11th Annual Scottsdale Italian Festival 2026
Arizona's Premier Celebration of Italian Culture
By Chris M. Forte
Each year, Arizona's Italian-American community gathers in the heart of Scottsdale for one of the Southwest's premier celebrations of Italian heritage. In 2026, the 11th Annual Scottsdale Italian Festival, presented by the Italian Association of Arizona, promises another unforgettable weekend filled with authentic food, wine, music, family entertainment, shopping, and la dolce vita.
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway from California or already exploring Arizona, this festival offers one of the best opportunities in the Southwest to experience Italy without crossing the Atlantic.
Event Information
Dates: November 7–8, 2026
Presented by: Italian Association of Arizona
Location: Scottsdale Civic Center, Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona
The Italian Association of Arizona announced the 11th Annual Festival as a two-day celebration designed to showcase Italian food, music, wine, language, traditions, and community in the heart of Scottsdale.
About the Festival
Founded by the Italian Association of Arizona, the Scottsdale Italian Festival has grown steadily into one of the state's largest Italian cultural events.
What began as a local community gathering has evolved into a regional destination attracting thousands of visitors from Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, and beyond.
Rather than focusing only on food, the festival celebrates the entire Italian experience—including history, language, music, regional cuisine, artisans, automobiles, travel, and family traditions.
The Italian Association itself works year-round promoting Italian language education, cultural events, heritage preservation, and community outreach throughout Arizona.
Attractions
Visitors can expect an authentic Italian street festival atmosphere featuring:
- Italian restaurants
- Regional Italian wines
- Italian beers and cocktails
- Live Italian music
- Folk and contemporary entertainment
- Cooking demonstrations
- Italian marketplace
- Family activities
- Cultural exhibits
- Italian automobiles
- Heritage organizations
- Language information
- Photo opportunities throughout the festival grounds
The festival is designed for every age, making it one of Arizona's best family-friendly cultural festivals.
Food & Wine
For many visitors, the food is the biggest attraction.
Expect to find everything from:
- Fresh pasta
- Wood-fired pizza
- Italian sandwiches
- Cannoli
- Gelato
- Italian pastries
- Espresso
- Imported cheeses
- Olive oils
- Italian desserts
Wine lovers can enjoy numerous wines representing multiple regions of Italy, while craft cocktails and Italian beers round out the beverage selections. Previous festivals featured more than 30 Italian wines.
Vendors
The Italian marketplace typically includes vendors offering:
- Imported foods
- Olive oils
- Balsamic vinegar
- Italian ceramics
- Jewelry
- Home décor
- Italian clothing
- Handmade gifts
- Specialty foods
- Travel information
- Cultural organizations
Returning restaurants and merchants are often joined by new vendors each year, giving repeat visitors something new to discover.
Entertainment
Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy:
- Live Italian bands
- Traditional music
- Italian pop classics
- Dance performances
- Cultural demonstrations
- Guest presenters
- Interactive entertainment
The atmosphere feels much like an Italian piazza festival, encouraging guests to linger, socialize, eat, and celebrate together.
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Location
The festival takes place at the beautiful Scottsdale Civic Center in Old Town Scottsdale, one of Arizona's premier shopping, dining, and entertainment districts.
The location places visitors within walking distance of:
- Restaurants
- Art galleries
- Boutique shopping
- Scottsdale Waterfront
- Scottsdale Fashion Square
- Public art
- Hotels
This makes it easy to spend an entire weekend exploring the city beyond the festival itself.
How to Get There
From Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport
Approximately:
- 15–20 minutes by car
- Uber/Lyft readily available
- Rental cars available at the airport
Driving Times
Phoenix
- 20 minutes
Tempe
- 20 minutes
Mesa
- 30 minutes
Tucson
- 2 hours
Flagstaff
- 2½ hours
Las Vegas
- 5 hours
San Diego
- 5½ to 6 hours
Los Angeles
- About 6 hours
Parking
Old Town Scottsdale offers numerous parking options including:
- Free city parking garages
- Surface parking lots
- Metered street parking
- Private lots
Arriving early is highly recommended, as festival attendance can make nearby parking fill quickly.
Where to Stay
Luxury
- Hotel Valley Ho
- Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town
- The Scott Resort & Spa
Mid-Range
- Hyatt Place Scottsdale / Old Town
- Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale Old Town
- Courtyard Scottsdale Old Town
Budget
- Motel 6 Scottsdale
- Extended Stay America
- Best Western Plus Sundial
RV Parks & Campgrounds
Visitors traveling by RV will find several options in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, including:
- Scottsdale Trailer Corral
- Desert Shadows RV Resort
- Eagle View RV Resort
Reservations are recommended well in advance because November is one of Arizona's busiest tourism seasons.
Weather & What to Wear
November is one of the best times of year to visit Scottsdale.
Typical conditions include:
Highs
- 75–80°F (24–27°C)
Lows
- 50–55°F (10–13°C)
Recommended clothing:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Light clothing during the day
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Light sweater or jacket for evenings
Arizona's sunshine remains strong even in autumn.
Nearby Attractions
A weekend trip can easily include some of Scottsdale's most popular destinations:
- Old Town Scottsdale
- Scottsdale Waterfront
- Scottsdale Fashion Square
- Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
- Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West
- Desert Botanical Garden
- Camelback Mountain
- Taliesin West
- OdySea Aquarium
- Butterfly Wonderland
Golf enthusiasts will also find dozens of championship courses throughout the Scottsdale area.
My Thoughts
As editor of The Italian Californian, I'm always encouraged to see Italian heritage thriving well beyond the traditional Italian-American centers of California, New York, and the Northeast.
Arizona's Italian community has built something truly special with the Scottsdale Italian Festival. It isn't simply another food festival—it has become a celebration of language, family, music, regional cuisine, and the traditions that continue connecting Italian Americans to their roots.
For Californians looking for a fall road trip, this festival makes an excellent excuse to spend a weekend in Scottsdale. Between the beautiful November weather, the outstanding restaurants of Old Town, and two days immersed in Italian culture, it's easy to understand why the Scottsdale Italian Festival continues to grow each year.
Whether you're Italian by heritage or simply Italian at heart, you'll likely leave already planning your return for next year.
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