From film festivals and foodie fun to rattlesnakes, Broadway vibes and fast cars, the Valley is packed with things to do this weekend and beyond. Whether you’re looking to sip a craft beer while learning about desert wildlife, catch a world premiere on stage, or draft your fantasy football dream team, there’s something on the calendar for everyone.
Fantasy Football at Title 9. Title 9 Sports Grill, Phoenix’s first women-focused sports bar, is lining up for draft day. The grill is inviting rookies, superfans and Sunday brunch devotees to its Title 9 Ladies League Fantasy Football League Draft Party on Sunday, Aug. 24, at 11 a.m. Learn more here.
Celebrate local films. The Mesa International Film Festival is set to return through. Aug. 24 with more than 130 independent films screened in downtown Mesa. See the details here.
East Valley foodies, this one is for you! Queen Creek Restaurant Week is back for its second year, bringing a celebration of local flavor to the East Valley until Aug. 24. Get the details here.
Rattlesnakes: Fact and Fiction. PHX Beer Co in Scottsdale will transform into an unexpected classroom on Tuesday, Aug. 27, when the brewery partners with Desert Foothills Land Trust to present Rattlesnakes: Fact and Fiction, a free community event featuring live snakes and expert education. Learn more here.
Tri-Ward Talks. Mesa’s own night of big ideas is back. The Tri-Ward Talks, founded by community organizer Ted Sowards, return Thursday, Aug. 28, with a fresh lineup of speakers ready to spark conversation and connection. The free event begins at 7 p.m. at the Mesa Mountain View Stake Center, 1550 N. Val Vista Drive. Read about it here.
Community art. The Sonoran Arts League is hosting free, all-ages ceramic bowl-making workshops every Friday in August to support the fall Foothills Empty Bowls Project. No experience is needed, but space is limited and registration is encouraged. Learn more here.
Let the good times roll! Tony Award-winning Broadway veterans are teaming up with local talent for the world premiere of “Let the Good Times Roll: A New Orleans Gumbo” at The Phoenix Theatre Company. The production runs through Aug. 31. See more details here.
Drunk Shakespeare. What started as a limited summer run is now a full-on love affair. “Drunk Shakespeare,” the irreverent and hilarious take on Romeo & Juliet, has extended its Phoenix run through Sept. 27 due to sold-out crowds and high demand. Read all about it here.
Vroom, vroom. The iconic Rock ‘n Roll Car Show, formerly held at The Pavilions at Talking Stick, has cruised four miles north to Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers at Pima Crossing in Scottsdale, where it’s now revving up every Saturday evening through Sept. 27. Shift over to the article here.
Hot art, cool show. Desert Foothills Gallery invites the community to experience a vibrant blend of creativity and culture at the 2025 “Hot Art–Cool Show,” now on view through Oct. 1 at Desert Foothills Library. From bold abstracts to intricate realism, the show highlights the diversity and depth of the local art scene. Learn more here.
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