Tempe Festival of the Arts Springs To Life In Downtown Tempe March 7-9
Feb 18, 2025
The Tempe Festival of the Arts, one of the Southwest's most sought after art showcases, will transform Mill Avenue and its surrounding streets from March 7-9, 2025. This spring edition will feature more than 250 juried artists presenting fresh works in 18 categories—from metalwork, drawing, sculpture, photography, ceramics, and even wearable art.
We are excited to announce Sue Dranchak as the Spring 2025 Featured Artist. Now a Phoenix native, Sue creates vibrant acrylic paintings on canvas that merge contemporary and abstract-realistic styles. A graduate of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, her work reflects both her early experiences in the Alaskan boreal forests and her current perspective shaped by the Sonoran Desert.
Food and Beverage Experiences
While visitors explore an array of fine art and handmade goods, they can also enjoy delicious offerings from over 20 local food, drink and snack vendors. Options include festival snacks like kettle korn and corndogs to lobster rolls and BBQ entrees. This spring's festival highlights sustainability with three free water refill stations, sponsored by Tempe Water Utilities, to keep attendees hydrated and reduce waste. Guests are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles or purchase one on-site.
Three beer and wine gardens, hosted by Pedal Haus Brewery and Four Peaks Brewing Company, will be available throughout the festival. On Saturday, March 8, and Sunday, March 9, attendees can participate in the Wine & Spirits Tasting Experience at Centerpoint Plaza, featuring selections from seven Arizona wineries and distilleries, with the option to pair their drinks with a premium cigar from RichKat Mobile Cigar Lounge that will be available nearby.
Live Entertainment
Festival-goers can enjoy rotating live entertainment across three venues: soulful vocals at the new Smooth Grooves on 7th Street, electro ambient R&B at the new Lo-Fi Lounge, and live bands at the Centerpoint Plaza Stage. Another new feature for the Spring Festival is a car showcase, where attendees can walk through and admire classic rides from Old School City.
Kid-Friendly Programming
Families can enjoy a variety of activities in the Kids Block, sponsored by LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona. Offerings include balloon art by Atomic Balloons, crafts, join the Medieval Times Jr. Knights Training sessions, live demonstrations by LEGO Master Builders and more. The Kids Block will be open all day on Saturday, March 8, and Sunday, March 9.
Additionally, the festival will feature the Young Artist Exhibition + Competition, running all weekend and showcasing over 300 K–12 artworks, with opportunities for young artists to sell their work and win cash prizes. Complementing this is the Young Collectors Gallery, open on Saturday and Sunday inside the Kids Block, where children can begin their art collecting journey for just $5 by purchasing a piece donated by one of the festival's artists, with volunteers on hand to assist. After their purchase, kids are encouraged to find and visit the artist's booth to personally thank them.
Chalk-A-Lot Street
Chalk-A-Lot Street will feature 9 muralists who transform 4th Street into a living canvas. This year's theme, "Elements in Motion: The Power of Nature," challenges each artist to capture the forces of nature—from swirling winds and flowing water to fiery landscapes and shifting earth—in both literal and abstract forms. Throughout the festival, visitors can watch these creations evolve in real time and vote for "The People's Choice" award.
Event Details
Event Hours:
Friday, March 7: 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 8: 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 9: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location:
The festival will be held on Mill Avenue and surrounding streets in Downtown Tempe. Admission is free, dog-friendly and open to the public.
For more information about The Tempe Festival of the Arts, please visit: https://tempefestivalofthearts.com/
To view a map of the festival, please visit: https://tempefestivalofthearts.com/info/festival-map
To purchase Wine & Spirits Pre-Sale Tickets, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wine-spirits-tasting-at-tempe-festival-of-the-arts-fall-2024-tickets-794413380807
For more information about transportation options and parking, please visit: https://tempefestivalofthearts.com/info/get-here
To access and download visuals to promote this event, please visit: Download Marketing Materials