Welcome to the sun-soaked start of 2026 in Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix area! As the desert blooms with mild highs in the 60s and endless blue skies, January kicks off the year with a powerhouse lineup of world-class events. From roaring car auctions and cultural tributes to high-energy concerts and early baseball buzz, this month transforms the Valley into an adrenaline-fueled playground.
This comprehensive timeline covers all major events drawing crowds to the Phoenix metro—think 100,000+ attendees for the big ones like Barrett-Jackson. We’ve focused on large-scale happenings with direct ticketing links for easy booking.
Pro tip: When you’re catching your breath between events, swap downtime for desert thrills—book a guided UTV tour with Desert Dog Offroad Tours to rip through the Sonoran Desert’s rugged trails, spot wild saguaros at golden hour, and uncover hidden canyons just minutes from Scottsdale. Ready to rev up your itinerary? Let’s dive in.
January 1: New Year’s Day Recovery & Festivities
Kick off the year with low-key yet lively ways to shake off any NYE haze.
- Phoenix New Year’s Day Brunch Crawl & Fireworks Afterglow – Downtown Phoenix & Roosevelt Row (free entry; reservations via venues)
Downtime idea: Fuel your adventure spirit with a half-day UTV escape from Desert Dog Offroad Tours—book now and turn recovery into revelation!
January 3: Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade
- 53rd Annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade – 10 a.m., downtown Phoenix
Free viewing | VIP seats $25–$50 → fiestabowl.org/tickets
January 10–19: Arizona Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Week
- AZMLK Celebration Week – Multiple venues
Full schedule & RSVPs → azmlk.org/events - Legends of Motown Super Show (Jan 10) – Tickets $40–$80 → orpheumtheatrephx.com
January 16: Barrett-Jackson Rock The Block Concert
- Cole Swindell + Chase Rice – WestWorld of Scottsdale, 7 p.m.
Tickets $50–$150 → axs.com
January 17–25: Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction
- 55th Annual Barrett-Jackson – WestWorld of Scottsdale
General admission $20–$100 | VIP packages → barrett-jackson.com/tickets
Between bids, escape with a Desert Dog Offroad Tour—shift from spectator to driver!
January 24: Diplo’s Run Club 5K
- Diplo’s Run Club – Margaret T. Hance Park
Tickets $30–$50 → Eventbrite (link updated closer to date)
January 24: Parker McCollum Concert
- Parker McCollum – Desert Diamond Arena, 7 p.m.
Tickets $45–$150 → desertdiamondarena.com
January 28: TWICE World Tour
- TWICE – Mortgage Matchup Center, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $60–$200 → venue site (link live soon)
January 30–February 1: Scottsdale Waterfront Fine Art & Wine Festival
- Thunderbird Artists Festival – Scottsdale Waterfront
Tickets $20–$40 → thunderbirdartists.com
January 31: The Killers – Concert in the Coliseum
- The Killers – TPC Scottsdale, 8 p.m.
Tickets $75–$250 → tpcscottsdale.com
Bonus: Early Cactus League Spring Training Warm-Ups (Late January)
Full schedule starts February, but late-January often features free open practices at Scottsdale Stadium → cactusleague.com
Why January 2026 in Scottsdale is Unmissable
From parade pomp to rock ‘n’ roll rumbles, January 2026 packs more punch than a desert storm. Bundle your event tickets with a Desert Dog Offroad Tour package for the ultimate high-octane Valley experience—spots disappear fast, so book today and make 2026 legendary!
Schedule based on confirmed 2026 announcements as of December 2025. Always double-check official sites for updates.
