Meet Me On Mill
October 23, 2026
5:00PM - 9:00PM
Where Downtown Tempe’s Story Comes Alive
This one-night community celebration brings Downtown Tempe’s story to life through music, history, local businesses, and experiences found throughout Mill Avenue.
Explore the people, places, and moments that have shaped downtown through guided public art, history, and music tours, local storytelling, and activations from new and longtime businesses. Enjoy free live music across two stages and inside participating businesses, catch buskers along Mill Avenue, and stop into local restaurants, bars, and shops for food and drink offerings along the way.
It’s a chance to rediscover familiar favorites, experience something new, and reconnect with the character, history, and community that make Downtown Tempe what it is. Come be part of the celebration and meet us on Mill!
Explore the Lineup
Live Music Schedule
Hayden Flour Mill Main Stage
Rio Salado Parkway & Mill Ave
5:30 PM: Bad Cactus Brass Band
6:30 PM: Special Presentation honoring The Pistoleros
6:45 PM: Farmer Wilson & Steve Jones
8:00 PM: Haley Green Band
Flower Power Park Main Stage
7th St & Mill Ave
5:00 PM: The Sugar Thieves
6:00 PM: Walt & Friends
7:00 PM: Dean Nelson
8:00 PM: Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra
Live Buskers
Guided & Self-Guided Tours
There’s more to Mill Avenue than meets the eye. Join local experts, artists, historians, and City of Tempe representatives for guided tours and conversations that explore Downtown Tempe’s history, public art, recent changes, and the stories behind the places you pass every day.
We’re collecting early interest to gauge what you're most excited about! Let us know what you would like to explore!
A Journey Through Downtown Tempe’s History
Mill Ave & Rio Salado | 5:00 PM
Step back in time and explore the stories behind some of Downtown Tempe’s most historic buildings on a guided history tour along Mill Avenue. The tour will highlight iconic landmarks and buildings like the Hayden House, Flour Mill, and more!
Along the way, learn about the people, businesses and stories that helped shape Downtown Tempe. While interior access to some buildings may be limited, there is plenty of history to discover both inside and along the streets of Mill Avenue.
Take this self-guided tour right from your phone using, Discover Downtown, our web-based interactive exploration tool! Scan a QR code at the event to start exploring.
Downtown Tempe Public Art Tour
3rd St. & Mill Ave | 5:00 PM
Discover the inspiration, stories, and creative processes behind selected murals, sculptures, and installations across the district. Along the way, you’ll have the exclusive opportunity to meet featured artists Joshua Yazzie and Jacob Butler, both of whom designed artwork for our new transit stop amenities.
Take this self-guided tour right from your phone using, Discover Downtown, our web-based interactive exploration tool! Scan a QR code at the event to start exploring.
Mill Ave Ghost Tour
5th St. & Mill Ave | 6:30, 7:30 & 8:30 PM
Join Mill Ave Ghost Tours LLC. for a FREE 30-minute haunted history tour featuring some of Downtown Tempe’s most paranormally renowned locations. Costumed guides will share strange-but-true stories and local lore behind landmarks like Hayden Flour Mill, Casa Loma and the Andre Building.
What’s New on Mill Avenue
University Dr. & Mill Ave | 5:00 PM
Explore the latest updates along Mill Avenue with representatives from the City of Tempe Sustainability Department. Learn more about the design, features, and improvements found throughout the streetscape—and how the project is helping shape the next chapter of Downtown Tempe.
See What Local Businesses Are Offering
Plan Your Trip
Downtown Tempe offers several nearby parking garages and surface lots within walking distance of shops, restaurants, bars, and experiences throughout the district.
For real-time parking availability, rates, and directions as you arrive, use Tempe TRiP on your phone or desktop.
The most hassle-free way to get to Downtown Tempe is to ride the Valley Metro Light Rail. The Light Rail provides free parking at 13 Park-and-Ride locations, so you can ride the train directly into the Downtown district.
Exit at one of these stations to be dropped off just steps from Downtown Tempe:
- Station A13: Veterans Way & College Ave, at the Tempe Transportation Center, one block east of 5th Street & Mill Ave
- Station A14: Mill Ave & 3rd Street, just outside of Loco Patron
Park & Ride Locations:
- Metro Parkway- 250 spaces
- 19th Ave/Dunlap Avenue – 415 spaces
- 19th Avenue/Montebello Avenue – 794 spaces
- 19th Avenue/Camelback Road – 410 spaces
- 7th Avenue/Camelback Road – 123 spaces
- Central Avenue/Camelback Road – 135 spaces
- 38th Street/Washington Street – 189 spaces
- Dorsey Lane/Apache Boulevard – 190 spaces
- McClintock Road/Apache Boulevard – 300 spaces
- Price - 101 Freeway/Apache Boulevard – 693 spaces
- Sycamore Street/Main Street – 802 spaces
- Mesa Drive/Main St – 448 spaces
- Gilbert Rd/Main St- 250 spaces
Hop on board the Tempe Streetcar and travel to destinations at 14 stops along the 3 mile route. Streetcar operates seven days a week and arrives at stops every 15-20 minutes.
Streetcar Routes, Hours & Fares
Multiple Valley Metro Bus routes continue to serve Downtown Tempe throughout the summer, with service centered around the Tempe Transportation Center near 5th Street and Forest Avenue.
Free neighborhood circulators also provide easy access around Tempe and the ASU area:
- FLASH circulates around the ASU Tempe campus and Downtown area
- ORBIT connects Downtown Tempe to surrounding neighborhoods throughout the city
Some routes or stop locations may be temporarily adjusted during construction activity, so riders are encouraged to check schedules and service alerts before traveling.