Things to do in Phoenix this weekend (October 14 – 16)
While looking at our events calendar this week, we noticed that there are a ton of events to choose from this weekend. We decided to put them all in one place for you. Enjoy!
Friday, October 14 – Sunday, October 16
Heard Museum Shops Annual Fall Sale
Get a jump on holiday shopping – and check out the bargains – at the Heard Museum Shops Annual Fall Sale. This twice-yearly shopping event offers discounts on the finest authentic American Indian artwork – almost everything from Kachina dolls, jewelry to baskets, to textiles, pottery and fine art will be 10 percent off. Heard Museum members save an extra 10 percent off all purchases – for a total of 20 percent off – and non-members will save 10 percent off on handmade, one-of-a-kind American Indian art, which the Shop purchases directly from artists.
Wild Western Festival at Saguaro Ranch Park
Celebrate Arizona’s western heritage at this festival benefiting the Arizona Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. There will be western themed exhibitions, activities for all ages and a western themed market.
The Arizona State Fair kicks off this weekend with tons of kickin' concerts, adrenaline-pumping rides, deliciously sinful foods, exhibits and more! The Arizona State Fair goes through November 16th and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Thrill seekers can run with 40 bulls on a quarter-mile track in downtown Cave Creek. Participants must be 18 and older. The festival features parties, concerts, rodeo clown competitions, exhibit booths and food and drink vendors.
Saturday, October 15 – Sunday, October 16
Jazz lovers won’t want to miss this event with two full days of great music and entertainment featuring artists such as, guitar great Norman Brown and recent winner for Best Wind Player at the American Smooth Jazz Awards, saxophonist Richard Elliot, as well as other jazz mainstays including, Jonathan Butler, Eric Darius and Maysa, Euge Groove, Mindi Abair, Turning Point and more!
This food festival will feature over 20 Cave Creek area restaurants, a film festival, wine tasting a beer garden, live music and so much more.
Saturday, October 15
Put on your Lederhosen or Dirndls and come out for this great Bavarian Festival. A traditional German Volksfest in the heart of Phoenix, a giant Bier Garten with buxom beer maidens serving Bavarian brews and Bavarian bands playing lively tunes and leading sing-alongs of old time drinking songs will all be on display. With mouth watering sausages and authentic strudel , this is surely the biggest old-world family event! Whether you hail from Germany or central Phoenix, sample traditional German foods and drinks, enjoy the music, and shop from a variety of authentic German products. Bring the family - there are lots of fun kid’s activities for their enjoyment. Bis Spaeter!
Everyone from valley restaurants to amateur competitors will sign up for their chance to taco-battle it out for $7,500. Expect a huge VIP tent, lucha libre wrestling, beer donkeys, a main bar experience sponsored by a local taco shop, a margarita challenge, hot chili pepper eating contest, and a boutique tequila expo tent featuring over 30 different brands of premium tequilas, a kid’s zone, and so much more. Get ready for the Scottsdale Waterfront turning into taco town and a place that will be sure to spice things up this weekend.
TASTE Chandler Culinary Festival
TASTE Chandler’s Culinary Festival is a gourmet food and wine tasting event that features Chandler’s finest. The idea and concepts have been created to showcase local businesses, local restaurants, benefiting local charities, and maintaining community involvement and outreach.
Giant Flaming Robot? Marshmallow Chucker? These are just a few of the crazy inventions you'll find at MakerFaire. A one-day, family-friendly event that celebrates arts, crafts, engineering, food, music, science and technology projects and the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset. It’s for creative, resourceful people who like to tinker and love to make things.
Front Porch Festival and Old Town Marketplace
Enjoy the beautiful fall weather in Downtown Glendale at the 17th Annual Front Porch Festival & Old Towne Marketplace. More than 80 shops and eateries have lots of special activities planned for the day, including demonstrations, make & take crafts, special treats and so much more. The shops in Catlin Court showcase their specialties on their lawns and porches, while the shops in Old Towne always have something wonderful going on inside. Plan to spend your day in the area. Start at the Glendale Visitor Center (5800 W. Glenn Drive, #140) to pick up a downtown walking map.
The annual traveling bike parade and beer festival returns to Tempe Beach Park, inviting revelers to pedal up in their craziest costumes and enjoy craft beers from New Belgium Brewing. The all-day event starts with a wacky bike parade through Tempe, then everyone gathers at the park to sip on Fat Tire Amber Ale and Hoptober Golden Ale, listen to live bands and people watch.
8th Annual Native Foods and Crafts Fair
Shop for produce, visit the pumpkin patch, try your luck at the Watermelon eating contest and stop by the free Kid's Crafts area. Native American artists and craftspeople will be demonstrating traditional arts and crafts. Frybread and other refreshments will be available for sale.
Annual Otsukimi Moonviewing Festival
The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix presents a traditional Japanese celebration of the full moon and an abundant fall harvest: Otsukimi Moonviewing 2011. This annual fundraiser is an evening of delicious fare (prepared by Tohzan Nagasaki Grill and Fujiya Market) and exciting entertainment. Experience a taiko explosion by Fushicho Daiko Taiko Drummers, demonstrations by Arizona Aikido and Kenshin Dojo of Iaido Swordsmanship, authentic Japanese Ondo Folk-dancing, poetry reading, and heartfelt musical performances throughout the evening. Discover shopping pleasures from a variety of vendors at our Marketplace.
You will enjoy bento under the clear fall sky, peer through a telescope at the moon, stroll the path and feed the gorgeous koi as you cross the bridge over the pond. Feeling creative? Write a haiku poem or send your wishes to the wind. When you arrive, sign in at the Tea House to view a tea ceremony demonstration presented throughout the evening.
Rocky Horror Picture Show Sing-Along
Get ready to do the "Time Warp" at this one-night-only sing-along of the cult classic, hosted by Grand Canyon Performing Arts. Fans are encouraged to don their best "Rocky Horror"-inspired costumes, and join others for a fun time at Steele Indian School Park. Prizes will be given out for the best costume and best performance, and there'll be a cash bar and silent auction.
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