Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event – Scottsdale
January 11-18, 2009, (480) 421-6694, barrett-jackson.com
“The Greatest Car Show on Earth” – Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction is the place to see and be seen when it rolls into Scottsdale, Ariz. every January. The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company is well known for being the premiere classic car auction company in the United States, featuring some of the most exclusive vehicles available at auction.
Native American Arts Festival – Litchfield Park
January 12-13, 2009, 10am-5pm, $8 Adults, (623) 935-6384
Experience the West Valley’s premier Native American Arts Festival and share in the lives of more than 200 award-winning artists. Peruse a fabulous selection of traditional and modern masterpieces including jewelry, pottery, basketry, weaving, katsinas, painting, beadwork and more while you celebrate the cultures and traditions of the Native Southwest. Enjoy authentic foods, artist demonstrations, and not-to-be-missed musical performances by Brule and AIRO.
Gem & Mineral Shows (and Shopping) – Quartzsite
January-February, 2009, (928) 927-9321, quartzsitebusinesschamber.com
Just two hours west of Phoenix, Quartzsite comes alive in January and February when most of the million-plus annual visitors converge on the town to hunt for rocks and minerals and ‘shop’ the rows of eclectic items sold out of tents (largest swap meet in the world). In addition to agates, quartz, limonite cubes and even gold, you can shop for antiques, leather goods, baskets and ethnic jewelry. After you’ve scored shopping, take a break at the local tavern known as The Quartzsite Yacht Club – it’s one of two small bars in town.
Arizona Fine Art Expo – Scottsdale
January 15-March 29, 2009, 10am-6pm, $8 Adults, (480) 837-7163, arizonafineartexpo.com
A 10-week event in north Scottsdale. Watch more than 100 designers, painters, sketchers and sculptors at work in their studios and in the outdoor working cabanas. Café de Expo offers scrumptious breakfast, snacks and lunch in the afternoon.
Arizona Renaissance Festival – Apache Junction
February 7-March 29, 2009, (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 adventure.
Gold Rush Days – Wickenburg
February 13-15, 2009, (800) 942-5242, wickenburgchamber.com
For three action-filled days, thousands of visitors and participants enjoy the multitude of activities ranging from a shoot-out on Frontier Street, a parade, rodeo, carnival, food booths, and arts and crafts.
Parada del Sol Parade, Rodeo and Events – Scottsdale
February 21, 2009 (parade), February 27-March 1, 2009 (rodeo), scottsdalejaycees.com
This month-long western-themed festival promotes Scottsdale as “The West’s Most Western Town.” Activities include the World’s Largest Horse Drawn Parade, Hashknife Pony Express ride, Trail’s End Celebration in Old Town Scottsdale, the Kid’s Corral Art Show and five PRCA rodeo performances and two rodeo dances.
Heard Museum Indian Fair and Market – Phoenix
March 7-8, 2009, (602) 251-0209 x6414, heard.org
The fair features more than 650 of the finest American Indian artists including jewelers, potters, carvers, painters and weavers. Music and dance performances; Indian, Mexican, and American foods; and free Museum entrance are all included with fair admission price.
Ostrich Festival – Chandler
March 13-15, 2009, (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.
Spring Butterfly Exhibit at Desert Botanical Garden – Phoenix
March 1-May 11, 2009, 9:30am-5pm Daily, $3 Adults, (480) 941-1225, dbg.org
Hundreds of colorful butterflies flutter around as you wander through the flower-filled lush gardens.
Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball – Phoenix
April-September, 2009, (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.
Chandler Jazz Festival – Chandler
April 3-4, 2009, (480) 782-2735, chandleraz.gov/jazz
Bourbon Street comes to Chandler with this jazz-filled weekend, highlighting local and national bands in the stores, restaurants, streets and park, and everywhere in between in Historic Downtown Chandler.
NASCAR at Phoenix International Raceway – Avondale
April 16-18, 2009, (866) 408-RACE (7223), phoenixinternationalraceway.com
Race fans gather for three days of racing, sunshine and parties. Races include: Jimmie Johnson Foundation 150, Bashas’ Supermarkets 200, and SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™.
Cinco de Mayo Celebrations – Statewide
1st week in May, 2009
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.
Farmers Markets – Statewide
Various dates and locations, arizonafarmersmarkets.com
Farm fresh seasonal produce and locally-produced food products available as well as arts and crafts.
If you ever dreamed of being an astronaut as a kid, are fascinated by the vast expanse in the skies, or even like to wish upon a falling star from time to time, you should thank your lucky stars you are in Arizona.
The clear desert sky provides some of the best stargazing opportunities in the U.S. In Southern Arizona, Kitt Peak National Observatory is one of the world’s leading observatory complexes and has the greatest concentration of telescopes. The University of Arizona’s Flandrau Science Center in Tucson offers free guided telescope viewing, a multimedia planetarium theater, a mineral museum and a science store. Just outside Tucson you will find Biosphere 2, “where science lives.” Now operated by the University of Arizona, it was originally created to research and develop self-sustaining space-colonized technology. Between 1991 and 1994 “Biospherians” were sealed inside this glass enclosure to conduct research. Today, visitor’s can tour the facility where the scientists lived and experience a tropical savanna, 40-foot ocean cliff, desert and a tropical rainforest.
In northern Arizona, just one mile west of Flagstaff is Lowell Observatory, where astronomers first discovered Pluto. Lowell offers regularly scheduled astronomical viewing and educational programs, and on clear nights you’ll get to look through the historic Alvan Clark refractor, the telescope Percival Lowell used to observe Mars. Meteor Crater, outside of Flagstaff is the first proven and best preserved meteorite impact crater in the world and home to NASA training missions. Guided hikes are available around the crater rim, and telescopes allow you to see into the depths of the crater.
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Boats Regattas – Lake Havasu
Weekends in June, (928) 230-1014, jokerswildpromotions.com
A day on the lake with fun for the entire family – races, stereo contests, and parades through the infamous Bridgewater channel.
High Country Festivals & Events – White Mountains
Weekends in June, azwhitemountains.net
Greer Days – parade, fun run/walk, music, talent show and vendors. Show Low Days – “Still Cruzin Car Show,” arts and crafts fair, vendors and an old-fashioned drive-in movie. “Chrome in the Dome” classic car show, vendors, food and live radio remote in Eagar. Best of the West Fine Art Show – original works from the best Western artists from around the country at Hon- Dah Resort.
Corvette’N America Car Shows and Road Tours – Northern Arizona
June, 2009, corvette-n-america.com
Each June, Corvette owners from across the U.S. converge on scenic locations in Arizona for road rallies, car shows, and good old fashioned fun. Open to the public.
Hassayampa River Preserve – Wickenburg
Friday-Sunday, Summer, 7-11am
Birdwatching – Hassayampa River Preserve has 280 species of birds living, nesting, or migrating along its riparian corridor. Perched atop the massive trees and dead snags are some of Arizona’s rarest raptors, like the zone-tailed hawk, the black hawk and the Harris hawk. Lucky birders may sight a Mississippi kite or the elusive yellow-billed cuckoo. Enjoy seeing the free-flowing river or walk around the springfed pond in the shade of palms and cottonwoods. This is a great place to bring kids. Have a picnic breakfast in the palm grove.
4th of July Celebrations and Fireworks – Statewide
Throughout Arizona, communities come together to celebrate with food, kids activities, water fun, local bands and entertainment.
World’s Oldest Rodeo and Frontier Days – Prescott
June 29-July 5, 2009, (866) 407-6336, worldsoldestrodeo.com
Since 1888 folks have come from miles around to see what the ruckus in Prescott, Arizona 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.
Red Rocks Music Festival – Sedona
August 30-September 6, 2009, (928) 282-7714, redrocksmusicfestival.com
The week-long event takes place in venues around Sedona and is the most important chamber and orchestral music festival in the state, attracting leading orchestras from around the country.
Starlight Train, Verde Canyon Railroad – Clarkdale
Saturday Nights, (928) 639-0010, verdecanyonrr.com
Every Saturday, the canyon comes alive with nocturnal beauty and wildlife aboard the only railroad that travels through the Verde Canyon.
Navajo Nation Fair – Window Rock
September 1-7, 2009, (928) 871-6647, navajonationfair.com
Every year in early September, Window Rock, the capital of the Navajo Nation, celebrates Navajo values, beliefs and pastimes with the nine-day “World’s Largest American Indian Fair.” Attracting over 100,000 people from all over the world – singing, dancing, livestock, arts and crafts, an all-Indian rodeo, and arguably the largest inter-tribal PowWow in North America take place.
Route 66 Days – Flagstaff
flagstaffroute66days.com
Route 66 Days is a weekend full of fun-filled events designed to bring back the nostalgia of Route 66 and the exciting heritage of the Mother Road.
Arizona State Fair – Phoenix
October-November, 2009 (602) 268-FAIR, azstatefair.com
Concerts, exhibits, contests, judging and showmanship events, midway, food, and an all-Indian rodeo.
Way Out West Oktoberfest – Tempe
October, 2009, (480) 491-3378, wowoktoberfest.com
Rock, Country and even a little Polka. International Beer Garden, wide variety of family-friendly entertainment including clowns, dance troupes, children’s choruses, comedians and dance lessons.
Annual Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party – Queen Creek
October, 2009, $14, (480) 987-3100, schnepffarms.com
Admission includes: hay rides, miniature golf, maizes, country road rally, honeybee adventure, carousel rides, petting barn, pig races, 3-D scary weather haunted attraction, golden goat bridge, live entertainment on two stages, bonfires and marshmallow roasting and farmhouse museum. There’s also a sweet shop, country store, gift shops, and a spectacular fireworks show every night.
Polar Express, Grand Canyon Railway – Williams
November-mid-January, 2009, 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.
Holiday Lights in Tohono Chul Park – Tucson
November-December 2009, $8, (520) 742-6455, tohonochulpark.org
Half a million lights and luminaria, complimentary hot cider, holiday cookies, an ornament sale and musical performances make Holiday Nights one of the most popular activities in Tucson.
Festival of the Arts – Fountain Hills
November & February, 10am-5pm, (480) 837-1654, fountainhillschamber.com
More than 500 artists and 200,000 attendees enjoy the three-day festivals which includes bands, food and arts and crafts for sale.
Noches de las Luminarias, Desert Botanical Garden – Phoenix
November 27-December 23, 2009, (480) 941-1225, dbg.org
This evening celebration of Southwest luminaries is a great place to get a flavor of the Southwest.
Arizona Cardinals Football – Glendale
Various dates August-December, azcardinals.com
The Arizona Cardinals play professional football in the Valley of the Sun.
Glendale Glitters – Glendale
December 7- 29, 2009, 6-10pm Nightly, (623) 930-2960, glendaleaz.com/events
A breathtaking display of 1.5 million lights blanketing 12 blocks of Historic Downtown Glendale starts the holiday season off in style. Each weekend has a special theme with fun for all ages including entertainment, arts and crafts, delicious food and horse-drawn carriage rides.
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Inspired by Arizona’s radiant colors and diverse heritage, Arizona’s arts and culture landscape is among the richest in the Southwest. Rave reviews and national attention has been bestowed on Arizona’s cultural centers and fine-arts museums, many showcasing collections and touring exhibits from around the world. And, it doesn’t surprise anyone that browsing the galleries and shops is a favorite pastime for locals and visitors alike.
Just about every city and town in Arizona hosts a weekly or monthly art walk, where art galleries open their doors for extended hours. Sedona’s resident artists fill over 40 in-town galleries, which on the first Friday of each month stay open as late as 8pm to give visitor’s a glimpse of Sedona’s artists. Also on the first Friday of every month, downtown Phoenix’s Art Walk includes everything from emerging galleries to the newly expanded Phoenix Art Museum staying open until 10pm. Downtown Scottsdale’s ArtWalk happens every Thursday evening from 7-9pm – just follow the ArtWalk markers on the sidewalks. Chandler’s takes place on the first Wednesday of each month, while Mesa has adopted the fourth Friday for theirs. Whichever you choose, make a night of it by combining an art walk with fine dining, drinks, or theater options in the area.
Whether it’s opera, drama, or ballet, the performing arts in Arizona are rich and diverse. Greater Phoenix is home to Arizona Theatre Company, Arizona Opera, Ballet Arizona, Broadway Theatre, Childsplay, Actors Theatre, and Center Dance Ensemble, as well as a host of public events. Tempe and Mesa both have new arts centers that host hundreds of performances as well as classes and studios. Scottsdale’s Center for the Performing Arts also hosts year-round performances that promote diversity and awareness of cultural heritage.
Outside of the Valley, Wickenburg’s Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts 600-seat theatre hosts a variety of performances that are diverse, beautiful and high-energy. The Wall Street Journal has referred to Tucson as a “mini-Mecca for the arts” – it has its own symphony, ballet, opera and theater groups.
The Phoenix Symphony proudly serves the citizens of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area and central Arizona. The Phoenix Symphony offers a wide variety of programming each year – including Classics, Pops, Chamber Orchestra and Family offerings, as well as special community presentations celebrating various holidays and area events. 602.999.1157, 800.776.9080, PhoenixSymphony.org |
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