Summer Events in Arizona - July and August 2025
Think Arizona summers are all about hiding indoors with the AC cranked up? Think again! While many people assume the desert heat means fewer activities, summer is actually one of the most exciting times to experience Arizona's vibrant culture and community spirit.
From Phoenix's incredible pool parties and rooftop concerts to Tucson's monsoon season festivals and Flagstaff's cool mountain retreats, Arizona's summer event calendar is packed with unique experiences you won't find anywhere else. Early morning farmers markets, sunset hiking events, indoor art shows, and those magical monsoon storm-watching gatherings make summer in the Grand Canyon State surprisingly dynamic.
Sure, we've mastered the art of timing—many events start at sunrise or after sunset—but that just adds to the adventure. Whether you're a longtime resident or considering making Arizona your home, summer events showcase the creativity and resilience of our desert communities in the most delightful ways.
Credit: Visit Phoenix
Artlink’s First Fridays Art Walk - Phoenix
In 1994, Artlink began promoting the monthly First Fridays art walk, which has grown to become one of the largest monthly art walks in the United States. With many venues open free to the public each month, First Fridays has succeeded in bringing people back to downtown Phoenix. The event sees anywhere from 14-20,000 visitors monthly and grows each year. This year marks the 30th anniversary of First Friday, an event that started with Artlink and has grown into the vibrant, dynamic monthly tradition we all love today. Join us in celebrating three decades of creativity, community, and connection!
15th Annual Prescott Film Festival - Prescott
Come help celebrate the 15h Annual Prescott Film Festival July 16-20, 2025! Fantastic films and workshops on the Prescott Campus of Yavapai College, The Hazeltine Theater, The Hendrix at Mile High Middle School. On the final day is the silent film, Tom Mix’s Sky High with the Monte Alto Motion Picture Orchestra at the historic Elks Theater and Performing Arts Center. Parties, gourmet food, guest filmmakers. Escape the heat and come enjoy cultural eventS that entertain, inspire, and inform through the art of film in the cool pines of Prescott!
Sip Into Summer: Wine Series Returns to Museum of Illusions Scottsdale - Scottsdale
Museum of Illusions Scottsdale is excited to announce the return of the highly successful Summer Wine Series for 2025. Kicking off on June 26, 2025, and popping up monthly on July 31, 2025, and August 28, 2025, this series transforms the museum into the ultimate summer night hangout from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. With premium wine provided by The Wine Collective of Scottsdale, this 21+ after-hours event invites guests to indulge in fine local wines and snack on light bites while a live DJ sets the mood, sound-tracking guests through captivating illusions. This is the perfect opportunity for visitors to capture incredible insta-worthy photos in the museum’s immersive exhibits, with MOI staff ready to help capture the perfect illusion shot.
Cool Summer Nights at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum - Tucson
Enjoy a family-friendly outing during popular Cool Summer Nights at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum every Saturday evening throughout the summer to beat the heat. Enjoy clear views of stunning sunsets, star-specked skies, night-blooming plants, and animals reappearing from their daytime naps. The Sonoran Desert comes alive at night as nocturnal animals awake. Bats perform aerial acrobatics in pursuit of dinner, beavers splash around in their pond, and scorpions glow green under black light. Bring your flashlight and explore, grab a beer and wander, experience a live animal encounter, or participate in special nightly activities. See the schedule on desert museum.org for weekly themes and activities.
Foam Zone at the Children's Museum of Phoenix - Phoenix
Bounce around in bubbles galore all summer long! With the Foam Zone outside AND three floors to explore inside, a cool day of play is guaranteed!
FOAM ZONE HOURS: Open now through Oct 19th
Foam bursts will occur intermittently throughout the day
from 9:00am-3:00pm, with the final burst at 3:00pm. Weather permitting.