The month of March is the perfect time of year in Arizona. The weather is neither chilly nor giving you heat exhaustion; it’s just right. To go along with the pristine climates are quite a few worldly festivals to keep us entertained all month long…
Almost Famous Film Festival
March 5, 7-10 p.m.
AMC Theatres Arizona Center 24
Attracting filmmakers from Arizona, California, Texas, Nevada and Colorado, The Almost Famous Film Festival is an intriguing and extremely difficult short film competition. The event will display the top twenty films submitted for the “48 Hour Challenge” where filmmakers are asked to create a film in just two days with a given theme, prop and dialogue. The winner will be announced at the festival following a celebratory party.
www.thea3f.net
Great Arizona Beer Festival
March 7 & 8, 2-6 p.m.
Tempe Beach Park
Come thirsty and with your beer caps on because 165 different brews will be flowing at this one-of-a-kind beer bash. The Festival, held Saturday and Sunday March 7 and 8, features tastings of more than 100 specialty and micro brewed beers, live music, games and fun for people age 21 and over. The Crown Kings and Mystic Blue will be center stage providing the musical entertainment. Best of all this benevolent beer fest is giving one-hundred percent of its proceeds to Sun Sounds of Arizona, a reading service for people who are blind or whose disability prevents them from reading printed material.
azbeer.com
Arizona Aloha Festival
March 14-15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tempe Town Lake
The islands meet the desert at this tropical and fun-filled festival. The event will feature guest artist groups straight from Hawaii, New Zealand, and the Cook Islands, with performances in martial arts, hula and fire dancing and Polynesian music. Guests will also enjoy a Hawaiian marketplace full of tropical creations for purchase, along with authentic Polynesian cuisine. Visit Ohana Village where you can discover many non-profit organizations dedicated to maintaining the Hawaiians unique tradition.
www.azalohafest.org
West of Western Culinary Festival
March 14-15, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Phoenix Art Museum
Set in the Phoenix Art Museum’s lush and tranquil Dorrance Sculpture Garden, The West of the Western Culinary Festival mirrors a sophisticated garden party. With the artistry of renowned Arizona chefs, the flavors of international wines and spirits, this event is the Southwest’s premier culinary arts festival. This multi-sensory affair features signature dishes, stunning works of art, live musical performance and hands-on demonstrations.
westofwestern.com
Scottsdale Arts Festival
March 20-22, Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Scottsdale Civic Center Mall
Discover the artistic talent from across the country at this award-winning festival. About 200 jury chosen artists have been selected to showcase their work and sell them to the public. There will of course be live entertainment, food and drink, art activities and music.
www.scottsdaleartsfestival.org
Tempe Festival of the Arts
March 27-29, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Mill Avenue District
Attracting about 250,000 visitors over a three-day weekend, this award-winning arts festival ranks in the Top 20 Art Festivals in the country by Sunshine Artist and boasts the “Pinnacle Award” given by the International Festival and Events Association. See Mill Avenue come alive as over 400 different artists will be selling their uniquely crafted work. There will also be stage and street performers, a festival food court and brand-new Arizona Wine Festival where wine makers will be offering wine tastings and selling their boutique wine bottles.
www.downtowntempe.com
Arizona Aloha Festival?! I’ve never heard of this, but it sounds fun! The West of Western Culinary Festival sounds really fun too…thanks for posting this I’m always looking for something different to do on the weekends!
The Arizona Aloha Festival sounds neat! I might have to check that one out. I think it is funny how Arizona is trying to do so many neat things in about a month before it gets to hot! Thenwe are all inside!!!
Don’t forget about the 51st Annual Indian Fair and Market which offers Entertainment, Arts and More. Work by over 700 artists and the event attracts over 10,000 people. Sad that this was left off the list!
I love this time of year in the Valley. The Almost Famous film festival sounds fun
I am a gal who lives for the beaches during summer so I can’t wait to get a heads start by visiting the Arizona Aloha Festival.
Lots of fun stuff to do!
Its getting so nice out! riht before it gets super hot! now is the imte to go to all of these great outdoor events!! Thanks for all the great tips!
Is it pretty much guaranteed that the festivals at Tempe Town Lake, Beach Park etc. will be full of annoying college students?
Beer festival on my wedding anniversary. It must be a sign.