Leisure at Scottsdale Senior Centers offers community meals, art talks, music sessions, discussion groups, and games—all designed to keep you active, engaged, and socially connected.
Congregate Lunch Programs
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.)
Discussion Groups
Senior Center Discussion Groups
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.
Art All Around Us
Join our docent for free visual lecture series presented Phoenix Art Museum at both senior centers:
Granite Reef Senior Center Room #8 at 10 a.m., first Tuesday of each month:
Dec. 2 - Art of the Monuments Men
Via Linda Senior Center Room #5 at 1 p.m., fourth Thursday of each month:
Jan. 22, 2026 - Portrait of the Author
Feb. 26, 2026 - Going Dutch, 17th Century Style
March 26, 2026 - Impressionists: Capturing a Moment
April 23, 2026 - Portraits: Amateur Detective
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Music and Muffins Discussion Group
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Join us for an hour of building community through the Joy of Music. Group will discuss music and playlists with a group leader from AZ Music Fest. Playlists will be emailed to each participant prior the group meeting. Coffee and Muffins will be provided.
Via Linda Senior Center, third Tuesday of each month.
Free activity but you'll need to register.
Nov. 18 - “The Drop That Contained the Sea” - a Global Choral Masterpiece
Dec. 16 - Your Holiday Soundtrack
Scottsdale Library Book Discussion
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 second Wednesday 10-11:30 a.m., no discussion in December.
- New dates coming soon!
Via Linda’s book discussion is the third Monday 11-12:30 p.m., September – December.
- Dec. 15 - A Wish for Winter (Viola Shipman)
Via Linda Book Discussion
The Via Linda Book Discussion group meets from 11-12:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month - September to December, then the fourth Monday of each month - January to March.
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.
Dec. 15 - A Wish for Winter (Viola Shipman)
Jan. 26, 2026 - All the Beauty in the World (Patrick Bringley)
Feb. 23, 2026 - My Friends (Fredrik Backman)
March 23, 2026 - Nobody's Fool (Harlan Coben)
Musical Activities
Bluegrass Jam Sessions
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.
Open Karaoke
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
Scottsdale Strummers
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
Music Memory Workshops
Music is therapy. Each workshop includes full body movement exercise memory and hand-eye coordination games, reflective conservation; all set to music and rhythm. These free workshops are hosted at Granite Reef Senior Center.
Every Monday 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Mindful Art
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
Daily Activities
Cards/Games Activities
Drop- In Play
Bridge
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.
| Program | Location | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duplicate Bridge | GRSC | Monday and Friday | 1 p.m. |
| Fast Play Bridge (Intermediate) | VLSC | Tuesday and Thursday | Noon |
| Duplicate Bridge | GRSC | Tuesday | 1 p.m. |
| Prickly Pear Bridge | GRSC | Wednesday | 1 p.m. |
| Duplicate Sanction Bridge* | VLSC | Wednesday | 12:30 p.m. |
Mah Jongg
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.
| Program | Location | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mah Jongg | GRSC | Monday | 10:30 a.m. |
| Mah Jongg (Rotation Required) | VLSC | Thursday | 1 p.m. |
| International Mah Jongg | GRSC | Friday | Noon |
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.
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Welcome to McDowell Village, conveniently located in South Scottsdale, adjacent to the Granite Reef Senior Center. Here, local seniors have access to high-quality Independent Living and Assisted Living services. In fact, because of our trained staff and customized care, McDowell Village was recently ranked “Best Independent Living” and “Best Assisted Living” by U.S. News and World Report.