16 Fun Things to do in Phoenix and Scottsdale this Month
Our picks for the top events and exhibitions in Phoenix and Scottsdale for October/November 2025.
Step Inside the Valley’s Most Beautiful Homes
Phoenix Home & Garden 2025 Home Tour, Nov. 15
Ever wondered what it’s like to live inside the pages of Phoenix Home & Garden? Our annual Home Tour invites you to explore a curated selection of stunning private residences, each showcasing the vision of the Valley’s leading architects and interior designers. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to chat with the creative minds behind the projects—as well as the editors of the magazine. VIP guests enjoy early entry, an expanded lineup of homes, and a festive cocktail reception with catered light bites to close out the day. General admission, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; VIP, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; $85-$125. The tour stop locations will be released to ticket holders on Nov. 14. tickets.phoenixmag.com
Gary Ernest Smith Gallery
November 13 at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West & Bonner David Galleries
Renowned Western artist Gary Ernest Smith’s new exhibition is unveiled during a special tribute from 3-4:30pm at Western Spirit, followed by a brand new opening across the street from 5-8pm at Bonner David. Smith will be signing books and have a collection of 25 paintings at the gallery.
Party With the Best
PHOENIX magazine’s Best of the Valley Party, Oct. 18
Celebrate the Valley’s finest with an evening of food, drink and entertainment at PHOENIX magazine’s annual Best of the Valley Party. This year’s bash debuts a new downtown venue—Warehouse215—complete with a dedicated beer garden, craft cocktails and bites from some of the area’s top chefs and restaurants. Local DJs will keep the energy high all night long. VIP guests enjoy early entry, premium perks and exclusive experiences before the main event. 6-9 p.m., VIP. 7-9 p.m. general admission. $80-$125, Warehouse215, 215 E. Grant St., Phoenix, tickets.phoenixmag.com
The Wright Way
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation will open its vault to share some art from the famous architect’s collection for the first time at the next edition of this innovative design celebration. There will also be a curated selection of artist receptions, pop-up art galleries, designer markets and an architectural home tour. Check desertdesignweek.com for event schedule, locations and tickets.
Taco ‘Bout A Good Time
Two days. Forty taco makers. Endless flavor. This celebration of everyone’s favorite handheld feast brings together top local taqueros and restaurants, live music, DJs, artists and vendors for a weekend of food and fun at Salt River Fields. Sat., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $12-$80, Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, tacofestaz.com
Keep Marching
The Tony Award-winning musical about the fearless individuals who challenged sexism to change history and secure the right to vote for women is coming to the Valley for a series of shows. Check the website for times and ticket prices. Gammage Auditorium, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe, (480) 965-3434, asugammage.com
Grooving On Up
Dreamy Draw Music Festival, Nov. 7-8
The Scottsdale-based music festival will be twice as big in its third year. Having that space will be necessary, especially when indie rockers Vampire Weekend join singer-songwriter Father John Misty and folk group The Lumineers at the top of the lineup. VIP packages are available. Check the website for the complete schedule and ticket prices. Scottsdale Civic Center, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale, dreamydrawfest.com
Giddy Up
The Hondo Rodeo Fest, Nov. 7-9
Come to Downtown Phoenix to see some of the best professional rodeo stars from across the nation buck a bronco in this invitation-only, all-star competition. Then stay for the concerts, which will feature Nickelback, Cody Johnson, Jason Aldean, Treaty Oak Revival, Jon Pardi and Riley Green. 6 p.m. Tickets start at $60. Check the website for the event schedule. Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, (602) 514-8400, thehondorodeofest.com
Horse Power
The Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships, Nov. 8-9
The “Best Polo Party in the World” keeps getting bigger and better. The fete has expanded into a two-day event with six matches played on both Saturday and Sunday. Stop by the WestWorld Art and Wine Experience, which will feature interactive art demonstrations, gourmet food and other luxury experiences. There will also be a dog fashion show, luxury car exhibits and live music throughout the weekend. Check the website for ticket prices and schedule. WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, (480) 423-1414, thepoloparty.com
Autumn Adventures
Fall Harvest Pumpkin and Food Festival, Through Nov. 9
This family-friendly event brings the fun of the farm to the desert without the seasonal scares. There will be corn mazes, straw climbing, hayrides and some fall-themed food trucks. Your family can even carve their own pumpkins. Check the website for ticket prices. Sun., Wed., Thurs., 5-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat., 5-11 p.m., Phoenix Event Complex, 2209 N. 99th Ave., Phoenix, visitdhfarms.com
Slice Into the Fun
10th Annual Phoenix Pizza Fest, Nov. 15–16
Wood-fired, deep-dish, New York–style—if it’s pizza, you’ll find it here. This cheesy celebration serves up slices and full pies from dozens of local makers, along with craft beer, wine, lawn games and live performances from some of the Valley’s favorite bands. Bring a picnic blanket so you can sip, savor and soak up the fall sunshine in the park. Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $16, Margaret T. Hance Park, 67 W. Culver St., Phoenix, (480) 442-9176, phoenix.pizza
GALLERIES + MUSEUMS
“Radical Clay: Contemporary Women Artists from Japan”
Beginning Sept. 24
Explore how leading women ceramicists from post-war Japan redefined what could be done with clay. From molding flowers out of stoneware to silk-screening newsprint onto porcelain, these artists challenged gender barriers by working in traditionally “masculine” modes while depicting “feminine” topics. Call for times and ticket prices. Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, (602) 257-1880, phxart.org
“The Presence of Ancestors”
Beginning Oct. 4
Sonya Clark, Angela Ellsworth and Ato Ribeiro are among the artists featured in this exhibition, which observes the myriad methods our systems of communication have passed down to us by our ancestors. An opening for the artists will take place on Sat., Oct. 18, from 1-3 p.m. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sat., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Lisa Sette Gallery, 210 E. Catalina Drive, Phoenix, (480) 990-7342, lisasettegallery.com
34th Annual Sedona Arts Festival
Oct. 11-12
Sedona’s stunning red rocks make the perfect backdrop for the Verde Valley’s premier arts event. In addition to the more than 100 creatives displaying and selling their work, there will be a live pottery display, raffle prizes, live music, food and a beer and wine garden. $15, Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sedona Red Rock High School, 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road, (928) 204-9456, sedonartsfestival.org
Canal Convergence
Nov. 7-16
The aquatic fire shows by Walter Productions are returning to the Scottsdale Waterfront for the city’s annual creativity celebration. This year’s theme is “SHOWTIME,” which will feature works exploring the intersection of performance and public art. The event will also feature hands-on activities, workshops, music and dance performances, and a beer and wine garden. Scottsdale Waterfront, 7135 E Camelback Road, Scottsdale, canalconvergence.com
29th Annual Hidden in the Hills
Nov. 21-23, 28-30
The holidays will be here sooner than you think. That’s why the state’s longest-running art tour through the Desert Foothills communities of Cave Creek, Carefree and North Scottsdale is the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind gifts. It features more than 160 works by nationally recognized and emerging artists in various mediums, styles and price ranges. Maps are available online or at the Sonoran Arts League Studio, 7100 E. Cave Creek Road, Ste. 144, Cave Creek. Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., (480) 575-6624, hiddeninthehills.org
“Curated Chaos: 20 Years of Collecting”
Through Jan. 11, 2026
The museum team has selected works that have shown art lovers the most powerful, playful, picturesque, pretty and peculiar parts of humanity for this 20-year retrospective. Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun., 12-5 p.m.; Mesa Contemporary Art Museum, 1 E. Main St., Mesa, (480) 644-6500, mesaartscenter.com
Phoenix
Arizona Science Center
Designed to inspire, educate and entertain people of all ages, the center boasts four levels of hands-on exhibits, plus live demonstrations, a state-of-the-art planetarium and giant-screen theater. 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix, azscience.org, (602) 716-2000.
Children’s Museum of Phoenix
Focusing on learning through play, the facility offers creative, hands-on, interactive exhibits designed for children from birth to age 10, with an emphasis on early childhood education and school readiness. 215 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, childrensmuseumofphoenix.org, (602) 253-0501.
Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
Exhibits cover nearly an acre, including more than 90 restored pieces of fire apparatus from around the world dating from 1725 to 1969. The National Firefighting Hall of Heroes honors firefighters who died in the line of duty or were decorated for heroism, and another gallery is dedicated to the history of wildland firefighting. Exhibits for children also are featured. 6101 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, hallofflame.org, (602) 275-3473.
Heard Museum
Founded in 1929, this globally renowned museum explores American Indian arts and cultures with comprehensive exhibitions displayed in 12 galleries, interactive learning opportunities and a variety of festivals. The collection of art ranges from historic cultural items to contemporary fine art. 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, heard.org, (602) 252-8848.
Lisa Sette Gallery
By consistently seeking out diverse artists working on the edge of aesthetic, social and conceptual investigation, Lisa Sette has shaped a contemporary art space that remains as vital and relevant today as when it was founded in 1985. Visitors will find original paintings, sculpture and photography displayed alongside intriguing installations and performance pieces from its roster of emerging and established artists. 210 E. Catalina Drive, Phoenix, lisasettegallery.com, (480) 990-7342.
Musical Instrument Museum
Thousands of instruments and artifacts from around the world, plus live performances make MIM a music-lover’s dream. Advanced wireless technology and high-resolution video screens enable a full sensory experience as guests explore five geographic galleries displaying instruments from major global regions, an experience gallery that allows guests of all ages to play instruments from around the world and a mechanical music gallery that showcases unique instruments that “play themselves.” Signature events celebrate musical traditions with live performances, lectures and family-friendly activities. 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, mim.org, (480) 478-6000.
Phoenix Art Museum
Top national and international exhibitions are shown alongside the museum’s collection of more than 20,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, photography and fashion design. The museum also presents a comprehensive film program, live performances and educational programs designed for visitors of all ages. 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, phxart.org, (602) 257-1880.
Pueblo Grande Museum
This national historic landmark is built around a Hohokam mound that overlooks the source of more than 600 miles of canals built by these prehistoric people, with exhibits and hands-on activities, plus full-scale reproductions of Hohokam homes. 4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix, pueblogrande.com, (602) 495-0901.
Shemer Art Center
Built in 1919, this former residence with a panoramic view of Camelback Mountain offers a unique, historic-home setting in which visitors can learn about visual arts through classes, lectures, workshops, exhibits and events. 5005 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, shemerartcenter.org, (602) 262-4727.
Scottsdale
Altamira Fine Art
The gallery specializes in exhibition and sale of Western contemporary artwork by more than 40 artists in a range of media, including oil and acrylic paintings, glass and bronze works and digital art installations. 7038 E. Main St., Scottsdale, altamiraart.com, (480) 949-1256.
Bonner David Galleries
The gallery features the best of both representational and contemporary fine art by more than 30 nationally and internationally collected artists, providing a welcoming, relaxed setting for the seasoned collector and those just beginning their art journeys. 7040 E. Main St., Scottsdale, bonnerdavid.com, (480) 941-8500.
Carstens Fine Art Studio & Gallery
An artist since 6 years old, Cyndy Carstens is the visionary behind this working artist studio and gallery. Her paintings focus on elements of light as she strives to reflect the assurance of beauty, hope and tranquility even in our most challenging moments. 7100 E. Main St., Scottsdale, cyndycarstens.com, (480) 946-3217.
Old Town Scottsdale Rodeo Museum
Located in the heart of Old Town, the museum is packed with cowboy and rodeo artifacts and memorabilia dating back to the 1950s, including bull ropes, saddles, vintage rodeo magazines and Parada del Sol posters that boast artwork by the likes of Kenneth M. Freeman. Adventurous guests can climb atop El Diablo—one of the winningest bulls ever who is now on permanent display, mid-buck—for a fun photo-op. 3806 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale, (602) 616-6901.
On the Edge Gallery
Visitors can interact directly with the artists at this one-of-a-kind Scottsdale gallery, which represents more than 40 professional, juried Arizona makers who own and operate the exhibit space. An array of fine and contemporary art from every creative medium is featured, including fiber art, photography, ceramics, paintings, jewelry and mixed-media pieces. 7077 E. Main St., Scottsdale, ontheedgegallery.com, (480) 265-8991.
Pejman Gallery
Artist Bob Pejman is internationally acclaimed for his depictions of European and Old-World vistas. The Scottsdale gallery exhibits his collection of oil paintings and mixed-media works on canvas as well as original paintings by leading American and European artists and sculptures by Gaylord Ho. 7130 E. Main St., Scottsdale, pejmangallery.com, (480) 970-1505.
Quan’tum Art Inc.
Located in the courtyard at Marshall Square, QAI offers original contemporary art by internationally collected artists: sculptor John Gleason, glass artist Suzanne Larson, painter Jacque L. Keller, ceramicist Alvin Pace and more. 7077 E. Main St., Scottsdale, quantumartinc.com, (480) 216-0450.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
A museum dedicated to contemporary art, architecture and design that challenges expectations, SMoCA has four main galleries that showcase changing exhibitions and works from the museum’s growing permanent collection, plus an outdoor courtyard featuring “Knight Rise,” a Skyspace enclosure by James Turrell. 7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale, smoca.org, (480) 874-4666.
Van Arsdale Arts
Former three-time NBA All-Stars Dick and Tom Van Arsdale have retired from the “real world” and are enjoying the arts. They say they couldn’t play music—and according to their wives they couldn’t sing—but they do love to draw. So with pens, pencils, brushes and oils, the twins began creating art and opened their gallery in 2018. The Valley legends invite visitors to drop by and enjoy their oil paintings, pen and pencil works and signed T-shirts with their artsy images. 7077 E. Main St., Scottsdale, vanarsdaleart.com, (480) 235-3196.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
A Smithsonian affiliate, the museum features Western and Native American art and artifacts, gallery tours and educational activities that bring the West’s heritage and culture to life. Permanent exhibits include “Canvas of Clay: Hopi Pottery Masterworks from The Allan and Judith Cooke Collection,” which features 65 examples of Hopi pottery spanning six centuries, and “The Abe Hays Family Spirit of the West Collection,” a showcase of more than 1,400 cowboy gear and other Old West objects. 3830 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, scottsdalemuseumwest.org, (480) 686-9539.
Wilde Meyer Gallery
With galleries in Scottsdale and Tucson, Wilde Meyer presents changing exhibits of innovative, original, contemporary fine art, with styles that range from sophisticated abstracts and contemporary Western to figurative and landscape works. Media includes paintings, bronzes, sculpture, glass and more. 4142 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, (480) 945-2323; 2890 E. Skyline Drive, Tucson, (520) 615-5222, wildemeyer.com.
Xanadu Gallery
Paintings, sculpture, mixed-media pieces and other works in a variety of media and styles are in the spotlight at this eclectic gallery, which was established in 2001. 7039 E. Main St., Scottsdale, xanadugallery.com, (480) 368-9929.
Tempe
ASU Art Museum
Founded in 1950, the contemporary museum is located in Antoine Predock’s award-winning Nelson Fine Arts Center on the western edge of the Tempe campus, boasting six expansive galleries and three sculpture courts. Nelson Fine Arts Center, 51 E. 10th St., Tempe, asuartmuseum.asu.edu, (480) 965-2787.
ASU Art Museum Ceramics Research Center
A destination for the study and appreciation of ceramics, the center presents more than 3,500 objects. Since 1967, the collection has been displayed in open storage, providing year-round access to a majority of the permanent collection. 699 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, asuartmuseum.asu.edu, (480) 727-8170.
