The Main Events Around the Valley in June and July
Summer Cocktail Camp
Begins June 8, Sundays through August 17
PHOENIX magazine’s Cocktail Camp is a spirited, summer-long series that turns Sunday afternoons into mini-vacations. Hosted at top local venues, each event offers a curated cocktail experience led by expert mixologists and hosted by Editor-in-Chief Craig Outhier. Venues, dates and times at tickets.phoenixmag.com

Scottsdale 4th of July
July 4
Do you love fireworks but hate the heat? Good news: You can watch one of the state’s largest pyrotechnic displays from the cool comfort of your air-conditioned vehicle. You can also enjoy other great family-friendly activities inside WestWorld, including a bull-riding rodeo, mutton busting for children, a dog show, old-fashioned cakewalks and fabulous food. The festivities begin at 5 p.m., and the fireworks start at 9 p.m. Check the website for ticket prices. WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, scottsdale4th.com

Arizona Wedding Show
June 1
There’s no need to trek all over town in the summer heat to plan the perfect wedding when the biggest bridal show in the United States is in Phoenix. With more than 200 vendors in attendance, along with master planner Kim Horn, you can plan everything from your DJ to your honeymoon destination in one spot. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., $12-$15, Phoenix Convention Center – South Building, 33 S. Third St., Phoenix, (602) 418-9089, arizonaweddingshow.com

Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson
June 3
The head of the Hayden Planetarium is likely the only person on the planet who can explain the hyperdrive in “Star Wars.” Join the unofficial sci-fi movie fact checker as he delves into the science behind your favorite movies, including “The Wizard of Oz” and “Mary Poppins.” 7:30 p.m. Check the website for ticket prices. Arizona Financial Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix, (602) 514-2919, livenation.com

Phoenix Fan Fusion
June 6-8
If you’re looking for your fan tribe, you’ll find it here. Comic book artists, voice performers and actors will be available for meet-and-greets and autographs. There will also be gaming sessions, after-dark parties and, of course, cosplay fashion shows. Guests slated to appear include actors Simon Pegg and Ron Perlman. Check the website for the schedule and ticket prices. Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third St., Phoenix, phoenixfanfusion.com
Gatsby Party
June 13
For one night, the bright, precious things of the world don’t have to fade so fast. Embrace the spirit of the Roaring ’ 20s by donning your finest attire and dancing the night away at this party inspired by the renowned F. Scott Fitzgerald novel “The Great Gatsby” (and its 2010 feature film adaptation). 6:30-11 p.m., $175, J&G Steakhouse, 6000 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, (480) 214-8000, jgsteakhousescottsdale.com

Post Malone
June 21
The heavily tattooed rapper, known for his hit, “Sunflower,” recently made a bold move into the country music scene with his latest album, “F-1 Trillion.” This album has been a resounding success, not only earning the artist multiple Grammy Award nominations but also prompting him to embark on a nationwide tour, the aptly named “The BIG ASS Stadium Tour.” 7:30 p.m., Check website for ticket prices, State Farm Stadium, 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, (602) 379-0102, postmalone.com
Alta Vista Garden Club 2025 Garden Tour
June 21
If you have a green thumb and are eager to start planning your outdoor space, head up to Prescott for some inspo. This garden tour will take you to some of the most beautiful landscaping in the area. Additionally, members of the Alta Vista Garden Club will be available to answer your questions, and local artists and musicians will add to the ambiance of each garden setting. 8 a.m.-3 p.m., $21. Visit altavistagardenclub.org for more details and to purchase tickets.


Shakira
June 22-23
After a seven-year hiatus, the celebrated Latin pop singer, known for the hits “She Wolf” and “Whenever, Wherever” triumphantly returns to the stage this summer for her highly anticipated Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran Tour. 7:30 p.m. Check the website for ticket prices. PHX Arena, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, (602) 379-7800, phx-arena.com

Moulin Rouge! The Musical
July 22-Aug. 3
Baz Luhrmann’s award-winning movie musical, set in the 19th century at the renowned titular Paris cabaret, has been transformed into an award-winning stage production. The musical features hit songs that were not included in the 2001 film. Check the website for times and ticket prices. Gammage Auditorium, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe, (480) 965-3434, asugammage.com

Disney Descendants/Zombies Worlds Collide Tour
July 25
If you have tweens in your household, you’re probably quite familiar with the Disney Channel movie franchises “Descendants,” which are musicals centered around the teenage children of Disney villains, and “Zombies,” a series about a star-crossed romance between a zombie and a cheerleader set to a catchy soundtrack. Many of the stars of these films will perform the songs from their respective franchises in an energetic arena show that families can enjoy together. 7 p.m. Check the website for ticket prices. PHX Arena,
201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, (602) 379-7800, phx-arena.com
Galleries + Museums
Life On Mars
June 14-Sept. 14
Inspired by the iconic David Bowie song, this exhibition features brand-new works by Indigenous artists Erika Lynne Hanson and Steven J. Yazzie. These creatives present breathtaking landscapes of our planet through the extraordinary point of view of imagined extraterrestrial life. Wed., Fri.-Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs., 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, 7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale, (480) 874-4666, smoca.org

Funny Business: Photography and Humor
Starting June 14
Comedy is primarily a visual medium, and this exhibition shows how artists throughout history have used photography to capture the absurdity of the world or to simply subvert the seriousness of it. The artists featured include Liz Cohen, Steffi Faircloth, Jeff Mermelstein, Bucky Miller, Reynier Leyva Novo and others. Call for times and ticket prices. Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, (602) 257-1880, phxart.org

Infinite
Opening June 28
More than 50,000 people visited the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art in 2017 to witness Squidsoup’s “Ocean of Light: Submergence,” making it the museum’s most popular exhibit. The British artist collective behind this immersive piece is returning with “Infinite,” an equally captivating installation that envelops visitors in a mesmerizing environment of colorful, glowing orbs that produce enchanting melodies. Wed., Fri.-Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs., 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, 7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale, (480) 874-4666, smoca.org

Interdependent Nature
Ongoing
Shepard Fairey’s prolific work, which spans the worlds of art, fashion design and activism, was showcased in a 2023 exhibition at Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum. His latest mural—and his first in Arizona—adorns the west side of Mesa Arts Center. Titled “Interdependent Nature,” it features symbols and images that serve as a reminder of how we are all braided together. “Peace, health and justice require an understanding that we are all connected parts of a whole,” Fairey says. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa, (480) 644-6500, mesaartscenter.com

Flagstaff Art in the Park
July 4-6
See beautiful works of art under the shade of the pine trees in downtown Flagstaff. More than 80 creatives will display and sell their artwork, one-of-a-kind handcrafted items and jewelry. There will also be live music, food trucks and a beer garden. This is art, elevated. Fri.-Sat., 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun., 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Wheeler Park, 212 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff, flagstaffartinthepark.com

Women of the Southwest: A Legacy of Painting
Through Aug. 24
Fran Elliott, who co-gifted this exhibition, passionately tracked much of the nearly 200 works by the 25 women represented in this collection through their relatives and auction houses. These trailblazing artists transformed Arizona into a haven for the arts with their illustrated book covers, designed dinnerware and curated corporate collections. Wed.-Sun., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Call for ticket prices. Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, 3830 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, (480) 686-9539, scottsdalemuseumwest.org

New Art Arizona
Through July 10
This annual exhibition showcases the latest works from some of Arizona’s most talented new creatives. The artists featured are the recipients of prestigious scholarships awarded by the Arizona Artist Guild, Arizona Clay Association and Arizona Watercolor Association. Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free. Shemer Art Center, 5005 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, (602) 262-4727, shemerartcenter.org

Creatures and Cosmos
June 14-Aug. 16
How do creatives see Earth’s future? Will it be something beautiful or apocalyptic? Artists from around the Valley show their depictions of space, aliens and what awaits our planet in this imaginative sci-fi-themed exhibition. Mon.-Fri.., 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sat., Noon-5 p.m., Vision Gallery, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, visiongallery.org

