Each year, the Peoria, Arizona, area hosts several festivals that you and your whole family will enjoy. From arts festivals to music festivals, you’ll find just what you’re looking for when you attend any of these six festivals and events in Peoria.

All-American Festival

“Fireworks” licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Flickr by jeff_golden

Make every Fourth of July a fun family event when you attend the annual All-American Festival held at the Peoria Sports Complex at 16101 N. 83rd Ave. The event features live music, immersive games, and an impressive fireworks display. The gates for this festive event open at 5 p.m., and parking and entrance are free. You’re allowed to bring in blankets and lawn chairs, as well as personal snacks and bottled water. That said, the organizers prohibit alcohol or anything in a glass container on the premises.

Scattered throughout the event are food and beer concessions so you can stock up on food before the event takes place. If you’d like to keep busy before the music and fireworks show begins, sign up for the challenging Cornhole Tournament, where contestants toss a bag of corn into a small hole. There are prizes, and the winners have the honor of being crowned champions. Top performers will keep everyone entertained until the fireworks display starts at 9:15 p.m. The festival ends at 10 p.m.

Country Thunder Arizona

Head over to the quaint town of Florence in October for the Country Thunder Arizona festival. The festival guarantees four days of top-notch country music from some of the hottest performers around. You can purchase weekend passes to enjoy the entire days of music and events, or get the day tickets when you just want to see your favorite performers.

Weekend passes allow you access to all of the stages, camping area, and general admission area. But with day tickets, you can access only the general admission area and the stage area. To maximize the fun, bring your own camping equipment or RV to spend the night on-site or use the glamping package. This luxurious package lets you sleep in a safari-style tent, with air conditioning and power outlets for electronics.

Kids 10 years and younger can enter the festival for free when accompanied by a paying adult. Besides soaking in music, you can sign up for the annual swing dance competition and enjoy plenty of festival food and beverages. You can find the venue at Canyon Moon Ranch at 20585 E. Water Way in Florence.

Somas Peoria

In September, the city of Peoria holds the annual Somas Peoria event to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. This year, 2021, the event will take place at Old Town Peoria at 83rd and Grand Avenue. Families can see Hispanic dancers, eat traditional foods, shop for arts and crafts, and participate in a kid’s activity zone. There’s always plenty of great entertainment, with and the super band Tower of Power scheduled to perform this fall. 

After a fun day at the Somas Peoria festival, take the family to a plant-based restaurant in Peoria for a healthy and tasty meal.

Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party

Enjoy the cooler fall days over at Queen Creek when you attend the annual Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party. There is something fun for everyone in the family to do at this event — held from October 1st through November 1st — so plan on visiting more than once.

Kids of all ages can enjoy numerous rides such as the train or hayrides. There are roller coasters, zip lines, super slides, and a kiddie Ferris wheel on-site. Other family-friendly activities include corn mazes, mini-golf, a petting zoo, and a museum where you can learn about farm and ranch life. Aspiring farmers can play in the tractor play yard, and everyone can feed the tame deer for a more immersive involvement.

Throughout this month-long event, there are musical reviews, country dances, face painting, and more. You won’t go hungry with several grills serving burgers, pizza, chili dinners, and chicken plates. Also, be sure to try the Southern dish of succotash with squash, peppers, tomatoes, okra, and corn cooked over a large grill giving the vegetable dish loads of flavor. While at the festival, you’ll want to save room for funnel cakes and sweet kettle corn. 

All-day tickets are $23 per person, with discounts for select service members. Schnepf Farms is located at 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road in Queen Creek.

Arizona Highland Games and Gathering

Head to the cool country of Northern Arizona for the thrilling Arizona Highland Games and Gathering. This Scottish cultural event pays homage to Scottish clans and societies. And it takes place July 17 and 18, 2021, in Williams — 750 Airport Rd, Rodeo Grounds. Sponsored by the Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society, this event lets kids and families experience Scottish athletic games like the hammer throw, tossing the caber, shot put, and tug o’ war.

Here, you’ll get to experience authentic Scottish dancing and musicians playing the bagpipes. There are also lots of activities for the kids to participate in, such as finger painting, face painting, and learning Scottish country dance steps. The event has puppeteers, roaming musicians, storytellers, and magicians to delight all ages. You can kick up your heels to live performances by top-notch Scottish bands and fiddlers and, afterward, enjoy a hearty meal of traditional Celtic food.

Coconino County Fair

Labor Day weekend tends to bring hot temperatures to the Peoria area, so head up to Flagstaff to attend the annual Coconino County Fair at Tuthill Park for an outdoor cooldown. The entire family can view farm animals in their makeshift habit, hop on amusement park rides, hear live music, and sample fun fair food. Entrance fees for adults are $8, children five and younger are $5, and little ones under 5 get in free. Parking is $5 for the whole day. Our team at Creme de la Creme of Peoria hopes you and your family enjoyed attending these fun events and festivals. Which one was your favorite? Did the kids have fun? If you can recommend one we may have missed, we would love to know so we can add it to our list.