The weekend of April 26 to April 28 marks the perfect time to celebrate the incredible arts and culture offerings in the Valley, from the Chalk Walk in Tempe to Butterfly Wonderland's celebration of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” to Phoenix Zoo's Día del Niño.
Friday:
“Avengers: Endgame” at Flix Brewhouse and Harkins Theatres
Following Marvel’s upcoming blockbuster, Flix Brewhouse is giving away free tickets to be used throughout the whole month of May. When moviegoers purchase a ticket to see “Avengers: Endgame” on opening weekend (April 26 to April 28), they’ll receive a free bounce-back ticket to use on any film they’d like in May. Purchasers will receive their bounce-back tickets at the box office when they arrive for their showing of “Avengers.” At Harkins Theatres locations, moviegoers can enjoy special character appearances. On Friday, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Tempe Marketplace, come say hi to Thor, Scarlet Witch and Captain Marvel! Click here for a complete schedule of character appearances that will take place all weekend long.
The Heard Museum Presents Color Riot! How Color Changed Navajo Textiles
The Heard Museum presents Color Riot! How Color Changed Navajo Textiles, on display through Sept. 29. The exhibition explores the Navajo culture, individualism and flair for experimentation in textiles from the last quarter of the 19th century. Remember: Free admission on First Friday at Heard Museum from 6 to 10 p.m.
Family Road Trip to See Wildflowers
How about hitting the road this weekend to take in a serious spell of spring. Here are our favorite spots to spy wildflowers around Arizona.
Saturday:
Larry Fitzgerald Double Play Celebrity Softball Game
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick will be taken over by the annual Larry Fitzgerald Double Play Celebrity Softball Game, on Saturday, April 27, featuring some of the best current NFL players, retired athletes and celebrities for a fun and festive evening. This family-friendly event will feature a Home Run Derby and Softball Game from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on the diamond. Plus, there will be a free kids zone featuring face painting, balloon art and temporary tattoos. The Larry Fitzgerald First Down Fund partnered with the St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance and is asking each attendee to bring a minimum of two non-perishable items. Each person that donates to the food drive will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes.
Chalk Walk at Tempe Marketplace
Chalk Walk returns Tempe Marketplace on Saturday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. See eye-popping, dimension-bending illustrations take shape in front of your eyes for free. Artists from the Arizona Business Committee for the Arts will take to 5-by-5-ft. canvases on the ground, creating professional chalk artwork. New this year, the Chalk Walk will include street paintings crafted with vibrant acrylic paint. Inspired guests can head over to Chalk Art Avenue located near Dave and Buster’s and create their very own mural masterpiece. Participation is free to all attendees. Pastel chalk and artist instruction will be provided at no cost.
Sixth Annual Goodyear Lakeside Music Fest
The sixth-annual Goodyear Lakeside Music Fest, known as “GLMFest,” will return Saturday, April 27, from 4 to 9:30 p.m. The free family event will feature headlining band Smash Mouth, along with multiple local bands and artists. As a presenting sponsor, Estrella by Newland is proud to welcome GLMFest back to its Lakeside Amphitheater. GLMFest will also feature a variety of entertainment and activities perfect for all ages, including food trucks, a VIP tent, an interactive kids zone, and a beer and wine garden. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets.
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.
Sunday:
Día de los Niños at Children's Museum of Phoenix
The Children’s Museum of Phoenix invites children and parents to celebrate Día de los Niños with them on Sunday, April 28. The day’s activities include tissue paper flowers from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the art studio, handmade guacamole at various times in the KIDchen (reservations required), folklórico performances from 11:30 to noon and much more. All three floors of the museum's exhibit spaces will be open for play. All activities are free with museum admission of $14.95 per person. (Children under the age of one are free. Discounts for seniors and military are available.)
Día del Niño at Phoenix Zoo
Celebrate children, animals and Hispanic culture at one of Phoenix Zoo’s biggest events. Día del Niño is back featuring a variety of family-friendly entertainment and activities all with a festive Latin flare. Activities included with Phoenix Zoo admission include crafts, music, lucha libres, ballet folklorico, mariachis, piñatas and more.
Butterfly Wonderland Celebrates 50th Birthday of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”
Butterfly Wonderland has partnered with Penguin Publishing and acclaimed author Eric Carle to bring a special exhibition that celebrates the 50th birthday of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” This limited-time, one-of-a kind exhibit transports guests to the distinctive and colorful world of Carle through August 31. Activities include live caterpillars and other creatures from Carle's books, larger-than-life storybook pages, photo opps, unique caterpillar educational trading cards, story times and much more.
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).
