Audio By Carbonatix
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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