3 Free Events This Week in Metro Phoenix

Put down the hammer and step away from the piggy bank. Hitting the scene doesn't mean hitting all your favorite ceramic knickknacks to pieces. From gem shows to block parties and Sunday a'fairs, here are our top three picks for keeping Porky the Penny-saving Pig intact...

By Katie Johnson

January 6, 2015

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

Put down the hammer and step away from the piggy bank. Hitting the scene doesn't mean hitting all your favorite ceramic knickknacks to pieces. From gem shows to block parties and Sunday a'fairs, here are our top three picks for keeping Porky the Penny-saving Pig intact.

43rd Annual Flagg Gem & Mineral Show

The Flagg and Mineral Foundation is bringing its annual Gem and Mineral Show to Mesa Community College Friday, January 9, through Sunday, January 11. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, visitors can browse a wide selection of gems, minerals, fossils, beads, jewelry, and lapidary tools to cut, polish, and engrave their own stones. Admission free. For more information, visit flaggmineralfoundation.org/home/flagg-gem-and-mineral-show.

Glendale Glitter & Glow

Glendale Gitters is going out with a block party and a bang from 4 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, January 15. The free event will be the last chance for visitors to view the 1.5 million lights displayed across 16 blocks in Historic Downtown Glendale until next holiday season. In addition to providing live music, food, and children's rides, the city of Glendale will also launch 20 hot air balloons into the night sky. For more details, visit www.glendaleaz.com/events.

Sunday A'Fair

Every Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., art-appreciators of all ages are invited to stop by the Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza for a culture-fueled Sunday A'Fair. Guests can shop handmade goods from local artists, participate in docent-led tours of SMoCA exhibitions at 1:30 p.m., and enjoy live performances from a rotation of musical artists, including Blues Review Band and Trailer Queen this Sunday, January 11. For details, visit www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org.

Follow Jackalope Ranch on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.