Biggest, best 2024 festivals in metro Phoenix, from Country Thunder to USAF Thunderbirds
As Arizona gets ready to welcome a new year, excitement is building for the fun to come in 2024.
A diverse array of events promises an exciting start to the new year. From January to April — our busiest season in metro Phoenix — residents and visitors can anticipate a rich tapestry of experiences, including music festivals that showcase top-tier artists, invigorating marathons for fitness enthusiasts, culturally enriching events that celebrate the state's diversity and inspiring art exhibitions.
The 2024 events calendar for metro Phoenix is promises a dynamic start to the year. Here are the best events in metro Phoenix in January, February, March and April 2024.
January 2024 events in metro Phoenix
Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon
Join the celebration at the 20th Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon. Register now for the tri-city tour featuring musical miles winding through Tempe, Scottsdale and Phoenix. Bands, DJs and other entertainment line the scenic courses. There are 5K and Kids Rock races on Jan. 13; the marathon and half marathon are on Jan. 14. Registration starts at $45 for adults and $19 for kids. Prices are subject to change.
Details: Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 13-14. Third Street and Mill Avenue, Tempe. $65. runrocknroll.com.
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2024 auto auction
The annual Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction in Scottsdale features a huge array of classic, rare and high-performance vehicles. The auction, known for its lively atmosphere and charitable contributions, draws automotive enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.
Details: Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 20-28. WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. $25. barrett-jackson.com
Jurassic Quest
This interactive experience offers a close and realistic look at life-size animatronic dinosaurs. New for 2024 are hands-on activities, an expanded herd of moving dinosaurs, themed rides, live shows, science and art activities and a fossil dig. Attendees can also enjoy Raptor Run races and Rope-a-Raptor.
Details: Friday-Sunday, Jan. 26-28. Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix. $25. jurassicquest.com.
February 2024 events in metro Phoenix
Parada del Sol in Scottsdale
Dust off your Western gear and get ready for the 70th annual Parada del Sol Parade and Trail’s End Festival in Old Town Scottsdale. This iconic event, celebrating Western cool vibes, attracts over 30,000 people for a day filled with history, live music, and shopping. The parade, a Scottsdale tradition since 1953, showcases nearly 150 entries marching down Scottsdale Road. After the parade, the Trail’s End Festival turns Old Town into a block party with live music, food and family-friendly activities.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3. The parade goes down Scottsdale Road from Drinkwater Boulevard to Second Street. Trails End Festival is in Old Town Scottsdale. Free, scottsdaleparade.com.
Phoenix Chinese Week
Celebrate the Lunar New Year at the 34th annual Phoenix Chinese Week Culture and Cuisine Festival. The 2024 event celebrates the Year of the Dragon with dragon and lion dances, folk dances, musical and cultural performances, tai chi and martial arts. Try a variety of Asian cuisine from food trucks and vendors, relax in the beer garden, browse merchandise and engage in hands-on activities such as the Chinese tea ceremony and learning how to use chopsticks.
Details: Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 3-4, Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Free. phoenixchineseweek.org.
Renaissance Festival
Hear ye, hear ye! The Arizona Renaissance Festival will transform the Sonoran Desert into a 16th-century European village. There will be jousting tournaments, stage acts and comedic performances. The village boasts a marketplace where artisans offer handcrafted goods, Renaissance-inspired clothing and jewelry. Indulge in Renaissance-themed food and drink while enjoying games and interactive shows.
Details: Saturdays, Sundays and Presidents Day, Feb. 3-March 31. Arizona Renaissance Festival grounds, 12601 E. U.S. 60, Gold Canyon. $20-$34. arizona.renfestinfo.com.
Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament
The Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, often called The People's Open, is known for its lively atmosphere, particularly around the 16th hole. With stadium-style seating and enthusiastic crowds walking the course, the event is one of the most attended on the PGA Tour. Four nights of concerts at the Birds Nest, with a 2024 lineup including Duran Duran and Dierks Bentley, put the Open right over the top.
Details: Monday-Sunday, Feb. 5-11. TPC Scottsdale, 17020 Hayden Road, Scottsdale. $50-$850. wmphoenixopen.com.
Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show
The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show showcases the beauty, grace and talent of Arabian horses. Established in 1955, the show is one of the largest Arabian horse shows in the world. The event takes place over several days and features competitions including halter classes, performance classes and showmanship. The show also includes a large marketplace where attendees can browse equine-related products, art and services.
Details: Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 15-25. Westworld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road. $15, scottsdaleshow.com.
Arizona Gay Rodeo
Saddle up because the 38th annual Arizona Gay Rodeo is set to present bull riding, steer riding, chute dogging, barrel racing, calf roping on foot, steer decorating and goat dressing. The rodeo provides a welcoming and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ participants and spectators. There's a full-service bar and family-friendly activities like Games on the Green.
Details: Friday-Sunday, Feb. 16-18. Corona Ranch and Rodeo Grounds, 7611 S. 29th Ave., Phoenix. $20. agra-phx.com.
World Championship Hoop Dance Contest
For three decades, the Heard Museum has hosted the annual World Champion Hoop Dance Competition, attracting contestants from across North America. This jam-packed weekend celebration features award-winning drum groups, activities for kids, food trucks and shows. Dancers execute choreography with four to as many as 50 hoops, creating intricate designs such as animals and globes. Judged on precision, timing, showmanship, creativity and speed, contestants compete in divisions ranging from Tiny Tots to Senior. Cash prizes totaling $25,000 are awarded.
Details: Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 17-18. Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. $23. heard.org.
Cactus League Spring Training
Cactus League spring training brings the essence of Major League Baseball to ballparks across metro Phoenix. The 2024 season features 15 teams playing over 200 games from Surprise and Goodyear to Mesa, Scottsdale and Tempe. The Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs and 2023 World Series Champion Texas Rangers are just some of Arizona's spring training teams.
Details: Feb. 22-March 26. cactusleague.com.
Innings Festival Weekend 1
The Innings Festival 2024 will bring headliners Red Hot Chili Peppers and Hozier, alongside Greta Van Fleet, Macklemore, Third Eye Blind and Jimmy Eat World, just to name a few. Innings Festival offers a blend of rock music, Major League Baseball legends and baseball-themed activities coinciding with Cactus League spring training.
Details: Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 22-24. Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway. From $160. inningsfestival.com.
Arizona Matsuri
The Arizona Matsuri is an annual celebration of Japanese culture festival in Phoenix. Experience traditional performances like taiko drumming and dance, sample authentic Japanese cuisine, explore arts and crafts exhibitions featuring ikebana and origami and engage in hands-on activities such as tea ceremonies and language lessons. The festival also features a marketplace for Japanese goods.
Details: Sunday-Monday, Feb. 24-25. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Free. azmatsuri.org.
Persian New Year Festival
The Persian New Year Festival in Scottsdale has a full slate of events this year.
It kicks off on Wednesday, Feb. 28, with the Desert Dream fashion show featuring hand-crafted attire reflecting Persian traditions, stylistic history and regional diversities It's at Scottsdale’s Museum of The West, 3830 N. Marshall Way. Tickets are regularly $150 but are on sale for $125 for a limited time.
On Thursday, Feb. 29, "Voices Unveiled" will be presented at Stagebrush Theater, 7020 E. Second St. The three-part composition by Ehsan Matoori is inspired by traditional folk music and features two Persian female vocalists, Maliheh Moradi and Mina Deris. Ticket prices start at $45.
The festival ends on Saturday, March 2, with a vibrant celebration on the Scottsdale Waterfront, 4420 N. Scottsdale Road. Immerse yourself in Persian culture with food, vendors and live entertainment from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $10; children under 12 get in free.
Details: Wednesday, Feb. 28; Thursday, Feb. 29; and Saturday, March 2, in Scottsdale. persiannewyearfestival.org.
March 2024 events in metro Phoenix
Innings Festival – Extra Innings
Extra Innings, the newly added second weekend of the Innings Festival, will have headliners such as Chris Stapleton and Dave Matthews Band. They're joined on the lineup by the Turnpike Troubadours, Noah Kahan, Sheryl Crow, Elle King, Ryan Bingham with The Texas Gentlemen and more. Innings Festival and Extra Innings coincide with Cactus League spring training for a celebration of baseball and music.
Details: Friday-Saturday, March 1-2, Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe. From $160. inningsfestival.com.
M3F
The nonprofit M3F music festival donates 100% of its proceeds to charity, with $2 million donated since 2022. The 2024 M3F lineup features three stages encompassing EDM, indie, pop and R&B with artists like Dominic Fike, Dayglow and Arlo Parks. The festival moves to Steele Indian School Park for 2024, offering a larger location with more art activations and a capacity of 20,000.
Details: Friday-Saturday, March 1-2. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. $90-$215. m3ffest.com.
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Phoenix Scottish Games
The highlands come to the desert as the 59th annual Phoenix Scottish Games offer a celebration of Scottish culture with pipes and drums, highland dancers, athletics, Celtic bands and the Gathering of the Clans. Enjoy live entertainment, interactive displays and athletic events. The festival features traditional folk, bluegrass and rock music rooted in Scotland along with caber toss, sheaf toss, hammer throw, and Putting the Stone. The Celtic Village offers shopping for traditional goods and a Scotch Whisky tasting.
Details: Friday-Sunday, March 1-3. Gilbert Regional Park, 3005 E. Queen Creek Road. $18. phoenixscottishgames.com.
Art Detour
Artlink presents Art Detour, a monthlong celebration of the Arizona arts and culture community. The event will showcase a wide range of art forms, including visual, performing, culinary arts, fashion design, public art and more. Art Detour is self-guided celebration of arts and culture across the Valley. Participants can explore a diverse array of over 300 events and exhibitions. Check the website for locations and updates.
Details: March 1-31. artdetour.com.
Chandler Ostrich Festival
Celebrate the history and heritage of Chandler at the 34th annual Ostrich Festival. It offers concerts, rides, entertainment, food vendors and other attractions. Visitors can see the festival's namesake ostriches up close in a viewing area where the birds can roam around. The Ostrich Festival aims to provide a unique and entertaining experience for visitors while highlighting the city's historical connection to ostrich farming.
Details: Friday-Sunday, March 8-10. Tumbleweed Park, 745 E. Germann Road, Chandler. $30. ostrichfestival.com.
Tempe Festival of the Arts
The Tempe Festival of the Arts, with a history spanning over 50 years, is one of the longest-running festivals in the Southwest. It presents a diverse array of over 350 artists from around the country. Attendees can immerse themselves in local music, explore a Kids Block and indulge in a variety of foods and beverages.
Details: Friday-Sunday, March 8-10. Along Fifth Street between Myrtle and Ash avenues in downtown Tempe. Free. tempefestivalofthearts.com.
Phoenix St. Patrick's Day Parade
The Phoenix St. Patrick's Day Parade takes place downtown, following a route down Third Street from Oak Street to Margaret T. Hance Park. The Phoenix St Patrick’s Day Faire will accompany the parade at Hance Park, featuring music, step dancing, bagpipers, Irish clubs and activities. Indulge in Irish beer and whiskey, corned beef, shepherd's pie, fish and chips, barbecue and more.
Details: 10 a.m. Saturday, March 16. Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third St. Phoenix. Parade is free to watch; fair admission is $15, free for age 12 and younger. stpatricksdayphoenix.org.
Rainbows Festival
Phoenix Pride presents the annual Rainbows Festival and Street Fair. The free two-day festival celebrates LGBTQ+ diversity and features 150 exhibitors and two stages of entertainment. Everyone is welcome at one of Arizona's biggest LGBTQ+ celebrations.
Details: Saturday-Sunday, March 23-24, Historic Heritage Square, 113 N. Sixth St., Phoenix. Free. phoenixpride.org.
Luke Days
Luke Days is an airshow and open house at Luke Air Force Base. Spectators can be awed by performances by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and F-35 Demo Team, as well as see ground exhibits showcasing Air Force technology and missions.
Details: Saturday-Sunday, March 23-24. Luke Air Force Base, 14185 Falcon St., near Glendale. Free. luke.af.mil.
April 2024 events in metro Phoenix
Maricopa County Fair
Get ready for all the fair fun as the Maricopa County Fair presents rides, carnival games, concerts and entertainment, exhibitions and food vendors. Don't miss the livestock shows, agricultural and art exhibits.
Details: April 5-14. Maricopa County Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix. $10. maricopacountyfair.org.
Country Thunder Arizona
Country Thunder 2024 rolls into Canyon Moon Ranch in Florence with headliners like Lainey Wilson, Eric Church, Jelly Roll and Koe Wetzel. Other announced acts include Warren Zeiders, Nate Smith, Priscilla Block, Diamond Rio, Alana Springsteen, Randy Houser and Flatland Cavalry.
Details: Thursday-Sunday, April 11-14. Canyon Moon Ranch, 20585 E. Water Way, Florence. From $300 for weekend general admission. countrythunder.com.
Pat’s Run
Pat's Run honors the legacy of Pat Tillman, a former Arizona Cardinals football player who gave up his pro career to become an Army Ranger. He was killed in the line of duty in 2004 in Afghanistan. Pat's Run celebrates Tillman's memory and legacy. Complete details for 2024 still to be announced; check the website for updates on prices and registration dates.
Details: Saturday-Sunday, April 13-14. pattillmanfoundation.org.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: The absolute best events and things to do in Phoenix in 2024
