Tempe Festival of the Arts — Attraction in Tempe

Overall I Love this event and have been going for more years than I can count. This year however, I was very disappointed to learn that more than one of my favorite ARTISTS were shut out of booth space for the second year in a row!! I was appalled to see Window Companies and Bathroom Remodeling companies taking up valuable ARTIST space. These people are not 'Artists' !They should be at the Home Shows (4 times a year not 2) not an ART Festival (in my opinion)! How sad that TRUE Artists (some local to AZ) who's livelihood depends on these shows can not get in because NON-Artists are given space (as a sponsor or whatever guise) instead. Some of these Artists have been supporting the Festival since it began! They should be given priority status,...

Over the past several years those curating the festival have successfully edited the scope and variety of artists and craftsmen. To this end the event has become more satisfying and less repetitive. This year I skipped Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I began my Christmas shopping at the festival with a focus on quality vs. quantity. A very successful outing.

Aside from the shopping the location is great. Mill Avenue and the surrounding area lend a welcoming vibe and attract an interesting cross section of people. We take the light rail, this eliminates the hassle of parking and adds to the experience. It also drops you right at the festival entrance. Great way to walk around, enjoy the beautiful weather and absorb the ambiance.

A event...

The Tempe Festival of the Arts is held twice a year in the Mill Avenue District. Hundreds of booths and exhibits, live music performances along with a Festival Jazz Stage, street performers, vendors and so much more. It's one of the best arts festivals in the country. Of course the AZ Wine Festival and the return of The Art of Beer are two things that add even more fun to the festival. It is a family friendly event that features a “Kids Innovation Station” where kids can participate in children’s interactive entertainment and education fun such as painting, hat making and other fun stuff. Check it out, it's always a good time and you can always find some...