Have you ever wanted a reason to walk around a city while trying new drinks and snacks along the way? 

Downtown Phoenix’s Urban Wine Walk provides a perfect reason to do that. The annual event, which happened last weekend, had 26 participating restaurants and bars.

The Sunray Gose paired with a Lemon-Up Girl Scout Cookie at Greenwood Brewing in downtown Phoenix on April 11, 2026. (Jessica Swarner/The Copper Courier)

For $5, each business offered a sample of a drink paired with a snack. Here’s everything I got:

I’ve visited all of these places before, but a friend who joined me said he liked that the event gave him a taste of spots he wouldn’t otherwise think to go to. 

I enjoyed spending a sunny afternoon supporting local businesses while only spending $20 (before tips!), and I hope to participate in the walk again next year. 

What’s your go-to wine? 

We’ve had a lot of readers ask how they can get involved in their communities, so we’re introducing Arizona, Activated, to let you know about upcoming opportunities. 

Here’s one event to consider this week:

Really Really Free Market – South Phoenix

When: Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m. to noon

Where: Highline Park, 1346 E. South Mountain Road, Phoenix

Description: “Bring what you can, take what you like: clothes, books, housewares, electronics, pet supplies, toys, toiletries, pantry items. Really really free market is for the whole family! Kiddos can enjoy the park, and they may find a cool new book, toy, or brand new best friend!”

Want more? We post weekly roundups of ways to get involved. Our friends at Collective Phoenix also keep a running list of events related to civics, advocacy, and volunteerism. You can follow them on Instagram for updates. 

Share yours: What’s something you’ve done so far this year to better your community? Let me know, and I may share some responses!

Here’s how reader Peg A. is involved in the community:

💬 “I have been on the board of nonprofit AZ Blankets 4 Kids since 2010. We are an all-volunteer organization in the East Valley that makes quilts and knit/crochet blankets, to offer traumatized or ill children a bit of comfort. We distribute the quilts and blankets to about 30 agencies in the Phoenix Metro area, and they give the comfort quilt or blanket to a child in crisis. Each year we distribute between 7,000 and 8,000 handmade quilts and blankets to agencies. We have quilting bees that the public is invited to, 7-8 of those each year. You do not need to be able to sew, to attend our bee. If you can wield a needle and a pair of scissors, we will show you how to tie a quilt with cotton crochet thread. We also have a need for people to cut fabric as directed, trim quilts, pin quilts, or iron quilt tops and fabric backings. A chance for people in the East Valley to get involved. We suggest that if children would like to help, the best age is 12 and up.”

Are you ready for Record Store Day? Here’s which stores in Arizona are taking part, plus a rundown of giveaways and promotions.

From film festivals and concerts to a reptile expo and a donkey dash, here are some events going on in Arizona this weekend.

From new apartment complexes and single-family rental communities to tips on buying rugs and other renter-friendly decor, here’s a quick recap of helpful links for Phoenix renters.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Jessica Swarner with stories from Alyssa Bickle and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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