As July settles over the Phoenix region, the desert sun blazes high, often sending temperatures
soaring past 110°F—but life here never wilts under the heat. Instead, the Valley comes alive
with creative ways to keep spirits cool and adventures thriving. Families drift down the Salt
River on bright inner tubes, shaded by canyon walls and cooled by splashing water, while early
risers conquer scenic trails in Flagstaff and Sedona before the midday sun reigns. As twilight
descends, rooftops and resort pools transform into lively escapes: from the Summer Sips +
Dips Pool Party in Chandler to the Sip & Splash cocktail competition at Andaz Scottsdale,
where chilled drinks and cool breezes offer sweet relief. Evenings pulse with music and
celebration—Fitz and the Tantrums bring retro pop to Talking Stick Resort, and festival lights
shimmer at the Maricopa County Home & Landscape Show.
Across the Valley, July’s nights promise spectacle and tradition, none greater than
Independence Day. Cities sparkle with grand fireworks displays: the Fabulous Phoenix
4th’s massive show at Steele Indian School Park, Mesa’s Arizona Celebration of Freedom,
Tempe’s stadium fireworks, and lakeside reflections at Fountain Hills’ Fourth at the Fountain.
Art lovers stroll museum galleries cooled by stone walls, savoring Keith Haring’s bold lines
at Phoenix Art Museum or the intricate jewelry of the Basha Family Collection at the Heard.
Day trips to Flagstaff’s alpine forests or Oak Creek Canyon’s winding roads offer a leafy
escape, while the city itself buzzes with farmers markets, comedy shows, and late-night
dining. Beneath the brilliant Arizona sky, July becomes a season not just to endure, but to
celebrate—a testament to the Valley’s vibrant heart that beats strongest when the desert
heat is at its peak.
July
Calendar
Photography by: StillFX
Celebrate Independence Day across the Valley with
dazzling fireworks and family fun! In downtown
Phoenix, the Fabulous Phoenix 4th at Steele Indian
School Park offers live music, a car show, and a
massive 9:30 p.m. fireworks display, while Mesa’s
Arizona Celebration of Freedom lights up downtown
with a patriotic program, beer garden, and fireworks
at the same time. Over in Tempe, the July 4th Celebration
at Tempe Diablo Stadium features games, food
vendors, and a stadium-style show around 9:30
p.m. For an earlier spark, head to Avondale’s Light
Up the Sky at Phoenix Raceway, where fireworks
begin at 8:25 p.m. after live music and kids’ activities.
Glendale’s Fireworks Fest at Westgate offers live
entertainment, a splash zone, and fireworks at
9:00 p.m., while Peoria’s All-American Festival at
Peoria Sports Complex combines tribute concerts
and family zones before fireworks at 9:10 p.m. Finally,
Fountain Hills hosts Fourth at the Fountain, a relaxed
lakeside gathering with picnics and a 9:00 p.m.
fireworks show reflecting over the water. Whether
you want a big city bash, stadium seating, or a
lakeside view, there’s a perfect spot to watch the
sky sparkle this Fourth of July!
⁄ 10
DTPR JULY THROUGH AUGUST 2025 / CALENDAR