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.
Gilbert ·
The 18th Annual Gilbert Fine Mineral, Gem and Fossil Show runs Saturday, August 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at HD South, 10 South Gilbert Road in the Heritage District. Admission and parking are both free. Also on this month: Gilbert Has Spirit runs August 5 through 31 at the Discovery Centers, a free back-to-school celebration where you can mail a postcard at no cost.
Source: Discover Gilbert
Glendale ·
Three free festivals are lined up in Catlin Court and the Old Towne districts. Teddy Bear Day is Saturday, September 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with bear-themed activities, chocolate decorating, emergency vehicle displays and a charity drive for the Trauma Teddy Program. A Family Fun Festival runs 6 to 10 p.m. in September with live music, food trucks, art vendors and a vintage car show. The Front Porch Festival follows on October 10. Before all that, Summerween is Saturday, August 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Source: Visit Historic Downtown Glendale
Mesa ·
Mesa's July retail review lists Unscripted by Hyatt at The 233 Suites as newly opened downtown, bringing Crust, Bombolino and the Nightingale Speakeasy with it. Blue Corn Cafe, Twisterz and Mesa Padel Club are also recent downtown additions. Pinnacle Brewing and Main Street Market are described as on the horizon, along with an AC Hotel, the 423-unit Edge on Main and a proposed Culdesac development of roughly 1,000 residential units.
Source: Select Mesa
Peoria ·
Project LeanNation is bringing its first Arizona storefront to north Peoria at 9785 W. Happy Valley Road, run by husband-and-wife franchise owners Kyle and Courtney Bridges. The concept pairs chef-prepared meals with one-on-one nutrition coaching and InBody body composition scans, with subscription plans of 12, 18, 24 or 30 meals and roughly 24 rotating options that change every 10 weeks. The owners are working toward an opening pending final city approvals, and no confirmed opening date has been published.
Source: What Now Phoenix
Phoenix ·
Julia Child: A Recipe for Life runs June 20 through September 20, 2026 in the Freeman Gallery on Level 1 of Arizona Science Center. The exhibition traces Child's path from Paris to her cookbook and television show, and includes 124 historical images, 28 period objects, 18 kitchen tools, a replica French Chef studio and a vintage camera station. The Science Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Source: Arizona Science Center
Queen Creek ·
Snooze is listed on Queen Creek's coming soon roster for the northeast corner of Ellsworth Loop and Ocotillo, the same block already lined up for Postino Wine Cafe and Shake Shack. A Homewood Suites is also on the downtown coming soon list. No opening dates have been announced for any of them.
Source: Explore Queen Creek
Scottsdale ·
Night Trip brings deep house, tech house and techno DJs to WestWorld of Scottsdale on August 29 for a full-scale outdoor music festival under the desert night sky. It is one of the larger late-August additions to the Valley calendar.
Source: The Scout Guide Phoenix
Tempe ·
ASU opens its football season against Morgan State on Saturday, September 5 at 5:30 p.m. at Mountain America Stadium. Closer in, Downtown Tempe's August calendar includes the Ravensburger Puzzle Race Mini Tournament at Snakes & Lattes on Sunday, August 9 and again August 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mahjong Mondays at Alter Ego through the end of the month, and Disney Princess Trivia Night at Snakes & Lattes on August 11.
Source: Downtown Tempe
Buckeye ·
Thai Chili 2go lists its Buckeye store at 4475 S. Miller Rd, Suite 101 as 85% complete on the chain's own location page, with the team saying an opening announcement is coming. No opening date has been published yet. The store sits in the 18-acre center at Miller and Broadway roads, whose tenant list also includes Taco Bell, Black Rock Coffee Bar, Barro's Pizza, Swig, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Jersey Mike's and Great Clips.
Source: Thai Chili 2go
Chandler ·
The city's free summer concert series has JD Nash & The Rash of Cash on Friday, August 7 at 7 p.m. and Medio Pinto on Friday, August 14 at 7 p.m. August 14 is a double bill, with Film Friday screening the 1953 War of the Worlds at 6 p.m. beforehand. The city calendar also lists the Water You Doing pop-up on August 15 from noon to 2 p.m.
Source: City of Chandler
Gilbert ·
Goldwater Brewing Co. bought 2.49 acres at 685 S. Gilbert Road for $3.8 million and plans a 7,000-square-foot brewing facility, a 2,000-square-foot taproom and a 2,500-square-foot cold storage warehouse. The site also gets a beer park with family-friendly walking paths and space for farmers markets, live music and festivals, which co-owner Dillon McClelland called a dream concept. Completion is expected in 2026. It would be Goldwater's fourth taproom, joining Scottsdale, East Mesa and South Tempe.
Source: What Now Phoenix
Glendale ·
Westgate Entertainment District's Artisan Alley outdoor market runs Friday, August 21 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., bringing out homegrown makers, creators, artists and independent small businesses. Westgate's August calendar also has free trivia at Dave & Buster's every Wednesday at 7 p.m., free Sunday brunch bingo at Chicken N Pickle from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a back-to-school drive running through August 14.
Source: Westgate Entertainment District
Mesa ·
Amped Fitness announced a 54,000-square-foot location at 445 N. Stapley Dr in Mesa, which the brand says will be its largest to date. The plan includes recovery facilities with cold plunges and infrared saunas, a women-only training space, a tactical training zone, Pilates, body scanning, personal training and a kids club. The company said the official opening date would be announced later, and no date has been published.
Source: PR Newswire
Peoria ·
The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry named Peoria its 2026 Best City for Business, presenting the award at the chamber's annual awards ceremony on June 2 in Phoenix. The chamber pointed to the city's business-friendly climate and processes, its record on business relocation and expansion, and its willingness to work with job creators. Downtown Peoria is the visible version of it, with Caldwell County BBQ open on Washington Street and Jefferson House still to come.
Source: Peoria IndependentPhoenix ·
Kids Day at PhxArt lands Saturday, August 8 at Phoenix Art Museum with interactive art making and live performances. It is one of several indoor options this weekend: the Diamondbacks host the Dodgers at Chase Field Friday through Sunday, the U.S. Gymnastics Championships run Friday through Sunday at Mortgage Matchup Center, and First Friday Art Walk covers more than 70 galleries and venues Friday from 6 to 10 p.m.
Source: Visit PhoenixQueen Creek ·
The Beat the Heat Summer Riding Series is on both Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9 from 6 a.m. to noon at Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre, 20464 E. Riggs Road. Riders use the Chapman Automotive Group Arena, and the early start is the entire point in an Arizona August. The park's summer calendar also carries evening barrel racing and the Queen Creek Feastival on August 15.
Source: Visit Queen CreekScottsdale ·
Scottsdale said on July 30 that initial funding from the voter-supported Parks and Preserve Sales Tax is already visible across city parks through tree planting, recreation improvements and landscape enhancements. Separately, the city is looking for residents to fill 17 openings across 11 advisory boards and commissions, with applications due August 28.
Source: City of ScottsdaleTempe ·
Cat Bunnag and Dan Robinson, the owners of Phoenix Thai restaurant Glai Baan, are turning the Gov. Benjamin B. Moeur House and Hatton Hall near Seventh Street and Myrtle Avenue into a dining destination, with an opening set for 2026. The property previously housed Tempe Community Council offices. The concept has not been revealed; the owners have said only that they want a special place for the community to gather, celebrate and unwind.
Source: KTAR
Buckeye ·
Buckeye has released the draft Buckeye Arts & Culture Plan, the city's first comprehensive roadmap for supporting arts and culture, and is inviting residents, artists, businesses and community organizations to review it. More than 700 residents and community members took part in the planning process through surveys, interviews, focus groups and community events. The public review period stays open through August 15, 2026, and the draft is posted at buckeyeaz.gov/artsplan.
Source: City of BuckeyeChandler ·
Downtown Chandler Cars & Coffee returns Sunday, August 9, from 8 to 11 a.m. at 178 W. Boston St. The free monthly gathering fills downtown with luxury, exotic, classic and specialty vehicles, with coffee, breakfast, shopping and interactive experiences hosted by Downtown Chandler businesses alongside it. It runs the second Sunday of every month.
Source: Downtown ChandlerGilbert ·
Fogo de Chao opened its first Gilbert location on Monday, August 3, at 2134 S. SanTan Village Parkway near SanTan Village. It is the Brazilian steakhouse brand's second Arizona restaurant, joining its Scottsdale location. For its opening week, the restaurant is donating 10% of sales to St. Anne Friends of the Needy, an organization that distributes emergency food boxes to the community.
Source: GlobeNewswireGlendale ·
Arizona Toy Con is back at the Glendale Civic Center on Saturday, August 15, running 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with VIP entrance at 9 a.m., according to organizer Arizona Toy Shows. The collector show fills the hall with vintage and modern toys, action figures, comics, die-cast, cards and collectibles. Check the organizer's site for current ticket details before you go.
Source: Arizona Toy ShowsMesa ·
Gather Mercantile turns its downtown Mesa shop over to fall on Saturday, August 8, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 166 W Main St. The free Haunting at Gather Mercantile open house brings out autumn decor, heirloom pumpkins, Halloween finds and seasonal gifts, and doubles as the shop's fifth anniversary. The first 25 visitors receive complimentary gifts, and raffles run throughout the day.
Source: Downtown Mesa
Peoria ·
The Grant Brothers perform Wednesday, August 5 at 7 p.m. at TheaterWorks in downtown Peoria, part of the city's free August Acoustics series. Phoenix-based brothers Billy and Brian Grant describe their sound as Modern Country Music, Made in the Desert, and have shared stages with Jon Pardi, Old Dominion, Cody Johnson, Parker McCollum and Martina McBride. The show is at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 10580 N. 83rd Drive. Admission is free, but seating is limited and advance reservations are required.
Source: City of Peoria
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