Festivals & Fairs in Arizona – Spring 2025

Springtime in Arizona means festival season is in full swing. From medieval faires to county fairs and cultural festivals, there’s no shortage of lively events for all ages. Mark your calendars for these major festivals and fairs happening in March, April, and May 2025:

Arizona Renaissance Festival (Feb 1 – Mar 30 2025)

• When & Where: Weekends from early February through March at the 50-acre Village of Fairhaven in Gold Canyon, AZ​. Open Saturdays & Sundays, 10am–6pm.
• What to Expect: A sprawling 16th-century medieval faire with costumed characters, jousting tournaments, endless entertainment on 16 stages, artisan shops, and feasts of hearty food. Each weekend has a special theme (Pirates, Vikings, etc.) adding new excitement​.
• Highlights: Don’t miss the jousting matches, comedy shows, and medieval rides. The Pirates Invasion & Brew Fest weekend (March 1–2, 2025) invites everyone to dress like pirates and even features a craft beer tasting garden for adults​. Later in the season, Viking Invasion Weekend (March 22–23, 2025) brings Viking costume contests and living history demos (blacksmiths, open-fire cooking, etc.) for an authentic Norse takeover​. Every themed weekend adds unique shows and activities, so there’s always something new each visit.

The Arizona Ren Fest is a beloved annual tradition, combining a Renaissance fair, circus, and arts & crafts market into one. You’ll encounter merrymakers at every turn – knights, jesters, pirates, princesses – as you wander through a faux-historic village bursting with music and laughter. Indulge in giant roasted turkey legs, frothy ales, and sweet mead as you cheer on jousters or sing along with bawdy tavern tunes. Families love the interactive fun: kids can go on a festival-wide treasure hunt, meet mermaids in the Kid’s Cove, and learn ye olde skills like archery. It’s truly an immersive trip back in time, so “eat, drink and be merry” at one of Arizona’s biggest fairs​!

Chandler Ostrich Festival (March 14–16 & 21–23, 2025)

• When & Where: Two big weekends – March 14–16 and March 21–23, 2025 – at Tumbleweed Park in Chandler, AZ​. Gates typically open midday Friday and early morning on weekends.
• What to Expect: A family-friendly festival featuring carnival rides, live music from national headliners, delicious fair food, and of course, ostriches! This annual event celebrates Chandler’s quirky history with ostrich ranching.
• Highlights: Ostrich races are a must-see – watch jockeys ride the big birds in hilarious sprinting contests. There are also petting zoos, animal exhibits, and ostrich-themed merchandise. Big-name bands and artists perform each night on the main stage (previous years have featured pop, country, and rock acts)​. Fireworks often cap off the festivities on Saturday. It’s a rare chance to see an ostrich up close and enjoy a classic fair atmosphere over two weekends of fun.

The Ostrich Festival is an Arizona classic that blends a state-fair vibe with a unique local twist. You can spend the day spinning on thrill rides or trying your luck at midway games, then sample treats like fry bread, kettle corn, and yes, ostrich burgers. Kids will love the carnival midway and meet-and-greets with animals (beyond ostriches, there may be pony rides or exotic creatures on display). In the evenings, the main stage comes alive with concerts – so you might ride a Ferris wheel by day and rock out to live music by night. The event has grown so popular that it now spans two weekends, drawing tens of thousands of attendees. Get there early to avoid traffic, and bring sunscreen for daytime fun (March weather is lovely but sunny). Whether you’re there for the music, the rides, or the ostrich antics, this festival promises a “biggest bird” bonanza you won’t forget!

County Fairs – Maricopa & Pima County Fairs (April 2025)

• Maricopa County Fair (Phoenix): April 4–13, 2025 at the Arizona State Fairgrounds​ (open Thursdays–Sundays). This is the largest county fair in the Phoenix area, with the biggest carnival in Arizona​. Expect thrilling rides, fried food galore, 4-H livestock exhibits, live music, and family entertainment. Highlights: nightly concerts (often free with admission), demolition derby and monster truck shows, and countless competitions from baking to animal showmanship. It’s an old-fashioned fair fun for the whole family.
• Pima County Fair (Tucson): April 17–27, 2025 at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson​. Southern Arizona’s biggest fair, drawing huge crowds for its concerts and carnival. Highlights: A huge midway of rides and games, dozens of food vendors (try local favorites like Sonoran hot dogs), livestock barns, and a concert series on the Budweiser Main Stage​. Past years have featured popular rock and country acts. Don’t miss the vendor expo halls showcasing gadgets, crafts, and local products, or the adorable pygmy goat and pig races that kids love.

Nothing says spring in Arizona like a trip to the county fair. Stroll the midway with a cotton candy in hand as you hear shrieks from the giant spinning rides above. By day, check out 4-H animals (prized cattle, goats, chickens, and more) and prize-winning pies and jams in the exhibit halls. As the sun sets, neon lights flash on the carnival rides — maybe you’ll dare to ride the towering Ferris wheel or the spinning Starship. Fair food is its own attraction: indulge in funnel cakes piled with toppings, giant turkey legs, fry bread tacos, and novel treats like deep-fried Oreos. On weekends, stick around for the headline concerts under the stars (entry usually included with fair admission) – rock bands, country stars, and tribute acts keep the party going. With games, petting zoos, magicians, and more, both the Maricopa and Pima fairs serve up that nostalgic fairground magic that brings out the kid in everyone.

Tempe Festival of the Arts (March 7–9, 2025)

• When & Where: March 7–9, 2025 (Friday through Sunday) in Downtown Tempe along Mill Avenue​. Open 10am–5:30pm Fri/Sat and until 4:30pm Sun​.
• What to Expect: One of the top art fairs in the nation, this juried arts festival features over 250 artists selling paintings, sculptures, jewelry, ceramics, and more​. The streets of Tempe turn into an open-air gallery and craft market. Live music and street performers entertain visitors, and there are hands-on art activities for kids.
• Highlights: Check out Artists’ booths displaying everything from fine art to quirky handmade crafts – you might find that perfect painting or a unique piece of jewelry. Don’t miss the chalk art on the pavement and community art project areas where you can contribute creatively. There’s also a local food court and beer/wine gardens, making it easy to spend all day browsing and snacking. Best of all, admission is free for the whole family.

This spring arts festival has been a beloved tradition for over 50 years​. It consistently ranks among the top arts and craft shows in the U.S., and you’ll see why when you wander the booths: artists come from across Arizona and beyond, eager to chat about their work. The atmosphere is relaxed and festive – acoustic musicians strumming guitars on street corners, the smell of kettle corn and roasted nuts in the air, downtown’s shops and eateries buzzing with activity. If you have kids, stop by the Kids Block where young artists can create their own masterpieces. And if you’re an art aficionado, bring a tote bag – you’re likely to leave with a few new treasures. The Tempe Festival of the Arts is the perfect outing on a sunny March day, celebrating creativity in the heart of the city.

More Spring 2025 Festivals to Note

• Tucson Festival of Books (March 15–16, 2025): A massive book fair on University of Arizona campus in Tucson​. Hundreds of authors, panel discussions, book signings, and family literacy activities make this one of the largest book festivals in the country. If you’re a bookworm, it’s a must-visit – and it’s free to attend on the beautiful UA Mall.
• Arizona Aloha Festival (Mid-March 2025, Tempe Beach Park): Celebrate Hawaiian and Polynesian culture with a weekend of ohana (family) fun. Enjoy island food (poke bowls, shave ice), live hula and Tahitian dance performances, and shops selling Polynesian crafts. This free festival brings the spirit of Aloha to the desert with continuous music and dance on multiple stages. Don’t miss the drum performances and the spontaneous hula lessons!
• Country Thunder Arizona (April 10–13, 2025): Arizona’s biggest country music festival returns to Canyon Moon Ranch in Florence​. Headliners include country superstars Keith Urban, HARDY, Riley Green, and Bailey Zimmerman​. Thousands of fans camp out for four days of live country music, tailgating, and partying under the stars. From up-and-coming artists in the afternoon to chart-topping headliners each night, it’s a boot-stomping good time. (Tickets required; camping passes sold separately.)
• Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market (April 25–27, 2025): A huge pop-up vintage shopping market at WestWorld of Scottsdale that has grown into a semiannual phenomenon. Since 2011, it’s attracted over 100,000 shoppers hunting for antique furniture, retro décor, clothing, and handmade artisan goods​. Dozens of vendors fill the pavilion with curated treasures – imagine an Etsy marketplace come to life. Live music and food trucks add to the fun. If you love thrifting or farmhouse-style finds, this is your paradise (early bird tickets available for preview night).

Arizona’s spring calendar is packed with fairs and festivals beyond this list – from small-town events to cultural celebrations. Whether you’re clinking glasses at a craft brew fest, browsing a farmers’ market pop-up, or dancing at a music festival, you’re sure to find an event that suits your interests each weekend. 

Tip: Spring weather is gorgeous, but festivals can get crowded, so buy tickets in advance when possible and consider using public transit or ride-shares to big events to avoid parking hassles. Now get out there and enjoy Arizona’s spring festivities!