Leisure Activities

Congregate meals program provides a delicious and nutritious lunch to seniors. This program is designed to bring positive socialization and interaction with others while enjoying a meal.

Doors open at 11 a.m., and lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Menu posted online and at the front desks.

$4 ages 50+ / $7 ages 50 and under

Via Linda Senior Center: Partners with HonorHealth
Meals are available Tuesday-Thursday.
Must register at least two-day advance over the phone 480-312-5810 or at front desk.

Granite Reef Senior Center: Partners with Tempe Community Action
Meals are available Monday-Friday.
Must register one day advance by calling 480-312-1724 (leave a voicemail.)

Senior Services has a variety of discussions groups lead by vetted City of Scottsdale volunteers. Join the fun with light-hearted groups to designed to make new friends while sharing, stories, jokes, information and memories. See our daily activity list for variety groups at both senior centers. 

The Via Linda Book Discussion group meets on the second Thursday of each month — September to June. For each month a person volunteers to lead the discussion. Questions are usually found online and shared with the group via email prior to the meeting. All are welcome! All books are available at Scottsdale Public Library.

Sept. 11 - An Unfinished Love Story (Doris Kearns Goodwin)
Oct. 9 - Going Back to Bisbee (Richard Shelton)
Nov. 13 - The Nightingale (Kristin Hannah)
Dec. 11 - My American Dream: Life, Love, Family, and Food (Lidia Bastianich)
Jan. 8, 2026 - The Plot (Jean Hanff Korelitz)
Feb. 12, 2026 - Philomena: A Mother, The Son, and Fifty-Year Search (Martin Sixsmith)

This group is led by library staff at both senior centers. All books are available through the library and 10 copies located at the senior center front desk.  There should be plenty of opportunity for everyone to get a copy.

Granite Reef’s book discussion is on the 2nd Wednesday 10-11:30 a.m., no discussion in December.

• Oct. 8  - We Begin at the End (Chris Whittaker)
• Nov. 12 - The Art Thief (Michael Finkel)

• Oct. 20 - Department of Sensitive Crimes (Alexander McCall Smith)
  
• Nov. 17 - The Backyard Bird Chronicles (Amy Tan)
  
• Dec. 15 - A Wish for Winter (Viola Shipman)

Bring your own acoustic bluegrass instruments (banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin and dobro) and play along with other musicians. Or just come in have a seat outside the circle and listen. Everyone is welcome.

Every Wednesday, noon-2 p.m., at Via Linda Senior Center.

Join us for free afternoon of singing. No registration required. This program is at Granite Reef Senior Center 2-5 p.m.

First and third Tuesday
Second and fourth Thursday

Join us for a drop-in ukulele group jam session must bring your own ukulele. There is no cost for this program all levels welcome. If you want to learn how to play join the beginner group called Easy Ukulele Music. This groups meets at Granite Reef Senior Center.

Easy Ukulele Music (beginner group)
Every Monday 1-2 p.m.

Scottsdale Strummers (advance group)
Every Friday 10 a.m.-noon

Come enjoy an engaging, creative session for you and your family member. Designed for those experiencing dementia, Alzheimer's or low vision. We will sing, tell stories, and create art together on seasonal themes. You'll go home with an original piece of artwork, and materials to support you as a caregiver.

Every Tuesday, 10-11 a.m., at Via Linda Senior Center

If the game of bridge interests you, look no further. The Granite Reef and Via Linda Senior Centers offer a few varieties of bridge games including ACBL sanctioned games throughout the week at affordable prices, in addition to countless social bridge games free of charge.

Want to learn how to play bridge? Senior centers offer paid classes every season.
Located online/Scottdale Life brochure.

* Requires $8 drop-in fee. Call Granite Reef or Via Linda Senior Center for more information.

Played by four persons with 144 domino-like tiles that are drawn and discarded until one player secures a winning hand. The object of play is similar to that of the rummy card games. The mah-jongg set includes a pair of dice, a quantity of tokens or chips used for scorekeeping, and a rack for keeping tiles upright and keeping their faces hidden from other players.

Want to learn how to play Mah Jongg? Senior centers offer paid classes every season.
Located online/Scottsdale Life brochure.

Via Linda Senior Center hosts Mah Jongg Party Friendly Tournaments

American Version of ancient Chinese game of skill and luck, using the current National Mah Jongg League Rule Card. Standard Rules of Play. Four rounds of three games each, with rotations to different tables, for points and prizes.

• Saturday, Oct. 25
• Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026