Things to Do in Arizona - May 2026

Hello Friends! ☀️🌵


Here is the newsletter:  Things to Do in Arizona - May 2026..


I hope that this email finds you well and that you will be able to enjoy some of these activities even as our weather is warming up.  With the warmer weather, there are still plenty of things to do both in town as well as loads of good reasons to get out of town!


Here are some fun things to do in May in Arizona - I think there is something for everyone: you can enjoy great Arizona restaurants, sip on some Arizona-grown wines and celebrate Cinco de Mayo! ! I hope that you will find something that is perfect for you.



Real Estate Update 🏡

Quick shameless plug—if you or someone you know is thinking about buying or selling a home, I’m here to help! With 35+ years of real estate experience, I work with everyone from first-time homebuyers to seasoned investors. Feel free to reach out with any real estate questions—I’d love to chat!


Join the Fun Online! 🎉

Our "Things to Do in Arizona" Facebook Group is growing, and we’d love for you to be part of it! Members share events, recommendations, and hidden gems across the state. It’s a great way to discover new places and connect with fellow Arizona adventurers. Click here to join!


I love getting feedback, so please let me know if you enjoyed any of these activities or if there are others that you think I should include.  Have a great May!!



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 Event dates, times and locations are subject to change. Some events require tickets or may charge fees for attendance. Please check with event organizers before attending.

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Ongoing - Walk With Wildlife Tours - Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center - Scottsdale - Here at the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center, we offer multiple tour options. From our everyday Walk With Wildlife Tours, to our Full Moon Experience, we have something for everyone. Whether you're an Arizona resident or visiting over the holidays, we offer year-round tours at many times throughout the day. These tours all offer a slightly different experience, all while learning about our amazing native Arizona wildlife. These guided tours offer you an up-close view of our permanent sanctuary residents along with a guided story of how they arrived at our center. 

Space is limited - plan ahead and book your tour today! If all dates are full, make sure to join our waitlist. If a cancellation occurs and a spot opens, you will be automatically notified and given the opportunity to sign up. 

These guided tours last up to two hours and are not ideal for children under the age of five. If you're looking for a family friendly Arizona activity with young children, we recommend checking out our Southwest Wildlife Family Day. 



***Ongoing to May 10th, 2026 - FRAMERATE: Desert Pulse – See the Sonoran Desert Like Never Before - Phoenix - Desert Botanical Garden - Thousands of stunning images. Five monumental video installations. One transformative experience.


FRAMERATE: Desert Pulse by ScanLAB Projects is a groundbreaking multi-sensory art exhibit that captures the visual and emotional essence of Arizona's iconic Sonoran Desert. Using cutting-edge photography, LiDAR scanning technology, motion, and sound, this immersive installation reveals our desert landscape in extraordinary new ways.

Whether you're a longtime desert dweller or a nature enthusiast, this exhibit will deepen your connection to and appreciation for the vibrant ecosystem we call home.

If you love the Sonoran Desert, this is a must-see event! https://dbg.org/desertpulse/




*** Ongoing to May 10th - Spring Butterfly Exhibit - Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix - Hundreds of butterflies native to the Southwest are waiting to greet you at the Garden’s Spring Butterfly Exhibit. Get an up-close look at painted ladies, zebra longwings and more, with new butterflies added to the exhibit weekly. Plus, don’t miss the caterpillar nursery and emergence chamber to see hungry caterpillars and watch butterflies emerge from their chrysalises.  Included with paid admission - https://dbg.org/events/majestic-mariposas-7/2026-05-11/ or https://www.dbg.org/events/spring-butterfly-exhibit






May 1st - Artlink First Friday Phoenix - Downtown Phoenix - Enjoy the spirit and culture of downtown Phoenix as you mingle with thousands of other residents and visitors. Tour art galleries, venues, and related spaces from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. every First Friday of the month. (Note: each art space has their own hours.) There is even a First Friday Trolley to help you get around!   Free. https://artlinkphx.org/firstfridays/


May 1st - First Friday Artwalk – Flagstaff- Downtown Flagstaff.  This is one of Northern Arizona’s premier arts events.  On the first Friday of each month the art galleries and businesses of downtown Flagstaff stay open from 4-8pm.  There are special arts exhibits, live music and more.  https://downtownflagstaff.org/events/first-friday-art-walk




May 1st - First Friday in the Galleries - Sedona - On the 1st Friday of each month, from 5:00 - 8:00 pm, members of the Sedona Gallery Association offer a unique monthly showcase highlighting artists, special exhibits, and art events. These special art receptions give locals and Sedona visitors alike the opportunity to enjoy light refreshments while beginning their weekends with an exploration of Sedona’s exciting art scene. https://sedonamonthly.com/events/1st-friday-in-the-galleries-2/



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Didn’t find anything of interest for this week – Check out the Facebook page Things to do in Arizona for even more ideas and updates.

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May 2nd - Cinco de Mayo Fiesta – Tlaquepaque, Sedona.  This colorful Fiesta salutes a rich heritage as it kicks off the festival season with Cinco de Mayo. Admission is free and everyone is invited! Enjoy the pulsating sounds, savory flavors, and colorful dances of Mexico in a fun-filled South of the Border bash. 

Family fun doesn’t get any better with activities all day long, including traditional high-energy Spanish flamenco dances to roaring applause and a get-up-and-dance Latin music. For the kids, there will be an arts and crafts table and line up for the most imaginative and fun face painting you have ever seen.  11 am – 5 pm, 928-282-4838 or https://sedonamonthly.com/events/cinco-de-mayo-celebration-2/




May 3rd –  33rd Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival - Washington Street, Phoenix – Are you looking for  a Cinco de Mayo Festival that is less about partying and more about traditions?  Then you will want to head to downtown Phoenix to celebrate the rich Mexican heritage.  This is Arizona’s largest Cinco de Mayo festival!!  You will be able to enjoy music by none other than Sheila E and the E Train, Tierra Legacy, The Midniters and more !!  There will also be  ballet floklorico dancers, wrestlers and plenty of opportunities to eat some great Mexican food.  Admission $15.00.  Noon to 10pm Sunday  602 279-4669  www.cincophx.com




May 3rd  - Chandler Symphony Orchestra Concert  - Chandler Center for the Arts - This is a great opportunity to bring the whole family to enjoy beautiful classical music for free (Donations appreciated)!!  This all-American composers concert celebrates our nation's Sesquicentennial. Programmed are Chris Pilsner's A Light in the Ocean, Gershwin's An American in Paris, Copeland's Quiet City and Omar Thomas's Come Sunday. Join us as we honor America's milestone birthday!   Free but a donation is suggested..   3 pm,  Seating is on a first come first serve basis. https://chandlercenter.org/ 




May 3rd - Arizona Authors Book Festival - Downtown Phoenix - 

 40+ local authors, free books for the first 1,000 kids, crafts, story time, and free valet parking at Warehouse 215 (215 E Grant Street). A great family Sunday — 10am to 3pm. Every spin on the raffle wheel wins something.    https://azauthorbookfestival.com/




May 6th - May 9th - Southwest Wings Birding Spring Fling 2024 - Sierra Vista - Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival is Arizona’s oldest birding festival. Since 1991 we’ve been offering small group trips through monsoons and droughts…and even a global pandemic.​


The Southwest Wings Spring Fling will run from Wednesday, May 6, to Saturday, May 9, 2026, with an early bird check-in and welcome pre-festival Jamboree on Tuesday May 5 from 3 - 5pm at The Mall at Sierra Vista, 2200 El Mercado Loop, Sierra Vista.   Spring Fling 2026 will be mainly Group Van Field Trips to more distant and less accessible locations with a small number of small car-caravan style guided field trips in participants' own vehicles. https://www.swwings.org/spring-fling-2026



May 7th - 10th - 48th Annual Prescott Valley Days - A Star Spangled Celebration America 250- Prescott Valley - Prescott Valley Days will be held May 7th-10th in the Entertainment District.  Included in the weekend long events are a Talent Show, Bear Dash 5K Run, Cosplay, Parade, entertainment, food trucks, vendors and more!  

For more information visit http://www.pvchamber.org/prescott-valley-days or call the Chamber at 928-772-8857




May 9th - Verde Valley Wine Festival - Riverfront Park, Cottonwood.   The Verde Valley Wine Festival, Northern Arizona’s foremost wine and culinary festival, is returning on May 9th. People come from around the region and beyond to the City of Cottonwood, known as “The Heart of Arizona Wine Country” to sample the best wines the region has to offer.  Organizers anticipate more than 20 Arizona wineries to participate. There will be live music, General admission tickets are $20 online. $25 at the door. Includes commemorative glass and 6 tasting tickets.  https://verdevalleywinefestival.com/




May 15th through May 24th - Arizona Spring Restaurant Week  Restaurants throughout Arizona.   Take advantage of restaurant week pricing on a three course pre-fixe meal (excluding tax and gratuity).  This is a great opportunity to check out some new restaurants!  http://www.arizonarestaurantweek.com


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  •  If there is an event that you think that we should know about email me at David@OnlineArizonaHomes.com or visit our Facebook page and post a comment.

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May 16th - America 250 Celebration at Patagonia Lake– Patagonia Lake State Park, Patagonia Lake State Park is marking America's 250th anniversary with a community celebration on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The day features live mariachi and folklorico performances, food trucks ranging from fry bread and street tacos to sushi, a kids' piñata activity, and wines from the Village of Elgin Wineries. Come for the food, stay for the music. 10am - 4pm https://azstateparks.com/patagonia-lake/events/america250-celebration-at-patagonia-lake




May 16th - Bubble Bash - Tempe Market Place - On Saturday, May 16th, Tempe Marketplace, will host a foamy fun event – Bubble Bash! Enjoy interactive bubble stations, get sudsy with an overflowing foam zone at The Splash Pad and enjoy live entertainment, games and giveaways.  Free - 11am - 1pm  https://tempemarketplace.com/


 

May 22nd -  4th Friday Art Walk  Prescott - 15 galleries stay open late and offer food, musical entertainment, artist receptions and painting demonstrations, http://www.artthe4th.com



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May 23rd  through May 24th -  Annual Pine-Strawberry Arts & Crafts Festival  Pine - Pine Community Center  75+ arts & crafts booths, featuring stained glass, jewelry, wood items, pottery, baby items, artwork, cards, copper items, Fire Dept. pancake breakfast, raffle for three quilts, children’s activities, food, Free, 928-476-6537 or http://www.rimcountrychamber.com  or http://www.pinestrawhs.org




May 23rd  through May 24th - Annual Wyatt Earp Days -Tombstone.  Celebrate the life and times of the Old West’s most famous lawman in “the town too tough to die,” with costumed entertainers, BBQ, stagecoach rides, free,  https://discovertombstone.com/event/annual-wyatt-earp-days/




May 23rd through May 25th – 52nd Annual Phippen Museum Western Art Show and Sale  - Prescott – Located on the grounds of the historic courthouse, this annual event features some of the best Western art in the country. Saturday and Sunday 9am – 5pm, Monday 9am – 3pm.  928 778-1385. Or   https://phippenartmuseum.org/event/annual-western-art-show-sale/



May 29th - May 30th - Holbrook Route 66 Car Show and Festival - Gillespie Park, Holbrook - The event will feature vendors, the Little Miss Route 66 Pageant, a chili-making competition, cornhole, a Power Wheels balloon derby, a beer garden, live bands, and a pie-eating competition.  $17.00 9am - 4pm  https://carcruisefinder.com/car-show/gunslinger-car-show-festival/



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Didn’t find anything of interest for this week? For even more ideas and updates…  join our 64,000+ member group.

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If there is an event that you think we should know about, email me at David@OnlineArizonaHomes.com



That’s a wrap, friends! 🎉


But don’t worry—the fun doesn’t stop here! Be sure to join our  "Things to Do in Arizona Group" , where you can see even more awesome events as they pop up, jump in, share your own finds, browse what others have discovered👍✨


And, if you or someone you know needs help buying or selling a home, I’m always here! 🏡 Give me a call at 602-763-6363 or send me an email at David@OnlineArizonaHomes.com—I’d love to help!!


Wishing you a fantastic May full of fun and adventure!


Cheers,


David 🌵☀️



📞 Call me at 602-763-6363
📧 Email: David@OnlineArizonaHomes.com


P.S. Spread the adventure! If friends or family want in on these monthly discoveries, just send them my way.


David Thomas, Realtor®


ABR, ePro, CDPE, SFR (Short Sale and Foreclosure Certification)
HomeSmart Elite Group
602-763-6363

David@OnlineArizonaHomes.com
www.OnlineArizonaHomes.com