tour for the ultimate high-octane Valley experience. Spots fill up fast during peak season, so book your desert tour early or call us at (480) 837-3966.
Always double-check official event sites for the latest dates, lineups, and ticketing.
