The Top Annual Events & Festivals in Arizona

There are so many reasons to plan a vacation to Arizona! Whether you’re staying in Phoenix or Scottsdale, you’ll have plenty to keep you entertained. If you need ideas for your vacation, check out our Phoenix and Scottsdale itineraries—they’re packed full of fun vacation activities from tourist destinations to hidden gems.

We also highly recommend checking out the area’s annual events and festivals when planning your vacation. Booking your trip around exciting events like the Renaissance Festival or Arizona Restaurant Week allows you to tap into local culture and have new experiences.

There are a lot of annual festivals in Arizona to choose from! Let’s explore all of the annual events & festivals in Arizona here:

Cactus League Spring Training

Dates: February-March, annually

Catching a spring training game in Arizona is a beloved annual event! We’ve mentioned spring training before in our blog, because we can’t emphasize enough how great of a vacation activity it makes. Plus, the spring training season runs from early February through late March, so you can plan a trip any time in these months and still make it to a game.

There are several spring training stadiums to choose from! If you see the San Francisco Giants play at Scottsdale Stadium, consider making a day out of it and exploring everything Old Town Scottsdale has to offer, too.

Innings Music Festival

Dates: Held Annually in February (2026 Dates TBA)

The Innings Music Festival is a can’t-miss musical event in Tempe. It’s planned around spring training time, so you can catch some incredible music and a baseball game within the same week!

Past performers have included Neon Trees, Gary Clark Jr., The All-American Rejects, The Black Keys, and other well-known musicians. With three stages and over 18 pop, rock, and indie artists, it’s safe to say the Innings Music Festival is a blast.

Arizona Matsuri: Festival of Japan

Dates: Held Annually in February (2026 Dates TBA)

Celebrate Japanese heritage in Phoenix! Witness festival entertainment like Taiko, martial arts, a haiku expo, a tea ceremony, a beer garden, and more. The festival focuses on a different Japanese word every year—2025’s theme was “heiwa,” the Japanese word for peace. The AZ Japanese Festival is a wonderful opportunity to experience Japanese culture, from traditional arts to enticing culinary delights. There’s even entertainment across four different stages!

Arizona Renaissance Festival

Dates: Held Annually in February/March (2026 Dates TBA)

If you’re a Ren-Fair lover, you won’t want to miss the Arizona Renaissance Festival! It’s been going strong for 37 years in Gold Canyon, AZ (just about a 45-minute drive from Phoenix). Partake in all your favorite Renaissance Fair events, from royal storytimes to watching medieval jousts.

Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market

Dates: March 7-8, 2026

The Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market is the largest art market in Arizona (and the second largest market of its kind in the United States!). More than 600 artists from over 116 Native American tribe affiliations in the United States and Canada show off their work at the market. Prepare to be blown away by the artistry!

Rainbows Festival

Dates: April 5-6, 2025

Rainbows Festival is known as Arizona’s Greatest Street Fair! Listen to stellar performances from original bands and tributaries (this year, they’re featuring a Lady Gaga Tribute). Every year, Rainbows Festival draws over 25,000 attendees—it’s the second largest pride event in Phoenix, second only to Phoenix Pride.

Spring Arizona Restaurant Week

Dates: May 16-25, 2025

Yum! Arizona holds two restaurant weeks annually, in the fall and spring. The full list of restaurants will be unveiled in the first week of May, but one thing’s for sure—every single one will have your mouth watering. The Phoenix Valley is full of excellent restaurants, and you can help support them during this week! They offer special discounts, deals, and promotions during Restaurant Week.

Phoenix Pride

Dates: October 18-19, 2025

Celebrate Pride in Phoenix! The annual festival here is in October (unlike many places that hold it in June), which makes for a much more enjoyable experience. It gets hot in the summertime!

Phoenix Pride features over 150 performers across seven stages and over 300 vendors with food, drinks, shopping opportunities, and community resources. Celebrate Phoenix’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ community!

Phoenix Greek Festival

Dates: Held Annually in October (2025 Dates TBA)

Want to celebrate Greek heritage here in Phoenix? You can do just that at the Phoenix Greek Festival. Over the course of three days, learn about the rich culture, heritage, and history of Greece. Enjoy authentic Greek food, music, dancing, jewelry, art, grocery items, and activities for children—all at the low cost of $5 for adults and FREE admission for kids!

Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival

Dates: Held Annually in October (2025 Dates TBA)

Have you ever heard of a festival entirely dedicated to hot air balloons? We have, and we’re here to tell you that it’s amazing!

The Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival is held annually in October, right around Halloween. Kids get the chance to go trick or treating in the balloons—something new and different! The hot air balloons stay on the ground and are lit with a spooky evening glow to set the Halloween mood. You can pay extra for a tethered balloon ride if you’d like, though!

Beyond the balloons, there’s a kid’s fun zone with bounce houses and inflatable games, a family-friendly Haunted Trail, and all the candy you could ever want. This is a can’t-miss event for families traveling to Arizona in October!

Book Your Arizona Vacation Directly with Elite Vacation Rentals!

When you come into town for one of these incredible annual events in Arizona, choose the best vacation rentals around when you stay with us at Elite Vacation Rentals. With our wide range of Arizona vacation rentals, we’re confident you’ll find your ideal property in our catalog.

Browse our available Arizona vacation rentals now and book your next trip directly with Arizona Elite Vacation Rentals!