Fun for fall:
September festivals kick-start fall season
Temperatures will soon make their seasonal decline, opening the way to the great outdoors. Check our guide for September festivals, fairs and cultural events in the Phoenix metro area.
Temperatures may not have fallen that much, but it’s enough for us. It’s time to get outside.
From great ethnic food to colorful cultural experiences, we are eager to sample everything the crafters, chefs, musicians and diverse Valley culture have to offer.
Here’s your guide to 16 festivals and fairs to check out this September in the metro Phoenix area.
9/1-4: Saboten Con
The 10th annual Saboten Con is the largest anime convention in Arizona. Attendees can enter cosplay contests, buy anime and manga mechandise or choose from over 100 panels.
Details: Registration starts at 10 a.m.; pre-registration is Thursday, Aug. 31 from 7-10 p.m. Sheraton Downtown Phoenix, 340 N. Third Street, Phoenix. Within walking distance of Van Buren St./Central Ave. Station on Valley Metro Rail. $50 for full event membership; $15 to 25 daily membership. 623-232-0580, sabotencon.com.
9/2: Phoenix Cooks!
For a foodie, nothing is better than tasting a blend of ingredients coming together to create the perfect sweet, savory or spicy dish. Phoenix Cooks! lets food aficionados sample food, wine, craft beer and spirits with varying inspirations, flavors and stories behind them. Proceeds will benefit Special Olympics Arizona.
Details: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2. Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, 6902 E. Greenway Park-
way, Scottsdale. $85 presale for full access to food, wine, beer and spirits; $100 full access at the door; $60 for designated driver tickets without alcoholic beverages. phxcooks.com.
9/2: Wickenburg Fiesta de Septiembre
The Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce is holding a celebration for the 29th annual Fiesta de Septiembre, in recognition of the town’s early pioneers. The event includes exhibits, mariachi bands, folklorico, arts and crafts, booths, and a bar.
Details: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2. 160 N. Valentine St., Wickenburg. $5 for adults, free for children. 800-9425242, wickenburgchamber.com.
9/2-3: Experience India
The Musical Instrument Museum celebrates Indian music, culture and more. Visitors can participate in activities and dance performances, view exhibits, attend talks and try henna art.
Details: 9 a.m.-5. p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2-3. 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. $20; $15 for ages 13-19; $10 for ages 4-12; free for ages 3 and younger. 480-478-6000, mim.org.
9/8: Mesa Arts Center Season Kick-off
The Mesa Arts Center is celebrating its 2017-18 season with a free familyfriendly festival. The theme is “The Good, The Bad and the Weird,” and it celebrates five new exhibitions opening the same evening at the adjoining Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum.
Details: 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8. 1 E. Main St., Mesa. Located about a 10minute walk from Mesa Drive/Main Street Station on Valley Metro Rail. Free. 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com.
9/9: Children’s Learning and Play Festival
At the fully air-conditioned WestWorld of Scottsdale, vendors and speakers will come together for a day of learning and play for all ages. Sponsored by Tuft & Needle and the Scottsdale Public Library, the event will feature authors, hands-on STEM activities and lessons and an arts and crafts area.
Details: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. Free admission, $5 parking. 602-617-4502, azchildrensfesti val.com.
9/9: Teddy Bear Day in Glendale
For National Teddy Bear Day, the city of Glendale is holding a day of arts-andcrafts and discounts. Shops and eateries in downtown Glendale will offer special deals, and the city’s visitor center will sell new teddy bears to donate to Trauma Teddy programs, hospitals, and first responders.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. Murphy Park and Historic Downtown Glendale, 58th Avenue and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. Free. 877-800-2601, visit glendale.com.
9/15-17: Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market
Fans of vintage, handmade and rusty items are sure to enjoy Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Over 140 handpicked vendors from Arizona will be on hand selling their creative wares.
Details: Sept. 15-17: 5-9 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. Friday tickets $50 in advance, $65 at the door and include re-entry on Saturday and Sunday, early entry on Saturday, and a drink ticket. Saturday early-entry tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door and include admission all day Saturday and Sunday. Single-day general admission on Saturday or Sunday $8 at the door. junkinaz.com.
9/16: 2nd Annual Rock the Guac
Come celebrate National Guacamole Day at an event that benefits Free Arts of Arizona. Enjoy unlimited and tasty guacamole prepared by Valley chefs, as well as a taco bar by Artizen Crafted American Kitchen at The Camby. The evening also includes live lucha libre wrestling, flamenco dancing and adult beverages.
Details: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. The Camby Hotel, 2401 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. $40, $50 at the door, 21 and over only. universe.com/events/ rock-the-guac-tickets-phoenix-0Z1Q4K.
9/16: 6th Annual Rockin’ Taco Street Fest
Taco fans will find plenty to love at this lively and tasty event in downtown Chandler. Two dozen restaurants will be on hand. The cultural celebration also features a lowrider car show and a tacoeating contest.
Details: Noon-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. Dr. AJ Chandler Park, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler. $8, $12 at the door, $75 VIP. rockintacoaz.com.
9/16: Litchfield Park Oktoberfest
At The Wigwam Resort, chefs will serve German entrees, a band will perform polka music, and German and domestic beers will be available for purchase in celebration of Oktoberfest. Wear German clothing — kids too! — for entry into a contest to win prizes.
Details: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. The Wigwam Resort, 300 Wigwam Lane, Litchfield Park. $10 for ages 13 and up, free for ages 12 and under, benefitting the Litchfield Park Recreation Department. Price doesn’t include food and beverages. 623-935-9040, litchfieldpark.org.
9/16: Furry Friends Fine Arts Fest
Four-legged and two-legged family members are welcome at the animalthemed arts festival. Enjoy pet readings and performances, pet adoptions by the Arizona Humane Society, as well as plenty of artwork including paintings, drawings, ceramics and photography.
Details: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. Shemer Art Center, 5005 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. $5, $10 for a family, free for pets. 602-262-4727, shemerart center.org.
9/16: Messy Fest
Queen Creek will get a serious dose of sloppiness at Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre, with an as-fun-as-it-sounds fundraiser benefitting Phoenix Children’s Hospital. There will be massive
mud pits, finger painting, food fights, mashed potato tug-of-war, grape stomps, ice cream slides and slime pits. There’s also a zone designed specifically for toddlers.
Details: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre, 20464 E. Riggs Road, Queen Creek. $20 wristband or $5 to spectate. messyfest.com.
9/16: Constitution Fair
America celebrates its birthday on July Fourth, but the U.S. Constitution was created on Sept. 17, 1787, a turning point celebrated at this annual event that’s all about patriotism and civic awareness. It has military displays, plane flyovers, fireworks, food vendors and live music.
Details: 5-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. Gilbert Civic Center, 50 E. Civic Center Drive. Presale $4 per person or $12 per family; $5 per person or $15 per family at the gate. constitutionfair.org.
9/23: Brazilian Day Festival
Presented by Afro:Baile in partnership with the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, the 8th annual Brazilian Day Festival is the largest Brazilian Independence Day event in the Valley. There will be daytime activities both indoors and outdoors, including bands, music, dancers, vendors, martial arts and jiu-jitsu, films and performances.
Details: 2-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second Street, Scottsdale. $12 for ages 12 and up, $6 for ages 3 to 11, free for ages 2 and under. Ticket prices reduced when purchasing multiple tickets online. 480-499-8587, brazilian dayarizona.com.
9/29-10/1: A Taste of Greece
Fun, music and authentic Greek food make up the festival that will have guests saying “Opa!” Eat homemade dishes such as dolmathes, spanakopita, pastichio and lamb while listening to live music and watching performances by Greek folk dancers.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 30-Oct. 1. St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 2716 N. Dobson Road, Chandler. $3; free for ages 12 and under; get a buyone-get-one-free admission coupon on event website. 480-899-3330, atasteof greeceaz.com.
James Tyner, Alison Stanton, and Jennifer McClellan contributed.