January 30 - February 1, 2026

Find out what's happening this weekend in Phoenix. You can see some live music, see the most current art exhibitions and more. Find more fun things to do this weekend on our event calendar. Check out our major annual events in 2026 here. 

We've also rounded up holiday events and things to do in Phoenix this winter. Discover all the top events happening in January 2026 here. 

 

Arizona Renaissance Festival

Friday through Sunday

The Festival is a medieval amusement park, a 16-stage theater, a 50-acre circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament and a feast -- all rolled into one non-stop, day-long adventure. You never know what you will find on or off the stage! This unique outdoor event combines entertainment and wares reminiscent of what may have been found in a 16th Century European village market celebrating the arrival of the Queen to their shire. Walk through our gates to be transported back in time. Mingle with over 2,000 costumed characters, eat a giant roasted turkey leg; take part in games of chance and skill; cheer on your favorite knight; Shop in over 200 artisan shops and select an inimitable gift for that special someone; there is so much to see and do. Eat Drink and be Merry is the order of the day at the Village of Fairhaven.

Arizona Renaissance Festival

 

Arizona Balloon Festival

Friday through Sunday

The Arizona Balloon Festival is an unforgettable three-day, family-friendly experience and one of the most anticipated events of the season, featuring breathtaking hot air balloon displays, immersive experiences, and nonstop entertainment for all ages. Guests can enjoy morning balloon ascensions, stunning nightly balloon glows, select tethered and full balloon rides, live entertainment, a Family Kids Zone, and a variety of food trucks—making it an ideal destination for families, couples, and visitors of all ages.

West Valley Events Complex

 

Parada Del Sol Rodeo and Trail's End Festival

Saturday

The Scottsdale Charros will host the 72nd Annual Scottsdale Parada Del Sol Historic Parade and Trail’s End Festival on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in Old Town Scottsdale, with the family-friendly, Western-themed Trail’s End Festival immediately following the parade. Celebrating Scottsdale’s 75th anniversary with the theme “A Diamond in the Desert: Celebrating 75 Years of Scottsdale,” the event will honor longtime residents, businesses, and marriages marking 75 years, and feature approximately 150 parade entries, live entertainment, kids’ activities, food vendors, and cultural performances throughout the day.

Old Town Scottsdale

 

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. 

 

Family Funday at PhxArt

Sunday

PhxArt hosts Family Funday twice a year, offering a free, all-ages day with complimentary general admission and interactive arts-engagement programming, while tickets for the special exhibition Eric Fischl: Stories Told are available at an additional cost. With free general admission, visitors and families can enjoy hands-on activities such as live animal sketching with the Phoenix Zoo, desert-inspired artmaking with the Desert Botanical Garden, fashion exploration, crafts, immersive installations, live performances, line dancing, storytime experiences, and more—designed for guests of all ages, interests, and abilities.

Phoenix Art Museum

 

 

Things to Do Outdoors This Weekend

The Sonoran Desert is one of the most vibrant and unique deserts in the world. Learn about things to do in the desert in Greater Phoenix, including sites, views, hikes and more. 

 

Narrated Sightseeing Cruise at Lake Pleasant

Saturday

Climb aboard for a 90-minute afternoon cruise. Sip on a cocktail from our full-service bar, and snack on fresh buttery popcorn, while enjoying a commentary on the history of the lake, flora, and fauna. The wildlife viewing opportunities are excellent, with wild burro, mule deer, bald eagles, and blue Herron making their homes on the shores of Lake Pleasant.

Lake Pleasant Cruises

 

 

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
 

 

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:

 

POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION

Through April 12, 2026

POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION finishes its North American tour at the Arizona Science Center, located in Phoenix, AZ. The exhibition examines the lives of residents of Pompeii before and after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August 24th, 79 A.D. Over 150 artifacts on loan from the collections of the Naples National Archaeological Museum in Italy and the Archaeological Park of Pompeii will be displayed, for a limited time.

Arizona Science Center

 

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

 

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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