Arizona’s wine and dine attributes are celebrated during festivals throughout the year. Here are a few that may fit into a meetings schedule.
Year-Round
Food Truck Caravan: Foods from around the world are featured every Saturday when gourmet food trucks converge in downtown Scottsdale. Live music and discounts at nearby shops and art galleries are also offered.
February
Devoured Culinary Classic: The Phoenix Art Museum is the host and location for this event, often sold-out months in advance, featuring award-wining chefs, food producers, winemakers, brewers and other culinary luminaries. Guests enjoy cooking demonstrations as well as the chance to sample artisanal foods and beverages from around Arizona.
March
Arizona Barbecue Festival: Teams of barbecue masters assemble in Scottsdale at Salt River Fields to show off their grilling, braising and smoking skills. Live music and spirits tastings are also part of the festivities.
Great Arizona Beer Festival: Held at Tempe’s Tempe Beach Park, this craft beer tasting extravaganza features over 200 brews from more than 50 breweries, along with live music, food and other entertainment.
April
Scottsdale Culinary Festival: More than 40,000 foodies are drawn to this six-day festival in Scottsdale Civic Park that includes cooking demonstrations and meet-and-greets with celebrity chefs.
Southeast Arizona Wine Growers Festival: Wine from 20 Arizona wineries is the centerpiece of this weekend festival held at Kief-Joshua Vineyards in Elgin, near Tucson. Live music and a cook-off hosted by the Chili Appreciation Society International are also part of the fun.
May and September
Arizona Restaurant Week: Restaurants from around the state create special multicourse, prix-fixe dinners for $30 to $40 per person during this event held twice a year by the Arizona Restaurant Association.
September
Sedona Winefest: This two-day wine festival at Sedona Airport celebrates wine from the Verde Valley, Prescott and Southern Arizona regions. It also includes live music, food, wine education and art exhibitions.
October
Arizona Taco Festival: Along with gourmet tacos from more than 30 local restaurants, this two-day event at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale includes taco-making challenges, Lucha Libre Wrestling, 100 types of tequila, a hot chili pepper eating contest and mariachi music.
