Buckle up. Spring is bringing a host of art, film and cultural festivals to the Valley.
Take a look at our list to ensure that you don't miss an old favorite ... or check out something new. (And if you're hungry for more, stay tuned to Chow Bella for food-themed spring festivals in Metro Phoenix.) And if we missed any, feel free to leave details in the comments section.
See also: - The 10 Best Art Exhibitions and Installations I Saw in Phoenix in 2012 - Artlink Announces Dates and Application Deadlines for Art Detour 25 in Downtown Phoenix
JANUARY:
Desperado GLBT Film Festival @ Paradise Valley Community College Date: January 25 - 27 Rundown: Films produced, directed, and acted by gay and lesbian community members. Price: $8 to $10 per film, $80 all access
Waste Management Phoenix Open Golf Tournament @ TPC Scottsdale course at the Fairmont Scottsdale Date: January 28 - February 3 Rundown: pro golfers compete in the first PGA tournament of 2013. Expect sport, booze, and plenty of people-watching. Price: General admission starts at $25
Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival January 31 - February 2 Arizona State Fairgrounds Rundown: Shopping, workshops, and eye candy for sewing fanatics. Price: $10 per person
FEBRUARY:
Arizona Renaissance Festival February 9 - March 31 Apache Junction Rundown: Drumsticks, jousting, crafts, and costumes. Buckle up. Apache Junction. Each year you can enjoy music, theater, comedy, food and drink, crafts, games and knights jousting at the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Price: $21 for adults $11 for children 5-12 (under 5 always free)
Arizona SciTech Festival February 9 - March 19 Rundown: Science, tech, math, and more collide state-wide in a series of workshops, exhibitions, tours, and Q&As around the state. Price: varies
Bloody Hero Film Festival Phoenix Center for the Arts February 8 - 10 Rundown: a celebration of independent filmmakers and filmmaking from around the country. Event includes screenings and plenty of popcorn. Price: 1-day Pass $25, 2-day Pass $40, 3 Day Pass Plus VIP Mixer $70
Body Art Expo Arizona State Fairgrounds February 15 - 17 Rundown: Tattoo artists and fans show off their ink and watch live tattooing. Price: 1-day $20, 3-day $45
VNSA Used Book Sale Arizona State Fairgrounds February 16, 17 Rundown: One of the country's largest used book sales. Price: Free, pay to park
Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival Harkins Camelview 5, Harkins Crossroads 12, Harkins Arrowhead 18 February 10 - 24 Rundown: Screenings of films centered around Jewish culture and traditions. Price: Adults: $10 ($11 at the door), Students: $5, Festival Pass: $100
International UFO Congress & Film Festival Fort McDowell Casino & Resort, Fountain Hills February 27 - March 3 Rundown: the largest annual conference on UFOs and related phenomena in the United States, includes workshops, lectures, film screenings, and more. Price: $239 per person for registrations received before February 4, $319 per person for registrations received February 4 - February 19.
Matsuri Festival Heritage and Science Park February 23 - 24 Rundown: Cultural Japanese celebration of food, dance, music, and art. Price: Free
MARCH
Heard Museum Guild Annual Indian Fair and Market Heard Museum March 2 - 4 Rundown: Music, performance, and art by award-winning Native artists. Price: tickets vary
Melrose on 7th Street Fair Seventh Avenue in Phoenix March 2 Rundown: shop goods by local vendors, check out the live music and car show and healthy living expo Price: Free
Arizona Aloha Festival Tempe Beach Park March 9 - 10 Rundown: Cultural celebration of Hawaiian food, dance, song, and art. Price: Free
Arizona Dragon Boat Festival Tempe Town Lake Rundown: Boat Races, craft vendors and live music Price: Free
Art Detour Downtown Phoenix March 2, 3 Rundown: self-guided tours of artist studios and galleries throughout downtown Phoenix Price: Free
Scottsdale Arts Festival Scottsdale Center for the Arts March 8 - 10 Rundown: live art, artist exhibitions, entertainment Price: Single-Day Pass: $8, Two-Day Pass: $12
Spring Training Baseball Various Stadiums Various dates in March Rundown: Watch the Cactus League battle it out around metro Phoenix. Price: Varies
APRIL
Phoenix Film Festival Harkins Scottsdale 101 April 4 - 11 Rundown: Local film festival showcasing short and full-length films from all over the world. Price: Platinum Pass $300, VIP Pass $250, Festival Pass $150, Flex Pass $38, Individual Screening $12
Tempe Spring Festival of the Arts Mill Avenue April 5 - 7 Rundown: Arts and crafts booths line Mill Avenue alongside food vendors and live entertainment. Price: Free
Arizona Bike Week Scottsdale April 5 - 9 Rundown: Bike rallies, auctions, competitions, and plenty of hangouts. Price: $15 - 45
Phoenix Gay Pride Parade and Festival Steele Indian School Park April 6 -7 Rundown: celebration of the gay community in Phoenix with a parade, live music, dancing, 5K run, 3K walk, wedding expo.
Great Arizona Bicycle Festival Downtown Mesa April 5 - 6 Rundown: A celebration of the motor-less bike with tours, swaps, and more. Price: Free
Modern Phoenix Expo & Home Tours Phoenix/Scottsdale April 21 Rundown: Guided tours, exhibitions, seminars and more on mid-century modern architecture throughout Phoenix. Price: TBA
Phoenix Improv Festival Theaters in Tempe and Phoenix Dates TBA Rundown: Performances from Phoenix-based improv troupes and troupes from around the country. Price: $15/day
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