10 spring festivals in Arizona to look forward to

Experience the top 10 spring festivals in Arizona, featuring music, food, culture, and more across the Grand Canyon State.

Spring has sprung fun all across Arizona with a variety of festivals to fill your weekends during March, April, and May. Enjoy events ranging from Renaissance festivals to festivals for ostriches, books, barbecue, wine, and more! You can check out the top 10 festivals happening in Arizona this year below.

1. The Arizona Renaissance Festival 

Travel back in time to Camelot at the Arizona Renaissance Festival, running from February 1 through March 30. Each weekend features a different theme, including Royalty Weekend, Pirate Invasion, Wizards, Vikings, and more! The festival is a one-stop, all-day adventure filled with fun. Indulge in hearty foods and authentic drinks, discover artisan treasures at the village marketplace, test your skills at games, hop on thrilling rides, or head to the Pleasure Fest. With so much to do, it’s a good thing this festival spans several weeks—you might find yourself coming back for more!

General admission is $36 for adults and $24 for children. You can buy your tickets here. 

A knight sits atop a horse preparing for a jousting competition at the Arizona Renaissance Festival near Phoenix, AZ. (Lisa Harris Tucson, Az / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0).

2. Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival 

The famous Chandler Ostrich Festival spans two weekends, March 14–16 and March 21–23. Despite its name, this festival offers much more than just ostriches. Rooted in Chandler’s colorful history of ostrich ranching, it features live music with headliners like The Fray and Natasha Bedingfield, popular rides, exciting attractions, and, of course, delicious local food.

Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased here. 

3. Tucson Festival of Books

The Tucson Festival of Books debuted in March 2009 at the University of Arizona, and over 15 years later, it’s still going strong—for good reason! This free festival is dedicated to improving literacy rates for both adults and children. Attendees can hear from famous authors across various genres, but that’s just the beginning. The festival also features a children’s storybook parade, poetry readings, story time, live music, and more!

You’ll also find plenty of exhibitors, from local news outlets and independent booksellers to university departments and beyond.

While the festival is free to attend, you can support its mission by making a donation here.

Colorful balloons fly through the air at the Tucson Festival of Books in Tucson, AZ. (Ken Bosma / CC BY 2.0).

4. The Knix Smoke Show Country Festival 

Calling all cowboys! Saddle up and dust off your festival boots for the best hoedown in Gilbert. Head to Gilbert Regional Park on Saturday, March 22, for the Knix Smoke Show: a day of BBQ, whiskey tasting, line dancing, cornhole, and live music! This year’s event is headlined by Old Dominion, with performances by Chris Young, Gavin DeGraw, Jo Dee Messina, and more. And if you’re feeling bold, test your skills on the mechanical bull—it’s all part of the fun!

Tickets start at $79 and can be purchased here.

Matt Ramsey of Old Dominion performing at a festival. (Debby Wong/Shutterstock)

5. Uncorked: Arizona Wine Festival 

Get ready to sip and swirl your way through over 100 wines and bubbles at the Uncorked: Arizona Wine Festival. Taking place on Saturday, March 25, at Talking Stick Resort, this event features wines from around the world, local food trucks, dancing, and music from a live DJ. You can also upgrade to a VIP ticket for field access and batting practice. Not a wine drinker? No problem, stop by the new zero-proof lounge for a taste of delicious alcohol-free beverages.

Tickets start at $65 and can be purchased here. This festival benefits the AZ small dog rescue.

6. Buds-A-Palooza 

Buds-A-Palooza 2025 is taking over eight blocks of Downtown Phoenix for an epic night of reggae. Happening on Friday, April 11, this high-energy 21+ festival features some of the country’s best reggae bands, stand-up comedians, live glass-blowing demos, stoner movie screenings, a vendor village, and a munchie mall packed with delicious eats. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind way to celebrate, this is the place to be.

General admission starts at $50 and increases in April and day-of. You can purchase tickets here.

7. Rainbows Festival 

Phoenix’s Rainbows Festival, dubbed “Arizona’s Greatest Street Fair,” takes place April 5–6 in Heritage Square Park. This vibrant annual festival celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community—an event about everyone and for everyone. Drawing over 25,000 attendees each year, this two-day, pet-friendly event features live entertainment, craft cocktails, local food trucks, family-friendly activities, and a welcoming space for all.

Tickets are free and do not need to be reserved ahead of time. 

8. Maricopa County Fair 

Let’s be honest—county fairs are the ultimate festival experience, and the Maricopa County Fair is no exception. Taking place April 4–6 and April 10–13 at the AZ Exposition and State Fairgrounds, this fair offers all the classics: over 30 carnival rides, live music, animal and art exhibits, and, of course, epic fair food.

Tickets are $7 and FREE for any children 7 years and younger. You can purchase tickets here. 

9. Sedona Yoga Festival 

Experience conscious evolution at the annual Sedona Yoga Festival, which takes place May 1–4 in the breathtaking, soul-awakening red rock landscape of Sedona. This four-day festival offers a chance for self-discovery, community connection, and a deeply immersive spiritual experience. Open to both seasoned yogis and beginners, the weekend features yoga, meditation, inspiring presenters, live music, and more.

The Sedona Yoga Festival offers several different passes ranging in price, and they even offer scholarships! You can find more information here. 

10. Arizona Restaurant Week 

Taste your way across Arizona during Arizona Restaurant Week, happening May 16–25. Eating local is always a great choice, but these nine days make it even more enticing. With a lineup of well-known restaurants in and around the Valley, this event offers delicious meals at special prices. The list of participating restaurants will be unveiled on May 1, 2025—so keep your eyes (and taste buds) peeled!

No tickets are required, and everyone is welcome—but reservations are encouraged, as spots fill up fast!

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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