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Save the Date
These signature events are must-attend attractions that keep the Valley exciting year round.
JANUARY
Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction
This highly acclaimed collector car auction takes place every year in January. The 2015 auction will take place from Jan. 10 through Jan. 18. Each year, the auction attracts 200,000 of the top collectors from around the world. The auction features about 1,000 of the world’s finest collector and special-interest automobiles. barrett-jackson.com.
Waste Management Phoenix Open
The 2015 Waste Management Phoenix Open will take place from Jan. 26 through Feb. 1. The first Phoenix Open dates back to 1932 and has been an annual event since 1939. Since then, the tournament has attracted the largest crowds on the PGA TOUR, earning the status as a premier golf tournament. wmphoenixopen.com.
PF Chang’s Rock N’ Roll Marathon
Each year, the PF Chang’s Rock N’ Roll Marathon and Half Marathon rocks its way into three of the Valley’s biggest cities. This marathon attracts runners from all over the nation. This year’s date is set for Jan. 18. runrocknroll.competitor.com/Arizona.
FEBRUARY
Sedona International Film Festival
Savor more than 160 films with other movie buffs—and a few celebrities and filmmakers, too—at the Sedona International Film Festival. The 2015 fest is Feb. 21 through March 1. sedonafilmfestival.org.
Arabian Horse Show
Nearly 2,000 of the finest horses gather at this annual horse show hosted at WestWorld. This year’s show will take place from Feb. 12 to Feb. 22. scottsdaleshow.com.
Arizona Renaissance Festival
This kid-friendly festival will take you back to all the glories of medieval times. From jousting tournaments to renaissance-style feasts, the Renaissance Festival brings a good time for all knights and ladies who attend. The Renaissance Festival will be open Feb. 7 through March 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. royalfaires.com/arizona.
Tucson Rodeo
Throw on your cowboy boots and come out to this all-American annual event. The Tucson Rodeo, also known as La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros, is a must-attend. The upcoming rodeo will take place from Feb. 21 through March 1. tucsonrodeo.com.
MARCH
McDowell Mountain Music Festival
The likes of Ben Harper and Slightly Stoopid hit that stage at this much-loved annual concert, which is celebrating its 11th year. (This year’s event is March 27 through March 29.) A nonprofit event, McDowell Mountain Music Festival exists to support, entertain and educate the community, the arts and families throughout the state. mmmf.com.
Ostrich Festival
This three-day festival is one of the most unique family-fun event that comes to the Valley. Not only will the event include the much-anticipated ostriches, the festival will also feature live performances from various artists, carnival rides, crafts, art and much more. This upcoming festival will take place from March 13 to March 15. ostrichfestival.com.
APRIL
Country Thunder Music Festival
Country music lovers from around the nation flock to Florence each year to camp out for four days of epic performances from top country artists. The upcoming festival will take place from April 9 to April 12. The lineup has yet to be released, but the festival is notorious for its performers. Past performers include the likes of Brad Paisley, Eric Church, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert and many other highly acclaimed country artists. arizona.countrythunder.com.
MAY
Queen Creek Peach Festival
On Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month of May, you can pick your own peaches at Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek. While tasting the sweet peaches, you will enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Schnepf Farms. schnepffarms.com.
Best of Our Valley Bash
Each year in May, Arizona Foothills Magazine hosts a Best of Our Valley bash in honor of the Best of Our Valley winners, as seen in the March issue. This stylish soiree features live entertainment, delish eats and some of the top tastemakers in the Valley. azfoothills.com.
JUNE
Made in Shade Beer Festival
The Made in Shade Beer Festival is a fun and festive event in Ft. Tuthill County Fairground and Park in Flagstaff. This June event features live music and other entertainment while attendees taste various local and non-local brews. azbeer.com.
Mighty Mud Mania
The Mighty Mud Mania began in 1976, and has since been an event Valley residents look forward to each year. This fun mud obstacle course has become a yearly tradition to kick off the Arizona summer. mightymudmania.com.
JULY
Fabulous Phoenix Fourth of July Celebration
This annual fireworks show in Steele Indian School Park is the largest free fireworks show in the Valley, attracting nearly 100,000 spectators from around metro Phoenix. This year marked the 29thannual fireworks show.
Prescott Frontier Days
Since 1888, Prescott Frontier Days has occurred annually over the 4th of July weekend. Yearly, the annual event hosts the World’s Oldest Rodeoat the Prescott Rodeo Grounds. worldsoldestrodeo.com.
AUGUST
Arizona Cardinals Football
The Arizona Cardinals begin their pre-season football games in August at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. These pre-season games are the perfect chance to get up close to the players before the season begins. arizonacardinals.com.
SEPTEMBER
The JOGS Tucson Gem and Jewelry Show
The JOGS Tucson Gem and Jewelry Show is a much-anticipated jewelry show bringing a variety of international dealers to one of the largest jewelry displays in Tucson. Attendees can view and purchase some of the finest gems, stones, gold and much more. This year’s show will take place from Sept. 4 to Sept. 7. jogsshow.com.
OCTOBER
Arizona State Fair
The Arizona State Fair is an annual event held on the permanent fairgrounds at Encanto Village in Phoenix. The fair has more than just the standard fair with tasty treats and rides; it also features various live entertainment, like concerts from popular acts, hypnotists and petting zoos. This year’s fair is open from Wednesday through Sundays from Oct. 10 until Nov. 2. azstatefair.com.
6th Annual Flagstaff Oktoberfest
Eat drink and be merry at this Flagstaff-based Oktoberfest celebration on Oct. 4. Enjoy a beer tent and rockin’ music line-up. The event benefits Northern Arizona Food Bank. flagstaffoktoberfest.com.
NOVEMBER
Carefree Fine Arts and Wine Festival
Presented by Thunderbird Artists and the Fountain Hills Downtown Business Community, the Carefree Fine Arts and Wine Festival is an art collector’s paradise. This year’s festival is set for Oct. 31 through Nov. 2. www.thunderbirdartists.com.
Arizona International Auto Show
The Arizona International Auto Show is set for Thanksgiving weekend from Nov. 27 to Nov. 30. It will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center. Be sure to join in on the automotive excitement! autoshowphoenix.com.
DECEMBER
Glendale Glitters
Each year, the city of Glendale puts on Glendale Glitters, an award-winning holiday lighting event. An eye-catching 1.5 million lights illuminate the beautiful historic Downtown Glendale. This lighting ceremony is free admission. glendaleaz.com.
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
The upcoming Tostitos Fiesta Bowl is set for Dec. 31 at 3 p.m. The past seven national championship games have brought some of the best college football teams to the Valley, impacting Arizona’s economy positively in a more than grand way. fiestabowl.org.
Tempe Town Lake Boat Parade
Each year, onlookers for the Tempe Town Lake Boat Parade gather around the Tempe Town Lake to witness a fantastic spectacle of hundreds of beautifully lit boats. millavenue.com/entertainment-and-events/fantasyoflights.
WASTE MANAGEMENT PHOENIX OPEN, ABOVE
