Arizona Renaissance Festival
FEBRUARY 3-MARCH 31
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, plus President’s Day, Feb. 19, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 12601 E. Hwy. 60, Gold Canyon, 520-463-2600, renfestinfo.com
Arizona Musicfest
THROUGH APRIL 26
This multi-month festival features the nation’s top artists of classical, chamber, jazz, rock, country, bluegrass and pop. North Scottsdale/Phoenix venues, 480-422-8449, azmusicfest.org
Concours in the Hills
FEBRUARY 3
More than 1,000 collector and high-performance cars representing most makes and models take over the gently rolling slopes and green grass around the lake and world-famous fountain. Proceeds benefit Phoenix Children’s Foundation. Fountain Park, 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills, 480-837-1654, concoursinthehills.org
Parada del Sol
FEBRUARY 3
Everyone’s a cowboy or cowgirl at the Parada del Sol Parade, which will saunter through Old Town Scottsdale for its 70th year. Look forward to more than 150 parade floats and participants, plus the post-parade Trail’s End Festival, an all-ages block party featuring concerts, food vendors, games, pony rides and more. It’s also part of a larger annual party – Scottsdale Western Week – which celebrates the town’s history and heritage. 9:30 a.m.-noon. Downtown Scottsdale, scottsdaleparade.com
Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show
FEBRUARY 15-25
Since 1955, this show has been a pacesetter in the Arabian horse world, growing from 50 horses to nearly 2,400 of the world’s finest steeds, each competing for the title of “Scottsdale Champion.” WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, 480-515-1500, scottsdaleshow.com
Arizona Strong Beer Festival
FEBRUARY 17
A longtime favorite of Valley beer geeks, the annual conclave of beer consumption features more than 500 stouts, Imperial IPAs, lip-smacking barleywines and other high-gravity styles, along with more demure brews like lagers and ciders. 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, chooseazbrews.com
Hoop Dance Contest
FEBRUARY 17-18
Enjoy the fast-paced precision, grace and creativity of hoop dancing as top hoop dancers from the U.S. and Canada compete for cash prizes and the title of world champion. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-252-8848, heard.org
Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival
FEBRUARY 18-MARCH 3
The longest running film festival in Phoenix will present dozens of international films across three different Harkins theaters in the East Valley, West Valley and Scottsdale. Past submissions have included films from Brazil, Germany, Denmark, France and Hungary. gpjff.org
Fountain Festival of Fine Arts & Crafts
FEBRUARY 23-25
This juried show features nearly 500 artists, plus live music, food booths and beer gardens. Avenue of the Fountains and Saguaro Boulevard, Fountain Hills, 480-837-1654, fountainhillsartfairs.com
Innings Fest
FEBRUARY 23-24
The producers of Chicago’s Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits are behind this annual music fest set to coincide with Spring Training. Past performers have included Tame Impala, Foo Fighters, Gin Blossoms and Dave Matthews Band. Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, 480-350-5200, inningsfest.com
Devour Culinary Classic
FEBRUARY 24-25
The finest chefs from around the Valley converge on Papago Park for this always-sold-out culinary confab at Desert Botanical Garden. 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, devourphoenix.com
Arizona Matsuri Festival
FEBRUARY 24-25
This two-day festival focuses on all aspects of Japanese culture, including music and dance, martial arts, food and drink and more. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, azmatsuri.org
Hashknife Pony Express
FEBRUARY (TBD)
Welcome the Hashknife riders as they complete a 200-mile journey on horseback from Holbrook to Scottsdale, delivering thousands of letters. This re-enactment of Western history is the longest-running Pony Express ride in the nation. Riders arrive at high noon at a soon-to-be-announced Scottsdale location, 480-686-9539, hashknifeponyexpress.com
