Sponsorships & Contributions
Our community events create a sense of place, an opportunity to create family memories and engage with local businesses. Each year, our 25+ programmed days/events bring close to 500,000 people to Downtown Tempe.
Our programming is designed to engage our residents and visitors with the downtown and create a sense of belonging. We curate programs so that there is something for everyone ... families, retirees, young professionals, all cultures, races and gender identities. We need your support to make this happen.
Our Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 Event & Activation Sponsorship Opportunities will open in mid-June 2025.
Fill out the Sponsorship Inquiry Form to submit your interest in sponsoring our events or activations and we will contact you in June 2025.
Signature Events
Tempe Festival of the Arts
Fall 2025 Festival December 5-7, 2025
Spring 2026 Festival is March 13-15, 2026
The Tempe Festival of the Arts brings over 350 juried and working artists to our community for us to support and learn from. The event showcases local youth artists, Emerging Arizona artists, local musicians and small businesses who are enriching our worlds through their commitment to creation and innovation.
WHY should you support this? Because communities need long-running cultural events to create a sense of place and creation fuels our souls. This is about the connectivity to people who put their passion into their lives and then graciously share it with us. It's about honoring that together and instilling a love for culture in the next generation of Tempe residents.
Fantasy of Lights
For decades, families have come to the two unique Fantasy of Lights events.
We kick off the holiday season on Saturday, November 29, 2025 with the Fantasy of Lights Street Parade & Tree Lighting which is an evening street parade that circles Downtown Tempe and ends at Centerpoint with our 35 foot holiday tree. Over 20,000 people join in on the festivity.
Two weeks later on December 13, 2025 we do something that only we can do - a Boat Parade - on Tempe Town Lake. The boat parade features up to 50 decked out boats motoring in procession around Tempe Town Lake, followed by fireworks. At Tempe Beach Park, you'll find close to 20,000 people enjoying a stage for live music, a holiday market, a beer & wine garden, food vendors, local artisans, and more making it a great way to spend an evening with your family.
WHY Support the holiday events? Because tradition is important. Generations have attended these parades with their children. There is no better place to see hundreds of children with a look of wonderment. Your support keeps these events free for our entire community.
Tempe Blooms
The last weekend in January 2026 will feature the 3rd Annual Tempe Blooms event. Stroll the flower-filled district and delight in awe-inspiring real flower installations, witness muralists painting stunning works of art, visit a flowerful market, enjoy live music, and all enhancing the experience with floral-inspired specials from Downtown Tempe businesses. In 2025, we hosted close to 82,000 people downtown for this flowerful event.
WHY Support Tempe Blooms? Because it is important to support the 68% of independent businesses in downtown Tempe as well as the artists and musicians that are a part of creating this showcase of downtown Tempe. Your support keeps this event free for our entire community.
Community Events
2nd Sundays on Mill
The 2nd Sunday of November, January, February and April from 10am to 3pm features an outdoor artisan/makers market, live music and entertainment, snack vendors, and plenty of fun for the whole family. The outdoor market lines Mill Avenue between 3rd St. and University, and features homemade goods and gifts from Arizona local artisans, crafters, and makers. The event is FREE admission, family-friendly, and dog friendly.
Downtown Tempe Pride Party
June is Pride Month in downtown Tempe and we kick the month off with our Pride Party in Centerpoint Plaza with music and dancing under the stars, a silent disco, drag performances, beer & wine garden, snack vendors, artists and more!
Downtown Tempe Juneteenth Block Party
The Juneteenth Block Party in mid-June welcomes all ages to join in the celebration under the banner of Freedom of Expression, commemorating the strides made in the ongoing quest for racial equality and justice. Art, music, spoken word and other entertainment, along with a beer & wine garden, and food vendors top off the evening.
WHY support our community events?
Because it is important to support the 68% of independent businesses in downtown Tempe as well as the artists, makers, entertainers and musicians that are working on their craft and starting their own businesses. These events provide the opportunity to showcase these creatives and support downtown brick & mortar businesses at the same time. Your support keeps these events free for our entire community.
Fill out the Sponsorship Inquiry Form to submit your interest in sponsoring our events and activations.
Thank you to all of our event sponsors because we can't showcase our community gatherings without you!
Contact Lori Foster, Lori@downtowntempe.com