🌮 Arizona Taco Fest Returns to Scottsdale This October
Arizona Taco Fest returns to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick for a weekend celebration of tacos, live culinary competitions, and plenty of fun.
Tacos it is: Tacos take center stage at Arizona Taco Fest, with chefs, restaurants, and street vendors serving creative bites from smoked tomahawk ribeye and Asian-inspired tacos to decadent desserts. New for 2026, guests can watch live judging, vote via QR code, and cheer on winners competing for trophies and cash prizes. The festival runs October 17–18 at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale.
Taco party is on: The festival packs the weekend with plenty to do, from top chefs competing for gold and live taco judging to People’s Choice voting, celebrity chef appearances, cooking demonstrations, music, mixology, and margarita tastings. Chef Beau MacMillan will host the second annual Taco Fest Bar Brawl, while VIP guests can enjoy elevated amenities and an Agave Show and Uchi Scottsdale pop-up. Families can also check out the Kids Zone with rides, bounce houses, and games.
General admission starts at $15, VIP Agave Experience at $100, Designated Driver at $60, and VIP Cabanas at $1,950 for six. Kids 12 and under and parking are free.
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👨🍳 Meet the Chef
Chef Alex Stratta Brings a $1,000 Dining Experience to North Scottsdale
At $1,000 a person, it’s certainly not an everyday dinner—but for those looking for a truly one-of-a-kind night, this one stands out.
North Scottsdale is getting a new ultra-exclusive dining experience. Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails is launching The Chef’s Table at Belmont, limited to just one table on select evenings and priced at $1,000 per guest, with a four-person minimum.
Chef Alex Stratta, a two-Michelin-star chef, will personally create a multi-course tasting menu based on the preferences of each group. Guests will also get a special table setting, exceptional ingredients, personal interaction with Stratta and his culinary team, and wine pairings throughout the evening.
The first Chef’s Table is set for November 7, with reservations available for parties of four or more. Tax and gratuity are additional.
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📲 What's on the feed?
Missed a post? Here’s what’s been buzzing across our social channels this week.
Porters Western Saloon
Porters Western Saloon in Old Town Scottsdale is turning its upstairs into the limited-time Porters Haunted Saloon, opening September 18 with Halloween cocktails, spooky decor, and photo ops, Thursday–Sunday from 4 p.m.—scottsdalemagazine
Outcast Doughnuts in Scottsdale is offering a free doughnut with every coffee purchase after 2 p.m., plus a new fall menu featuring its pumpkin-spice “Oh My Gourd!” at 2955 N. Hayden Road—scottsdalemagazine
Scottsdale’s new Rotary Park Playground is officially open at 7960 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, featuring shade canopies, slides, climbing structures, swings, and inclusive play features—scottsdaleparksandrec
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation is hiring a Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer to lead marketing, communications, and licensing at its Scottsdale headquarters.
🗞️Weekly Roundup
🎉 Events
Phoenix Raceway Fan Fest
Phoenix Raceway’s free Fan Fest returns to downtown Phoenix on October 15, from 4–7 p.m. at Heritage Square and Science Park. The family-friendly event will feature NASCAR driver appearances, show cars, live music, kids’ activities, food vendors, and community booths ahead of Chase Weekend, October 16–18.
The Scottsdale Wine Trail is bringing its “Wine at 5” series to Old Town Scottsdale every Wednesday in September, offering wine lovers a chance to unwind with a $5 pour at a different tasting room each week at 5 p.m. Tickets are required for the $5 offer, and guests must be 21 or older with valid identification.
The 11th Annual Scottsdale Italian Festival returns to Scottsdale Civic Center on November 7–8, 2026. Presented by the Italian Association of Arizona, this year’s theme, “La Strada del Vino” (The Street of Wine), will highlight Italian cuisine, culture and entertainment, along with more than 30 wines from regions across Italy. The festival runs 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday, with tickets now on sale.
The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park's Halloween Spooktrackula returns October 1–31, from 6–9:30 p.m. The event includes spooky train and carousel rides, a kid-friendly Storybook Train, and a new haunted train walkthrough. Tickets are on sale now for $15 per person, with free admission for children 2 and younger.
On September 26, 2026, Taliesin West will host a beginner-friendly mosaic workshop with artist David Jarvinen of The Mosaic Guys. Participants will create an 8-by-10-inch framed mosaic inspired by a Frank Lloyd Wright design. The workshop runs from 9 a.m. to noon, with registration costing $125.
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is kicking off its Early Bird Christmas offer, with 30% off Christmas at the Princess admission, overnight stays, the S’mores Chalet, Santa Experience and self-parking, plus $150 off fire table rentals. The holiday event runs Nov. 20, 2026–Jan. 2, 2027, and the offer ends Sept. 30.
Ravenscroft celebrates its five-year anniversary with live performances by We3 Ft. O.M.G., Raúl Yáñez, Joe Garcia & Friends, and the Lewis Nash Trio on October 17th. The event begins at 5 p.m., with tickets ranging from $75–$90.
📰 News
Vecina Happy Hour Offerings
Vecina will open its new McCormick Ranch location on September 18 in the former Z’Tejas space at Hayden and Via de Ventura. The larger restaurant will feature expanded dining areas, a lake-facing patio, and Vecina’s signature menu and cocktails.
Beyond Yoga is opening its first Arizona location in Scottsdale on Sept. 10. The Los Angeles-based activewear brand will open at Kierland Commons, offering women’s, men’s and maternity collections, along with loungewear, travel styles and sizes from XXS to 4X.
Old Town Scottsdale is seeking artists to paint window storefronts for the holiday season. Selected artists will have the opportunity to create festive artwork displayed throughout the community. Applications are now open.
Aldi plans to open its first Scottsdale location at Indian River Plaza, 7919 E. Thomas Road, according to the Phoenix Business Journal. The grocery chain is also planning several other Valley locations as part of its goal to add about 40 stores across the region by 2030.
Thank you for reading today’s edition! We hope we served up some great recs to satisfy your cravings. Want more options? Arizona Restaurant Week returns September 18–27 with 10 days of prix-fixe dining experiences at restaurants across the state.
—Ben Murray | Founder @ Desert Rundown
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