Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to enjoy some quality time with your family. Fortunately, Phoenix is the hub for all things fun and feasible this weekend, with dozens of unique activities and events that will truly make it a memorable moment for the whole family. Check out our roundup of the best things to do around the Valley this weekend, May 24 through May 26:
Friday
Phoenix Fan Fusion
Phoenix Fan Fusion is a family-friendly event where enthusiasts of every fandom, geeks of all kinds, creators, artists, entertainers, cosplayers, fans and friends are invited to experience and celebrate all that’s good in pop culture. Visitors include Elijah Wood and Jeff Goldblum. Admission tickets start at $20; prices vary by day and event. For more information, click here.
Harkins Screening and Q & A with Noble Jones
Harkins Camelview at Fashion Square will host a special screening of new romantic drama, “The Tomorrow Man,” featuring a live Q & A session with director Noble Jones following the film. Starring John Lithgow and Blythe Danner, “The Tomorrow Man” tells the unique love story of Ed Hemsler, a doomsday prepper obsessed with the future, and Ronnie Meisner, a woman who spends her life dwelling on the past and how they, together, embrace the present. The screening will begin at 6:30 p.m., and the Q & A will begin at 7:30 p.m. For more information on this event, click here.
Saturday
“Alice in Wonderland” at Desert Stages Theatre
The show captures the adventures of young Alice adapted from Lewis Carroll’s children classic.
Desert Stages’ production of “Alice in Wonderland” features music and lyrics written by Gerry Cullity, the late co-founder of DST. Cullity’s work has been performed for over a quarter of a century in Scottsdale, as well as New York City with the New York premiere of his musical “The Butterfly’s Day.” “Alice in Wonderland” is co-directed by former child actors and DST veterans, Kristin Alba and Erin Tarkington. The show will run from May 25 through June 9. Ticket prices and show times vary. For more information on this event, click here.
The Planets: An HD Odyssey at Symphony Hall
Embark on an expansive voyage through the Solar System with The Planets: An HD Odyssey. Propelled by Holst’s masterwork The Planets, this bracing multimedia experience from The Phoenix Symphony explores the astrological and emotional influences of our sister planets through this large-scale orchestral suite as stunning NASA and Hubble image are projected above the orchestra. Ticket prices vary. For more information on this event, click here.
Steve Byrne at Stand Up Live
Steve Byrne has risen through the ranks of the comedy world to become one of the industry’s most innovative and sought-after performers. He has evolved throughout the years into an extremely versatile entertainer that delivers on a day-to-day basis. Hailing from Pittsburgh, Byrne was born to a Korean mother and an Irish father. His unique background gave him the base comedic material for his first television show, “Sullivan & Son,” which aired for three seasons on TBS. Ticket prices are $22. For more information on this event, click here.
Kitten Pop-Up Shops at the Quarter
Arizona Animal Welfare League and Scottsdale Quarter are teaming up for their fifth annual Kitten Pop-Up shops starting on Saturday, May 25, from 10 a.m. until 3 or 4 p.m. There will be about 20 to 25 kittens available, and this paw-some pop-up will be held around the corner of Urban Outfitters. Every year, the Scottsdale Quarter provides free space for a kitten pop-up adoption shop in order help with the increase of litters to adopt during ‘kitten season.’ AAWL helps thousands of kittens and cats find homes, and over the years of this partnership it has helped several of hundreds of kittens find their purr-ever homes. For more information on this event, click here.
Wonderspaces: Point of View
In Point of View, 13 artists explore how new perspectives expand our concept of the world. Through their art, they play with the definition of perspective, flip its rules and present abstract and literal forms. Though the methods and media are all different, each artwork opens us up to the views of others. Point of View is an art show that welcomes all ages to explore the concept of perspective. An approximately 80-minute experience spread across roughly 16,000 square feet, it is a place to gather with friends and family. Ticket prices start at $15. For more information on this event, click here.
Sunday
Memorial Day Weekend at Jake’s Unlimited
During Memorial Day weekend (Saturday, May 25, to Monday, May 27), Jake's Unlimited will offer $25 Pro Package passes (regularly $45.50 per person) which includes access to an unlimited buffet with all-you-can-eat salads, pizzas, pastas and desserts. Plus, families can stay cool and play indoors with video games, laser tag, rides such as bumper cars and carousel. Bonus: one game of bowling, mini-bowling and $10 fun card are included in this Pro Package. For more information on this special event, click here.
“Once” at Phoenix Theatre
This eight-time Tony Award-winning musical is a spell-binding tale of love and loss, following dreams and walking away. Show times and ticket prices vary by day and performance. The show will be performed at the Phoenix Theatre in Central Phoenix. For more information on this event, click here.
Frank Caliendo at Stand Up Live
A veteran of television sketch comedy as a cast member on “Mad TV” and starring in his own series “Frank TV,” Frank Caliendo has been a fixture on television for over a decade. He has comedy specials with TBS and Comedy Central and routinely makes surprise and guest appearances on radio and TV shows. The show will take place at Stand Up Live at 7 p.m. Admission tickets are $35. For more information on this event, click here.
