I run free outdoor art festivals on the Phoenix side from October through April. The dates below are the shows I've listed. Three different Saturdays: a western town in Cave Creek, a shopping lot in north Scottsdale, and a highway stop under the Superstition Mountains.
Admission is free. The work is handmade — paintings, photography, jewelry, ceramics, yard art, and craft. Most of the makers are local or regional, and some travel in. Hours are usually Friday and Saturday 10–5 and Sunday 10–3. Confirm the hours on that show.
Cave Creek art festival at Frontier Town
Cave Creek already draws people up the road for the western streets. I put the show at Frontier Town, 6245 E Cave Creek Rd, so the booths sit right on those streets. You walk the art and the town at the same time.
Come out for the Cave Creek art festival, then stay and look through the shops. The same weekend is also listed as Frontier Town. It's the show I build the north Valley around.
Scottsdale art festival at the Mercado
The Scottsdale show is at the Mercado, 10105 E Via Linda. Lot parking, a short walk, and you're done. Dates and the application are on the Scottsdale art festival page. When a show is open, Apply goes to that event.
Gold Canyon, Apache Junction, and the Superstitions
Gold Canyon Village is 6900 E Hwy 60, east of Apache Junction, on the highway under the Superstition Mountains. People are already driving that road for the mountains. I use the village lot, so the art festival is an easy stop on a drive that was headed east anyway.
See Gold Canyon for the next date.
Plan the Phoenix weekend
Pick the town, then the date in the list below. Dogs are welcome on a leash. We go rain or shine unless the venue closes the lot. If you're an artist, apply from the show. If you need me, call (520) 668-9710.
