Arizona's Biggest Annual Events That Bring in the Crowds
With gorgeous fall, winter and spring weather, stunning views, and a plethora of fun things to do, Arizona definitely draws in the crowds. So much, in fact, that an entire group of people have even decided to make Arizona their winter escape, to flee multiple feet of snow and sub-zero wind chills (or as Arizonans know them, “snow birds”).
Couple all of the state’s beauty with the hundreds of amazing restaurants, bars, and activities, and you have the makings of an amazing destination spot! This is one of the biggest reasons why some of the premier annual events have chosen Arizona to call home.
Here are a few that Arizona is best known for:
Barrett-Jackson is one of the world’s most well known auction houses, specializing in collectible cars. Although Barrett-Jackson holds events in a number of different states, they’re headquartered in Scottsdale, where the largest Barrett-Jackson auction happens over 9 days. . Held in Westworld of Scottsdale, the event often attracts a number of celebrities (like Justin Bieber, John Elway, and Cuba Gooding Jr., to name a few) and the auction itself is usually surrounded by amazing parties and dinners.
Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale typically has over 325,000 attendees from all over the world.
The Waste Management Phoenix Open is massive, and hosts some of the world’s best golfers every year. The event is held at TPC Scottsdale, one of the world’s premier golf courses, which is owned and operated by the PGA Tour.
On a typical year, the event can bring in around half a million spectators. The Open is also more than just golf itself, with a number of after parties, concerts and bars that keep the drinks flowing.
Country Thunder does a number of concerts throughout the United States and Canada. And every year, Arizona is one of the lucky locations. The concert is well known as a country music lovers paradise, with top musicians performing every year. Past events have included sets by Luke Combs, Eric Church, Dustin Lynch, Ashley McBryde, and many more.
The 4-day concert is held in Florence, and is known for bringing in around 35,000 attendees a day.
For baseball lovers, there’s nothing like an Arizona Spring Training game. With a number of teams that call Arizona their Spring Training headquarters (like the Angels, Padres, Cubs, and our very own Diamondbacks), catching a game is always a blast! The weather is always gorgeous, the energy is contagious, and who doesn’t love a good 7th inning stretch?
Because Spring Training is done in a number of different stadiums (including Peoria Sports Complex, Salt River Fields, Goodyear Ballpark, and Surprise Stadium), it’s easy to catch a ballgame no matter where you’re at in the valley. Making it easy to grab a hotdog, a bag of peanuts, and your entire crew for a fun outdoor outing.
Formerly known as the McDowell Mountain Music Festival, M3F is a nonprofit music festival that benefits a number of Arizona not-for-profit organizations. The three-day festival typically has a fantastic lineup, delicious food trucks, and even a kidzone.
The festival brings in over 20,000 attendees and has been held in downtown Phoenix since 2012.
Whether you’re into music, sports or collectibles, Arizona is one of the best places to go to enjoy the fun and yearly festivities of our many annual events. Never been to any of the ones we mentioned above? Give them a try! The people watching will be superb, and you might be surprised at how much you enjoy trying something new. And more, being a part of some of the biggest events that have helped to put Arizona on the map.
