The weather in the Valley is currently sitting in that "perfect" window—the kind where people in Chicago want to throw rocks at us through their phone screens. If you're looking for things to do, you're in luck. This particular mid-January stretch is basically the Super Bowl of local lifestyle events. Whether you’re a gearhead, a runner, or someone who just wants to drink wine in a historic mansion, the lineup of events in Phoenix AZ this weekend is actually a bit overwhelming.
Honestly, most people just default to a hike at Camelback or a brunch in Old Town. Don't do that. You’ve got world-class auctions, literal marathons, and a Viking-themed symphony happening all at once.
The Big Ones: Cars and Marathons
Let’s talk about WestWorld first. The Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction officially kicks off its 2026 season this Saturday, January 17. If you think this is just for guys in Hawaiian shirts bidding on 1960s Mustangs, you haven't been lately. It’s an "automotive lifestyle event" now. Basically, it's a massive carnival with engines. Saturday is actually "Family Day" and features a STEMfest with interactive displays from Honeywell. If you want to see the 1,800+ cars before they get sold and disappear into private garages, Saturday is the day to wander the tents.
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Then there’s the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Running Series. It’s taking over the streets of Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe on Saturday and Sunday.
Look, if you aren't running, you need to check the road closures. Seriously.
The 5K and 10K happen Saturday in Tempe, but the big Half Marathon is Sunday morning. It’s loud, there are bands on every corner, and it usually ends with a massive party at Tempe Beach Park. It’s one of those rare events where the spectators actually seem to have as much fun as the people sweating their souls out on the asphalt.
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Music and Culture You Actually Care About
If the smell of gasoline or the thought of a 13-mile run makes you want to nap, the indoor scene is surprisingly dense.
- Sudan Archives at Crescent Ballroom: This is a big one for Saturday night. Brittney Parks is a virtuoso violinist who mixes R&B and experimental pop. She’s touring her 2025 album The BPM, and her live show is legendary for being high-energy.
- How to Train Your Dragon in Concert: The Phoenix Symphony is doing something cool at Symphony Hall. They play the entire film score live while the movie screens. It’s happening both Saturday and Sunday. It’s the kind of thing that sounds "for kids" until you hear a 60-piece orchestra hit those John Powell soaring themes.
- Festivin at Wrigley Mansion: If you want to feel fancy, the Wrigley Mansion is doing a European-style winter wine festival. It runs through Sunday. It’s pricey, but drinking wine on that hill overlooking the city is hard to beat.
The Local "Secret" List
Sometimes you just want to walk around and buy stuff that isn't from a big-box store.
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Saturday is packed with community markets. There’s the Mesa Winter Marketplace for Kids at Superstition Springs and the Gilbert Saturday Art Walk at Water Tower Plaza. These are great if you’re trying to avoid the massive crowds at the car auctions. Also, for the sports fans who don't care about the Suns or Cardinals for a minute, Grand Canyon University is hosting #23 Utah State on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. It's the first time these two have ever met on the court. GCU’s student section (the Havocs) makes that arena feel like a European soccer stadium. It’s loud. It’s chaotic. It’s worth the ticket.
Why This Weekend Matters More Than Usual
We get a lot of "nice" weekends in Phoenix, but January is special. The "Winter Fine Art Festival" in Carefree is also running this weekend with about 150 artists. It’s a bit of a drive if you’re in the East Valley, but the desert scenery up there is peak Arizona right now.
Keep in mind that Monday is MLK Day. City offices are closed, but most of these events keep rolling. If you’re planning on attending the events in Phoenix AZ this weekend, the biggest mistake you can make is not checking the traffic. Between the marathon closures in Tempe and the Barrett-Jackson crowds in North Scottsdale, the Loop 101 and the surface streets around Mill Avenue are going to be a nightmare.
Actionable Strategy for the Weekend
- Check the Rock 'n' Roll Arizona course map before you leave your house. If you live in Tempe or South Scottsdale, you might be "trapped" in your neighborhood on Sunday morning.
- Buy Barrett-Jackson tickets online. The box office line on the first Saturday is a joke. Also, wear comfortable shoes; those tents are much larger than they look on TV.
- Hit the Symphony Hall early. Downtown parking is a mess when there’s a show at the Orpheum and Symphony Hall simultaneously. Use the Light Rail if you can.
- Visit the Arizona Balloon Classic in Chandler. It’s running Friday through Sunday. The "Glow" events in the evening are usually the highlight, provided the wind behaves.
Stay hydrated, even if it's 70 degrees. The desert sun doesn't care that it's January.