May 1-3, 2026

Find out what’s happening this weekend in Phoenix, where art walks, major concerts, cultural celebrations, and can’t-miss sporting events are taking over the Valley. From Cinco de Mayo and Carmen Lomas Garza's Opening Reception to Maricopa County Home & Flower Show, the Arizona Author Book Festival, live music, and family-friendly events, there’s no shortage of fun things to do. Explore the latest art exhibitions, cheer on your favorite teams, or plan a night out with top concerts and performances. For even more ideas, browse our full event calendar and check out our major annual events happening in 2026 here. 

We've also rounded up things to do in Phoenix this spring. Discover all the top events happening in April 2026 here. 

 

Cinco de Mayo Events in Phoenix

Friday through Sunday

Whether you're looking to dance the night away, indulge in authentic Mexican cuisine, or enjoy a family-friendly celebration, we've rounded up the very best Cinco de Mayo happenings in the Valley. 

Greater Phoenix

 

Carmen Lomas Garza: Opening Reception at ASU Art Museum

Saturday

This May, ASU Art Museum presents, “Carmen Lomas Garza: Picturing the Familiar,” the artist’s largest retrospective to date. The exhibition brings together a lifetime of work that centers family, cultural memory and everyday life, offering a powerful reflection on the experiences that shape community across generations. We invite you to join us for the opening reception with Carmen Lomas Garza in attendance, alongside artist Amalia Mesa-Bains and others who have worked in dialogue with her practice. The evening will also feature a special live performance by La Santa Cecilia in celebration of Carmen.  Together, the night becomes a gathering around a shared story — one that feels both deeply personal and collective.  

ASU Art Museum

 

Chilte x Carry On Cinco de Mayo Event

Friday through Sunday

Attention passengers: please review your boarding announcement for the exclusive Chilte x Carry On collaboration, featuring a temporary international route from Phoenix to Mexico City (at Carry On themed cocktail bar) operating May 1–3, with all seats released at once.

This limited-time flight, operated with Chilte and Chef LT Smith, includes a welcome cocktail and a four-course tasting menu—Aguachile Tostada, Mole Duo, Tacos de Canasta, and Esquites Semifreddo—with additional beverages available for purchase; next stop, Mexico City.

Carry On

 

Maricopa County Home & Flower Show

Friday through Sunday

Arizona’s Largest Indoor Flower Show brings together vibrant floral displays with more than 1,000 home improvement vendor booths, creating an experience unlike anything the Valley has ever seen before. Explore Arizona’s best home improvement and interior design companies, breathtaking floral installations, shop local artisans, join in on interactive competitions, and so much more! Experience this award-winning event, and find endless home & garden inspiration all under one roof!

WestWorld of Scottsdale

 

Star Wars: A New Hope at Dorrance DOME

Friday

From the opening crawl to the climactic Death Star trench run, every moment of Star Wars: A New Hope is reimagined in stunning 8K+ resolution across the Dorrance DOME’s 60-foot LED surface.

Arizona Science Center

 

Arizona Author Book Festival

Sunday

Enjoy a free, family-friendly book festival on Sunday, May 3, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, featuring 40 Arizona authors, children’s activities, guest speakers, vendors, shopping, food trucks, live music, and more—plus free admission and special giveaways like books for the first 1,500 kids and bookish gifts with an Eventbrite ticket.

Warehouse215

 

Derby Day Porch Party at The Phoenician

Saturday

Guests are invited to celebrate the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby in true Southern style. The event will feature multiple viewing screens, a live DJ, handcrafted cocktails, and a lively atmosphere all in honor of the fastest two minutes in sports.

Mowry & Cotton at The Phoenician

 

Buy Black Marketplace

Saturday

The Buy Black Marketplace is a community-centered shopping experience that brings together small black-owned businesses and local supporters in one vibrant space. It features music, food and curated vendors offering products, and services while creating opportunities for entrepreneurs.

ACRES

 

Spring Scavenger Hunt Adventure

Friday through Sunday

Turn Phoenix into a giant game board with this fun scavenger hunt adventure. Combine the excitement of the Amazing Race with a three-hour city tour. Guided from any smart phone, teams make their way among well-known and overlooked gems of the city, solving clues and completing challenges while learning local history.

Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure-Phoenix

 

 

 

 

Free Things to Do

Friday through Sunday

Many of the events featured on our blog are free, but if you're looking for more options, check out our Free and Cheap in Phoenix Guide.

Greater Phoenix

 

 

Family-Friendly Activities This Weekend

Discover the best family-friendly things to do in Phoenix—from interactive museums to outdoor adventures and kid-friendly eats. 

 

LEGO® F1®-themed ‘Build the Thrill Event'

Friday through Sunday

Discovery Center Arizona invites families to join the LEGO® F1® experience, where they can grab pit passes, choose a team, and dive into interactive racing-themed activities. Guests can build race cars, explore LEGO® F1® in MINILAND®, take on timed challenges, and learn from Master Model Builders while competing for pole position.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center

 

 

Concerts & Performances This Weekend

Shows are taking place more often now, including theatre performances, comedy shows and concerts. Here's who you can see perform this weekend:

Friday:
Saturday:

Sunday:

 

 

Art Exhibits This Weekend

Phoenix is home to the largest art museum in the southwestern United States. Ignite your mind with the creativity and inspiration you will find at our local cultural institutions. Here's the art exhibits you can see this weekend:

 

Desert Pulse

Through May 31, 2026

Thousands of stunning images. Five monumental video installations. One transformative experience. FRAMERATE: Desert Pulse, a multi-sensory art exhibit by ScanLAB Projects, invites visitors into the visual and emotional energy of the Sonoran Desert. Through photography, LiDAR scanning, motion and sound, it reveals new ways of seeing and deepens appreciation for our vibrant ecosystem.

Desert Botanical Garden

 

Parched: The Art of Water in the Southwest

Through June 29, 2026

Parched: The Art of Water in the Southwest utilizes art informed by scientific and cultural inquiry to explore the deep disparities of water use and access throughout the state of Arizona. Coming at a time where conversations about the availability and quality of, and access to, water have never been more important. After three years of public display, the Parched exhibition finds a new home at S’edav Va’aki Museum. Serving as a call-to-action, Parched features nine bodies of work all using different mediums evoking themes of survivance, sovereignty, and spirituality. Ultimately reflecting diverse perspectives and provocative insights into our complex relationship with water in natural, cultural, and political landscapes.

S’edav Va’aki Museum (Formerly Pueblo Grande Museum)

 

Su:dagi/Shu:thag: Rekindling Our Connections

Through June 29, 2026

Su:dagi/Shu:thag: Rekindling Our Connections examines the Akimel O’odham’s (River People) longstanding relationship with water and focuses on the intersection between the politics of water rights and the celebration of traditional agricultural knowledge.

S’edav Va’aki Museum (Formerly Pueblo Grande Museum)

 

The Magical Flute: Beauty, Enchantment, and Power.

Through September 13, 2026

Experience the enduring impact of the world’s first wind instrument in The Magical Flute: Beauty, Enchantment, and Power. Explore more than 100 remarkable flutes from the dawn of music to the present day and celebrate the resounding influence of the flute on cultures from around the world. Discover how people across history have used flutes of all forms, shapes, sizes, and materials to express the rich human experience.

Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)

 

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