Get your fill of festivals and fun times with this month-by-month look at the Valley’s high season.
(PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK RESPECTIVE WEBSITES FOR POTENTIAL CANCELLATIONS, POSTPONEMENTS AND UPDATED INFORMATION BEFORE ATTENDING)
Arizona Renaissance Festival
Through April 3
Foolish pleasures mix with artisan treasures at this 50-acre festival village complete with storybook shops, hundreds of costumed characters, a hearty feast and 16 stages of entertainment, including music, dance, shenanigans and jousting knights. Huzzah! Saturdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 12601 E. Hwy. 60, Gold Canyon, 520-463-2600, renfestinfo.com
Arizona Fine Art Expo
Through March 27
Guests can meet and watch nationally acclaimed, award-winning and emerging artists at work in 124 patron-friendly studios as Thunderbird Artists hosts this art adventure. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 26540 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-837-7163, arizonafineartexpo.com
M3F Festival
March 4-5
The fabulous indie- and jam-rock showcase formerly known as McDowell Mountain Music Festival returns to Margaret T. Hance Park after taking a sabbatical in 2021. Lineup TBA. Past headliners include Beck, Bon Iver and the Shins. m3ffest.com
Indian Fair & Market
March 5-6
More than 600 top American Indian artists exhibit and sell handmade artwork – including baskets, beadwork, quilts, jewelry, paintings, weavings, sculpture, pottery and pueblo carvings – at the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market. Native foods, children’s activities, and music and dance performances are included. Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-252-8848, heard.org/fair
Phoenix Scottish Games
March 5-6
Enjoy a day of highland pageantry as the Caledonian Society of Arizona hosts this event featuring pipes and drums, highland dancers, athletics, Celtic bands, children’s activities, a clan and genealogy area and a Celtic Village filled with a variety of merchants. Venue to be determined, phoenixscottishgames.com
Arizona Musicfest
March 7-April 29
This multi-month festival features the nation’s top artists of classical, chamber, jazz, rock ’n’ roll, country, bluegrass and pop. Highlights include: Callaway
Sisters: Sibling Rivalry, March 7; Paul Anka: Anka Sings Sinatra, March 14; Pink Martini, March 22; and Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock ’n’ Roll, Part 2, March 28. North Scottsdale/Phoenix venues, 480-422-8449, azmusicfest.org
Rodeo Scottsdale
March 10-13
The PRCA-sanctioned event attracts world-class bull riders, ropers, steer wrestlers, bronc riders, barrel racers, rodeo clowns and bullfighters. Dances follow most performances. WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, 480-648-4369, rodeoscottsdale.com
Chandler Ostrich Festival
March 11-13, 17-20
Flightless fowl strut their stuff in a yearly festival that features carnival rides and games, national and local entertainment, arts and crafts, children’s activities and ostrich races. Tumbleweed Park, 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler, 480-588-8497, ostrichfestival.com
Celebrity Fight Night
March 12
Winning the fight for local charities since 1994, this star-studded evening attracts celebrities from across the country, including Reba McEntire, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Barry Manilow, Jon Bon Jovi, Garth Brooks and Michael Bublé. Proceeds support Gateway for Cancer Research. 6 p.m. JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort
& Spa, 5350 E. Marriott Dr., Phoenix, 602-956-1121, celebrityfightnight.org
Mecum Auctions
March 16-19
Approximately 1,200 classic and collector cars – Corvettes, exotics, trucks, hot rods, resto-mods and muscle cars – cross the auction block at this high-energy event. State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Dr., Glendale, mecum.com
Gilbert Pizza Festival
March 19
More than a dozen pizza artisans dole out slices of their best pies at this event. Wine and craft beer bars, live bands, a kids craft zone and vendor marketplace are included. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Gilbert Civic Center, 50 E. Civic Center Dr., Gilbert, gilbertpizzafest.com
Tempe Festival of the Arts
March 25-27
Nearly 350 fine artists and craftsmen from across the country showcase original artworks. Food trucks, wine and beer gardens and live entertainment are included. Mill Avenue District, Tempe, tempefestivalofthearts.com
