The Valley Now archive
746 dated briefs from across the Phoenix Valley. Older stories preserve what was reported at the time; opening details can change.
Mesa ·
The Mesa events calendar lists A.J. Croce's Croce Plays Croce on Sept. 16, Leslie Jones on Sept. 19, My Hero Academia in Concert on Sept. 27 and Ghostbusters in Concert with a live orchestra on Sept. 30, all at Mesa Arts Center. Chris Tomlin is listed at Mesa Amphitheatre on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. with free admission. Confirm at the venue before you go.
Source: Best in Mesa
Peoria ·
Potbelly opened at 24645 N. Lake Pleasant Parkway, Suite 104 on Tuesday, Aug. 4. It is the brand's second shop in Peoria and third in the West Valley, owned and operated by local franchisee Adam Warda of the Warda Group. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The grand opening ran Friday, Aug. 7 with giveaways and a spin-the-wheel game.
Source: QSR Magazine via Yahoo
Phoenix ·
Sahara Coffee opened in July at 610 E. Bell Road, Suite 106 in north Phoenix. Phoenix New Times included it in its August roundup of the most exciting new restaurants now open across the Valley, alongside openings in Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler and Tempe.
Source: Phoenix New Times
Queen Creek ·
The town's events calendar lists the Beat the Heat Summer Riding Series at Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre on Aug. 22 and 23, Aug. 29 and 30, and Sept. 6. BR Diamond Spur's 5D Summer Nights barrel racing runs there Aug. 22 and Aug. 29. Queen Creek Feastival food trucks return to Ellsworth Loop and Aldecoa Drive on Aug. 21 and 28 and Sept. 4, and Chill at the Mill happy hour specials run at the Olive Mill through Sept. 7.
Source: Visit Queen Creek
Scottsdale ·
Experience Scottsdale's calendar lists a Fall League Baseball Exhibit at Scottsdale Stadium running Oct. 3 through Nov. 15, built around historic memorabilia and significant moments from the league. The same calendar has the Arabian National Breeder Finals at WestWorld Sept. 16 to 19 and the AZQHA Arizona Fall Championship Sept. 23 to 27.
Source: Experience Scottsdale
Tempe ·
Downtown Tempe's events calendar lists Phantom of the Opera at ASU Gammage from Sept. 16 through Oct. 4 with 7:30 p.m. curtains. Before that, the Tempe Healing Field goes up at Tempe Beach Park Sept. 10 through 13, and ASU opens its football season against Morgan State at Mountain America Stadium on Sept. 5 at 5:30 p.m.
Source: Downtown Tempe
Buckeye ·
Hope Weaver, 4, took first place in the Tiny Miss division at the All-American Girl Pageant, held in Las Vegas on July 17. "It's been amazing to see her blossom," her mother Savannah told InBuckeye.
Source: InBuckeye
Chandler ·
Fabletics reopens Thursday, Aug. 27 at Chandler Fashion Center with nearly twice the square footage after an expansion. Two other tenants opened earlier this month: Garage held its grand opening Aug. 8 with free in-store embroidery and mystery gift cards, and Johnny Rockets opened Aug. 8 and 9 in the food court as its first Southeast Valley location.
Source: AZ Big Media
Gilbert ·
The Brazilian steakhouse opened Monday, Aug. 3 at 2134 S. SanTan Village Parkway, near SanTan Village. It is the chain's second location in Arizona.
Source: GlobeNewswire
Glendale ·
Cowboys at Cardinals kicks off at 7 p.m. Saturday at State Farm Stadium, per the Westgate Entertainment District calendar. The night before, Artisan Alley returns to Fountain Park from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free. Free trivia runs Wednesday night at Dave & Buster's.
Source: Westgate Entertainment District
Mesa ·
Krazy Cajun Seafood & Hibachi is taking a space at Superstition Springs Center, 6555 E. Southern Ave., Suite B44. It will be the concept's third Arizona location, joining restaurants in Phoenix and Tempe. The menu spans hibachi chicken, steak and shrimp plus Cajun-style seafood. An opening date has not yet been announced.
Source: What Now PhoenixPhoenix ·
The Sleepy Whale is open at 100 E. Camelback Road, Suite 160, in Uptown Plaza. It is the second Valley location of the Chandler beer bar, pouring hard-to-find craft brews alongside a menu that mixes barbecue and bar staples. The new outpost took over two former tenants at the historic plaza and plans to host live music.
Source: Phoenix New TimesQueen Creek ·
Queen Creek Feastival runs Friday, Aug. 21 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Ellsworth Loop at Aldecoa Drive, between the QT and the Queen Creek Fire Department. The town's events calendar lists it again on Friday, Aug. 28 at the same time and place.
Source: Visit Queen CreekScottsdale ·
Fulton Homes' The West's Most Western Rodeo runs Sept. 11 to 13 at WestWorld of Scottsdale, according to the city's official events calendar. WestWorld follows it with the Arabian National Breeder Finals Sept. 16 to 19 and the AZQHA Arizona Fall Championship Sept. 23 to 27.
Source: Experience Scottsdale
Tempe ·
Tempe Marketplace has four tenants on the way: KUIU, opening its first retail store in Arizona this summer with what the center calls an immersive in-store experience, plus Coach, Tommy Hilfiger and Glo Tanning in late 2026. Carhartt has already opened a 6,000 square foot space there, its first standalone retail location in the Phoenix metro.
Source: ABC15
Chandler ·
Chicha San Chen is open at 3305 W. Chandler Blvd., serving oolong and bubble teas with the base, flavor, toppings and sugar level all up to you. No food, just tea. Its green tea with passion fruit blend has taken the Diamond Taste Award from the Brussels-based International Taste Institute seven years running. Owners Philip and Rosa Chang praised the brand's consistency “from store to store.”
Source: SanTan Sun News
Gilbert ·
Harvest in the Heritage District returns Friday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 1. The centerpiece is The Great Gilbert Gourd Hunt, with “all-new immersive art experiences shaped by the whimsical imagination of renowned pumpkin artist Ray Villafane.” Fall concerts, paranormal film screenings, live pumpkin carving demos and seasonal food specials are also on the bill, with details still to come.
Source: Discover Gilbert
Glendale ·
Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, E-40 and Too Short share the bill at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale on Aug. 28. It is a big two weeks in the neighborhood: the Cardinals host the Cowboys in preseason at State Farm Stadium on Aug. 22, and KAROL G plays the stadium Aug. 29.
Source: Visit PhoenixMesa ·
Boeing is planning a 267,761 square foot fabrication center on 38 vacant acres north of McDowell Road and east of Greenfield Road, building carbon parts for Apache AH-64E helicopters. It would run 130 workers per shift, two shifts a day, up to 500 employees across both buildings. Mesa's Design Review Board signed off in a study session; the Planning and Zoning Board has final approval.
Source: Queen Creek TribunePeoria ·
WalletHub ranked Peoria No. 23 among the happiest cities in America for 2026, one of six Arizona cities in the top 30 alongside Scottsdale, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe and Mesa. The study weighed more than 180 major U.S. cities on “29 key indicators of happiness,” grouped into emotional and physical well-being, income and employment, and community and environment.
Source: AZ Big MediaPhoenix ·
Downtown Phoenix runs three nights deep next weekend. Mt. Joy plays Arizona Financial Theatre on Aug. 22, Tori Amos takes the same stage Aug. 23, and ZAYN plays Mortgage Matchup Center on Aug. 24. The Mercury also host the Dream on Aug. 22, and the D-backs are home against the Reds Aug. 21 to 23.
Source: Visit PhoenixQueen Creek ·
The Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce is running its Restaurant Week from Aug. 17 through Aug. 23, with 25 venues taking part. Participating spots are offering “specials, limited-time menu items, prix fixe meals, discounts, and other exclusive offers.” The Chamber says the week is a chance to “try a new restaurant, revisit a favorite local spot, and support the businesses that play an important role in Queen Creek's economy.”
Source: Queen Creek TribuneScottsdale ·
WalletHub put Scottsdale at No. 3 on its 2026 list of the happiest cities in America, comparing more than 180 major U.S. cities across “29 key indicators of happiness, including depression rates, income growth, and average daily leisure time.” Six Arizona cities made the top 30, and Scottsdale is the highest of them.
Source: AZ Big Media
Surprise ·
MovingPlace's mid-year report put Surprise ZIP code 85387 at No. 6 nationally among the hottest moving destinations, at 99.5 moves per capita in the first half of 2026. The study looked at more than 5 million moves and found relocation demand “continues to favor fast-growing suburban communities and lifestyle-driven destinations rather than traditional urban cores.”
Source: AZ Big Media
