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2026 Arizona State Fair: Prices, parking, deals and more

The fair runs Thursdays through Sundays until Nov. 1.

Things to Do

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arizona State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/09/20/arizona-state-fair-2024-prices-parking-concerts-rides" data-vars-content-id="0c6d8031-f2eb-4f7d-8a7f-9a493bb5f1a5" data-vars-headline="2026 Arizona State Fair: Prices, parking, deals and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/09/20/arizona-state-fair-2024-prices-parking-concerts-rides" target="_self">Arizona State Fair</a> opened Thursday and continues through Nov. 1.<ul><li>Here&#x27;s what you need to know to make the most of it.</li></ul>

Where in the Valley? 

Where in the Valley can you find this fountain?

News

Welcome to another edition of &quot;Where in the Valley?&quot;How it works: We show you something cool. You tell us where it is.

When to see peak fall colors in Arizona

You might have to wait and drive to get a taste of autumn.

Leaf-peepers, mark your calendars: Fall color is expected across most of the country by mid-October, according to a map on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Explore Fall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.explorefall.com/fall-foliage-map" data-vars-content-id="ce7fd3a5-a2fc-4082-a747-e5c18eac9c47" data-vars-headline="When to see peak fall colors in Arizona" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.explorefall.com/fall-foliage-map" target="_blank">Explore Fall</a>.Zoom in: Peak foliage is expected to sweep south over the next several weeks, though folks in Arizona have a lot of waiting — and some driving — to do before fall colors arrive.

One Camelback is officially open for business

One Camelback&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seven-year development saga" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/03/04/one-camelback-bmo-harris-bank-building-construction-underway" data-vars-content-id="8722dbed-b8ca-4001-9e17-e114085c9a40" data-vars-headline="One Camelback is officially open for business" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/03/04/one-camelback-bmo-harris-bank-building-construction-underway" target="_self">seven-year development saga</a> is officially over and the luxury apartment building&#x27;s first tenants have moved in. Why it matters: The shuttered BMO Harris Bank building was an eyesore for years, standing in disrepair on some of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="central Phoenix&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/07/30/the-whitney-central-phoenix-high-rise-mixed-use-arts-district" data-vars-content-id="8722dbed-b8ca-4001-9e17-e114085c9a40" data-vars-headline="One Camelback is officially open for business" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/07/30/the-whitney-central-phoenix-high-rise-mixed-use-arts-district" target="_self">central Phoenix&#x27;s</a> most prime real estate.

Phoenix's revamped First Friday is kicking off slowly

The city has had many inquiries but only one application in the program's first three weeks.

Only one business submitted an application for Phoenix&#x27;s new vendor program for this month&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="First Friday," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/09/08/phoenix-city-council-vendor-permits-first-fridays-roosevelt-row" data-vars-content-id="315de8a5-c300-446b-bd62-c270a08a4440" data-vars-headline="Phoenix&#x27;s revamped First Friday is kicking off slowly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/09/08/phoenix-city-council-vendor-permits-first-fridays-roosevelt-row" target="_self">First Friday,</a> per the city.Why it matters: It&#x27;s been five months since the city and organizers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ended the street closures and roadside vendor stalls" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/05/01/roosevelt-row-reckoning-first-friday-changes" data-vars-content-id="315de8a5-c300-446b-bd62-c270a08a4440" data-vars-headline="Phoenix&#x27;s revamped First Friday is kicking off slowly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/05/01/roosevelt-row-reckoning-first-friday-changes" target="_self">ended the street closures and roadside vendor stalls</a> that had long been hallmarks of First Friday, in response to a string of &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ugly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXNQd_LEkvo/?img_index=1" data-vars-content-id="315de8a5-c300-446b-bd62-c270a08a4440" data-vars-headline="Phoenix&#x27;s revamped First Friday is kicking off slowly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXNQd_LEkvo/?img_index=1" target="_blank">ugly</a>&quot; and violent incidents.

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Phoenix

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

Axios Social Club is bringing readers together for dinner to Phoenix&#x27;s Arcadia neighborhood on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

Tempe's getting a new weekly farmers market

The market will run most Sunday mornings.

Food and Drink

Tempe City Hall is closed on the weekends, but it&#x27;ll be a hub of activity every Sunday starting this October as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/09/04/tempe-age-demential-friendly-park-kiwanis" data-vars-content-id="180ccd48-47cb-42c3-ab13-96fd641de3de" data-vars-headline="Tempe&#x27;s getting a new weekly farmers market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/09/04/tempe-age-demential-friendly-park-kiwanis" target="_self">the city</a> debuts a new weekly farmers market.Why it matters: The Tempe City Hall Farmers Market — an accurate, if not very creative, name — will give Valley residents another option when looking for locally produced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="food" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/09/02/bite-club-roman-god-of-fire-tempe-review" data-vars-content-id="180ccd48-47cb-42c3-ab13-96fd641de3de" data-vars-headline="Tempe&#x27;s getting a new weekly farmers market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/09/02/bite-club-roman-god-of-fire-tempe-review" target="_self">food</a> and wares.

Phoenix Zoo raises membership prices and changes benefits

Phoenix Zoo members now get 50% off guest tickets but no long have flexible guest option.

It&#x27;s now more expensive to become a member of the Phoenix Zoo.State of play: As of the start of September, the zoo implemented a &quot;modest increase&quot; and new membership benefits, per Rebecca Zandarski, director of donor and member relations.

Tres Leches will close its doors Sunday 

There's one week left to enjoy Tres Leches Café before it closes for good.

Fans of Tres Leches Café have one last week before the popular Mexican coffee shop closes its doors forever. State of play: Tres Leches <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced on social media" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/treslechescafe/posts/pfbid027QvzEbpLJTkkKLYzTjNLJJHVaEpvpsaskJj2XaJheM24P5g2bN9HioVV8RzfkFTml" data-vars-content-id="c212b113-5ba3-4ccf-8c24-6b17c0543145" data-vars-headline="Tres Leches will close its doors Sunday " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/treslechescafe/posts/pfbid027QvzEbpLJTkkKLYzTjNLJJHVaEpvpsaskJj2XaJheM24P5g2bN9HioVV8RzfkFTml" target="_blank">announced on social media</a> over the weekend that Sunday will be the final day of its location at 1302 E. McDowell Road.

Observe the 25th anniversary of 9/11 at these Valley events

Remembrances are planned in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and more.

Guides

Friday marks the 25th anniversary of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sept. 11 terrorist attacks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/11/sept-11-memorial-pentagon-ground-zero-world-trade-center" data-vars-content-id="005903e4-e472-4889-bc04-ce3e6f40c73d" data-vars-headline="Observe the 25th anniversary of 9/11 at these Valley events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/11/sept-11-memorial-pentagon-ground-zero-world-trade-center" target="_self">Sept. 11 terrorist attacks</a> that killed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly 3,000 people" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/27/911-attacks-khalid-sheikh-mohammed-trial-2028" data-vars-content-id="005903e4-e472-4889-bc04-ce3e6f40c73d" data-vars-headline="Observe the 25th anniversary of 9/11 at these Valley events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/27/911-attacks-khalid-sheikh-mohammed-trial-2028" target="_self">nearly 3,000 people</a> and memorial events across the Valley offer residents ample opportunity to reflect.Here&#x27;s a non-exhaustive list of Sept. 11 observances:

Tempe plans dementia-friendly park

The park will have wide paths, landscaping and a fenced area where people can safely walk.

A unique age- and dementia-friendly park is coming to Tempe.Why it matters: Older adults make up 20% of the country&#x27;s population but only 4% of park users, and Arizona has America&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fastest-growing rate of Alzheimer&#x27;s disease" data-vars-click-url="https://www.azfamily.com/2023/08/08/alzheimers-cases-arizona-growing-alarming-rate-more-than-any-other-state/" data-vars-content-id="523711d0-76ff-41e5-8859-5f0b9b3f296d" data-vars-headline="Tempe plans dementia-friendly park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.azfamily.com/2023/08/08/alzheimers-cases-arizona-growing-alarming-rate-more-than-any-other-state/" target="_blank">fastest-growing rate of Alzheimer&#x27;s disease</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tempe.gov/government/community-services/parks/parks-capital-improvements-plan/dementia-age-friendly-park?utm_source=City+of+Tempe&amp;utm_campaign=a9d3393b88-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_09_01_03_49&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-a9d3393b88-61504274#!/" data-vars-content-id="523711d0-76ff-41e5-8859-5f0b9b3f296d" data-vars-headline="Tempe plans dementia-friendly park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tempe.gov/government/community-services/parks/parks-capital-improvements-plan/dementia-age-friendly-park?utm_source=City+of+Tempe&amp;utm_campaign=a9d3393b88-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_09_01_03_49&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-a9d3393b88-61504274#!/" target="_blank">per the city</a>.

There's 1 month left for Flashlight Nights at the Desert Botanical Garden

The popular Desert Botanical Gardens series is extending through September for the first time.

Culture

This summer, nature lovers and the nature-curious have an extra month to check out the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Desert Botanical Garden&#x27;s popular &quot;Flashlight Nights&quot; events" data-vars-click-url="https://dbg.org/summer-garden-after-dark/" data-vars-content-id="21b339da-285c-4d82-9f07-83731825464c" data-vars-headline="There&#x27;s 1 month left for Flashlight Nights at the Desert Botanical Garden" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dbg.org/summer-garden-after-dark/" target="_blank">Desert Botanical Garden&#x27;s popular &quot;Flashlight Nights&quot; events</a>, which will continue to the end of September for the first time since the series began in 1988.Why it matters: As Phoenix temperatures (hopefully) begin to cool down, the weekend events offer a fun, sunburn-free way for kiddos and adults to explore what makes living in the desert so unique.

Things to Do 🗓

Arizona Fall League is here

When to see peak fall colors in Arizona

2026 Arizona State Fair: Prices, parking, deals and more

Phoenix's revamped First Friday is kicking off slowly

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Phoenix