Thanksgiving in Scottsdale: Things to Do With Visiting Family (2026)

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026, and the best Scottsdale plan is simple: keep Thursday for dinner and spend the days around it outside. The weather is mild, the holiday lights start up that same week, and a guided desert ride gives a mixed-age family something to do together that isn’t another restaurant table. Here’s how to lay out the weekend.

Start With the Weather

Late November is one of the best stretches of the year to be outdoors in the Valley. Current Results, using NOAA’s 1991 to 2020 normals, puts Phoenix’s November average high at 77°F and the low at 54°F. That means warm afternoons, cool evenings, and no need for the heat strategy you’d need in summer. Bring a light layer for after sunset. Our what to wear on an ATV tour guide covers the details.

A Simple Thanksgiving Weekend Plan

• Wednesday: Arrivals and groceries. Keep it easy, because airports and highways are busy.
• Thursday: Dinner, whether you cook at the rental or book a restaurant. Reserve any restaurant well ahead and confirm its holiday hours directly.
• Friday: The outdoor day. A morning or afternoon desert ride works well, and so does a hike (see our best hikes near Scottsdale).
• Saturday: Old Town wandering, shopping and an evening out.
• Sunday: Slow breakfast, then the drive or flight home.

Holiday Lights Start This Week

Phoenix Zoo’s ZooLights runs from November 25, 2026 to January 15, 2027, nightly from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Per the zoo’s own page, general admission is $35, with dates and hours subject to change, so check phoenixzoo.org before you go.

Desert Botanical Garden’s luminaria nights also run select evenings from late November into early January, but the garden’s own 2026 calendar wasn’t confirmed when this was written. Check dbg.org for exact nights and tickets, and see our Scottsdale Christmas and holiday guide for more.

Get the Family Outside in the Desert

If your group includes teenagers, parents and grandparents, the hard part is finding something everyone can do. A guided U-Drive tour fits because the ages are wide and the skill bar is low:

• Drivers need to be 16 or older with a valid license, and passengers can be 8 or older.
• Each buggy seats two, so a family of eight takes four buggies.
• Every rider gets a helmet with a face shield, a full safety briefing, bottled water and snacks, and free action photos from the guide.
• Driver and passenger swap partway through, so nobody sits in the passenger seat the whole time.

For the full picture on age rules and what the day feels like, read our family-friendly ATV and UTV adventures guide.

What It Costs for a Family

Per two-seat buggy	$299 (about $150 per person), plus tax and fees
Solo rider	$199
Time on the trail	2+ hours, 20 to 25 miles
Groups of 6 or more	One group price with transportation included, by phone

Our sunset tour is the most popular pick for holiday families, since the group finishes in golden hour light with plenty of photo moments. If you want your own pace and start time, look at the VIP private tour.

Tips for Hosting Out-of-Town Family

• Pick one anchor activity. A long weekend fills up quickly, and a single outdoor plan that everyone has agreed to beats five small ones that nobody commits to.
• Mind the clock. Sunset tours start in golden hour, roughly 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. depending on the season, which leaves time for an early dinner afterward.
• Plan the logistics. The meeting point is about 45 minutes from Scottsdale and 50 from Phoenix, and groups of six or more can ask about transportation. Our hotel drive times guide helps if your family is staying across the Valley.
• Bring layers and sunglasses. The desert is warm in the sun and cools at dusk.
• Let people choose their seat. Anyone who prefers to ride along can take the passenger seat, and the guide swaps seats partway through for those who want a turn.

If the Weather or Plans Change

Thanksgiving weekend rarely goes exactly to plan, with flights shifting and relatives arriving a day late. Build one flexible day into the weekend, and keep your tour booking on the day with the most slack. If your group changes size or timing, call (480) 837-3966 early and we’ll walk through the options. Check our booking and cancellation details for the current policies before you commit.

A Gift That Fits the Season

If you’re hosting and want something for the family that isn’t another thing to unwrap, gift cards are delivered digitally and let each person choose their own date. They also work for the relatives who are only in town for a few days and still deciding what to do.

Book Early for the Long Weekend

Out-of-town families tend to want the same few days, so lock in a date as soon as your travel plans are set. For anything specific to Thanksgiving week, such as availability or group transportation, call us and ask.

Ready to plan it? Book a guided Scottsdale ATV tour online, or call Desert Dog Offroad Adventures at (480) 837-3966 and we’ll help you pick the right time slot for your group.