With spring comes festival time, and the Valley’s chock-full of them. From chocolate tastings to local craft beer festivals, there’s no shortage of food and drink festivals in Phoenix this February.
Friday, 1st – Haute Chocolate Market & Festival
Indulge in chocolate tastings offered by local vendors, live entertainment, chocolate wine, and much more. Local culinary schools will take part in a chocolate showpiece competition, judged by an expert panel of chefs, artists and curators.
Details: Heard Museum; $30 in advance, $35 day of the event and $45 for VIP
Saturday, 2nd – 6 Alarm Firehouse Cook-off Showdown
Turn up the heat! Six Valley Firehouses compete in a blazing hot cookoff challenge. All proceeds go to the 100 Club of Arizona.
Details: Sub-Zero Wolf Showroom; $45.
Friday, 8th through Sunday, 10th – Glendale Chocolate Affaire
Chocolate purveyors from Arizona and around the nation gather in Glendale for this award-winning festival, which celebrates not only chocolate, but romance and the arts as well. Chocolate confections will include items such as fried ice cream with chocolate and strawberries, chocolate-covered bacon, chocolate-covered churros, chocolate-covered key lime pie, , chocolate-covered crepes and much more.
Details: Murphy Park in downtown Glendale; Free
Saturday, 9th – Mardi Gras Parade, Festival & Pub Crawl
It’s the fall sha-bang; join in a traditional Mardis Gras parade, festival and pub crawl lasting well into the night.
Details: Starting at CityScape; Free, limited tickets on sale for the pub crawl for $15
Saturday, 9th – The Good Life Festival
This public festival includes concerts with favorite national and local acts on outdoor stages, and a variety of activities that celebrate “The Good Life,” which may include gourmet food and cooking demonstrations, specialty shopping, wine tasting, craft beet tasting, spa and golf demonstrations.
Details: Encanterra Country Club; $20 for GA, $70 for VIP.
Saturday, 9th through March 31 – Arizona Renaissance Festival
Lords and ladies are encouraged to upgrade their tickets to join the pleasure feast. This year’s menu is Italiano rustico with five courses and a souvenir goblet, along with admission and more, for $69.95.
Details: Renaissance Festival Fairgrounds; $22 for adults, $12 for children 5-12
Thursday, 14th through Sunday, 17th – 2nd Annual Carefree Festival of Fine Chocolate & Fine Art
Stroll through the Carefree Town Garden Center viewing up to 100 exhibitors of fine art, crafts, chocolate and other confections while listening to live music.
Details: At Carefree Town Garden Center, Sundial Circle; Free.
Friday, 15th through Sunday, 17th – Waterfront Fine Art, Wine & Chocolate Festival
The banks of the Scottsdale Waterfront are lined with the greatest selection of juried fine arts, fine wines, delectable chocolates and musicians in the Southwest for the Waterfront Fine Art & Wine Festival.
Deatils: Scottsdale Waterfront; Free.
Sunday, 17th – Flavors of the West
Dine on scrumptious local West Valley eats with unlimited tastings from 25 different vendors. All ticket proceeds benefit the Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Details: At Historic Downtown Litchfield Park; $45 for GA, $100 for VIP, $10 for kids under 12
Saturday, 16th through Friday, 22nd – Arizona Cocktail Week
Nationally renowned mixologists will partner with Arizona’s home-grown talent to provide educational seminars, interactive tastings, cocktail competitions, pool parties, pig roasts and more.
Details: Over 30 locations. Location and price varies, depending on event.
Saturday, 16th through Saturday, 23rd – Arizona Beer Week
A full week is dedicated to Arizona’s finest home-grown craft beers. Take a sip, or two, and enjoy!
Details: Location varies as well as price, depending on event.
Tuesday, 19th – Strong Beer Festival
It’s beer, enough said. The festival boasts a tasting featuring strong beers, but also offering tastes of many other craft beer types and styles. Music and food vendors complete the afternoon.
Details: At Steele Indian School Park ; $45 for VIP tickets, $35 for general admission and $10 for a designated driver ticket
Saturday, 23rd and Sunday, 24th – Arizona Matsuri Festival
The Arizona Matsuri Festival features exhibits, demonstrations, arts and crafts, children’s activities, bonsai displays, Japanese food (think outdoor sushi and other Japanese delicacies in this gorgeous weather), and 3 stages of live entertainment.
Details: At Heritage & Science Park; Free
