May 8-10, 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 Mother's Day and Verde Valley Wine Festival to Ever After, Kids Day at PhxArt, 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 May 2026 here. 

 

Mother's Day in Phoenix

Friday through Sunday

Treat mom right this Mother's Day weekend. Find events, brunches, special pop-ups, and all sorts of meals and activities to make this the best Mother's Day weekend in Greater Phoenix. 

Greater Phoenix

 

Verde Valley Wine Festival

Saturday

The Verde Valley Wine Festival will feature tastings from 20 Arizona wineries alongside local beer and spirits, food trucks, artisan vendors, and live music throughout the day. Set against the scenic backdrop of Riverfront Park, attendees can meet winemakers, sample new releases, enjoy local cuisine, and shop handcrafted goods while celebrating Mother’s Day weekend in the heart of the Verde Valley.

Riverfront Park, Cottonwood, AZ

 

Troupe Vertigo: Cirque Carmen

Friday through Sunday

The Phoenix Symphony performs music from Bizet’s Carmen (KBACH TOP 100) while Troupe Vertigo dazzles with  acrobatics and spellbinding feats  of athleticism, blending beauty, humor, and skill. This thrilling stage production evokes the spirit of a traveling circus, capturing the essence of Bizet’s Europe and America’s circus tradition.

Orpheum Theatre

 

Ever After

Friday through Sunday

Inspired by the beloved film starring Drew Barrymore, Ever After is a bold new musical filled with adventure, romance, and a heroine who against all odds forges her own future. This bold reimagining of a classic fairy tale blends adventure, romance, and resilience as a heroine defies expectations to carve out her own destiny. Inspired by the beloved film Ever After, starring Drew Barrymore, this musical celebrates a timeless story of courage and love.

Phoenix Theatre Company

 

The Arts at Taliesin West

Saturday

Join visual artist and scholar Ellen Murray-Meissinger during this 3 hour, beginner-friendly watercolor class. The class will include a brief highlights tour of Taliesin West. All materials will be provided.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West

 

Vegan Social

Saturday

Vegan Social is a an all-vegan, open-air monthly street feast that features over 45 vendors every second Saturday and is free and open to the public.

2nd St. and Roosevelt, downtown Phoenix

 

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. 

 

Kids Day at PhxArt

Saturday

This May, Kids Day at PhxArt celebrates all things miniature, inviting families to enjoy a day of engaging, family-friendly programming. Visitors of all ages can explore the Museum’s collection and special exhibitions through activities designed to inspire creativity and connection.

Phoenix Art Museum

 

 

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:

 

 

Sports This Weekend

Phoenix is a premier sports destination, and our local and national teams are bringing the heat. Here’s who you can cheer on 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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