Tempe Festival of the Arts turns 50
A half-century old tradition that combines creativity and commerce will take over downtown Tempe Nov. 30 to Dec. 2.
The Tempe Festival of the Arts, a biennial jamboree presented by the Downtown Tempe Authority, is a lively space in which visual and performance artists along with their culinary peers can show off their talents to nearly 250,000 visitors.
Now in its 50th year, the free fall festival that began as a sidewalk-sale event in 1968 has grown into a staple for the East Valley city. The open-air market encompass a chunk of Tempe’s Mill Avenue between University Drive and Third Street and gives plenty of space for creatives to display their creations and talents.
About 375 booths will line Mill Avenue and the surrounding streets with handmade artwork and mementos that are picture-perfect picks for holiday gifts. Whether the medium is fashion, jewelry-making, photography or woodworking, there will be ample space for these jury-selected established and burgeoning artists to sell their wares. New this year is the $5 Young Collectors program where kids can start collecting their very own piece of handcrafted art.
“Nearly a quarter of a million people from around the globe make Tempe their destination each fall for art buying, collecting and incomparable holiday gift shopping, and that commitment to the art world sets our festival apart and puts Arizona on the map,” says Kate Borders, the executive director of the Downtown Tempe Authority.
The landmark anniversary will be commemorated in a collaborative art piece by local muralist Kyllan Maney and will also contain a “surprise twist announcement” by Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell on Dec. 1 at 2 p.m.
This year’s fall festival features entertainment across two stages — the Centerpoint Stage and the Hayden Station Stage — that are programmed with genre-stretching musicians that include a jazz trio, a soul-infused DJ collective and a mariachi act, among others.
From seafood to spicy salsa and sweet treats, those looking to grab something to eat and bring treats home won’t have to go far. There will be numerous dining options across 35 food vendors that include street fair favorites like churros and kettle corn as well as Korean barbecue and Hawaiian-style noodles. Those looking for alcoholic libations in the throngs of people can find salvation at the ticketed Arizona Wine and Spirit Tasting areas and two beer and wine gardens from Pedal Haus Brewery and Four Peaks Brewing Company.
Tempe Festival of the Arts
10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Nov. 30 Dec. 2.
Downtown Tempe along Mill Avenue between University Drive and Third Street, including side streets.
Free 480-355-6060, tempefestivalofthearts.com.