It’s the kind of place where murals flourish, hip restaurants thrive and residents collaborate on events like the annual Coronado Porch Concert Series each spring.
The same spirit infuses WayneFest, the neighborhood’s “micro” music and arts festival held every November at Coronado Park. What the annual event lacks in size — only around 1,000 people typically attend — it makes up for in heart and creative spark by celebrating local talent and Coronado’s cultural pulse.
This year’s WayneFest takes place on Saturday, Nov. 8 and organizers have begun revealing details about the festival.
The WayneFest 2025 lineup, which dropped recently, includes Phoenix bands Chrome Rhino, The Hourglass Cats and Bad Cactus Brass Band. All three bands are known for lively sets and dynamic sounds that match WayneFest’s vibrant energy and atmosphere.
‘It’s all about celebrating music’
Coronado is home to numerous artists and musicians. As Phoenix New Times put it back in 2016, the neighborhood is a “cozy hub of creativity.”WayneFest began in 2018 after local guitarist and former Coronado resident Mike Logan wanted to share the spirit of the neighborhood with the rest of the Valley. (Even the festival’s name is a nod to the area’s history, as Wayne Newton’s childhood home is located in Coronado.)
Around 800 people attended the festival’s inaugural edition, which featured a mix of neighborhood eateries and artists. The heart of WayneFest, though, is the bands. As Logan told New Times in 2019, “it’s all about celebrating music.”
“My favorite thing is just the vibe of the people that are there,” Logan told New Times in 2019. “It’s people who really love arts, music and culture and that’s part of the essence to discover new bands.”
WayneFest also has a charitable side, as previous editions have benefited local nonprofits and schools. This year, festivalgoers are encouraged to bring unused musical instruments, which will be donated to a Phoenix public school music program.
‘Bands that everybody in downtown Phoenix really loves’
WayneFest has spotlighted a variety of emerging local musicians over the years, particularly “bands that everybody in downtown Phoenix really loves and knows about,” as Logan told New Times in 2019. Past lineups have included ska-tinged favorites Warsaw Poland Bros., Americana ensemble American Longspurs and the “sparkly” pop outfit Diva Bleach.The festival’s 2025 lineup keeps that eclectic streak going. The Hourglass Cats blend desert rock and reggae with a hip-hop twist. Chrome Rhino, a gleeful pop-rock foursome with ELO vibes, is known for their costumes and onstage antics. And Bad Cactus Brass Band brings the party with funky New Orleans-style jazz, a sonorous horn section and nonstop energy.
Festival attendees can also expect a new mini skate park, live art sessions and “a few surprises,” according to the event’s website.
WayneFest 2025 will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Coronado Park, 1717 N. 12th St. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under.
