UNIQUE EVENTS
ONLY IN ARIZONA

Dates were correct at time of publication. Since dates are occasionally changed, please confirm them in advance.

January

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and Tostitos BCS
Championship Game – Glendale
January 1 and 10, 2011, 480.350.0900
fiestabowl.org
Held at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, the 40th Annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl will match up the Big 12 conference champion with another BCS team, bringing together the two highest ranked BCS teams.

P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon and 1/2 Marathon
– Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe
January 16, 2011, rnraz.com
While running the city streets and desert miles of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe, participants in the seventh annual P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon will enjoy 70 live bands and a free Headliner Concert making for an all-out rockin’ party.

Dillinger Days – Tucson
January 21, 2011, 520.837.6504, hotelcongress.com
In January 1934, the Tucson Police Department was able to do what countless law enforcement agencies around the country had been unable to do – capture the notorious Public Enemy No.1 John Dillinger and his gang. Dillinger Days provides a fun way to honor this unique bit of Tucson history and celebrate a nostalgic era.

February

World Championship Hoop Dance Contest – Phoenix
February 5-6, 2011, 9am-5pm
$12 Adults, 602.252.8840, heard.org
American Indian and Canadian First Nations hoop dancers compete for the prestigious title of world champion during a weekend of competition at the Heard Museum. These accomplished dancers will showcase their skills in amazing performances of the intertribal hoop dance. Also enjoy frybread and the museum’s 10 exhibit galleries.

Arizona Renaissance Festival – Apache Junction
February 12-April 3, 2011,
520.463.2600, royalfaires.com
(Saturdays & Sundays only)
The Arizona Renaissance Festival is a medieval amusement park, a 12-stage theater, a 30-acre circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament and a feast – all rolled into one non-stop, day-long family adventure.

Annual Crossing River Daze – Yuma
February 11-13, 2011, 928.783.0071
visityuma.com
This festival celebrates the river and its role in Yuma’s story, and the amazing engineering feats that made the thirsty desert bloom.  Join in celebrating the history, beauty, and assets of the Colorado River!

25th Annual Great Fair – Fountain Hills
February 25-27, 2011, 480.837.1654,
fountainhillschamber.com
More than 500 artists and 200,000 attendees enjoy the three-day festival which includes bands, food and arts and crafts for sale.

March

Tucson Festival of Books – Tucson
March 12-13, 2011,
tucsonfestivalofbooks.org, 520.721.7964
More than 400 nationally known authors host readings, lectures, workshops, and panel discussions. Located at the University of Arizona.

Ostrich Festival – Chandler
March 11-13, 2011, 480.963.4571, ostrichfestival.com
One of the “Top 10 Unique Festivals in the U.S.” – the Ostrich Races are the most popular attractions at the event, but two stages of continuous live entertainment run all day long with nationally known headliners each night. State fair-size rides and more than 150 exhibitors selling arts and crafts, as well as children’s activities round out a whole day of fun.

Arizona BBQ Festival – Scottsdale
March 26, 2011, azbbqfestival.com
Over 60 professional teams come together in Scottsdale to compete for $20,000 in prizes in this KCBS sanctioned event.

15th Annual Arizona Bike Week – Scottsdale
March 30-April 3, 2011, azbikeweek.com
Located at WestWorld in Scottsdale, this motorcycle rally promotes riding to all motorcycle enthusiasts. There will be daily charity rides, bike races, parties and other activities.

April

Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball – Phoenix
April-September, 2011, 602.462.4600,
diamondbacks.com
Baseball, hot dogs and apple pie – all still representative of American values – and thankfully, all still affordable. Prices for single game tickets in the upper deck range from $5 to $20.

Arizona Easter Pageant – Mesa
April 13-16 and 19-23, 2011, 480.654.1077
easterpageant.org
Since 1928 the Mesa Arizona Temple has been producing the annual Arizona Easter Pageant, proclaimed as the world’s largest annual outdoor Easter pageant. The cast consists of approximately 450 actors as well as livestock on a 9,600-square-foot four-story-high stage.

7th Annual Pats Run – Tempe
April 16, 2011, pattillmanfoundation.org
Pat’s Run is the signature annual fundraising event for the Pat Tillman Foundation. Created in April 2004 following Pat’s death, the Pat Tillman Foundation is investing in veterans and their families through education, community and advocacy.

33rd Blessing of Sonoita Vineyards Festival – Sonoita
April 30, 2011, sonoitavineyards.com
The Sonoita Vineyards spring festival features wine tastings, winery tours, food and wine pairings, live music and dancing, wagon rides, and a blessing for a bountiful crop.

May

Cinco de Mayo Celebrations – Statewide
1st week in May, 2011
Neighborhood and community Cinco de Mayo celebrations throughout Arizona are free or very reasonably priced. You’ll find lots of Latino music, dance, Mexican food and games.

Annual Jerome Historic
Home and Building Tour – Jerome
May, 2011, jeromechamber.com
This longest running tour in the state of Arizona promises a look at both the historic gems of this charming town and a few new Victorian and contemporary delights. This is a guided tour with transportation provided from home to home. The all-volunteer docents will explain the history and the fascinating stories behind each venue.

Farmers Markets – Statewide
Various dates and locations, arizonafarmersmarkets.com
Farm fresh seasonal produce and locally-produced food products are available as are arts and crafts.

37th Annual Phippen Museum
Western Art Show & Sale – Prescott
May 28-30, 2011, visit-prescott.com
Located in the Prescott Courthouse Plaza, Arizona’s premiere outdoor western fine art show and sale features more than 120 of the very best Western artists from around the country. Special events include kids’ art activities, Quick Draw art demonstrations, and a Miniature Masterpiece Art Show and Sale.

June

Flagstaff Music Festival – Flagstaff
June, 18-19, 2011, flagstaffmusicfestival.com
This two-day festival features live music from local bands, local artists, food and drinks and is located on Heritage Square.

Strawberry Festival – Pine/Strawberry
June 11-12, 2011, strawberryfestivalaz.com
In the pines of Northern Arizona enjoy specialty strawberry treats and entertainment. Activities for kids and fun for the whole family. This event is held in conjunction with the Strawberry Patchers’ Quilt Show and the Strawberry Valley Blues Festival.

July

4th of July Celebrations and Fireworks – Statewide
Throughout Arizona, communities come together to celebrate with food, kids activities, water fun, local bands and entertainment.

Celebrating Arizona’s Centennial –
6th Annual White Mountains Roundup
July 15-16, 2011, 928.367.0240,
whitemountainsroundup.com
Celebrating Cowboy poetry, music and art, the White Mountains Roundup, Inc. was established in 2006 by a committee of local people who wanted to preserve the region’s true cowboy heritage and promote cultural tourism. Stockmen were the first non-Native settlers in the White Mountains. In 2005 the U.S. Congress set aside the third Saturday in July as the National Day of the American Cowboy to honor our cowboy and Western heritage.

124th Annual World’s Oldest Rodeo
and Frontier Days – Prescott
June 28 – July 4, 2011, 866.407.6336,
worldsoldestrodeo.com
Since 1888 folks have come from miles around to see what the ruckus in Prescott, Ariz. was all about. Every year that ruckus gets bigger, the contestants more daring and bold. When the bulls, the horses, the clowns come to town... well, let’s just say you’ll want to see what’s kicking up all that dust.

August

Summer ROQ Concerts at the
InterContinental Montelucia Resort – Paradise Valley
Every Friday Night, 480.627.3042, icmontelucia.com
The “Summer ROQ Concert” series, featuring local favorites including the Chris Parker Project, Rock Lobster, Easton Ashe and the Chadwicks, will occur every Friday night throughout the summer. Both resort guests and local residents are welcome to enjoy this complimentary concert series that will “ROQ” the Valley all summer long.

Grape Train Escape, Verde Canyon Railroad – Clarkdale
Saturday Nights, 928.639.0010, verdecanyonrr.com
Enjoy featured regional wine tastings every Saturday. The canyon comes alive with beauty and wildlife aboard the only railroad that travels through the Verde Canyon.

September

Arizona Restaurant Week – Statewide
September 2011, 602.307.9134,
arizonarestaurantweek.com
This exciting event produced by the Arizona Restaurant Association showcases the culinary scene throughout the state. Restaurants feature a three-course signature dish menu for $29 or $39 per person.

Smithsonian Museum Day
September 2011, smithsonian.com
Each year museums and cultural destinations that are affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution participate in Smithsonian Museum Day, offering free admission for you and a guest and special events and exhibits. You must present the Smithsonian card for the free admission which you can get on the Smithsonian.com website for no charge.

Sedona Jazz on the Rocks – Sedona
September 30-October 2, 2011,
928.282.1985, sedonajazz.com
One of the oldest and most respected Jazz festivals in the Southwest. Each Fall, the newest talent and legendary performers are showcased for three days of incredible music in one of the most breathtaking settings on earth.

October

MACFest! – Mesa
October-April, Saturdays, 2011, macfestmesa.com
MACFest! offers a consistent, easy, and affordable way for the many wonderful artists in Arizona to expose and sell their work. Only quality, original, hand made works of art may be exhibited. Music and entertainment. Held in Downtown Mesa.

Cowboy Artists of America Sale and Exhibition – Phoenix
October-November, Phoenix Art Museum,
602.257.1880, caashow.org
This is the only time of year when the entire Cowboy Artists of America membership exhibits together. This ticketed event attracts hundreds of collectors from around the world and includes everything from lunch with the artists to gallery tours.

60th Annual Rex Allen Days – Willcox
September 30-October 2, 2011, rexallendays.org
This event celebrates the life of Rex Allen and features many of his favorite events including a professional rodeo, parade, concerts and the Cowboy Music and Poetry Festival.  Along with all of this you will find fun around every corner including comedy shows, tractor pulls, gunfights and showings of Rex Allen movies.

Bisbee 1000 – Bisbee
Third weekend in October, bisbee1000.org
The Bisbee 1000 event allows you to use any combination of walking, running and resting to traverse nine sets of steps and numerous back-roads at a mile-high altitude. While conquering over 1,000 steps you will be serenaded by musicians playing at strategic points along the route. Participants can compete aggressively for overall and age group prizes; enjoy a challenging fitness walk or family stroll, or any combination thereof.

November

Polar Express, Grand Canyon Railway – Williams
November-mid-January, 2011, 6:30 & 8pm, $14-26,
800.843.8724, thetrain.com
During a one-hour evening train journey, guests enjoy treats and a reading of the classic Christmas story on the way to the North Pole. Santa boards the train at the North Pole and presents young passengers with bells representing the spirit of Christmas and everyone sings carols on the return trip.

Leaf Changing – Statewide
Fall Color Hotline 800.354.4595,
fs.fed.us/news/fallcolors
The Forest Service’s website offers the estimated percentage of current fall foliage, areas with greatest amount of color, recommended viewing routes and the estimated peak viewing period.

December

ZooLights, Phoenix Zoo – Phoenix
December, 2011, 602.273.1341, phoenixzoo.org
Every year, the wildlife at the Phoenix Zoo gives way to wild lights during ZooLights, the largest holiday light display in all of Arizona. More than 3.5 million lights will glow and 600 glimmering animal light sculptures, unique only to the Phoenix Zoo, will swing through trees, hop across lawns, and sparkle in places where they’re least expected.

Arizona Cardinals Football – Glendale
Various dates August-December, azcardinals.com
The Arizona Cardinals play professional football in the Valley of the Sun.

Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade – Tempe
December 2011, Tempe Town Lake
As many as 50 festively lighted boats of all sizes travel across the lake celebrating the “Winter Wonderland” theme. Thousands of lights are used for each entry. Expect to see snowflakes, snowmen and reindeer.