THE BEST FESTIVALS & FAIRS IN PHOENIX & ARIZONA
Arizona plays host an enormous number of festivals and fairs annually , many of which were inspired by a number of the unique aspects of the southwestern state’s culture.
A highlight of any visit to Arizona and its capital Phoenix is immersing yourself within the region’s rich arts and cultural scene, which has helped produce to several of the festivals and fairs that are held here throughout the year. Consequently, such events serve not only as an opportunity for locals to celebrate their own heritage, but to supply a desirable insight for visitors also . We’ve picked out a number of the simplest .
Arizona Balloon Classic
About 25 balloon teams participate during this annual event which attracts thousands of spectators, all drawn by the visual drama of Arizona’s East Valley skies dotted with hot air balloons. Held over three days, the festival features early evening balloon glows, morning balloon launches and landings, and a fun-filled ballooning race too. There’s also music, food, a family fun zone and fireworks to feature to the spectacle.
Goodyear Ballpark, Goodyear / 28-30 January 2022
Street Eats Food Truck Festival
Over 60 food trucks participate during this well attended foodie festival per annum , all serving up mouth-watering dishes starting from Philly steak sandwiches through to gourmet cuisine. There also are food eating competitions, cooking demos by local and nationally recognised chefs, musical entertainment on multiple stages, a farmers market, arts and crafts stalls, and a Kids’ Zone.
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Scottsdale / 5-6 February 2022
World Championship Hoop Dance Competition
This unique two-day event, which celebrates the long-standing artistry, athleticism and significance of yank Indian Hoop Dance, will see men and ladies from across the US and Canada compete for cash prizes and – most significantly of all – the coveted title of World Champion Hoop Dancer. Watched by thousands of enthusiastic spectators, along side a panel of keen-eyed judges, performers are assessed on their precision, timing, rhythm, showmanship, creativity, and speed.
Heard Museum Libby Ampitheatre, Phoenix / 12-13 February 2022
Arizona Beer Week
For 11 days in February, the state of Arizona will see dozens of its finest breweries, bars and restaurants, along side vast numbers of industry experts and beer lovers, close to celebrate the absolute best craft beer the region has got to offer. happening at venues across Arizona, the programme of over 200 events will include food pairings, pub crawls, special giveaways and meet-the-brewer nights.
Venues across Arizona / 17-27 February 2022
Buckeye Air Fair
This family-friendly event celebrates the history and tradition of aviation, while offering visitors the prospect to find out about the science of space and flight. also as a good array of aircraft related exhibits, the fair also puts on a variety of activities including rides in biplanes, hot air balloons and helicopters, police and fire demonstrations, and a car show. There’s also a special Kids Zone and a science and technology festival.
Buckeye Municipal Airport, Buckeye / 18-20 February 2022
Lost Dutchman Days
There is little more quintessentially American than a Rodeo, and this hugely popular annual carnival features the absolute best that the fun-filled, high-octane horse and livestock-riding sport has got to offer, attracting some 30,000 spectators annually . Held over three days, it stages over 30 rides, along side an enormous array of free, high quality entertainment including a rodeo dance, live music, arts & crafts, family friendly activities, food and vendor booths, a bratwurst party, and a vibrant parade.
Rodeo Park, Apache Junction / 25-27 February 2022
Southwest Cajun Fest
Over 1,000 miles separates Arizona and Louisiana, except for at some point only the 2 states close for a celebration of all things Cajun. The event features a packed programme of cultural festivities and entertainment, but the amount one draw is that the mouth-watering cuisine. Fusing authentic Louisiana dishes with a touch of Arizona flavour, guests are invited to sample an upscale assortment of regional dishes served up by a spread of food vendors. Meanwhile handcrafted beer, eating competitions and live jazz, blues and swing increase the atmosphere.
Dr. AJ Chandler Park, Chandler / 26 February 2022
Italian Festival of Arizona
Do you harbour a love of all things Italian? Look no further than the Italian Festival of Arizona, a two-day celebration bringing a taste of Italian culture to Scottsdale. Expect traditional live music, a variety of arts and crafts, gathering and every one the tempting Italian dishes and flavours you'll wish for. a part of the event’s proceeds are going to be donated to St Vincent de Paul, supporting those in need within the surrounding area. this is often an excellent family event celebrating the range of the area people .
Civic Center Mall, Scottsdale / 26-27 February 2022
McDowell Mountain Music Festival
The musical celebration of community and charity has become a solid fixture within the growing Phoenix festival scene. Launched in 2004, today the equestrian sport routinely draws over 20,000 fans to the green expanse of Margaret T. Hance park, helping raise huge amounts for regional charities within the process. Notable names from the planet of music to possess performed at the festival in recent years include Bon Iver, Rufus du Soul and Greensky Bluegrass. also as live music there also are local food trucks, vendors, and a child Zone.
Margaret T. Hance Park, Phoenix / 4-5 March 2022
Roots N’ Boots Queen Creek
Saddle up for the complete Roots N’ Boots Queen Creek PRCA experience, four days of rodeo action for the entire family to enjoy. The event celebrates the simplest of the local agricultural community, complete with funfair, carnival and vendors, not forgetting the celebs of the show, the livestock. check in to compete in events, like Ranch Dressing and teenage Xtreme to bring out your inner cowboy. Younger visitors can meet a variety of animals, enjoy gentle pony rides and cheer on all the rodeo contestants.
Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre, Queens Creek / 17-20 March 2022
Spring Carefree art & Wine Festival
This March, Thunderbird Artists, the leading producer of art events within the American southwest, will bring the indoors outdoors with their 27th spring festival in downtown Carefree. Guests can view art selected through a comprehensive jury process, sample fine wines and spirits, snack on festival food, and hear live music, all while enjoying the sunshine and meeting fellow art lovers. The festival boasts over 160 juried artists exhibiting a good range of oils, acrylics, pastels, watercolors, gouache, and photography, also as ink, pencil, and charcoal drawings. And for those that wear their art collections, the event also features a broad range of one-of-a-kind jewellery.
Downtown Carefree / 18-20 March 2022
Knix Barbecue & Beer Festival
The Great American Barbeque & Beer Festival is back and larger than ever. If you’re a barbeque nut with a passion for country and western , you’re within the right place. An array of BBQ pitmasters are going to be cooking up the tastiest brisket, pulled pork, chicken and ribs, able to be washed down with SanTan craft beer. Have a go at mechanical bull riding, browse the farmers’ market and play jumbo lawn games.
Tumbleweed Park, Chandler / 26 March 2022
Cyclomesa Bicycle Festival
A joyful outing for anyone who’s crazy about their bike. The CycloMesa Bicycle Festival are going to be hosting displays and activities for all ages to enjoy. There’s a Kids’ Zone for younger patrons to explore, complete with circus performers and carnival games, plus an academic bicycle rodeo teaching children the way to stay safe on two wheels. Witness the heart-in-mouth BMX show, watch a brutal Roller Derby match or cheer on the riders on their 72-mile cycle route through Mesa.
Venues across Mesa / 7 April 2022
Scottsdale Culinary Festival
Scottsdale becomes the epicentre of Arizona’s foodie scene each April when it plays host to its annual Culinary Festival. Some 40 local restaurants along side 30 craft breweries serve a bevy of food and drink, while a teenager cooking challenge, chef demos and wine and beer gardens also keep revellers entertained. Music plays a prominent role at the festival too, with 20 bands strutting their stuff across three stages.
Scottsdale Civic Center Park, Scottsdale / 18 April 2022
Phoenix Comicon
There’s no got to await a flowery dress party invite to adorn yourself within the attire of your favourite magazine superhero – just grab yourself a ticket for Phoenix Comicon and you’ll have the right excuse. happening over four days, the annual event has grown in size and stature since the inaugural edition, and now showcases not just comic books but also fantasy , fantasy and film/television, along side related popular arts like horror, anime, manga, animation, toys, collectible card games, video games, webcomics and fantasy novels.
Phoenix Convention Center, Hayatt Regency, Phoenix / 27-29 May 2022
Grand Canyon Celebration of Art
Every year the vast landscapes of the Grand Canyon park function a shocking backdrop for a gathering of artists from everywhere the country, all of whom are inspired by the long-lasting natural wonder. Participating artists paint “en plein air” (outside on location) for every week , typically painting within the mornings and evenings when the canyon is at its most vibrant. Visitors can view the artists as they paint, safely from a distance, and their works are then placed on display at the historic Kolb Studio where they're made available for purchase.
Grand Canyon park South Rim / 10 September 2022 – 16 January 2023
Winter haven Festival of Lights
One of the longest-running holiday traditions in Tucson, and one among the foremost long-standing festivals of its kind within the country, this dazzling event warms the hearts of all who attend. liberal to enter, the festival, which dates all the way back to 1949, sees the mature Aleppo pine trees that pepper the leafy residential neighbourhood of Winterhaven bound up in twinkly lights and other brilliant illuminated displays.
Tucson / Late December annually