58 concerts, events and festivals not to be missed in Phoenix this summer and fall
PHOENIX – While some larger events have been held despite the ongoing pandemic – Spring Training, Phoenix Open, Barrett-Jackson, and NBA Finals – it has been more than a year for many to host smaller community events such as music, food, and beverage festivals.
There are several festivals, events, and traveling exhibits to visit in the fall, when event organizers can typically take advantage of the cooler Arizona weather.
LATE SUMMER EVENTS AND FESTIVALS
August 26th – November 28th | Immersive Van Gogh Experience – This huge immersive walking art show makes its way to Old Town Scottsdale. It combines huge projections and videos of Van Gogh’s famous works of art, including “Starry Night” and “Sunflowers”, with music and sound effects. More information
August 27th – September 5th | Jurassic Quest Drive-Thru – A rolling drive-thru attraction featuring more than 70 animatronic dinosaurs that roar and move, including a 15-meter-long megalodon and a 25-meter-long Spinosaurus. It will be set up in the Gila River Arena. More information.
September 4th | CreekWest Summer Fest – On the first Saturday of each month, local businesses in Frontier Town, an old western town in Cave Creek, host children’s games and activities, treats, and specials. There is no entry fee, but food and games may have their own expense. More information.
8 September – 10 October | Hamilton – Lin Manuel Miranda’s Broadway hit, which tells the story of Founding Father Andrew Hamilton, is returning to ASU Gammage for a month. More information.
12-19 September | Garlic Week at Queen Creek Olive Mill – Details have not yet been released, but Garlic Week is scheduled for September 12-19, 2021. The Queen Creek Olive Mill is home to 7,000 olive trees and 16 varieties of olives. They can take a tour to see how olive oil is made, buy some of their infused oils, and have lunch or dinner at their restaurant.
17.-29. September | Trunk at Trunk Vintage Market – Shop vintage and handcrafted goods from 130+ artisans. More information.
Sentence. 25 | Rockin ‘Taco Street Fest – Enjoy tacos, sip beers, wine, and margaritas, and listen to music at this annual festival in downtown Chandler. After the event was not hosted in 2020 due to the pandemic, the celebrations will take place again in 2021. Additional Information.
Oct 1 – Nov 1 | Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party – Throughout October, Schnepf Farms has its annual Fall Festival featuring a pumpkin patch, 10 acre corn maze, pig races, live entertainment and rides, including a spooky train ride. This year the farm gets a new high ropes course. There will also be campfires and chilli dinners. More information.
Oct 1 – Nov 1 | Fall Festival at Vertuccio Farm – Mesa Farm celebrates the fall with a month-long festival featuring a pumpkin barn, barrel train rides, petting zoo, mini golf, live entertainment, and other activities. More information.
Oct 8-10 | Four Peaks Tempe Oktoberfest – After the cancellation of its events in 2020, Tempe Oktoberfest returns in 2021 for its 49th Bavarian festival at Tempe Beach Park. The three day event features live music, Four Peaks draft beers including Pumpkin Porter and Oktoberfest, a mini carnival with fair food and rides and other rides. More information.
Oct 9 | Peoria Country Fest – Country singers David Nail, Bayou Bandits and Ivan Harshman will headline the Peoria Country Fest, a lakefront music festival in Pleasant Harbor on Lake Pleasant. There will also be food trucks, a beer garden and live bull riding. More information.
Oct 9-10 | Sedona Arts Festival – For the 30th time in 2021, more than 100 artists from all over the country will showcase their work. There is also live music, food, a beer and vineyard and raffles. More information.
14.-17. Oct. | Country Thunder Arizona – Dustin Lynch, Old Dominion, Luke Combes and Eric Church will headline the four-day Desert Music Festival in Florence, Arizona. Old Dominion replaces Morgan Wallen. Meghan Patrick, Hardy, Mitchell Tenpenny, Chris Janson, Ashley McBryde, Parmalee and others are also scheduled to perform. More information.
23-24 Oct. | Arizona Taco Festival – After the 2020 two-day Taco Festival was canceled due to the pandemic, the two-day Salt River Fields Taco Festival returns on Talking Stick with more than 50 chefs and restaurants serving $ 3 worth of tacos, including vegan tacos and tequila tastings, lucha libre, a Chihuahua beauty pageant, and other activities. More information.
23-24 Oct. | Dia De Los Muertos Festival at the Mesa Arts Center – Celebrate “Day of the Dead” and Latin American arts and culture at this free event at the Mesa Art Center. More information.
29.-30. October | Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival – Kids and families can try trick or treating from nearly 20 tethered hot air balloons that glow all night. There will also be balloon rides, live entertainment, a haunted trail, vendors serving a variety of foods and drinks, and fireworks. More information.
November 6th | Arizona Republic Food & Wine Experience – A premier food and beverage festival showcasing “the best chefs, wines, and foods in our communities.” Local chefs and restaurants offer bite-sized samples to try, as well as beer and wine tastings. More information.
6-7 November | Phoenix Pride Parade and Festival – Phoenix Pride will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2021 after the 2020 celebrations had to be postponed due to the pandemic. This year, the Grand Marshals include former chairmen and executive directors. Neon Trees, Melanie Fiona, Jenn Cuneta, Maribel Guardia and Los Horoscopos de Durango will headline the main stages of the festival. More information.
November 6th | Good Life Festival – After years at the Trilogy in the Encanterra community, the Good Life Festival is moving to Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek. The event has been postponed due to the pandemic in 2020 and is scheduled to return in 2021. Don Felder, who served as the Eagles’ lead guitarist and started a solo career, will lead the event. The Guess Who with Nate Nathan and Mac Daddy-O’s will also perform. More information.
13-14 November | Phoenix Pizza Festival – A pizza festival in downtown Phoenix. Approximately 20 chefs, restaurants, and food trucks will offer pizza slices valued at US $ 2 to 4, as well as half and whole pies. There is also music, lawn games, drinks and vendors. More information.
November 13 | AZ Barrels, Bottles & Brews – A local festival that highlights beers, wines, spirits, and hard selters from Arizona breweries, wineries, and distilleries. More information.
November 13 | Mesa Prototyping Festival – An event featuring temporary and interactive art installations near the Mesa Arts Center, including a life-size puzzle and shadow structures. More information.
UPCOMING CONCERTS & SHOWS
Here’s a look at some of the upcoming concerts and shows at Ak-Chin Pavilion, Arizona Federal Theater, and Gila River Arena.
August 17th | Rise Against (Arizona Federal)
August 27 | Dierks Bentley (Ak Chin Pavilion)
August 29 | Megadeth and Lamb of God (Arizona Federal)
September 1st | Lindsey Stirling (Arizona Federal)
September 4th | Pepe Aguilar (Gila River Arena)
September 8 & 9 | Styx World Tour (Celebrity Theater)
September 10 | Wynonna Judd (Celebrity Theater)
September 11 | Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo (Arizona Federal)
September 12 | Count crows
Sept. 13 | Korn & Staind (Ak Chin Pavilion)
Sept. 16 | Dame A (Ak Chin Pavilion)
September 16 | Bronco (Celebrity Theater)
Sept. 17 | Pitbull (Ak Chin Pavilion)
September 17th | KIDZ BOP Live 2021 Tour (Arizona Federal)
September 19 | Humble Mouse (Arizona Federal)
September 22nd – Lil Baby with Lil Durk (Ak Chin Pavilion)
Sept. 24 | Luke Bryan (Ak Chin Pavilion)
September 24th | Mike Epps (Gila River Arena)
September 25 | John Legend (Arizona Federal)
Sept. 26 | KISS (Ak Chin Pavilion)
Sept. 30 | Jason Aldean (Ak Chin Pavilion)
Oct. 1 | Maroon 5 (Ak Chin Pavilion)
Oct. 1 | Chaka Khan (Celebrity Theater)
Oct. 5 | Brett Young (Arizona Federal)
Oct. 7 – | Midland (Arizona Federal)
Oct. 8 | Brad Paisley (Ak Chin Pavilion)
October 8 & 9 | Jim Gaffigan (Celebrity Theater)
Oct. 9 | Banda MS (Ak Chin Pavilion)
October 10 | Osborne Brothers (Arizona Federal)
Oct. 13 | 311 (Ak Chin Pavilion)
Oct. 15 | Outlaw Music Festival (Willie Nelson, Avett Brothers, Gov’t Mule, Lucinda Williams, IDA MAE) (Ak-Chin Pavilion)
Oct. 17 | Dan + Shay (Arizona Federal)
October 17th | Gladys Knight (Celebrity Theater)
Oct. 25 | Death & Society (Ak Chin Pavilion)
Oct. 26 | Jonas Brothers (Ak Chin Pavilion)
Oct. 30 | Chris Stapleton (Ak Chin Pavilion)
More dates and shows can be found on the websites of the following venues:
Ak Chin Pavilion
Arizona Federal Theater
ASU games
CB Live
Celebrity theater
Crazy River Arena
State Farm Stadium
Get up live
The Van Buren
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