Things to do in Phoenix this weekend, Nov. 12 to 15
Two days of pizza on Third Street
By Lou P. and the Phoenix Loop editors. Thursday, November 12, 2026
The Phoenix Pizza Festival takes over PHX Fest on Saturday and Sunday. Before that, Friday brings chiles and chocolate to the Desert Botanical Garden, and Southwest Shakespeare opens Amadeus on Saturday. If you want something louder, Todd Rundgren and Gary Numan both play Thursday night.
IF YOU ONLY DO ONE THING
Phoenix Pizza Festival 2026
The Phoenix Pizza Festival runs Saturday and Sunday at PHX Fest, 1202 N. 3rd St.
The 11th annual pizza fest at Hance Park brings vendors with slices, full pies and pizza-inspired creations, plus desserts, local bands, lawn games and kids' activities. Tickets are general admission, food costs extra, and none are sold at the gate.
Saturday at 4 pm · PHX Fest, 1202 N. 3rd St, Phoenix, Arizona 85004, United States, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, United States
WITH KIDSbring them
Powwow Performance with Etsitty Dance Group
Sunday at 12 pm
Children's Museum of Phoenix, 215 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85034
The Etsitty Dance Group performs Powwow dance in the museum Atrium, joined by a local drum group. A chance for families to learn about Native American culture through the dance and its traditions.
Guest Chef Alana Yazzie and the Blue Corn Kitchen
Friday at 11 am
Children's Museum of Phoenix, 215 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85034
Chef and author Alana Yazzie talks about the cultural importance of blue corn and how it shows up in traditional and modern recipes. Kids get a free copy of her cookbook, The Blue Corn Kitchen. Two sessions, 12 children each, with registration at the front desk.
OUTSIDEfresh air
Chiles & Chocolate Festival
Friday at 11 am; also Sat 11 am, Sun 11 am
Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ, 85008
A three-day weekend of chiles and chocolate at the Garden, with a vendor market of chocolate, hot sauce, honey, tamales and more. Live music from Radio Nomad adds to it, and evening music runs 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Music in the Garden: Trailside Tunes
Friday at 5:30 pm; also Sat 5:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm
Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ, 85008
Live music at three spots around the Garden, so you can wander the paths and listen as you go. It's included with general admission or membership.
THE WEIRD ONE with Lou P.
Recycled Book Crafts: Book Turkey
Tempe Public Library will help you turn a book into a turkey on Sunday afternoon.
Sunday at 2 pm · Tempe Public Library
DATE NIGHTfor two
Southwest Shakespeare Company SSC Amadeus
Saturday to Nov. 29
Anita Cox-Farnsworth Studio Theater, 1 East Main Street, Mesa, Arizona, 85201
Für Elise: The Story of a Masterpiece
Saturday at 7:30 pm
ASU Kerr, 6505 E. Osborn Rd., No. 117, Scottsdale, AZ, 85251
A play by Kenneth LaFave, directed by Herb Paine, chasing the mystery of who the Elise behind Beethoven's famous piano piece really was. LaFave offers two possibilities for an answer scholars have never settled.
MusicaNova String Ensemble
Friday at 5:30 pm
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
MusicaNova's string ensemble plays a chamber concert at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. The group is led by founder and music director Warren Cohen, and it's known for pairing lesser-known composers with familiar names.
BRING A TOTEmarkets and sales
Fall Book Sale
Friday
Civic Center Library, 3839 N Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, USA
A lobby full of gently used books at bargain prices, from bestselling novels and classics to cookbooks, biographies and children's favorites. The sale runs two days, with something for every age.
BIG SHOWSyou've heard of these
- THU 7:30 PMTodd Rundgren, Celebrity Theatre
- THU 8 PMGary Numan, The Showroom at Wild Horse Pass Resort & Casino
- FRI 6 PMHondo Rodeo Fest - Round One feat Tim McGraw, Chase Field
PLAN AHEAD
WHAT DID WE MISS?
We do our best to read every calendar in Phoenix, and we still miss good stuff. The church supper, the band at the corner bar, the block party your neighbor is throwing. If you know about something, tell us. Just write hello@loopcities.com. We read every note.
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