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Greater Phoenix
Annual Events

Greater Phoenix has festivities taking place all through the year including concerts, festivals, fairs and sporting events.

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

The list below presents an overview of the major events in the Phoenix area.

January: College Baseball; From the crack of the bat to the slide on into home, NCAA baseball packs a wallop of home run frenzy for what’s oft called America’s favorite pastime. Diamond action starts in January, continuing through most of June.; Arizona State Sundevils, Arizona Wildcats; Amp'd Mobile Supercross; Chase Field is the site for these exciting motorcycle races each January.
To make reservations and purchase tickets, click here.; FBR Open; The Tournament Players Club in Scottsdale is the site for this annual golf tournament held during January and February.
To make reservations and purchase tickets, click here.; Fiesta Bowl Football Game; Grid action unfolds at University of Phoenix Stadium - Glendale, Arizona. Call (480) 350-0900 for more information.; World of Wheels; An annual extravaganza of hot rods, custom cars, and custom two-wheelers is staged at Phoenix Civic Plaza. Call (602) 262-6225 for more information.; Maricopa County Home & Garden Show; Mid-January brings the annual showcase for upgrading the homestead at the largest home and garden show in Arizona, held at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. Call (602) 485-1691 for more information.; Italian American Festival; Over the last weekend in January, the Bistro at Kokopelli Winery in downtown Chandler hosts a celebration of Italian heritage with food, wine, games and contests, including a Bocce ball court set up throughout the weekend. Call (480) 792-6927 for more information.
February: Mekong Tet 2010 Lunar New Year Festival; Early in February, CARE Partnership and the Public Safety Foundation of Mesa host a benefit featuring a variety of family activities, including a full-scale carnival with rides and games, Vietnamese cuisine, cultural exhibits, and a health fair with free H1N1 and hepatitis Vaccinations in addition to a variety of speakers, health information, musicians and comedians, at the Mekong Plaza in Mesa. Call (480) 363-9009 for more information.; Prospector’s Day; Gold panning, demonstrations, panning equipment and more are part of the fun at the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum’s annual Prospector’s Day. Call (623) 974-0539 for more information.; Annual Sportsmen’s Vacation & RV Show; The Phoenix Civic Plaza hosts this extravaganza of recreational vehicles and related gear for outdoor sporting vacation adventure. Call (602) 262-6225 for more information.; CFA Cat Show; At El Zaribah Shrine Auditorium, the CFA Cat Show features dozens of breeds along with a household pet competition. Cats and kittens are available for purchase or adoption to living homes, all so purr-fect for Valentine’s Day. Call (623) 327-2323 for more information.; Phoenix Sister Cities WorldFest; On the last weekend in February, or first weekend in March, Margaret T. Hance Park, 3rd Street and Moreland, hosts an annual festival sponsored by the Phoenix Sister Cities organization, that features a world bazaar, children's activities, a pavilion showcasing beers of the world, live music and international performers. Call (602) 534-3751 for more information.
March: Southwest Flower and Garden Show; During the first or second week in March, the University of Phoenix Stadium hosts a regional exposition of flowers, gardening and landscaping, including workshops and exhibits that showcase the beauty and variety of Southwest flora. Call (602) 485-1691 for more information.; West of Western Culinary Festival; In mid-March, the West of Western Culinary Festival features a Grand Tasting with more than 50 Arizona chefs redefining the image of Western cuisine, 20 wineries, cooking demos and classes, and boutique and heirloom food items, all hosted by Phoenix Art Museum in the Sculpture Garden and Great Hall, prepaid reservations required. Call (602) 262-5652 for more information.; Carefree Fine Arts & Wine Festival; The Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival attracts artists and art collectors from across the nation, sharing appreciation for magnificent fine art. The town of Carefree, in the Sonoran Desert, is about 5 minutes from the Scottsdale border. Call (480) 837-5637 for more information.; Arizona Family Women’s Expo; This annual mid-March exposition at the Phoenix Civic Plaza ranks as one of the state’s top five consumer events, attracting more than 65,000 each year with inspired education, entertainment, Valley chef demonstrations, free health screenings, beauty makeovers, cleaning tips and more. Call (602) 262-6225 for more information.; Arizona Kids Count; Every March, the Rotary Club of North Phoenix sponsors a two-day fair with live music, rides, a visit from the Easter Bunny and much more, to benefit the Phoenix Children's Hospital, John C. Lincoln's Desert Mission and Lura Turner Homes, at the Firebird International Raceway in Chandler. Call (877) 772-5425 for more information.; Arizona Aloha Festival; Created by a community seen as a small island in the ocean of other cultures composing Phoenix and Arizona, the festival at the Heritage & Science Park has mushroomed in popularity over the past decade to become a showcase of Polynesian traditions in the desert. Free admission. Call (602) 262-5029 for more information.; International Sportsmen’s Expo; Early in March, at the University of Phoenix Stadium, the International Sportsmen’s Expo provides a wealth of expert advice on hunting, fly-casting, off-roading, camping, hiking, and more. Call (623) 433-7100 for more information.; Arizona Black Film Showcase; Over the last weekend in March, the Phoenix Convention Center in downtown Phoenix and the AMC24 theaters at the Arizona Center host workshops, independent short and feature length films, and a vendor fair. Call (602) 304-0830 for more information.
April: Major League Baseball; Nothing signals advent of spring more than baseball with a capital B, tightly meshed into American culture with historic firsts, icon performances, record-setting events, and traditions from hot dogs slathered in mustard to unexpected curveballs, and seventh-inning stretches. Books and movies about baseball are fine and dandy, but nothing beats Major League Baseball action, playing out each season from April through the World Series.; Arizona Diamondbacks - To book seats to root for your Arizona Diamondbacks, click here.; NASCAR: Subway Fresh 500; The Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale is the site for this NASCAR competition held in April.
To make reservations and purchase tickets, click here.; Phoenix Jazz & Blues Festival; In April or May, the Phoenix Jazz & Blue Festival each year presents bands from coast to coast, with area restaurants catering the event at Steele Indian School Park. Performers over the years have included Big Nick and the Gila Monsters, Taj Mahal, Freddy Cole, and Magic Slim. Call (602) 230-1311 for more information.; Glendale Jazz & Blues Festival; Glendale founder W.J. Murphy who donated land for a town square in 1909 probably never envisioned thousands of music lovers would eventually fill those shaded lawns for April’s annual Glendale Jazz & Blues Festival. Jumpin’ jazz, soulful blues combine with ethnic foods, crafts, wine tasting and more. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for this event in the northwest part of Greater Phoenix. Free admission and parking. Call (623) 930-4500 for more information.; Scottsdale Culinary Festival; Gourmet food takes center stage at April’s annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival, going strong for more than a quarter century. Wineries, chefs, celebrities, locals and tourists alike gather for a culinary extravaganza showcasing a long weekend of fiery sunsets and incredible cuisine. Call (480) 945-7193 for more information.; Desert Caballeros Horse Ride; As a tradition in Wickenberg for more than 50 years, this week-long ride attracts riders from the world over. The town’s Desert Caballeros Western Museum is an hour’s drive from downtown Phoenix on one of the area’s most scenic routes. Call (928) 684-5479 for more information.
May: Maricopa County Home and Landscape Show; Over the first weekend in May, over 1100 exhibitors from the best companies in the greater Phoenix area display home improvement and renovation products at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix. Call (602) 252-6771 for more information.; Queen Creek Peach Festival; Arizona may not be in league with Georgia on the peach front, but fuzzy fun awaits at May’s annual Queen Creek Peach Festival, with peach picking, hay rides, tractor displays, a petting zoo, pancake breakfasts and all manner of peachy-keen fare including peach crepes. Admission helps local charities. Call (480) 987-3100 for more information.; Phoenix Symphony Orchestra; What began as an occasional group of musicians performing a handful of concerts now plays some 275 concerts annually. The 75-member Phoenix Symphony’s season, from September through early June, features classical and pops concerts at Symphony Hall. Call (602) 495-1999 for more information.; Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra; With more than a quarter of a century under its musical belt, the Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra continues to generate a broad base of support. For concert information call (480) 945-8071 for more information.; AVP Tempe Open; Presented by Bud Light, the AVP Tempe Open takes place at Tempe Beach Park, with world-class beach volleyball in a beach-party atmosphere. Call (310) 426-8000 for more information.
June: Mesa’s Broadway Palm West Dinner Theatre; There’s always something new at Broadway Palm West Dinner Theatre in Mesa. Call (480) 325-6700 for more information.; Phoenix Theatre New Works Festival; The month-long festival gives playwrights (new and seasoned) opportunity to stage public readings of new scripts performed by professionals, followed by audience feedback. Jack Heifner (Vanities) and Dale Wasserman (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Man of La Mancha) are among writers whose works have debuted at New Works Festival. Phoenix Theatre, founded in 1920 as Phoenix Little Theatre, is the oldest arts institution in Arizona. Call (602) 258-1974 for more information.; Made in the Shade Beer Festival; More than 30 breweries are represented in mid to late June, as well as food vendors and live performers, at the Coconino County Fairgrounds in Fort Tuthill County Park, Flagstaff, where visitors can sample beers and enjoy live bands. Call (928) 779-1775 for more information.
July: Fabulous Phoenix Fourth of July Celebration; Live entertainment, food, amusement rides, a water play area, and the largest fireworks display in Arizona unfold in downtown Phoenix near Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza. Call (602) 534-FEST for more information.; Artisan & Cottage Food Night Fair; On the third Thursday in July, Kiva Center in Old Town Scottsdale hosts vendors of pottery, jewelry, painting and sculpture, photography, glass, organic food, and much more, accompanied by live music. Call (480) 292-1100 for more information.; Mighty Mud Mania; Mighty Mud Mania debuted in 1976, since becoming a Scottsdale summer highlight attracting some 7,000 kids. The event started as a promotional for a revolutionary cleaning product. Arizona mud stains proved too tough and the campaign failed. Scottsdale kept Mighty Mud and every year tons of dirt and water are pumped into fresh-dug pits for filthy fun. Participants bring canned goods for the food bank. Call (480) 312-2353 for more information.; Summer Spectacular ArtWalk; Downtown Scottsdale hosts Summer Spectacular ArtWalk, ideal for casual evenings with friends and family or for those searching for that special piece of art. Exhibitions, demonstrations and entertainment unfold each Thursday night year round, with special events in summer. Free admission. Call (480) 990-3939 for more information.
August: Big West Valley Maricopa County Home and Garden Show; Over the first full weekend in August, the University of Phoenix Stadium hosts the largest home and garden exposition in the West Valley, featuring over 1,000 vendors pre-screened by the Better Business Bureau of Northern and Central Arizona and Arizona State Registrar of Contractors, and seminars on home improvement and organization. Call (602) 485-1691 for more information.; Grape Train Escape; At intervals including in August, the Verde Canyon Railroad runs train rides with merriment under the stars featuring home-grown wines from Kokopelli Winery. Specialty cheeses and other foods complimenting each wine are served during the journey. Call (800) 320-0718 for more information.; Arizona Science Center; When the sun blazes outside, the Arizona Science Center has more than 350 cool hands-on exhibits. Call (602) 716-2000 for more information.; Golf Galore; Greater Phoenix offers challenging options from award-winning, target- style layouts (like Troon North and Rancho Manana) to traditional tree-lined courses like the Raven Golf Club at South Mountain. Many public and resort courses are quite affordable, especially from June through August. Call (800) 715-0323 for more information.
September: College Football; NCAA Football, created in 1997 to promote college football ideals, makes no bones about the importance of each game. Losing at any time during the season can thwart a team's chances for postseason action or an NCAA Championship. No wonder NCAA Football marketers have adopted a tagline of "NCAA Football: Every Game Counts."; Arizona State Sundevils, Arizona Wildcats, Northern Arizona Lumberjacks; Arizona State Sundevils - To cheer on your favorites and book seats for the Arizona State Sundevils, click here.; Arizona Wildcats - To book seats for the Arizona Wildcats, click here.; Fiesta Glendale; Celebrate Hispanic heritage and culture with family oriented activities for all ages. Call (623) 930-4500 for more information.; Mid-Autumn Moon Festival; In mid-September, the Chinese Cultural Center hosts folk dancing, musicians, singers, calligraphy and traditional moon cakes. Free admission. Call (602) 275-8578 for more information.; Arizona Desert Classic Circuit; At Scottsdale’s Annual Stallion Service Auction, multi-talented, versatile Appaloosa horses compete in jumping, halter, English and western performance, plus speed event classes. Free admission. Call (623) 214-0988 for more information.; Maricopa County Home & Landscape Show; Towards the end of September, the Arizona State Fairgrounds hosts over 1,500 of the area's top home improvement and landscaping vendors, all screened and approved by the Arizona State Registrar of Contractors and the Better Business Bureau of Northern and Central Arizona. Call (602) 485-1691 for more information.; National Public Lands Day Celebration; Over the last weekend in September, Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management host a series of workshops, representatives of outdoor recreation and public land agencies to answer questions, activities for kids, including arts and crafts, at both the North Mountain Visitor Center and South Mountain Environmental Education Center. Call (602) 262-6863 for more information.
October: National Hockey League; The National Hockey League’s rough and tumble world packs a motherlode of milestones, from 1917’s NHL opener, to when Maurice Richard was first to score 50 goals in one season in 1944-45, to when Clint Benedict was the first goalie to put on a mask after a shot knocked him unconscious, to when Manon Rheaume made headlines in 1992 as the first woman playing in one of the four major sports leagues, goaltending for the Tampa Bay Lightning against the St. Louis Blues. From October on, it’s non-stop action in the world of hat tricks -- three goals in a game by a player -- and sudden death overtime.; Phoenix Coyotes - To book for the Phoenix Coyotes, click here.; Fall Festival; The Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce Fall Festival commemorates “Williams, the Last Route 66 Town By-passed by the Interstate.” Among activities are artisan displays, sidewalk sales, pumpkin decorating and a pie eating contest. Call (928) 635-1418 for more information.; Festival of Fear; From the first week in October through Halloween, Wet 'n' Wild Phoenix transforms into a spooky festival featuring a scare zone, an array of mazes, a pre-scare all-you-can-eat feast, exclusive stage show and entry into the Festival of Fear ahead of the general public. Call (480) 505-5445 for more information.; Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake; On the first weekend of October for more than three decades at Tempe Beach Park, Tempe's fall festival features 4 stages of live music, 6 beer gardens, non-stop polka, bratwurst, strudel, a high school and college garage band competition, John Madden football tournament, lots of video games and arts & crafts for the kids, Splash Playground and Regensburg Bounceland. Call (480) 609-3978 for more information.; Old World Phoenix Oktoberfest; In mid-October, downtown Phoenix hosts an authentic Bavarian Oktoberfest, produced by the Arizona Center for Germanic Cultures, with live Bavarian music, dancing, beer maidens and traditional Bavarian food. Call (480) 235-7134 for more information.; Kokopelli Krush; In mid-October, the Kokopelli Winery in historic downtown Chandler celebrates the grape harvest with a grape stomping party where contestants compete and earn prizes for the most grape juice produced. The party lasts all weekend, with plenty of food, art displays, live entertainment and wine tasting. Call (480) 792-6927 for more information.; Borgata Farmers Market; On Friday afternoons, from October, through April, Scottsdale’s Courtyard of the Borgata has fresh fruit and vegetables, baked goods, salsa, flowers and live entertainment. Free admission. Call (480) 998-1822 for more information.; Arizona State Fair; Arizona Exposition and State Fair, a fall tradition, has a great mix of traditional and cutting edge entertainment and exhibits with national concerts, rodeos, racing, livestock, homemaking arts, rides, and taste treats. Call (602) 252-6771 for more information.; Halloween Cats Cat Show; In mid October, the El Zaribah Shrine Auditorium in Phoenix hosts over 175 cats and kittens pedigree-certified by the Cat Fanciers Association, as well as regular cats and kittens, will compete for prizes, with some available for sale or adoption, presented by the Friends for Life no-kill shelter. Call (602) 363-0830 for more information.; Mystery Authors Benefit Luncheon; In late October, award winning mystery writers will be on hand to make presentations and sign their books at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa, with proceeds to benefit National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - Arizona Chapter. Call (602) 432-7272 for more information.; Metro Design Expo; Interior design settings for urban dwellings, wine tastings, and seminars on effective use of space are all featured at the Metro Design Expo in mid to late October at the Phoenix Convention Center. Call (602) 485-1691 for more information.; Noche de Gourmet; During the last week of October, the Wrigley Mansion hosts a semi-formal dinner with dancing and live entertainment for the Active 20-30 Club of Phoenix's Noche de Gourmet to benefit the Children in Need Foundation. Call (602) 955-4079 for more information.; Freaky 5K Halloween Run and Festival; CityCenter of CityNorth celebrates All Hallows Eve with a Halloween Fun Run and Festival. A portion of the proceeds from the 5K race and the 'Lil Goblin Fun Run will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale to continue their great work serving our community. Call (480) 505-4500 for more information.
November: National Basketball Association; Toronto, Canada was the site of the National Basketball League's first game on Nov. 1, 1946, with the Huskies hosting the New York Knickerbockers at Maple Leaf Gardens. Thirteen original rules were drafted by Dr. James Naismith, creator of basketball. Pro basketball suffered in popularity in the early 1950's, but one rule change -- that of the 24-second clock -- transformed the sport from a dull, stalling game to an exciting, offensive showcase. Icons along the way, from Bob Cousy and Wilt Chamberlain to Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, have immortalized what's now the National Basketball Association's game, creating long-standing rivalries from coast to coast.; Phoenix Suns - To book seats to root for your Phoenix Suns, click here.; College Basketball; First devised by James Naismith in 1891, with the first recorded collegiate game in 1893, legions testify there’s no sound so soothing as a basketball whooshing through the net after a flick of the wrist. NCAA basketball brings grass roots hoop dreams to an entirely new level each fall, building toward March Madness, the NCAA Division Basketball Championships.; Arizona State Sundevils - To book seats for the Arizona State Sundevils, click here.; Arizona Wildcats - To book seats for the Arizona Wildcats, click here.; Arizona Lumberjacks - To book seats for the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks, click here.; NASCAR Races - Phoenix International Raceway; The Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale is the site for several NASCAR races held in November.
To make reservations and purchase tickets, click here.; Cliff Garrett Memorial Rodeo; Join the Honeywell rodeo team as members compete in rodeo events within their own company. Guests get an up close look at bronco riding and roping. Call (480) 502-1880 for more information.; Palett of Homes Tour; Early in November, private residences in Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, and Phoenix host an open house catered by Valley area chefs where guests can mingle with home design experts and participate in a silent auction to benefit Free Arts of Arizona. Call (602) 258-8100 for more information.; Arizona Celebrity Golf Classic; In mid November, Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa in Litchfield hosts a golf tournament between celebrities to support Ferguson Jenkins Foundation and the St. Mary's Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross, JDRF, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Rotary International. Call (905) 688-9418 for more information.; Holiday Lights; From late November through year’s end, stroll through Heritage Square to enjoy the city’s largest Christmas tree along with the park’s illuminated historic homes. Free admission. Call (602) 262-5029 for more information.; Cowboy Christmas; A valley tradition from late November through early January, Rawhide’s Main Street on Scottsdale Road glows with 150,000 lights including a 100-foot Tree of Lights and a nightly illumination ceremony. Toast marshmallows at the town fire, enjoy holiday music, visit Saint Nick at the pettin’ ranch, and more. Free admission. Call (480) 502-1880 for more information.; ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo; All aglow as one of the southwest’s largest holiday light displays, ZooLights bathes grounds of the Phoenix Zoo in yuletide cheer with some two million lights and dozens of animated displays. Tickets go on sale in early October, and the Zoo closes in mid-November to prepare for ZooLight’s Thanksiving unveiling. ZooLights is closed on Christmas. Call (602) 273-1341 for more information.; Mutt Strutt; At Scottsdale's El Dorado Park, the Arizona Retriever Rescue hosts opportunity to strut your mutt for 1, 2, or 3 miles, with vendors, food, music, contests and agility demos. Individual or family registrations include t-shirt, goodie bag, photo and raffle entry. Call (480) 946-8704 for more information.; Arizona International Auto Show; During the last week in November, the new cars, crossovers, sport-utility vehicles, trucks and other vehicles for next year, including pre-production models and experimental vehicles are displayed at the Phoenix Convention Center, where visitors can look under the hood, sit behind the wheel, and get a good view of the whole market. Call (602) 262-6225 for more information.
December: Holiday in a Bow; From after Thanksgiving through Christmas Day, Harkins Theatres throughout the Phoenix area partner with Free Arts of Arizona to provide decorative bows made from movie trailers for sale in support of local children's programs. Call (602) 258-8100 for more information.; Kokopelli World Wine, Music & Art Festival; Live jazz, blues, Latin and Islands music are featured throughout the first weekend in December, as well as a special festival menu and wine tastings, at the Kokopelli Winery & Bistro in Sunrise. Call (623) 556-8847 for more information.; Scottsdale Fantasy of Lights; Scottsdale's WestWorld is lighted and decorated for the holidays every evening throughout the month of December and New Year holiday, where you can experience a one-mile drive-through light show enhanced with 3-D glasses, huge light displays and other festivities, in support of HopeKids. Call (602) 843-HOPE for more information.; Lantern Lore; In mid-December, the Arizona Historical Society Museum at Papago Park hosts an outdoor storytelling festival for Valley families that features luminaries, lanterns and camp fires, hot chocolate and spiced cider, singing, theatre and presentations highlighting all of Arizona's native cultures. Call (480) 929-0292 for more information.; 12K's of Christmas; In the middle of December, a 1.2K and 12K run / walk, Christmas carolers, a bazaar and Santa's Pet Village are featured in the annual holiday festival at Freestone District Park in Gilbert, sponsored by the Maricopa County Animal Care & Control, where guests and their pets are encouraged to come in costume. Call (480) 609-3978 for more information.; Fiesta Bowl Parade & Events; An annual parade on Central Avenue and other pre-bowl events throughout Greater Phoenix lead up to the big game. Call (480) 350-0911 for more information.; Nautical Parade of Lights; See Canyon Lake illuminated by nautical parade participants each year in mid-December. Call (480) 671-0000 for more information.; New Year’s Eve Family Desert Party; Families can ring in the new year desert style at a western party with hay wagons transporting participants to the party site. Package includes favors, hot chocolate, coffee, lemonade, live music and entertainment, plus a marshmallow roast. Picnic fare and adult beverages are on tap for purchase. Call (480) 502-1880 for more information.

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Greater Phoenix Annual Events

Greater Phoenix
Annual Events