March Madness
Where to go and what to do this spring
By Alison Bailin Batz
There is an undeniable energy in the Valley each spring. March, in particular, has a buzz all its own, with engaging experiences and exciting events popping up all over Scottsdale and beyond. Following are some of the biggest, best things to do, savor and see this spring, from new activities to tried-and-true favorites.
Vegas Residency
As part of its Vegas Residency program – offered through April 30 – Gila River Resorts & Casinos is doing it up big with a host of headline acts, over-the-top events, and exclusive packages that prove Nevada doesn’t have the only city that never sleeps. In March, highlights include Chippendales (March 6), Mark Chestnut (March 19), John Waite (March 20), Piff the Magic Dragon (March 27), and showgirls-themed brunches the last weekend of the month. As part of its Vegas Residency program, the hotel is also offering a “You Do You” resort package that includes a daily $100 food and beverage credit for guests to use during stays. www.playatgila.com.
Mixtape Magic
Dust off those leg warmers, tease up that hair and get ready to party like it’s 1985! Child Crisis Arizona is turning up the neon for a night of rad music, righteous fun, and life-changing impact, all to support Arizona’s most vulnerable children. Set for March 21 at JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, the totally tubular gala will boast live music by Rock Lobster, a vintage arcade, glamour shots, Rancher Hat Bar, and dozens of experiential raffles and auction packages from Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Hotel Valley Ho, Brody’s Italian, Onehope Wine, The Mick Brasserie, POV Foods, Hi Noon Hospitality, The Little Daisy, Tommy Bahama, Hermosa Inn, and more. Tickets start at $500. www.childcrisisaz.org.
Japanese Friendship Garden
Rooted in Phoenix’s long-standing Sister City relationship with Himeji, Japan, the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix is a 3.5-acre strolling garden designed collaboratively by master gardeners from both cities. Located within Margaret T. Hance Park, the garden reflects traditional Japanese landscape principles, guiding visitors along a winding path around a central pond with a waterfall and koi fish. Thoughtfully adapted to the Sonoran Desert, the garden features drought-tolerant plant substitutions that mirror Japanese textures and colors, sculpted evergreens, seasonal blossoms, and a traditional tea house. Together, these elements celebrate the enduring bond between Phoenix and Himeji. Tickets start at $14. www.japanesefriendshipgarden.org.
Arizona Tennis Classic
The sixth annual Arizona Tennis Classic returns to Phoenix Country Club March 9 to 15, bringing the state’s only ATP Challenger Tour event to Valley fans. Positioned between the highly anticipated Indian Wells and Miami Open events, the tournament attracts a deep international field, including recent stars Alexander Bublik and defending champion Joao Fonseca. Players will compete for a $300,000 purse and 175 ranking points across three courts, highlighted by an intimate center-court stadium and elevated food and beverage offerings. The nonprofit tournament supports Phoenix Children’s and Serve the Future, having donated over $500,000 since 2019 to local charities. Tickets start at $20. www.arizonatennisclassic.com.
Mimosa & Monet
The lushly landscaped patio of The Hermosa Inn creates the ideal setting for the popular Mimosa & Monet Art Class Series, led by artist-in-residence Carrie Curran. This memorable morning of mimosas and entertaining step-by-step art instruction is designed to inspire everyone from beginners to budding artists as they paint and sip their way to their very own masterpiece. The series of Saturday morning classes are taking place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. through May 2. The spring series will focus on flowers, with March a study in wildflowers, April spotlighting daisies, and May focused on a grand outdoor bouquet. Admission is $120 and inclusive of instruction, supplies, a mimosa, coffee, and pastries. www.hermosainn.com.
The Pemberton
Located in an enclave in Downtown Phoenix, The Pemberton is an immersive outdoor playground designed for adults. This one-of-a-kind concept blends culture, art, music, and dining across a lush, tree-filled landscape. During any given visit, guests can explore 11-plus uniquely themed areas, each with its own bars that feature rotating signature cocktails and bites, a pool, and large-scale art installations from over 100 local artists. Each space transports guests into a different world – notably a sun-drenched Italian beach club, the 1980s New York music scene, an Icelandic village, and a Día De Los Muertos celebration – making every visit a new experience. Admission is free, with food and drinks available for purchase from various vendors. www.thepemberton.com.
Sunday Smokeout
This month, Sundays are going up in smoke, but in the best possible way. Every Sunday in March, Adobe Bar & Grill at Arizona Biltmore Golf Club is hosting a patio party for the ages with its Sunday Smokeout. Starting every Sunday at 3 p.m., these laid-back events – set against sweeping golf course views – feature chef-driven barbeque specialties smoked on Traeger Grills, Bulleit Bourbon cocktails, and live music on the lawn. Menus vary, but guests can expect to enjoy St. Louis spareribs with bourbon honey glaze, pulled pork sandwiches, Adobe-rubbed tri-tip, vegan-friendly options and craveable sides and desserts, with to-go dishes available as well. Admission is free; food and drinks available for purchase. www.azbiltmoregc.com.
We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort Celebrity Wine & Spirits Festival
Returning to Scottsdale Civic Center on March 21, the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort Celebrity Wine & Spirits Festival offers a rare opportunity to sip, savor and purchase celebrity-owned wines and spirits while mingling with their creators. Guests can enjoy up to 10 tastings from more than 40 brands, alongside curated seminars and presentations. Celebrity guests include Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Neil Giraldo, Yellowstone star Ryan Bingham, celebrity sommelier Erik Segelbaum, former WWE stars Brie and Nikki Garcia, NBA All-Star Tom Chambers, LPGA champion Cristie Kerr, and virtual appearances by former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe and actor Woody Harrelson. VIP tickets offer exclusive presentations, a VIP lounge and more. Tickets start at $85. www.scottsdalearts.org.
Arizona Food Tour
Founded in 2009, Arizona Food Tour is led by locals in the know, both about the region and the area’s rising culinary scene. They currently have five Scottsdale-based tours from which to choose, including A Taste of Old Town, which is a three-hour walking tour with multiple food tastings and two alcoholic beverage pairings at four to five local hotspots; and the Scottsdale Sunset Dinner Tour, a progressive four-course dinner and walking tour with beverage pairings at each stop. While venues are ever-changing, longtime partners for both tours include The Mission, EVO, AZ88, The Wine Collective, and Beginner’s Luck. Private tours and wine tours are also available. Tickets start at $89. www.arizonafoodtours.com.
Revel Surf
Reimagining desert recreation, Mesa’s Revel Surf brings surf culture inland with its cutting-edge wave park and all-day beach club energy. Powered by customizable wave technology, the surf lagoon accommodates everyone from first timers learning to experienced riders carving advanced breaks. Off the water, the experience continues with poolside cabanas, coastal-inspired dining, craft cocktails, and live music that encourage guests to linger long after their session ends. The sprawling sun-soaked setting channels an effortless vacation vibe, making it just as appealing for spectators and socializers as it is for surfers. It is an easy, unexpected way to catch ocean energy without ever leaving the Valley. Prices vary by date, group, age, and package type. www.revelsurf.com.
Six The Musical
History will get a high-voltage remix when Six takes the stage at ASU Gammage March 17 to 22. This global sensation transforms the six wives of Henry VIII into modern-day pop icons, each delivering powerhouse numbers inspired by today’s chart-topping divas. The result is a fast-paced 80-minute spectacle packed with humor, heart and unapologetic girl power. The winner of 23 major theater awards, including the Tony Award for Best Original Score, Six has become a must-see for both Broadway devotees and first-time theatergoers. With infectious energy and nonstop crowd interaction, it is less history lesson and more pop concert with a crown. Ticket prices vary. www.asugammage.com.
Spring Training
Spring in the Valley means one thing: Cactus League baseball. Now through March 24, more than a dozen Major League Baseball teams will play daily across 10 intimate ballparks, creating an unmatched fan experience. The close-up seating, relaxed atmosphere, and sunshine-filled afternoons make it easy to watch future stars and seasoned veterans alike. Standout spots include Scottsdale Stadium, home of the San Francisco Giants and the epic VIP Charro Lodge experience, and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. Beyond the action on the field, fans can enjoy grassy lawns, food vendors and the unmistakable buzz of spring training season. Tickets vary by date and game. www.cactusleague.com.
Cocina Latina
Hands-on, heartfelt and rooted in tradition, T. Cook’s at Royal Palms Resort & Spa invites guests into the kitchen for an immersive culinary experience via its Cocina Latina cooking class. This interactive culinary series, held every Friday in March at 12:30 p.m., spotlights classic tamale making. Guided by a chef, participants learn each step of the process, from preparing masa to filling, wrapping, and understanding regional variations. The class is designed to be social and approachable, emphasizing how tamales bring families together across generations. After the lesson, attendees are welcomed into the dining room to enjoy their finished products. This is one class in a regular series of cooking workshops, in which themes change regularly. Tickets start at $55. www.royalpalmshotel.com.
Wines for Wildlife
Sip, savor and support conservation during Wines for Wildlife, taking place March 7 at Phoenix Zoo. Hosted after hours by the Zoo’s Auxiliary, the evening pairs philanthropy with pleasure as guests enjoy standout pours from DA Vines Vineyard, a boutique producer in Northern Arizona known for small-lot bottlings crafted with an emphasis on sustainability and expressive varietals. Each tasting is complemented by thoughtfully prepared bites, while the atmosphere comes alive with rare, up-close encounters with ambassador animals, from reptiles and birds to charming small mammals. Twilight strolls through the zoo add an extra sense of magic, creating an experience that feels equal parts elegant and unexpected. Tickets start at $175. www.phoenixzoo.rg.
Tempe Boat Cruisin’
A fresh way to play on the water arrives this spring with Tempe Boat Cruisin’, a new social cruise experience recently launched at Tempe Town Lake. Created by the founder of Arizona Party Bike, the concept introduces custom cycle boats that blend sightseeing, music, and group fun into one unforgettable outing. Each fully captained vessel accommodates up to 26 guests, with optional pedal stations that let riders help power the boat, alongside a quiet electric motor for easy cruising. Guests can book two-hour cruises for celebrations, team-building events, sunset outings, or casual afternoons with friends. Cruises start at $699. for groups www.tempeboatcruisin.com.
Scottsdale Art Week
Luxury and creativity converge when Scottsdale Art Week presented by Scottsdale Ferrari takes over WestWorld of Scottsdale March 19 to 22. Featuring more than 110 galleries from across the U.S. and around the world, the event will offer a curated mix of historical and contemporary works while honoring the Southwest’s artistic legacy shaped by figures such as Georgia O’Keeffe and Frank Lloyd Wright, alongside works by contemporary Indigenous artists. Opening night will launch the celebration with a preview featuring pop-up restaurants, live entertainment, a Veuve Clicquot bubbles bar, wearable art fashion show and a sculpture garden. Throughout the week, the expansive North Hall will become a refined playground for collectors and culture lovers alike. Tickets start at $50. www.scottsdaleartweek.com.
Desert Dog Offroad Adventures
For nearly 30 years, Desert Dog Offroad Adventures has delivered high-octane fun in the heart of the Sonoran Desert with guided ATV and UTV sand buggy tours designed for both thrill-seekers and first-timers. Running daily excursions, the experience includes action-packed two-hour rides through rocky terrain, sandy washes, winding canyons, and seasonal water crossings. Expert guides lead the way while sharing insight into desert flora, saguaros, and wildlife like Gila monsters, bobcats, and burrowing owls. Tours feature high-powered two-seat buggies, sunset departures, and optional VIP upgrades with private vehicles and custom start times. It is an unforgettable way to explore the desert at full throttle. Two-person buggy rides, $299. www.azadventures.com.
Seth Myers Stand-up
Late-night laughs will take center stage when Seth Meyers brings his sharp stand-up to Talking Stick Resort March 14. Well-known as the Emmy Award-winning host of NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers, Meyers blends political satire, personal storytelling, and quick-witted observations that have made him a favorite far beyond the desk. Before late night, he spent 13 seasons on Saturday Night Live, serving as head writer and anchoring Weekend Update. His live shows pull from acclaimed stand-up specials, pop culture riffs, and relatable takes on family life. Expect an evening that feels intimate, smart, and laugh-out-loud funny from one of comedy’s most trusted voices. Tickets start at $50. www.talkingstickresort.com.