Welcome to the Top 10 Events in Arizona
Explore the selection of the top 10 annual events and festivals, fairs and celebrations (listed in calendar priority) in the State of Arizona, including events in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Flagstaff.Gathering of the Gunfighters
January
Yuma, Arizona
Outlaws, lawmen, cowboys, saloon gals, townsfolk and a cornucopia of disreputable characters converge in Yuma at the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park. to relive the legend of the west.
The state park that preserves stone cell blocks, a guard tower and other structures dating back to the prison’s 1876 birth.
Old West reenactment groups from California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Arizona compete for prizes during the Gathering, with gunfights and other stunts judged on story line and authenticity.
For more information visit: www.azstateparks.com
World Championship Hoop Dance Contest
February
Phoenix, Arizona
Heard Museum. There is no better place to see the fast-paced precision and grace of hoop dancing than at the Heard Museum's World Championship Hoop Dance Contest.
Top Native American Indian and Canadian First Nation hoop dancers vie for the title of World Champion Hoop Dancer. Amazing performances of the intertribal hoop dance, where each dancer weaves in aspects of his or her distinct tradition and culture. More than $30,000 is awarded in prize money.
For more information visit: www.heard.org
Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show
February
Scottsdale, Arizona
Since 1955 this annual show has set the pace in the Arabian horse world and has grown from 50 horses to nearly 2000 of the world's most beautiful Arabians and Half-Arabians bringing top owners, trainers and breeders from around the world to compete for a chance at winning more than $500,000 in prize money.
The show is also a shopper’s paradise with an assortment of 300 vendors and trade booths, tempting international cuisine courts, exciting demonstrations and unique educational seminars.
For more information visit: www.scottsdaleshow.com
Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West Invitational Show & Sale
March
Wickenburg, Arizona
This exhibition for western women artists at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum is also an art sale. Featuring more than 200 paintings and sculptures, the show is the most important exhibition and sale for women artists in the nation.
The show kicks off with a wild weekend ride and other festivities which include a Friday night artists and Patron’s Party at an exclusive ranch estate, a Saturday night “Bash ‘n Bid” Gala Awards Dinner & Auction, and a Sunday old-fashioned chuck wagon breakfast and Artists’ Quick Draw & Auction.
For more information visit: www.cowgirlupart.com
Verde Valley Nature & Birding Festival
April
Cottonwood, Arizona
The Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival at Dead Horse Ranch State Park provides a unique recreational experience to anyone interested in the natural world and fosters awareness of the importance of habitat for the enrichment of all life in the Verde Valley.
Saturday is family fun day with special activities for the children. The event also includes field trips, local tours, workshops & seminars, exhibits, a key-note speaker, and entertainment.
For more information visit: www.birdyverde.org
Lake Havasu City Striper Derby
May
Lake Havasu, Arizona
This Western Outdoor News team fishing tournament targets striped bass or “stripers” on Lake Havasu. The premier striper tournament in the west, it attracts anglers from around the country as they compete for over $100,000 in cash and prizes.
Varying classes of competition make it a great event for anglers of any experience level, as well as for family teams. Entry includes event shirt, hat and goodie bag. Saturday’s beach BBQ and party adds to the fun, along with Sunday’s awards ceremony.
For more information visit: www.wonews.com
Navajo Nation Fair
August
Window Rock, Arizona
This is the largest Navajo Nation Fair and the world’s largest Indian fair. Activities include: the largest Indian rodeo, entertainment, parade, exhibits, Indian arts and crafts, food concessions, traditional Navajo singing and dancing, and traditional performances by Native Americans from throughout North America, an Inter-tribal pow wow and more!
For more information visit: www.navajonationfair.com
SalsaFest
September
Safford, Arizona
Festivities begin with the Salsa Glow - hot air balloons light up Downtown Safford on Friday evening and fly overhead early Saturday morning. The fun continues non-stop with a salsa-making competition, a marketplace, salsa music, dance performances, food demonstrations, chili roasting, a kids’ corner with a piñata bust, and a jalapeno and salsa eating contests.
The salsa making competition is open to professional and amateur salsa chefs and the prizes – along with the bragging rights - that go to the top contenders include the popular People’s Choice Award. The jalapeno and salsa eating contests are open to the bravest of the brave – men, women and children.
For more information visit: www.SalsaTrail.com
Bisbee 1000 The Great Stairclimb
October
Bisbee, Arizona
Unique to Bisbee is a system of old and deteriorating stairways that course through its picturesque hills, affording views of the town’s quaint houses and colorful gardens. The stairways originally followed the mule path worn into the terrain during the heyday of Bisbee’s copper mining past.
The Bisbee 1000 allows participants to use any combination of walking, running and resting to traverse nine sets of steps and numerous back-roads at a mile-high altitude. While conquering more than 1,000 steps they are serenaded by musicians playing at strategic points along the route. Participants can compete aggressively for overall and age group prizes; enjoy a challenging fitness walk or family stroll, or any combination thereof.
For more information visit: www.bisbee1000.org
All Souls Procession
November (First Sunday after Halloween)
Tucson, Arizona
Inspired by Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos, the All Souls Procession began in 1990 when local artist Susan Johnson decided to honor her father in celebration.
Today, 10,000 participants create a two-mile long procession complete with floats, altars, costumes and tributes to loved ones who have passed on in this comminity celebration of Day of the Dead and All Souls Day. In a grand finale, a large urn filled with the hopes, offerings and wishes for those who have passed is burned.
This event is growing each year and now draws and estimated crowd of almost 30,000.
For more information visit :www.allsoulsprocession.org
Florence Junior Parada
November
Florence, Arizona
The Florence Junior Parada is the oldest sanctioned youth rodeo in the United States. It pits the youngest of riders against the oldest of venues to showcase their youthful cowboy skills.
The rodeo attracts youngsters ages five to 18 from across the Southwest. Over the years, some of these youngsters have gone on to compete nationally. There is a Saturday morning parade which evokes times past with stagecoaches, mounted posses and young and old on horseback, also vintage vehicles, clowns, dancers and more. Catch the “cowboy spirit” and enjoy Florence.
For more information visit: www.florenceaz.biz
