Spring in the Desert: Your March–April Arizona Events Calendar
If spring in Arizona had a personality, it would be beautifully overbooked.
This is the season when museum nights spill into cocktail hours, art walks turn into dinner plans, wine tastings quietly take over the calendar, and the city suddenly feels like it has somewhere fabulous to be every night of the week.
From Broadway and ballet to chef dinners, wine experiences, major festivals, concerts, and a few big sporting weekends, here’s your EatLoveTravelPlay guide to what’s worth planning around in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and beyond from March 7 through the end of April.
March Spotlight Event
We-Ko-Pa Celebrity Wine & Spirits Festival
Why it’s worth the sip
Because it gives you a little bit of everything: Scottsdale setting, celebrity-backed labels, a built-in tasting structure, and enough seminar content to make the afternoon feel more intentional than just wandering from pour to pour. It is equal parts scene and discovery, which is a pretty good formula for spring.
If your ideal spring event includes a tasting glass in hand, a little Scottsdale sunshine, and the chance to sip your way through an impressively star-studded lineup, this is one to put on the calendar.
The We-Ko-Pa Celebrity Wine & Spirits Festival returns to Scottsdale Civic Center on Saturday, March 21, 2026, with VIP entry at 12 p.m. and general admission beginning at 1 p.m. Official event listings describe it as an afternoon built around 40+ celebrity wine and spirits brands, with tastings, seminars, and celebrity guests all gathered in one place.
What makes this one stand out is that it is not just a generic walk-around tasting with a famous name slapped on it. General admission includes 10 samples, a souvenir sample glass, a lanyard, and access to up to three seminarswith celebrity discussion and additional tastings. VIP tickets include all of that, plus early access, a VIP lounge, and a live VIP presentation. There is also a non-drinker ticket for guests who want the atmosphere without the pours.
The celebrity angle is where this event gets especially fun. One event listing names featured brands and personalities including Neil Giraldo’s Three Chord Bourbon, Cristie Kerr’s Kerr Cellars, Ryan Bingham’s Bingham’s Bourbon, Tom Chambers’ Bajarriba Tequila, Bonita Bonita Wines from Brie and Nikki Garcia, Baker Family Wines from Dusty Baker, and Bledsoe Family Winery from Drew Bledsoe. That gives the festival a more playful, discovery-driven feel than a standard tasting event.
For ELTP readers, this is the kind of event that works best if you go in treating it like an experience, not just a stop-by. Arrive early if you book VIP, wear something that can handle an afternoon outdoors, and pace yourself so you can actually enjoy the seminars instead of charging past them like a raccoon in a prosecco aisle. The structure here is part of the charm: taste, linger, listen, repeat. That last bit is my read on how to enjoy it best, not an official event rule, but the format supports it nicely.
Ticket pricing starts at $85 for general admission, $105 for VIP, and $15 for non-drinkers. If you want a spring event that feels buzzy but still curated, this is one of the more distinctive food-and-drink afternoons on the March calendar.
Cultural & The Arts
If spring in Arizona is when you want your calendar to lean a little more beautiful, this is where to start. From museum weekends and art festivals to Broadway, ballet, film, and live music, these are the cultural experiences that give the season its rhythm.
March
Heard Museum Indian Fair & Market
March 7–8 | Phoenix
A beautiful way to open the season, the Heard Museum’s 68th Annual Indian Fair & Market brings together Indigenous art, culture, food, drinks, and live entertainment for one of the most meaningful cultural weekends in Arizona. It is vibrant, rooted, and the kind of event that turns into a full-day experience without trying too hard.
Phoenix Symphony: Back to the Future in Concert
March 7–8 | Orpheum Theatre, Phoenix
For a night out that feels playful and cinematic, the Phoenix Symphony’s Back to the Future in Concert gives early March a fun, crowd-pleasing arts night in a beautiful setting.
Arizona Renaissance Festival
March 7–29 | Gold Canyon
One of Arizona’s most iconic spring traditions, the Arizona Renaissance Festival brings together live entertainment, artisan markets, themed food, and immersive old-world pageantry for a full-day cultural escape. It is theatrical, spirited, and gloriously extra in all the right ways.
Tempe Festival of the Arts
March 13–15 | Tempe
This one always earns a spot on the spring calendar. The Tempe Festival of the Arts brings artists, local music, food options, and easy day-out energy to Mill Avenue, making it one of the Valley’s most reliable culture weekends.
Phoenix Symphony: Lin Plays Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto
March 13–15 | Symphony Hall, Phoenix
If you are in the mood for something more classic and a little more polished, this March program brings Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto to Symphony Hall for a truly elegant weekend option.
SIX at ASU Gammage
March 17–22 | Tempe
Broadway lands with full sparkle here. SIX runs at ASU Gammage from March 17–22, 2026 and brings the kind of sharp, high-energy theatre night that works beautifully for a girls’ night, dinner-and-show plan, or anyone who likes their culture with a little attitude.
Scottsdale Art Week
March 19–22 | Scottsdale
For the art crowd, Scottsdale Art Week is one of the biggest cultural events of March and gives the season a stronger gallery-and-collector anchor.
Ballet Arizona: Cacti & Other Works
March 19–22 | Phoenix
Ballet Arizona’s Cacti & Other Works brings a more contemporary, artful edge to the spring calendar. The mixed program runs March 19–22 at the Orpheum Theatre and celebrates both contemporary and classical ballet.
The Music of Elton John starring Michael Cavanaugh
March 20–22 | Phoenix
For readers who love live music but also want the beauty of a symphony setting, this crossover performance is a smart pick for late March.
MIM Spring Concert Picks
Late March | Phoenix
The Musical Instrument Museum continues to be one of the Valley’s best places for a more intimate music night, with late-March performances including artists like Maruja Limón, Emily King, Nick Lowe, and Classic Albums Live.
April
First Friday at Phoenix Art Museum
April 3 | Phoenix
One of the city’s easiest and best arts nights, First Friday at Phoenix Art Museum is a simple yes for anyone wanting a Friday night that feels both social and creative.
First Friday at the Heard Museum
April 3 | Phoenix
The Heard’s First Friday offers a beautiful option for readers who want a museum night that feels immersive and meaningful, not just convenient.
Scottsdale Jazz Festival Premiere Party
April 4 | Scottsdale
A good add for readers who like their arts nights with a little more rhythm, the Scottsdale Jazz Festival Premiere Party helps kick off Jazz Appreciation Month.
The Notebook at ASU Gammage
April 7–12 | Tempe
Another major Broadway stop for spring, The Notebook arrives at ASU Gammage from April 7–12, 2026 and gives April one of its biggest theatre anchors.
Phoenix Film Festival
April 9–19 | Scottsdale
The Phoenix Film Festival returns April 9–19 at Harkins Scottsdale 101, bringing screenings, filmmakers, parties, seminars, and film-loving energy into the heart of the month.
Scottsdale ArtWalk: A Sip of Spring
April 9 | Old Town Scottsdale
This is one of the prettiest culture nights on the calendar. A Sip of Spring in the Scottsdale Arts District takes place April 9 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and turns a gallery stroll into a full spring evening.
Phoenix Art Museum pARTy Gala + afterpARTy
April 10 | Phoenix
For the dressed-up crowd, this is one of the chicest nights of the season, blending art, fashion, and social sparkle into one polished spring evening.
Garden: After Dark at Desert Botanical Garden
March–April | Phoenix
Not every cultural night needs a stage. Garden: After Dark at the Desert Botanical Garden offers a more atmospheric, slow-paced kind of evening out and adds a little desert magic to the calendar.
A Few Worth Booking First
If you want to start with the standouts, begin with the Heard Museum Indian Fair & Market, Arizona Renaissance Festival, Scottsdale Art Week, SIX at ASU Gammage, and Phoenix Film Festival. Together, they give the season real range.
Food / Wine / Cocktails
If spring in Arizona is your excuse to finally book the dinner, buy the tasting ticket, and say yes to the extra glass, this is your section. From guided wine tastings and chef-led dinners to agave festivals and bookish food events, these are the experiences that give the season a little more flavor.
March
Phoenix Eats + Drinks Booksigning at The Mick
March 11 | Scottsdale
A lovely local pick for the food crowd, this event brings together Christina Barrueta, chefs Brent Menke and James Fox, cookbook-inspired specials, and a complimentary wine tasting hosted by Maverick Beverage Company. It feels equal parts dinner plan and Arizona food-scene moment.
Inside Te Mata: A Guided Tasting at Wrigley Mansion
March 18 | Phoenix
For wine lovers looking for something a little more polished, Wrigley Mansion’s guided tasting experience spotlights wines from Te Mata, New Zealand’s oldest wine estate. It’s intimate, elegant, and exactly the kind of midweek event that makes March feel much more glamorous than usual.
Chef’s Dinner Series: Around the World
March 19 | Scottsdale
Hosted at The Scottsdale Resort & Spa, this five-course chef’s dinner is paired with five drinks, giving the evening the structure of a true culinary experience rather than a standard night out. A beautiful choice for anyone who likes a dinner with a little storytelling built in.
We-Ko-Pa Celebrity Wine & Spirits Festival
March 21 | Scottsdale Civic Center
One of the biggest sip-worthy events of the season, this festival brings together celebrity wine and spirits brands for a large-format tasting experience. More social than intimate, it is a good pick for readers who want a lively afternoon built around discovery, pours, and a little spring buzz.
Carcara Chef Series Dinner: Indigenous Arizona
March 21 | Phoenix
Carcara’s Chef Series Dinner offers a more thoughtful, place-rooted culinary experience, with an Indigenous Arizonatheme that helps it stand apart from the typical wine-dinner lineup. This is a strong choice for diners who want a dinner that feels both intentional and deeply connected to place.
Somm Brawl Final at The Mick
March 23 | Scottsdale
This one is for the wine lovers and the deliciously competitive. Somm Brawl Final is a blind-tasting showdownfeaturing eight sommeliers, a four-course tasting menu, and guest voting throughout the evening. It is playful, smart, and one of the most distinctive wine events on the spring calendar.
Italian Prix-Fixe Wine Dinner at Weft & Warp
March 25 | Scottsdale
A five-course Italian dinner with pairings always feels like spring done properly. Weft & Warp’s Italian Prix-Fixe Wine Dinner delivers a more resort-polished evening for readers who want something seated, beautiful, and built around the pleasure of lingering.
Chef’s Themed Dinner at Alter Ego
March 26 | Tempe
For something a little more playful, Alter Ego’s themed chef dinner adds a pop-culture twist to the spring dining calendar. It is still a structured dining experience, but one with a little extra personality for diners who like their nights out with a wink.
April
Arizona Arte Agave Tequila & Mezcal Festival
April 3 | Scottsdale
For the agave crowd, this is one of the strongest cocktail-forward events of the season. Centered on tequila and mezcal, Arizona Arte Agave offers a dedicated tasting experience that feels elevated, spirited, and perfect for spring sipping.
Uncorked: Arizona Wine Festival
April 4 | Scottsdale
With 100+ wines and bubblies, food trucks, and a more social walk-around format, Uncorked is one of April’s easiest yeses. It is broad, lively, and ideal for the readers who want a wine event that feels festive rather than formal.
Check, Please! Arizona Food Festival
April 11 | Fountain Hills
Set against the backdrop of Fountain Park, this festival brings together restaurants featured on Check, Please! Arizonafor a scenic tasting experience that is absolutely worth the drive. It is one of the best April picks for readers wanting a true Arizona food day out.
Saturday Wine Dinner at Classic Cooking Academy
April 11 | Scottsdale
This is one of the strongest seated experiences on the list. The Saturday Wine Dinner is a multi-course dinner with paired wines, with the team walking guests through both the food and the pours. Intimate, educational, and beautifully suited for readers who prefer a table to a tasting crowd.
Flavors on Main
April 18 | Downtown Mesa
A strong local-food pick for April, Flavors on Main is built around Downtown Mesa’s restaurants, breweries, and beverage scene. It reads more like a curated tasting crawl than a generic street event, which makes it a great fit for this roundup.
WSET Level 2 at The Mick
Begins April 19 | Scottsdale
For the readers who want to go beyond sipping and actually learn the language of wine, The Mick is hosting a WSET Level 2 certification course in partnership with The Somm School. More educational than social, but absolutely one of the most concrete wine experiences on the calendar.
A Few Worth Booking First
If you want to prioritize the most distinctive experiences, start with Inside Te Mata at Wrigley Mansion, Somm Brawl Final at The Mick, Carcara’s Indigenous Arizona dinner, Weft & Warp’s Italian wine dinner, and Classic Cooking Academy’s Saturday Wine Dinner. They feel the most immersive, the most intentional, and the most likely to turn into the kind of night you actually remember.
Big Concerts & Sporting Events
If your spring plans lean a little louder, these are the marquee concerts and major sporting events worth knowing about.
March
Miguel
March 16 | Arizona Financial Theatre, Phoenix
A strong March concert add, Miguel: CAOS Tour hits Arizona Financial Theatre on March 16, 2026 and gives the month one of its clearest big-artist anchors.
John Waite with John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band
March 20 | Wild Horse Pass, Chandler
A solid Wild Horse Pass concert pick for March, this show lands at Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Wild Horse Passon March 20 and adds a classic-rock night to the calendar.
Drai’s Nightclub Appearance by Snoop Dogg
March 21 | Wild Horse Pass, Chandler
This is not a traditional concert, but it is absolutely a marquee spring event. Drai’s Las Vegas x Gila River brings its nightclub format to Wild Horse Pass with DJs, dancers, Vegas-style production, and a special appearance by Snoop Dogg. It is a nightlife event, not a full concert set, but it’s exactly the kind of buzzy one-night experience people plan around.
Drai’s Nightclub with 2 Chainz, Trey Songz & Waka Flocka
March 22 | Wild Horse Pass, Chandler
The Wild Horse Pass weekend keeps going with another Drai’s Nightclub takeover featuring appearances by 2 Chainz, Trey Songz, and Waka Flocka. Again, this is more high-energy nightlife event than formal concert, but it is definitely a headline-worthy March add.
Cactus League Spring Training
March | Valley-wide
Spring in Arizona and baseball go together beautifully. The official Cactus League schedule spans 10 stadiums and 15 MLB teams across the Valley, making it one of the season’s signature sports experiences.
Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass
March 26–29 | Whirlwind Golf Club, Chandler
One of the strongest sporting-event adds of the spring, the Ford Championship brings LPGA tournament play to Whirlwind Golf Club at Wild Horse Pass for a polished, destination-worthy sports weekend.
April
NCAA Women’s Final Four
April 3 & 5 | Phoenix
One of the biggest sporting events of the season, the 2026 NCAA Women’s Final Four comes to Phoenix on April 3 and 5. The official host site also highlights free fan events around the games, which makes this feel like a real citywide moment rather than just a ticketed sports date.
Kid Cudi
April 28 | Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre, Phoenix
A strong late-April concert anchor, KID CUDI PRESENTS: THE REBEL RAGERS TOUR 2026 kicks off in Phoenix at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre on April 28, 2026.
A Few Worth Booking First
If you want to prioritize the most distinctive experiences, start with Inside Te Mata at Wrigley Mansion, Somm Brawl Final at The Mick, Carcara’s Indigenous Arizona dinner, Weft & Warp’s Italian wine dinner, and Classic Cooking Academy’s Saturday Wine Dinner. They feel the most immersive, the most intentional, and the most likely to turn into the kind of night you actually remember.
Final Sip
Spring in Arizona always shows off a little, and honestly, it should.
This is the season for planning at least a few nights around beauty, whether that looks like ballet downtown, Broadway in Tempe, a gallery stroll in Scottsdale, a chef dinner tucked into a resort, or a wine tasting in one of the city’s most iconic dining rooms. Some of these are big marquee events. Some are quieter little gems. All of them offer a good excuse to get out, dress up a touch, and let the season feel full.
Mark your calendars, make the reservation, buy the ticket, and go have the kind of spring you’ll actually remember.