Upcoming Summer Events 2026

It is a special year with America turning 250 and there will be several events across the Valley to celebrate the occasion! 

Mesa:

Eastmark’s Happy Birthday USA

• When: Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
• Location: Eastmark
• Activities:  A top notch firework show AND we are hosting our annual watermelon eating contest, open to all ages. Whether you are there to watch the sky light up or compete for the title, there is something for everyone on the 4th.
• Cost: FREE!
•  Other fun facts: If you live in Eastmark, be on the lookout for a link in the neighborhood Facebook page to get signed up for the Watermelon Eating Contest!

Arizona Celebration of Freedom 2026

• When: Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm
• Location: Mesa Convention Center & Mesa Amphitheater - 263 N. Center St Mesa, AZ
• Activities: food, patriotic displays/activities, car show, and fireworks! A drone show will help conclude  the evening celebration around 9:00pm and fireworks will be launched around 9:30pm. Check out the Historic Flags of the U.S. exhibit, the Patriotic Superhero Stunt Show, picnic games, and the America 250 Birthday Celebration in the Mesa Amphitheater where the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Arizona Band will be performing stating at 7:00pm. Beer, soda, and water will be available for purchase as well as an array of food at the All American Food Court area.
• Cost: FREE!
• Other fun facts: re-entry is allowed but a bag search will be conducted each time; backpacks, purses, and coolers are permitted, as well as chairs, blankets, and food. Park anywhere in the Downtown Mesa area. Check the website for entertainment schedules and more info!

Gilbert:

Gilbert 4^th of July Celebration

• When: Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 5:00pm to 9:30pm
• Location: Gilbert Regional Park – 3005 E. Queen Creek Road Gilbert, AZ 85298 – Amphitheater and Great Lawn
• Activities: live performances by a DJ and cover band, drone show and a fireworks show – fireworks are scheduled to start around 8:50pm. A variety of food, drink, and dessert trucks will be on-site for purchase.
• Cost: Free for General Admission
  • Optional upgrade to VIP Experience for $40⁺⁺/person – includes premier seating near the stage, a complimentary ticket for a BBQ meal, shaded areas, inflatable water slide and games, alcohol for sale in VIP section only, and VIP bathrooms. Tickets to not include parking or seating – bring your own chairs or blankets.
  • Family bundles for the VIP Experience are also available for $140⁺⁺ for 4 and $180⁺⁺ for a 6 pack.
• Other fun facts: The entire Gilbert Regional Park will close at 10:00pm on July 3 through July 4^th at 5:00pm to set up for the event. On-site parking is available for $20 a car and opens right at 5:00pm – no cash accepted on site. Permitted items are lawn chairs and blankets, bug spray, sunscreen, water, non-alcoholic beverages, and food (no glass).
  

Chandler:

Chandler’s All-American Bash

• When: Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 7:00pm to 9:30pm
• Location: Dr. AJ Chandler Park – Stage Plaza – 178 Commonwealth Ave. Chandler, AZ
• Activities: live music, yard games, food vendors, raffle prizes, and more! Featuring a 15-minute pyrotechnic show as a part of the concert beginning at 8:15pm
• Cost: FREE!
• Other fun facts: you are permitted to bring in food, non-alcoholic drinks, coolers, canopies, lawn chairs, and blankets. Free parking is available throughout Downtown Chandler. Be advised Commonwealth Ave will be closed July 3-6 and Arizona Place from Boston Street to Buffalo Street will be closed to vehicular traffic on July 4.

Queen Creek:

Queen Creek’s Hometown 4^th at Schnepf Farms

• When: Saturday, July 4, 2026 – gates open at 2:00pm
• Location: Schnepf Farms
• Activities: celebrating America’s 250^th birthday with food trucks, craft vendors, a concert stage, rides, water inflatables, and fireworks! There will be hot dogs, hamburgers, lemonade, snow cones, and more from local vendors.
• Cost: General Admission is $21 per person (children 2 and under are free) – GA includes admission to the event and free parking, access to shops, food trucks, seating areas, rides, music and the fireworks display.
  • All American VIP Pass - $149 per person (children 2 and under are free) – includes everything from GA plus private parking lot, a catered BBQ dinner, unlimited water and soda, a private bar, air-conditioned barn access, front row fireworks viewing and more!
• Other fun facts: feel free to bring your own chairs, blankets, bags, strollers and coolers (sealed water bottles only).

Scottsdale:

Scottsdale’s 13^th Annual 4^th of July Celebration

• When: Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm
• Location: Westworld Scottsdale - 16601 N. Pima Road Scottsdale, AZ
• Activities: Featuring a rodeo with bull-riding and mutton busting for kids, a History of Scottsdale exhibit, a slider burger eating contest, musical chairs, cake walks, BBQ meals, and a water balloon toss championship.
  • To end the evening, a fireworks display will kick off at 9pm, with the event concluding after that.
• Cost: prices start at $50 per adult and $30 per child for all you can eat BBQ and indoor access down to $25 per person for indoor access only and $40 per car for fireworks only tickets. More information about what is included in each tier can be found online.
• Other fun facts: this is a cashless event (parking, tickets, and food will all be available via card payments).

Tempe:

Tempe 4^th of July

• When: Saturday, July 4^, 2026 from 4:00pm to 11:00pm
• Location: Tempe Beach Park - 80 W Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, AZ
• Activities: live music, food trucks, kids zone, VIP lounges, and fireworks over Tempe Town Lake
• Cost: children’s tickets are $5⁺⁺ and General Admission is $10⁺⁺ online. General Admission includes access to the event space, food vendors, bars, activities, and the GA fireworks viewing areas. VIP Lawn tickets include a shaded lounge area and closer stage views for $25⁺⁺. The VIP Pavilion is $100⁺⁺ and includes 2 complimentary drink tickets, access to cool zone, private VIP bar, lounge seating and prime fireworks viewing area.

Phoenix:

38^th Annual Fabulous Phoenix 4^th

• When: Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm
• Location: Steele Indian School Park at 3^rd Street and Indian School Road
• Activities: Live music at 2 featured stages, a kids zone with inflatables, water slides, and games, a teen zone with inflatables, a dance floor, and yard games, a Veterans Village reserved area for Veterans and their families and a car show. The fireworks show will start at 9:40pm
• Cost: FREE!
• Other fun facts: backpacks, bags, coolers and sealed waters are permitted as well as shade devices

Flagstaff: 

Downtown Flagstaff 4^th of July Parade and Celebration

• When: Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 9:00am to 11:00am
• Location: Historic Downtown Flagstaff
• Activities: watch patriotic floats travel down the downtown Flagstaff streets.
• Cost: FREE!
• Other fun facts: The parade kicks off Flagstaff’s day of 4^th of July fun, with Art in the Park running from July 3 to 5 in Wheeler Park – where you can see the talents of local artist vendors and live music.
  • Then check out A Flag Fourth, the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra’s annual celebration that features a family-friendly, free patriotic concert at Pepsi Amphitheater. Doors open at 2pm and the concert begins at 3pm.
  • Don’t miss more patriotic fun at Foxglenn Park starting at 4:00pm with bounce houses, food trucks, live music, and games. The event will conclude with an Independence Day drone show, starting at 9:00pm in East Flagstaff.