November in the Phoenix Valley is full of festivals and events. If you want to stay busy in November, Phoenix Valley is the place to be. The areas surrounding Phoenix have so much going on, it can be hard to choose which event to attend. Truly, there is an event (at least one!) for everyone to enjoy. From Arts and Culture, and sporting events, to music, science, and open-mic nights, the Phoenix Valley is rich with entertainment options. Nearly every day of the week has something to celebrate.November’s events include:
- Monarch Butterfly Exhibit/Mariposa Monarca (Nov. 1-19, continuing exhibit) Marshall Butterfly Pavilion, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
- Charles Schwab Cup Championship (Nov. 6-12) North Scottsdale, professional male golfers on senior tour
- Scottsdale Bridal Expo (Nov. 5) Scottsdale Stadium, free admission, registration requested
- Performances at the Tempe History Museum (Nov. 4, 18) free admission
- Gilbert Art Walk (Nov. 4, 11, and 25)
- Azcentral.com Food & Wine Experience (Nov. 4-5) Salt River Fields, Scottsdale
- Undy Run/Walk (Nov. 4) State Capitol District, Phoenix, benefits the Colon Cancer Alliance, you are allowed towear silly costumes
- Siracha Festival (Nov. 4) Heritage Square, Phoenix
- Certified Local Fall Festival (Nov. 4) features local vendors at Hance Park, free admission, activities for young children
- Cave Creek Wild West Days (Nov. 3-5)
- Carefree Fine Arts and Wine Festival (Nov. 3-5) one of the largest wine-tasting events in Arizona with displays from over 160 artists
- Desert Ridge Marketplace Concerts free concerts on two stages at the Desert Ridge Marketplace, every Friday and Saturday night
- First Fridays (Nov. 3) visit more than 80 Phoenix downtown art galleries, also includes free admission to several downtown Phoenix attractions
- Scottsdale International Film Festival at the Harkins Shea 14 Theatre (Nov. 2-6) Scottsdale
- Scottsdale Art Walk (Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30) every Thursday evening, downtown Scottsdale Art District, free
- Walk-In Wednesdays (Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29) open-air mic, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, downtown Tempe, Tempe Center for the Arts
- Day of the Dead festivals, parties, exhibitions in the Phoenix area, running into early November
- Downtown Gilbert Concert Series (Nov. 9, 30) located in Gilbert’s Heritage District, at Water Tower Plaza, free admission
- Second Fridays (Nov. 10) (See description below)
- Science with a Twist (for Adults Only) (Nov. 10) Arizona Science Center in downtown Phoenix
- Bluegrass Festival (Nov. 10-12) Wickenburg Rodeo Grounds
- Chandler Chuck Wagon Cook-Off (Nov. 10, 11) Tumbleweed Park
- ¡Artes Vivas!(Nov. 11) (See description below)
- Discover India Festival (Nov. 11) located in Scottsdale, free admission, features parade, food fair, and children’s fair
- Walk to End Alzheimer’s (Nov. 11) fundraiser, Wesley Bolin Plaza, Phoenix
- Phoenix Comicon Fan Fest (Nov. 11, 12) Phoenix Convention Center
- Discount Tire Free Family Weekends (Nov. 11, 12) located at the Phoenix Art Museum, educational entertainment for the entire family
- El Puente Theatre Festival and Mask Procession (Nov. 12) Tempe Center for the Arts
- NASCAR Race Day (Nov. 12) Can-Am 500, Phoenix Raceway
- Chandler Symphony Orchestra (Nov. 12) free, indoors, family-friendly
- Sonoran Sunset Series (Nov. 16) third Thursday event, outdoor family-friendly concerts at the Environmental Education Center, Chandler, free admission
- Chandler Downtown Art Walk (Nov. 17) Historic downtown Chandler, free
- Earth and Space Exploration Day (Nov. 18) located at the Tempe Campus of ASU, free but requires registration
- Astronomy Evenings (Nov. 18) ages 8+, registration required, Pinnacle Peak Park, Scottsdale
- Thanksgiving Day Parade in Fountain Hills (Nov. 23)
- Arizona International Auto Show (Nov. 23-26) features the newest trucks, cars, SUVs, & minivans, Phoenix Convention Center
Second Fridays
Every second Friday of the month, live music and entertainment can be found in downtown Mesa on Main Street. There is also an art walk, with a different theme each month, and prizes given away. It is family-friendly and free to the public.
¡Artes Vivas!
Follow up “second Friday” with this festival the following Saturday and make it a full weekend of entertainment. The Arts community is very strong throughout Arizona. Nearly everyone is passionate about the sights and sounds of the culture in the Phoenix Valley. On Saturday, November 11, 2017, the annual festival, formerly presented as the Mercado de las Artes,will be held. It will showcase the works of 40 prominent Hispanic and Latino/a artists throughout the day. Musical performances and activities designed to engage the public with the culture will be held. It is free to the public.
ASU (Arizona State University) Concerts
The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts hosts a wide variety of performances from around the world. These include music, dance, film, and theater selections. More than 1,000 performances are showcased by the Center each year. In November, the offerings include:
- Saturday, Nov. 4, 8:00 pm – The Moscow State Symphony Orchestra
- Sunday, Nov. 5, 11:00 am and 2:00 pm – The Okee Dokee Brothers
- Thursday, Nov. 9, 7:30 pm – Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Orchestra
- Friday, Nov. 10, 8:00 pm – The famous Yo-Yo Ma on cello and Kathryn Stott on piano
- Saturday, Nov. 11, 8:00 pm –Rita Rudner, comedienne
- Saturday, Nov. 18, 8:00 pm – David Sedaris
- Sunday, Nov. 19, 4:00 pm – Big Band Matinee
- Friday, Nov. 24 – Saturday, Nov. 25 (Fri. 8 pm / Sat. 5 pm and 8 pm) – The Capitol Steps
SPORTS
Arizona Cardinals Football
If you are a football fan, the University of Phoenix Stadium is the place to be in November. The Fiesta Bowl is held here as well. The Cardinals have two home games in November:
- Thursday, Nov. 9, 6:25 pm – Seattle Seahawks
- Sunday, Nov. 26, 2:25 pm – Jacksonville Jaguars
Other Arizona sports teams include the Arizona Coyotes Hockey (playing at the Gila River Arena in Glendale); the Sun Devils Football team (playing at the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe); and the Phoenix Suns Basketball team (playing at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix).
All these events and festivals (and more!) are at your fingertips when you live in the Phoenix Valley. Be sure to take advantage of as many of them as possible and enjoy! If you are looking for a home to rent of buy to be near any of these great activities, contact a Launch Real Estate agent today.
