Honestly, if you’re trying to figure out the current time Scottsdale AZ right now, you’re probably either planning a dinner reservation or staring at a confusing calendar invite. It’s 11:43 AM on Thursday, January 15, 2026. But here’s the thing: Scottsdale time is a bit of a rebel. While the rest of the country is busy "springing forward" or "falling back" and complaining about their internal clocks, Scottsdale just... doesn't.
Arizona famously opted out of Daylight Saving Time (DST) back in 1968. Because it's already hot enough, nobody really wanted another hour of scorching evening sun. This means Scottsdale stays on Mountain Standard Time (MST) all year long.
The "Time Zone Shifting" Mindset
Most people get tripped up because Scottsdale’s relationship with other cities changes twice a year. Right now, in January, Scottsdale is aligned with Denver. We’re two hours behind New York and one hour ahead of Los Angeles.
But come March? Everything shifts. When California moves to Daylight Saving Time, Scottsdale effectively "becomes" Pacific Time. You’ll be on the same hour as Seattle and San Francisco without ever moving your own clock. It’s a logistics nightmare for remote workers, but a blessing for locals who hate fiddling with the microwave clock.
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Why the Sun Dictates the Schedule
Since it's mid-January, the days are short but crisp. Today’s sunrise was at 7:31 AM, and we’re looking at a sunset around 5:41 PM. That’s about ten hours of daylight to work with.
If you’re heading out right now, the weather is basically perfect. We’re sitting at 72°F with a light breeze from the east. It’s "partly sunny," which is Scottsdale-speak for "grab your sunglasses anyway because the glare off the McDowell Mountains is no joke." We’re expecting a high of 78°F today, dropping down to a chilly 49°F tonight.
What’s Happening in the City Today?
If you’re looking at the clock and wondering if it’s too early for a drink, you’ve clearly never been to Old Town. Places like the Coach House (which has been around since 1957) open their doors as early as 6:00 AM.
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Today, January 15, is actually a pretty busy Thursday.
- 5-Course Wine Dinner: Adobe Road Winery is hosting a massive dinner over at Caesars Republic later this evening.
- World Choir Workshop: If you’re into music, there’s a Gospel workshop happening at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM).
- ArtWalk Prep: Tonight is the weekly ArtWalk in the Arts District. Galleries stay open late—usually from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM—and it’s completely free to wander.
Tomorrow kicks off the "big" season. The Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction starts its run at WestWorld on the 16th, and the Arizona Fine Art Expo opens its massive tents. If you think traffic is bad now, just wait until the car collectors and the Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon runners descend on the city this weekend.
Real Talk on Navigating the Hours
Basically, if you're calling someone in Scottsdale from the East Coast, remember we’re early birds. The hiking trails at Echo Canyon or Gateway are usually packed by 6:30 AM because locals want to beat the heat, even in January.
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Most kitchens in the Entertainment District close around 10:00 PM on weekdays, though the clubs like RIOT House or Bottled Blonde will keep the bass thumping until 2:00 AM. Just keep in mind that "Arizona Time" is its own beast. We don't change for the world; the world changes around us.
Check your flight itinerary twice. Most travel apps handle the DST transition well, but if you’re driving in from New Mexico or California during a transition month, you’re almost guaranteed to be an hour early or late to your first meeting.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
- Sync Your Calendar: Manually set your phone to "Phoenix" time rather than "Automatic" if you're near the borders of the Navajo Nation (who do observe DST).
- Book Your Tee Time: If you're golfing, aim for a 1:00 PM start today to catch the peak 78°F temperature before the sun starts dipping behind the peaks at 5:00 PM.
- Download a Rideshare App: If you're hitting the Old Town ArtWalk tonight, parking will be a nightmare near Main Street after 6:00 PM.