Outdoor Movie
Many shopping and entertainment venues here in Phoenix offer FREE entertainment, movies, live music, and other events to help the whole family enjoy their visit. With our lovely winter weather, people enjoy staying outside even in February and March. Bringing the partner or family out to relax in one of these upscale environments is a great way to get out of the house without breaking the bank.
The venues below offer free movies and live music throughout the year. After a nice walk in a park, you can bring your family here and relax on the lawn or in their comfortable patio furniture. Listen to talented musicians, or enjoy a family favorite movie. Schedules below are subject to change.
Arizona Center
Centrally located in downtown, the Arizona Center is a great spot to visit after spending time seeing some of the other downtown attractions.
- Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at 6:30 pm: Dirty Dancing (Also, specialty vendors will be on site with warm dinner and specialty treats including popcorn!)
Desert Ridge Marketplace
Desert Ridge Marketplace in north Phoenix has a family movie night every other Thursday. They have ample places to sit and enjoy the outdoors, with fireplaces, patio umbrellas, and splashpads for the kids.
Movies start at 6:30 pm near the Barnes & Noble. For more information, click here.
- Thursday, March 7, 2019, 6:30 pm: To be announced
- Thursday, March 21, 2019, 6:30 pm: To be announced
They also have live music on Fridays and Saturdays, from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Splashpad and 7 pm to 10 pm on the District Stage. Here are some upcoming shows:
- Friday, February 22, 2019: Cliffside Push (big band with horns), and M Squared (adult contemporary)
- Saturday, February 23, 2019: Cosmic Shindig (party music), and Dakota Villanueva (singer songwriter)
- Friday, March 1, 2019: The Killer Vibes (rock) and Janelle Loes (singer songwriter)
- Saturday, March 2, 2019: Come Back Buddy (classic 50s rock) and Martin Daniel (Uruguayan singer songwriter, influenced by The Beatles and Ed Sheeran)
- Friday, March 8, 2019: The Illumin80’s (Guess! Okay, it’s an 80s cover band. You guessed!) and The Serena Nicole Band (indie alternative)
- Saturday, March 9, 2019: Vinyl Nova (Roots, rock, covers, and original)
- More information
Biltmore Fashion Park
Another great place to take the family is Biltmore Fashion Park, near the famous Arizona Biltmore Hotel on East Camelback. They’re showing movies every Saturday evening in February.
Movies start at 6 pm at the Center Lawn.
- Saturday, February 23, 2019, 6 pm: Back to the Future
- For more information, click here.
They also have music every Sunday afternoon and some Saturdays, on the Center Lawn, featuring NEON! and Rock Lobster
- Saturday, February 23, 2019, noon to 3 pm, Rock Lobster
- Sunday, February 24, 2019, 2 pm to 5 pm, NEON!
- For more information, click here.
Scottsdale Civic Center Mall
Sunday A’Fair at Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, presented by Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, has become a staple event since it began more than 30 years ago, transforming the park into a space that picnickers and art aficionados alike enjoy, and providing music lovers with an opportunity to hear the best Arizona-based artists for a relaxing afternoon of great entertainment. A pop-up arts market and fun activities for children and families will change each Sunday, making no two A’Fairs the same.
Bring a blanket and sit on the lawn to enjoy great food, friends, and free live music performances. Check out the delicious food from the grill, gourmet desserts, beer and wine, and non-alcoholic offerings for purchase, or bring your own picnic to the park.
- Sunday, February 24, 2019, noon to 4 pm, La Gran Fiesta – A Celebration of Latin and Hispanic Culture
- Sunday, March 3, 2019, noon to 4 pm, Dirty Sunset, then Pride Through Strife
- Sunday, March 17, 2019, noon to 4 pm, Paul Carroll (Dublin-born wandering musician), then Stilicho (traditional Irish and American music)
- Sunday, March 24, 2019, noon to 4 pm, Danielle Durack, then Blaine Long & Rosas del Ray
- Sunday, March 31, noon to 4 pm, La Luz de la Luna, then Jaleo
- Sunday, April 7, 2019, noon to 4 pm, Tessa Karrys, then Nolan McKelvey & Muskellunge
- For details about performers, click here
If you’re over in the East Valley, or looking for a reason to spend an afternoon at Tempe Town Lake and then have something else to do, Tempe Marketplace is your perfect spot. There are comfortable places to sit, fire pits, and FREE live music Fridays and Saturdays from 7 pm to 10 pm, and even sometimes in the middle of the week. It’s easy to get to, right off the 202 near the 101.
- Friday, March 1, 2019: The Serena Nicolle Band (indie alternative)
- Saturday, March 2, 2019: Ratio (funk, soul, R&B)
- Friday, March 8, 2019: People Who Could Fly (india alternative, pop)
- Saturday, March 9, 2019: Latino Rebel Band (reggae, classic rock, blues)
- Wednesday, March 13, 2019: FREE Bad Suns show at 7 pm
- Friday, March 15 2019: Frosty & the Silver Tones (rockabilly, blues, swing)
- For more upcoming shows and information about the performers, click here
OdySea in the Desert
You know the OdySea as the surprising desert aquarium, but they also offer FREE outdoor movies. Go experience “Movies in the Desert” presented by Cox, a free family event with music, games, and tons of prizes beginning at 5:00 pm. The movie will start at 6:30 p.m., but be sure to get there early to get a seat. There are also plenty of options to get something to eat. For more information, click here.
- Saturday, March 9, 2019, 6:30 pm, UP
- Saturday, April 13, 2019, 6:30 pm, Ralph Breaks the Internet
- Saturday, May 11, 2019, 6:30 pm, Little Mermaid
They also have other free and inexpensive fun family events, like:
FREE Family Fit Fest -Spring is a great time to start to be more active after spending more time than you might like, cooped up inside, because we didn’t think to buy warm enough coats for this crazy Phoenix weather we’re having. (Maybe that is only in my house?)
OdySea has a fun way to get you and the family going again, with a dance party, fitness demos, face painting, and more .
- Sunday, March 17, 2019, 10 am to 4 pm
Family Spring Festival – This event will have BMX performances, bouncy houses, slides, balloon artists, and more. The BMX will have super heroes like Captain America showing off their tricks, and a live band will be center stage.
- Sunday, March 24, 2019, noon to 4 pm
FREE Bug Fest – This is their 3rd annual event and will include all things that make bugs fun, like cockroach races, insect petting zoos, and everyone’s favorite: bug tasting. (This could be the difference between surviving the apocalypse, or not. Don’t knock it until you literally try it.)
- Sunday, March 31, 2019, 10 am to 2 pm
Artisan Fest – Grab a bite to eat and browse nearly 30 local vendors and artists as you enjoy the delightful sounds of Triad Trio. If you missed these lovely musicians last event, now is your chance to experience a concert like you’ve never seen before. Their FREE Kid’s Art Zone will be hosted by The Vision Gallery, where they will be re-purposing plastic bags to make some super cool jellyfish. Feel free to bring your own bags and come make it the very best Saturday.
- Saturday, February 23, 2019, 8 am to 5 pm
- Saturdays in March and April, 10 am to 2 pm
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