Memorial Day weekend 2024 in Phoenix: Best things to do if you're staying in town

Are you looking to fill your Memorial Day weekend calendar with fun events the whole family will love? If so, you’re in luck: Metro Phoenix is packed with things to do over the entire three-day weekend.

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May and was created to honor military members who lost their lives in the line of duty. It’s also usually considered the unofficial start of the summer season.

From movies under the stars and in the pool at the Arizona Biltmore to geeking out at the annual Phoenix Fan Fusion comic con to hikes in the mountains and half marathons, here are some of the best things to do in metro Phoenix for Memorial Day weekend 2024.

For more ways to observe Memorial Day 2024 in Arizona, here's a guide to events where you can honor military members and their families as well as the best last-minute Memorial Day getaways from Phoenix.

See Maggie Rogers in concert at Arizona Financial Theatre

If your favorite way to kick off a holiday weekend is to rock out at a concert, Best New Artist Grammy nominee Maggie Rogers has you covered. In support of her "Don't Forget Me" album, Rogers will be bringing special guests Japanese House to Arizona Financial Theatre on Friday night.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 24. Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. $40.75 and up. 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

And you can check out the live music happening in May with our handy dandy Phoenix concert guide.

Dance to DJ Pauly D and DJ Snake at Maya Dayclub

If you want to party on Memorial Day weekend, Maya Dayclub in Scottsdale has what you're looking for.

DJ Pauly D, best known as one of the stars of the hit MTV reality series "Jersey Shore," along with DJ Snake of "Turn Down for What" fame will be spinning tracks over two days.

DJ Snake will take the stage on Sunday, May 26, while DJ Pauly D will take his spin on Monday, May 27. Dress code is beach attire.

Details: May 26-27. Doors open at noon. Maya Dayclub, 7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale. $60 for DJ Snake; $27 for DJ Pauly D. mayadayclubaz.com.

Go Salt River Tubing in Mesa

Spend a chill day floating down the Salt River with Salt River Tubing. Rent a tube, hop on the shuttle bus, then ease back and enjoy the cool water and dramatic desert and canyon scenery. You might even spot some of the wild horses that live along the river.

Details: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; final tube rental is at 2 p.m.; final shuttle pickup is at 6:30 p.m. 9200 N. Bush Highway, Mesa. $18-$30, plus online booking fees. saltrivertubing.com.

Get your geek on at the Phoenix Fan Fusion comic con

The annual Phoenix Fan Fusion pop culture event returns to the Phoenix Convention Center downtown for all-ages fun on Memorial Day weekend.

The three-day event will have celebrity guests, including Simu Liu and Dick Van Dyke, game tournaments, fan panels, cosplay contests, fandom meetups and much more.

Details: May 24-26. 8:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third St. $39-$395, plus tax and fees, free for age 12 and younger. phoenixfanfusion.com.

Take a Memorial Day hike in Glendale

The annual Memorial Day hike at Thunderbird Conservation Park is a moderate trek that ends at the peak under the flag where a ceremony honoring fallen soldiers will take place. Dogs and kids are welcome. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, a hat and sturdy hiking shoes.

Meet at the base of the Coachwhip Trail on the southeast corner of 55th Avenue and Pinnacle Peak Road.

Details: 7 a.m. Monday, May 27. Thunderbird Conservation Park, 22800 N. 59th Ave. Glendale. Free. local.aarp.org.

Suds up at Arizona Boardwalk's Foam Frenzy

For kid-friendly fun on Memorial Day weekend, the Arizona Boardwalk near Scottsdale has you covered — in foam, that is. Kids can enjoy a foam party complete with bubble stations, photo ops with a fire truck, a water squirter battle zone and more.

Details: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday-Monday, May 25-27. Arizona Boardwalk Courtyard, 9500 E. Vía de Ventura, on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community near Scottsdale. Free. azboardwalk.com.

Watch 'Top Gun' in the pool at the Arizona Biltmore

The Arizona Biltmore is showing "Top Gun," starring Tom Cruise, on Memorial Day weekend as part of its Dive-In Movies & Twist Night. Enjoy extended summer hours at the Twist slide from 6-8 p.m. before grabbing your favorite floatie and settling in the pool for a movie under the stars.

Details: 6-9 p.m. Friday, May 24. Arizona Biltmore, 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix. Day passes cost $50 for adults, $40 for children 3-12. arizonabiltmore.com.

Run or walk the 2024 Maricopa Memorial Day 5K

Take a breezy 5K run — or walk — at Copper Sky Recreation Center in Maricopa. Participants get finishers' medals and an event shirt. Proceeds benefit the Veterans in Need Project, which works to "alleviate immediate hardships experienced by veterans in our local community," according to veteransinneedproject.org.

Details: 6:30-8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 25. Copper Sky Recreation Center, 44345 W. Bowlin Road, Maricopa. $35. pinal.now.com.

Watch the Arizona Diamondbacks play the Miami Marlins

What's more American than eating a hot dog and watching a baseball game? You have three chances to see the Arizona Diamondbacks go head-to-head with the Miami Marlins over the weekend.

Details: May 24-26. 6:40 p.m. Friday, 7:10 p.m. Saturday, 1:40 p.m. Sunday. Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. $25-$185. mlb.com.

Saturday, May 25 from 6:30-8:30 a.m. at Copper Sky Recreation Center, 44345 W. Bowlin Rd., Maricopa. $35 registration fee. pinal.now.com.

Explore a museum or see a performance for free

Yes, you read that right: Through the power of a library card, you and a guest can explore dozens of art exhibits, museums and even a live performance for free.

The Act One Culture Pass partners with over 175 libraries statewide and covers 26 art and cultural venues and 16 performing arts organizations, including ASU Gammage in Tempe and the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix.

Find your local branch on the list of participating libraries, visit its website to see what's available, and head over to the library to "check out" your pass and a pass for a guest. Each Culture Pass is good for 24 hours.

Details: act1az.org.

Meredith G. White is the entertainment reporter for The Arizona Republic | azcentral.com. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and X, formerly Twitter: @meredithgwhite, and email her at [email protected].

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Memorial Day weekend 2024 in Phoenix: 10 best things to do