With the release of The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, it's safe to say everything is awesome the weekend of Feb. 8 to Feb. 10. Check out Valley events celebrating the movie, as well as the 2019 start of the adored Arizona Renaissance Festival.
Friday:
Electric Desert at Desert Botanical Garden
Through May 12, check out the desert as it's drenched in light and sound in a mesmerizing display like never before with Klip Collective’s Electric Desert at Desert Botanical Garden. The cacti and desert become a living canvas during this limited-time nighttime experience. Ticket prices vary.
The Electric Guitar: Inventing an American Icon at Musical Instrument Museum
Musical Instrument Museum has welcomed an exclusive new exhibition that is an ode to the instrument that revolutionized music—and pop culture, as a whole. The Electric Guitar: Inventing an American Icon spotlights more than 80 of the rarest electric guitars and amplifiers in the world, including the instruments of rock royalty, like Pete Townshend and Bo Diddley. This exciting exhibition is on display through Sept. 15. In addition to admission to MIM, tickets to The Electric Guitar: Inventing an American Icon are $7 ($10 for special exhibition only).
Saturday:
Minifigure Trading Events at Harkins Theatres
To celebrate the opening weekend of The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, Valleywide Harkins Theatres locations are hosting free Minifigure Trading Events on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Guests who bring a complete LEGO Minifigure to the theatre during the event can trade for an exclusive, 41-piece Emmet Minifigure polybag set, while supplies last. Not available in stores, Harkins’ exclusive “Star-Struck Emmet” set features The LEGO Movie 2’s hero in an epic scene from the new movie. Guests can even devour a special concessions deal! (The one-day-only trading events will be held at all Harkins Theatres locations besides Valley Art.)
The LEGO Movie Days at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona is celebrating the long-awaited The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part with movie-themed event days from Feb. 8 to March 31. The ultimate indoor LEGO playground features 10 LEGO build and play zones, a 4D cinema, rides and special movie-themed fun all geared for families with children ages 3 to 10. The LEGO Movie Days will host character meet and greets, a themed scavenger hunt and much more fun.
Concours in the Hills
On Feb. 9, 700-plus cars will roar into Concours in the Hills at Fountain Park in Fountain Hills to benefit Phoenix Children’s Hospital. (The free-to-spectators show raises funds through car registrations.) The show features incredibly rare cars valued up to $20 million and includes names like Aston Martin, Maserati and more. New in 2019, the show will feature a display of race cars, including Mario Andretti’s first rear-engine Indy car, an Eagle Indy car, Jacques Villeneuve’s 1980 March Formula Atlantic and many more.
Knight and Swift Transportation Touch-a-Truck Family Event & Fundraiser
Bring curious kiddos to explore and touch more than 40 different vehicles and trucks (think firetrucks, police, helicopters, race cars, military vehicles, and more) during this Touch-a-Truck Family Event & Fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at North Phoenix Baptist Church. The event also features food, face painting, local vendors and activities for the kids. All proceeds go to fund Camp Patrick, which is a free camp for kids with Spina Bifida. Entrance is $5 per person or $20 per family.
Second Annual Lunar New Year Festival at Desert Ridge Marketplace
Pop by Desert Ridge Marketplace for the second-annual Lunar New Year Festival! At the event, guests will find incredible celebrations filled with dramatic dances, delicious food, elaborate performances, festival activities, games and more from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sunday:
Arizona Renaissance Festival
Get ready to be transported back to the 16th century as one of the largest and most picturesque renaissance festivals in the nation prepares for raucous revelry below the foothills of the Superstition Mountains. The Arizona Renaissance Festival runs every Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 9, through March 31, including Presidents’ Day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Roam the 30-acre festival village filled with whimsical castles, cottages and pubs, take in 14 stages of nonstop performances of music, mermaids, merriment, dance, acrobatics and comedy and cheer on knights during the jousting tournaments. Huzzah!
Mom Made Market
More than 150 momtrepreneur brands will head to Scottsdale’s Chaparral High School from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, and Sunday, Feb. 10, for the Mom Made Market. This nationally-recognized market was created to provide a simple and efficient platform for moms to sell their products, network with other business owners and meet their supporters in person. The two-day event will have shopping and fun activities for the whole family including face painting, balloon animals, Disney princess appearances, food trucks and more. Tickets are $5 at the door. Kids 12 and under are free. A portion of the proceeds will go to Pray For Davis which supports 4-year-old Davis through his cancer journey.
Monster Fish: In Search of the Last River Giants at OdySea Aquarium
Guests are invited to dive beneath the surface of the world’s rivers in the limited-time exhibition “Monster Fish: In Search of the Last River Giants” at OdySea Aquarium. The interactive exhibition will include five extraordinary, life-size sculptures of monster fish as well as videos and hands-on interactive activities for audiences of all ages. “Monster Fish” will remain at OdySea Aquarium until May 5.
