Editor's note: This article was last updated on Feb. 19, 2021. Know of an event that we missed? Send us an email.
As Arizona continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent uptick in cases, the pandemic's impact on events in 2021 is already underway. Some events have been canceled entirely, while others have been postponed, transitioned to virtual events, or haven't made an official decision yet.
Most of the events in the Valley -- from food festivals to music festivals to concerts -- have been on hold since March 2020, which is typically the state's peak season for events and tourism.
Here is what we know about upcoming events:
THESE EVENTS ARE STILL BEING PLANNED
Spring Training: The first Spring Training home games are scheduled for February 28 and March 1. Tickets for some teams have already
one on sale, while others go on sale soon. Fans will be allowed inside all stadiums, though at significantly reduced numbers. Other changes to know: masks are required inside the stadiums, tickets are being sold in "pods" of 1-6, bags are not allowed inside most stadiums this year (diaper, medical bags are OK), players will not be signing autographs, and concessions will be reduced and prepackaged.
Spring Training guide: What fans need to know before the games this year in Arizona
Chandler Ostrich Festival: The 2021 Chandler Ostrich Festival has been postponed to the fall due to the ongoing pandemic and restrictions on large events. Dates were not announced. The 2020 festival was postponed to the fall and then canceled because of the pandemic.
Spring NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway: Similar to how the Championship race was hosted in November, a limited number of fans will be allowed inside the gates of Phoenix Raceway to watch the spring NASCAR races, March 12-14, 2021. Season ticket holders will receive priority and some fans with grandstand tickets will be moved to promote social distancing, the racetrack said. Others who've purchased tickets may not be able to have their tickets accommodated due to the restrictions, the racetrack said.
Barrett-Jackson: The Scottsdale-based collector car auction has postponed its Scottsdale event from January to March 20-27 because of the pandemic. In October, Barrett-Jackson held an invite-only auction for bidders, sellers, and cosigners.
The Good Life Festival: The Good Life Festival has been rescheduled from March 2021 to the fall. The festival moved from Encanterra to Schnepf Farms in 2020, but the event was ultimately canceled due to the pandemic.
Country Thunder Arizona 2021: In February, Country Thunder Arizona announced that the four-day music festival would once again be rescheduled for the fall. The new dates are set for October 14-17, 2021. The 2020 festival was postponed to the fall and then ultimately canceled. Luke Combs, Eric Church, Dustin Lynch, and Morgan Wallen are scheduled to headline the festival.
Goodguys Rod & Custom Association Car Show: The FiTech Fuel Injection Spring Nationals are currently scheduled to be held April 16-18 at WestWorld of Scottsdale in Scottsdale.
Thunderbird Artists: It appears that Thunderbird Artists is moving forward with their winter and spring fine art shows, which are mostly held outdoors. Festivals are planned in Carefree, along the Scottsdale Waterfront, and Fountain Hills. Masks are required. A list of COVID-19 safety precaution are posted on their website.
Phoenix Pride: The Phoenix Pride Parade and Festival have both been rescheduled for November 6-7, 2021. The yearly celebration is typically held in the spring, but due to the pandemic, the 2020 festivities were pushed to the fall and ultimately canceled. Phoenix Pride celebrates 40 years in 2021.
THESE EVENTS HAVE BEEN CANCELED
Innings Fest: The baseball-themed food and music festival has canceled its 2021 event, but plans to return in 2022.
Arizona Renaissance Festival: After initially announcing plans to open the festival in 2021, the Arizona Renaissance Festival canceled its event "due to the increasing health and safety concerns related to COVID-19."
Great Canadian Picnic: The Great Canadian Picnic has canceled its event for 2021.
Chinese Culture & Cuisine Festival: The in-person festival has been canceled, but there will be virtual events planned for Phoenix Chinese Week, according to the event's website.
Matsuri Festival of Japan: The in-person festival has been canceled, but virtual events are being planned. Currently, dates are listed for Feb. 27 & 28, 2021.
Devour Phoenix: The in-person food event has been canceled. Instead, Devour will host "Devour at Home," a two-day takeout-only weekend where some of the Valley's top chefs will create special to-go meals. The cost is $200. There will also be some virtual events.
Lost Dutchman Days: Apache Junction has canceled all of its 2021 Lost Dutchman Days events, including the rodeo, parade, carnival, rodeo dance, and entertainment. This event was canceled "due to increasing health and safety concerns related to COVID-19."
Buckeye Air Fair: The City of Buckeye has canceled its yearly air show for 2021. However, planning is already underway to bring the show back in 2022.
Concours in the Hills: Organizers have canceled the 2021 edition of Concourse in the Hills, a car show in Fountain Hills that benefits Phoenix Children's hospital. The event plans to return in 2022.
Street Eats Food Truck Festival: The annual food truck festival has canceled its 2021 event. The event is typically held at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick near Scottsdale.
Phoenix St. Patrick's Day Faire & Parade: The in-person parade and festival have been canceled. However, a virtual festival is being planned for March 13, according to the event's website.
Tempe Empty Bowls: The yearly event raises money for food banks, soup kitchens, and other non-profit organizations that support hunger in the City of Tempe. The 2021 event has been canceled.
Tempe Festival of the Arts: The Spring Tempe Festival of the Arts has been canceled. Both of its 2020 events were also canceled because of the pandemic. A decision on the fall version of the event has not been made.
Tempe Fourth of July Celebration: The City of Tempe and the Kiwanis Club of Tempe announced in February that the 2021 Fourth of July festival would be canceled due to the length of planning required and the uncertainty surrounding what restrictions, if any, would be lifted by the time the festival happened. Organized said a "scaled-down" version of the event was possible, but details have not been released.
Maricopa County Fair: Typically held in the spring at the Arizona State Fairgrounds, organizers announced that the Maricopa County Fair was canceled for 2021. "Although the board and staff felt we could implement all the necessary precautions to present a safe event to our community, the rising case numbers and instability of COVID-19 in our state caused us to take another look at the event," the Association said in a Facebook post.
Parada Del Sol Parade / Trail's End Festival: The 2021 Parada Del Sol Parade and the Trail's End Festival have been canceled. Organizers plan to have both events return in 2022. "The Parada board has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely and agreed that the viability of holding the parade became highly improbable and that the ‘Hats Off to Essential Workers’ theme should be saved until 2022 when this pandemic has been corralled," a news release said.
Arizona Cocktail Weekend: Arizona Cocktail Weekend has been canceled for 2021 due to the pandemic, and organizers are planning to return in 2022. Organizers are, however, planning to host a smaller event (and "aperitif," they called it) in September. Details about that event have not yet been announced.
Scottsdale Arts Festival: The Scottsdale Arts Festival, which typically happens in the spring and features more than 100 artists, has been canceled for 2021. "Due to the continued unknowns and concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Scottsdale Arts has made the difficult decision to not proceed with the 2021 Scottsdale Arts Festival," Scottsdale Arts said in a statement.
McDowell Mountain Music Festival (M3F Fest): Organizers optimistically announced the March dates for the 2021 festival, but did not make any further announcements and ultimately decided to cancel the event due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
