Events & What’s Happening
Phoenix's major pop culture convention at the Phoenix Convention Center, featuring celebrity guests, cosplay, gaming, comics, and dedicated family and kids programming areas.
💡The Kids' Track and family-friendly programming on Saturday morning is less crowded; pick up a kids' wristband at the door for discounted entry.
One of the largest state fairs in the Southwest, featuring rides, live entertainment, carnival games, and classic fair food at the Arizona State Fairgrounds.
💡Buy discount tickets in advance at Fry's Food Stores and visit on weekday evenings to avoid the longest lines on rides.
The Phoenix Zoo transforms into a dazzling holiday light show with millions of LED lights, illuminated animal sculptures, live entertainment, and seasonal food and drinks.
💡Purchase timed-entry tickets well in advance and go on a weeknight early in the season for shorter lines and cooler crowds.
One of the largest non-motorized parades in the nation winds through downtown Phoenix, featuring elaborate floats, marching bands, and performers ahead of the Fiesta Bowl.
💡Stake out a spot on Central Avenue early in the morning and bring sunscreen even in December — Phoenix midday sun is still strong.
Annual outdoor festival in Apache Junction near the Superstition Mountains celebrating the legend of the Lost Dutchman gold mine with a rodeo, parade, and family activities.
💡The parade through downtown Apache Junction is free and a great way to kick off the weekend with kids.
One of the largest Arabian horse shows in the world, held at WestWorld of Scottsdale, featuring competitions, a large vendors marketplace, and equestrian demonstrations.
💡Admission to the grounds and marketplace is free; kids love watching the horses up close in the warm-up rings throughout the day.
A long-running outdoor festival in Gold Canyon featuring jousting tournaments, artisan vendors, costumed characters, rides, and period food and entertainment on weekends through spring.
💡Dress the kids in costume for free character interactions and arrive at opening to catch the jousting before afternoon heat sets in.
Year-round open-air farmers market in downtown Phoenix offering local produce, artisan goods, prepared foods, and live music in a walkable urban setting.
💡Head straight to the prepared food stalls for breakfast before browsing produce — kids stay happier when fed and the market is least crowded before 10am.
Free weekly story time for young children at Phoenix Public Library branches across the city, featuring read-alouds, songs, and early literacy activities led by librarians.
💡Check the specific branch schedule on the library website as times vary by location; the Burton Barr Central Library story time fills up quickly so arrive 15 minutes early.
On the first Friday of each month, the Heard Museum in Phoenix offers free general admission to explore its extensive collection of Indigenous art and culture.
💡The interactive children's gallery is a highlight for families; visit in the late afternoon when the museum is quieter and temperatures have dropped slightly.
Seasonal Saturday farmers market in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale with local growers, specialty foods, flowers, and artisan crafts in a shaded outdoor setting.
💡The market runs only through spring so take advantage on cool mornings; kids enjoy the fresh-squeezed juice vendors and the open plaza space for running around.
The Desert Botanical Garden in Papago Park opens early on weekends during cooler months, offering a peaceful family-friendly walk through stunning Sonoran Desert plant collections.
💡The Garden's self-guided plant family trail is engaging for children and the early morning light is ideal for photos; bring water and comfortable shoes for the winding paths.
Planning Your Visit
Neighborhoods & Areas
Local Tips for Families
- 💡The Phoenix Zoo opens at 7am from January through May specifically for early-bird desert heat avoidance — arriving at 7am means cooler temps and animals that are actually active rather than sleeping in shade.
- 💡Desert Botanical Garden offers free admission to Arizona residents with an EBT card, and non-resident families can save significantly by buying the $25 annual Cactus Wren membership on their first visit, which pays for itself in two adult tickets.
- 💡Cactus League spring training tickets at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (home of the Rockies and D-backs) include a grassy outfield berm where kids can sit on blankets for as little as $12 per ticket — cheaper and more relaxed than any major league game.
- 💡South Mountain's Dobbins Lookout Road closes to vehicles after sunrise on weekends due to overflow parking — if you want to drive to the summit overlook with a stroller or toddler, you must arrive before 7am on Saturdays and Sundays from November through March.
- 💡The Children's Museum of Phoenix offers $3 family admission on the first Friday of each month from 5-9pm, which coincides with Roosevelt Row's First Friday art walk — you can do both in one evening for under $20 in admission.
- 💡Wet 'N' Wild Phoenix on North 83rd Avenue is significantly cheaper than resort day-pass pools — a family of 4 can get in for around $80-100 total versus $150-200+ for a resort day pass, and the park has dedicated toddler splash zones.
- 💡If driving to Sedona (90 minutes north on I-17), stop at Montezuma Castle National Monument in Camp Verde for $10 per adult (kids 15 and under free) — it's a genuine 900-year-old cliff dwelling that kids find more exciting than most museums.
- 💡The Valley Metro Light Rail is free for kids 18 and under when riding with a paying adult — families staying in Tempe can ride to downtown Phoenix's Children's Museum or Arizona Science Center without paying for parking.
- 💡McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale (Indian Bend Road) charges only $4 per person for carousel or train rides, with free entry to the grounds and a shaded playground — it's the most underrated free family park in the East Valley.
- 💡Monsoon haboobs (dust storms) typically hit the metro between 5-8pm from July through mid-September — check the National Weather Service Phoenix forecast each afternoon and avoid outdoor activity, especially at Papago Park or South Mountain, if a dust advisory is posted.