FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE PRINCESS ANNOUNCES SUMMER PROGRAMMING,
ANCHORED BY 16TH ANNUAL FREEDOM FEST
Summer at the Princess returns with a slate of family-friendly activities and a three-night Independence Day celebration marking America's 250th birthday
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Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Arizona's iconic AAA Five-Diamond resort, invites locals and travelers to a full summer of family programming, culinary offerings, and patriotic celebrations, headlined by the resort's 16th annual Freedom Fest from July 2-4, 2026. The
festivities take on new significance this year in honor of America's 250th birthday, with three nights of live concerts, fireworks, a 400-drone aerial show, and a vintage military air show. "Summer at the Princess is one of the most anticipated times of year across the Valley, a season of long pool days, shared outdoor adventures, and memories that bring families back to the property year after year," said Jack Miller, Regional Vice President and General Manager at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. "In time with the 250th anniversary of American independence, this year calls for our boldest celebration yet, from arrival to the final firework over the Sonoran Desert, every detail is built to honor the country, our veterans, and the traditions that make summer at the Princess unforgettable."
Freedom Fest Highlights (July 2-4)
Across three nights, the resort comes alive with celebrations that honor America's 250th birthday, salute the country's heroes, and bring families together under the desert sky:
• Stars, Stripes & Check-In Delights: Guests can kick off the weekend with an all-American welcome at the Princess Ballroom Foyer, snapping a photo at the property's festive photo op and picking up scavenger hunt clues to guide their adventures across the resort.
• Concerts Under the Stars | Nightly 8 p.m.: Weekend live music includes Sapphire Sky on Thursday, with genre-spanning performances; Paradigm on Friday, known for Top 40 hits and crowd-pleasing mashups; and Rubix Kube closing out the weekend on Saturday with an interactive 80s experience.
• Electrifying Fireworks | Nightly 9 p.m.: The Princess lights up nightly with fireworks, viewable from multiple locations throughout the resort.
• All Veteran Group | Nightly: Parachutists perform aerial displays, soaring with trailing patriotic flags alongside the fireworks.
• Drone Show | July 3, 9 p.m.: A 400-drone aerial spectacular will light up the Scottsdale sky, combining cutting-edge technology with patriotic celebration. This unforgettable show is set to be the biggest in the Valley and a can't-miss centerpiece of Freedom Fest.
• Saluting Heroes & Vintage Air Show | July 4, 4:45 p.m.: This vintage air show features approximately a dozen military aircraft that flew in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, piloted by retired veterans.
• Patriotic, Poolside! | Daily: Resort guests can celebrate America across the Princess' six sparkling pools, each with its own signature design, complete with waterslides, plush daybeds and cabanas and poolside food and beverage service on a white-sand beach.
Additional Summer Programming at the Princess
The full summer lineup includes poolside games, dive-in movies, pickleball, fishing derbies and more:
• Watch Party at Plaza Bar | June 12 to July 11: Guests can catch all the action at the Plaza Bar on select match days and cheer on their favorite teams with themed food and drink specials inspired by Mexico, Canada, and the United States, plus a shared dessert celebrating all three host countries. Offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with varied kickoff times throughout the tournament.
• All Stars | Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: The Princess’ summer programming begins at Sunset Beach Pool and continues throughout the day, ending at Splash Pool for a social experience suited to all ages. Activities include water aerobics, volleyball, basketball, and dance, along with a mobile DJ booth.
• Fun Team | Friday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Join the Fairmont Fun Team for performances, skits, and crowd work at the Sonoran Splash Pool and Sunset Beach Pool.
• Dive-In Movies | Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.: Watch family-favorite films on an inflatable screen while floating in the Sunset Beach Pool during Freedom Fest weekend, and at Princess Pool for all other showings throughout the summer.
• Catch-And-Release Fishing Derbies | Saturday and Sunday 8-10 a.m.: Guests can cast a line and participate in fishing derbies for prizes at the Lagoon Lawn for $10 per person.
• Camp Trailblazers | Daily: Experience the ultimate resort getaway with the Princess’ flexible Day Camp programs. Whether little ones are looking for a morning of discovery or a full day of action, the resort has the perfect itinerary for young explorers.
• Twilight Trailblazers Parents Night Out | Friday & Saturday, 5-10 p.m.: The Princess' evening childcare program offers a counselor-led night of games, crafts, themed activities, a kid-friendly dinner and a smooth wind-down for children ages 6-12.
• Pickleball | Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Picklers can reserve a court at Camp Trailblazers. The Princess provides a pickleball gear bag, two paddles, three balls, bottled water and a towel.
• Mini Golf | Daily: Enjoy a one-of-a-kind mini golf experience with the Princess’ custom-designed 9-hole course overlooking the Princess Pool.
• Mineral Creek Mining | Daily: Located in front of Camp Trailblazers, this children's experience invites young guests to purchase a bag of dirt and pan for minerals and treasures at the Mineral Creek Mining setup.
Additionally, The Princess’ acclaimed culinary lineup brings new energy to the summer season with refined dining experiences and limited-time offerings across the resort. Toro Scottsdale will offer Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., while Bourbon Steak by acclaimed Chef Michael Mina introduces both a daily happy hour from 5 to 6 p.m. and a three-course summer dining experience, priced at $95 and available through August 31, showcasing the signature flavors of Bourbon Steak through luxurious ingredients, wood-fired technique, and modern steakhouse elegance. Ironwood American Kitchen highlights Arizona’s local farmers, ranchers, and artisan purveyors with Burgers, Brews & Floats on Friday and Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m., along with a camp-themed Kids’ Buffet on weekends from 6:30 to 11 a.m.
La Hacienda rounds out the lineup with Tacos and Tequila, featuring a three-taco plate paired with a tequila flight, served daily through August 31, alongside its signature alfresco tequila bar experience. Guests looking to extend the summer getaway can book the Princess' Four Nights of Freedom Package, which includes four nights of accommodations with the fourth night free, VIP seating to all three Freedom
Fest concerts and full access to the resort's summer programming. The offer is bookable now through Friday, July 4, 2026, with rates starting at $248, for stays between July 1 and July 7, 2026.
For more information about Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, please visit www.scottsdaleprincess.com, or call (480) 585-4848. The full lineup of Freedom Fest activities can be found at www.scottsdaleprincess.com/events-scottsdale/freedom-fest.
About Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Set against the backdrop of Arizona’s McDowell Mountains, the AAA Five Diamond Fairmont Scottsdale Princess reflects its Southwestern setting with Spanish colonial-style architecture, expansive plazas and lush, flower-filled gardens. The resort features 750 oversized guest rooms, six heated swimming pools, the luxurious 44,000 square foot Well & Being Spa, championship golf at the adjacent TPC Scottsdale and Camp Trailblazers. Dining options include Ironwood American Kitchen serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Bourbon Steak, the AAA Four Diamond steakhouse by acclaimed chef Michael Mina; modern Mexican cuisine at La Hacienda by Richard Sandoval and Toro Scottsdale Richard Sandoval, serving Pan Latin fare with stunning views overlooking the 18th green at the TPC of Scottsdale Stadium Course. The Plaza Bar in Princess Plaza serves craft cocktails nightly with scenic outdoor fire table patios. Join the resort’s online communities on Facebook, Instagram & X. The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is located at 7575 East Princess Drive.
