Scottsdale’s annual Western Week is Saturday, Jan. 27, through Sunday, Feb. 4, honoring the city’s western roots and Native American heritage through a series of historical events, educational engagements, family-friendly activities and entertainment.

“We’re pleased to announce the return of Western Week, our annual dedication to the city’s history, culture, people and heritage,” says Karen Churchard, director of Tourism and Events for the city of Scottsdale. “As the event has evolved, we are delighted to partner with many of our local businesses to present new and exciting opportunities for guests to participate in Western Week.”

Western Week kicks off in Historic Old Town and continues at the Marshall Way Bridge. Visitors can expect blacksmith demonstrations, line dancing, live entertainment and more. Signature events taking place during Western Week include:

Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market
Saturday, Jan. 27 | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. 
Live music from a western band as visitors peruse the aisles of this city’s farmers market.

Western Spirit Gold Palette ArtWalk
Thursday, Feb. 1 | 6:30-9 p.m.
Scottsdale Arts District — From Main Street from Scottsdale Road to Goldwater Boulevard, and north of Indian School Road along Marshall Way to 5th Avenue.

Art enthusiasts are encouraged to mosey on through the Scottsdale Arts District, where they can enjoy Western Week-themed entertainment as well as featured exhibitions in the various participating Scottsdale Gallery Association member galleries.

The West’s Most Western Town – “THEN & NOW”
Thursday, Feb. 1 | 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West

Scottsdale’s Community Historian Joan Fudala leads this special presentation, which serves as a photo-rich history of the Parada from its origins to date.

66th Annual Hashknife Pony Express Arrival
Friday, Feb. 2 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West

This one-of-a-kind experience celebrates the real-time arrival of the Hashknife Pony Express, the oldest officially sanctioned Pony Express in the world, which delivers more than 20,000 pieces of United States mail to the steps of Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. In anticipation of the riders’ arrival at noon, the event kicks off at 9:45 a.m. on Marshall Way with a special History of Hashknife Pony Express Arrival presentation. Then, at 11 a.m., guests can enjoy live music, bands, line dancers, Native American hoop dancers and royalty, kids’ activities and food trucks. Event is free, as is admission to the museum all day 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, and Saturday, Feb. 3.

Arizona Indian Festival
Saturday, Feb. 3 | 9 a.m.-6 p.m.| Sunday, Feb. 4 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Scottsdale Civic Center

The Arizona American Indian Tourism Association, in partnership with Arizona’s Native American tribes, hosts this annual event presenting guests with opportunity to discover more about the state’s Native American Indian tribes by exploring examples of traditional Indian villages and dwellings, experiencing traditional arts and crafts demonstrations and enjoying native food vendors and native mainstage entertainment such as dancing and singing. The Tribal Travel and Tourism offices will also be showcasing their native destinations.

70th annual Scottsdale Parada del Sol Historic Parade and Trail’s End Festival
Saturday, Feb. 3 | 10 a.m.-noon (parade), noon-4 p.m. (festival)                                     
Old Town Scottsdale – Scottsdale Road

Celebrating its seventh decade, the theme for the 70th annual Scottsdale Parada Del Sol Historic Parade and Trail’s End Festival is “Still Groovin’ After 70 Years.” This long-running beloved community event tips its hat to the city’s Wild West roots, beginning with a family-friendly parade featuring more than 125 entries such as floats, mounted horse-riders, horse-drawn carriages, school marching bands, wagons and stagecoaches representing multiple cultures from Mexican and Native American to Arabian and Western. The parade follows a route from Drinkwater Boulevard along Scottsdale Road, finishing at Brown Avenue and Indian School Road.

Immediately following the parade, Historic Old Town transforms into a massive Western-style block party with a kids’ zone, food trucks, merchandise vendors and multiple stages with live entertainment including concerts from contemporary bands to traditional performers. Guests can expect the traditional nod to the Old West — with some groovy new additions in honor of the event’s 70th anniversary. New this year, the 2024 Phoenix Men’s Final Four Fan Jam will make an appearance. The Fan Jam tour builds excitement for the coming 2024 Men’s Final Four — set to take place Saturday, April 6, and Monday, 8, 2024 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale — with basketball-themed games and other family-friendly activations.

In addition to these signature events, the city of Scottsdale is working with local merchants and businesses to present new experiences for this year’s Western Week. These experiences will soon be announced.

Visit scottsdalewesternweek.com for more information.