Free things to do in Greater Phoenix
Getting out of the house and having fun doesn’t have to cost a fortune. We’ve found some great things to do in Greater Phoenix that are FREE.
The Phoenix Art Museum has several opportunities to take in exhibits for free. If you are a Bank of America customer, you can get free admission through the Museums on Us © program the entire first weekend of every month. Every Wednesday (3-9pm) and First Friday (6-10pm) there is free admission for all.
Another great First Friday deal is the Target sponsored free admission at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix (6-10pm). We’ve heard that it gets crowded fast, so get there early.
One of our favorite free deals in Phoenix is Adults Night Out every First Friday at the Arizona Science Center (5:30 – 9pm). No kids, just adults acting like kids. This weekend (August 13-14) everyone gets free admission for Fry’s Free Weekend (10am – 5pm).
Tony Bennett called the Musical Instrument Museum his favorite museum in the world. See if you agree for free the first weekend of the month with Bank of America’s Museums on Us © program.
One of our favorite places to visit and to take guests is the Desert Botanical Garden. Every second Tuesday of the month admission is free (1-8pm). On October 25th admission is free (9:30am – 5pm) as a part of the valley-wide CALA Festival.
As the name suggests, FilmBar shows movies and serves libations. You can catch an independent film for free on your birthday. Bring a friend to buy you drink.
Arizona wines have been getting quite a bit of attention as of late; try some for free every Wednesday and Saturday at the Downtown Phoenix Public Market’s Urban Grocery. Check their calendar for the featured winery and hours.
This Friday (August 12) celebrate the opening of Yogurtini at CityScape with free fro-yo (11am – 2pm).
Did we miss anything? Tell us in the comments below.
What to do for First Friday – August
First Friday is here again! The heat won't stop us from enjoying all of the fun that First Friday has to offer. Here's a quick roundup of what's going on this Friday night.
“Luck Nothing” by Jeff Falk and Annie Lopez Opening Reception at Willow North Gallery 2811 N. 7th Avenue, 6-10pm, Free
Local artist Jeff Falk’s collage works are featured, as well as the photography of Annie Lopez.
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Chase Field 401 E. Jefferson Street, 6:40pm, $12 and up
This season has been an exciting one for our home team. Make sure to stay after the game for a fireworks display.
Buy tickets for the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers game.
“In Your Head and Under Your Bed” Opening Reception at Modified Arts 407 E. Roosevelt Street, 6-9pm, Free
Ten artists are featured in this exhibit at Modified Arts inspired by the subconscious and dreams. Pieces range from paintings to sculptures to fabric designs.
Kendal Hathaway Artist Reception at Sutra Midtown Yoga 2317 N. 7th Street, 7-9pm, Free
Yoga studio turned art exhibit, Sutra Midtown always puts on a great show for First Friday. During the opening reception, Sutra will be collecting art supplies (Items Needed: acrylic paint sets, watercolor sets, oil pastel sets, packages of paintbrushes, canvases, watercolor paper, charcoal sets, packages of clay, glue/hot glue, beads, feathers, etc. ) for the Bergamot Institute and will be serving seasonal sangria.
First Friday at the Phoenix Art Museum 1625 N. Central Avenue, 6-10pm, Free
Enjoy free Museum admission every First Friday! Experience great art from around the world, delight in a drink from ARTenders and enjoy a variety of entertainment on the First Friday of every month.
For August, giddy up to a mix of bluegrass, Old-Time, cowboy/country, folk and originals performed by the Back Porch Bandits. Banjo player Josh Tharp, mandolin monster Billy Parker, bass boy Joel Dowling and guitarist/ringleader Ken Clemmer will have you dancing in no time. So dust off those boots and come boogie with the bandits!
Adults Night Out at Arizona Science Center 600 East Washington Street, 5:30 - 9pm, Free
Explore the Center's exhibit galleries on the First Friday of each month from 5:30 to 9pm. Free for everyone. Please leave children at home. Additional evening options include: A lecture presentation at 7 p.m. (free); and an IMAX film or planetarium presentation at 8:15 p.m. (Regular admission fees apply for film and planetarium presentations.) Additional fees apply for entrance to featured exhibitions.
Betsy Ganz at Practical Art, 5070 North Central Avenue, 7-9pm, Free
Snacks and drinks will be served. Make sure to browse around the store to find that perfect gift for that upcoming birthday, anniversary, etc.
First Friday Mobile Food Court, 408 E. Roosevelt Road, 7pm
Try the delicious mobile cuisine of Riteway Catering Company, Sunshine and Spice, Short Leash Hot Dogs, Sweet Republic, Jamburritos Cajun Grille – Express, and Frufrupops.
Broadway at Gammage
The Phoenix area is lucky to have Gammage Auditorium (pronounced GAM-idge, if you're not from the area), which is known for both for its architecture as well as the shows it hosts, largely musicals straight from New York. Tickets start at about $23, and they are still available for an amazing lineup of Broadway musicals:
9 to 5 The Musical
February 22 - February 27
Fiddler on the Roof
March 29 - April 3
Billy Elliot The Musical
April 27 - May 8
Mamma Mia
May 17 - May 22
Gammage also hosts its "Gammage Beyond" series which includes dande performances from dance companies from around the country, plays and musical performances. To see the upcoming engagements, check out the schedule.
While you're there, make sure to take a close look at the architecture of Gammage Auditorium, which is a Frank Lloyd Wright design and was built in 1964. So many shows tour here because it is designed to be as acoustically perfect as possible. (It's named after former ASU president Dr. Grady Gammage, who campaigned to turn Arizona State College into Arizona State University in 1958.)
ASU Gammage
1200 South Forest Avenue
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 965-5062
Cezanne and American Modernism
Going to any of the art museums in town is always inspiring, but when a big show comes to town, you just can't miss it.
Morgan Russell. Portrait of Cezanne. 1910. Collection of The Honorable and Mrs. Joseph P. Carroll.
Phoenix Art Museum now presents Cézanne and American Modernism, a collection of numerous artists showing some of the best pieces in post-Impressionist modern art.
Cézanne was called "the father of us all" by both Matisse and Picasso, and in this collection you'll see numerous works from Cézanne, Morgan Russel, Marsden Hartley and other top artists of the time. The exhibit runs through September 26.
You'll see works like Cézanne's Five Apples, Bathers, View of the Domain Saint-Joseph and more. You'll also see:
Marsden Hartley, Purple Mountains, Vence, 1925-26. Collection of Phoenix Art Museum. Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Orme Lewis.
Oscar Bluemner. Jersey Silkmills (Paterson). 1911 (repainted 1917). Private Collection. Photographer: Peter S. Jacobs, Fine Arts Photography.
...and other amazing pieces from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. It's truly a must-see.
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-257-1222
Independence Day Events
Of course, there are tons of events happening for good ol' Fourth of July, but we couldn't list every family barbecue, so we stuck with our top events in the area, and some new events that you really should try out:
July 4th at Tempe Town Lake
4th of July Kickoff Late Night Feast (yes, it's a long title)
On Friday, July 2nd, Pasta Bar in downtown Phoenix is hosting a "Whole Hog Roast" from 10pm - 2pm. It's only $20 for the pig, pasta and phun (Phun, as Pasta Bar is calling it, is $20 bottles of wine and $3 beers, ages 21 and up for the phun, of course). This will just be starting on the heels of First Friday, so it looks like you've got a whole plan for Friday night.
Pasta Bar
705 N 1st Street
Phoenix
Fabulous Phoenix Fourth
The biggest Independence Day event in Phoenix is celebrating its 25th birthday this year as well, so there's double reason to celebrate. From 6-10pm on Sunday, July 4th, Steele Indian School Park will be bustling with games, food, activities, bands (on three stages), and a classic car exhibit. Even the Phoenix Fire Department will have a spray zone to cool everyone down. The best part - indeed - are the fireworks which are altogether amazing. If you haven't been, this is the year to try something new. (Oh, and it's FREE!)
Steele Indian School Park
3rd Street and Indian School
Phoenix, AZ
More Info
July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival
Starting at 4pm on the holiday, Tempe Town Lake will turn into a wonderland of bounce houses, rock climbing walls, games, food and music. The fireworks launch off the Mill Avenue bridge and display over the water - really a sight to see. The tickets cost $8 at the gate ($15 for two), but you can get them for $6 at Fry's stores around town.
Tempe Beach Park
620 North Mill Avenue
Tempe, AZ. 85281
More Info
"Disney" in Concert
The Arizona Biltmore is hosting the Phoenix Symphony for a 90-minute performance of classic Disney songs, from movies like Mary Poppins to The Lion King. After the show, guests will head out to the Squaw Peak Lawn - beautiful in and of itself - for a "petite finale" of fireworks. For my advice, I'd extend the night and sip on adult beverages on the patio as well. Doors open at 6pm, show starts at 7pm. Tickets are $38, kids 12 and under are $28
Arizona Biltmore
2400 E Missouri Ave
Phoenix, AZ
Independents Week
It's no secret that here at The Hot Sheet, we're driven to showcase the best of the indie shops. Local businesses are what separates one city from another - one business from another. The charm, unique personality, service and - let's just face it - they're more fun places to be.
So as if you didn't have enough reason to visit a local boutique, restaurant, coffee shop, bar (okay, you get the gist), then this is your week - Independents Week. From today (June 28) through July 4, you get 20% off your purchases at participating members of Local First Arizona, a local non-profit to support independently owned businesses. And because Local First is such a cool organization, pretty much all your favorite places are on the list. (Check out the full list of participating shops.)
But just in case - in all your excitement - you are perplexed about where to visit first, here are a few of our top picks (click their pic to check 'em out):
frances
Urban Cookies
Desert Botanical Garden
The Willows
Bunky Boutique
Heard Museum
See, now your week was looking busier than you thought! To get your 20% off Golden Coupon, and to see a full list of participants, check out the Local First site. Happy outings!
