When to visit Phoenix & Scottsdale without the crowds
Phoenix & Scottsdale (Arizona, United States) is calmest in July, August, September and October: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in January, February, March and April. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with July, August and September: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Nov & May
When everyone heads home
Mid-April.
Tip
Summer tops 40 °C and resorts cost a third: pool by day, out at night.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4/5 · busy | 19 °C (66 °F) | Phoenix Open golf tournament (Feb), New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
| February | 4/5 · busy | 22 °C (71 °F) | Presidents Day |
| March | 4/5 · busy | 25 °C (76 °F) | Baseball spring training (Feb–Mar) |
| April | 4/5 · busy | 30 °C (87 °F) | |
| May | 3/5 · moderate | 34 °C (94 °F) | Memorial Day |
| June | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 41 °C (105 °F) | Juneteenth National Independence Day |
| July | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 42 °C (107 °F) | Independence Day |
| August | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 40 °C (105 °F) | |
| September | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 38 °C (100 °F) | Labour Day |
| October | 2/5 · calm | 32 °C (89 °F) | |
| November | 3/5 · moderate | 25 °C (77 °F) | Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day |
| December | 3/5 · moderate | 20 °C (68 °F) | Christmas Day |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Monsoon (Jul–Sep): afternoon storms and flash floods; avoid slot canyons when there is a warning.
- Extreme heat (Jun–Sep): average highs up to 42 °C (107 °F). Avoid the midday sun.
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Phoenix & Scottsdale without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually August (crowds 1/5). In August the average high is 40 °C (105 °F). All the calm months: July, August, September and October.
When is Phoenix & Scottsdale most crowded?
The busiest season is January, February, March and April. Mid-April.
What is the weather like in Phoenix & Scottsdale?
Average highs range from 19 °C (66 °F) in January to 42 °C (107 °F) in July, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to Phoenix & Scottsdale?
Monsoon (Jul–Sep): afternoon storms and flash floods; avoid slot canyons when there is a warning. Extreme heat (Jun–Sep): average highs up to 42 °C (107 °F). Avoid the midday sun.
What festivals are there in Phoenix & Scottsdale?
The main ones: Phoenix Open golf tournament (Feb) (January); Baseball spring training (Feb–Mar) (March).
More places in Arizona
- Grand Canyon calm in January, February and December; busiest in April, May, June, July, August and September
- Sedona calm in February, June, July, August, September, October and December; busiest in May and November