11 First Friday Events You Might Not Know About

In 1994, Artlink began promoting the monthly First Fridays art walk, which has grown to become one of the largest monthly art walks in the United States. Over 30 years later, Artlink invites the local community to join in celebrating this monthly tradition by exploring a curated ‘Artinerary’ of arts and culture First Friday events, which has evolved into something that far surpasses the Roosevelt street closure.

Visit the arts and culture calendar to find a current schedule of exhibitions and events for First and Third Fridays, or download the Artinerary app to plan your route, find events, and map your First Friday adventure.

Wind down your week with a tranquil stroll through the Downtown’s natural urban oasis, the Japanese Friendship Garden, located just steps away from Roosevelt Row. JFG offers free/pay as you wish admission on the first Friday of each month, inviting the local community to transport to scenic Japan for an evening of peace and serenity.

Every first Friday of the month from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Free admission. For more information, click here.

Head to the Arizona Center on first Fridays for free pop-up concepts and activations for the whole family. Watch local artists participate in a live painting event curated by Adrian Garcia, shop local businesses and food vendors at the outdoor night market, enjoy creative + kid-friendly activities like the community mural, and more.

Every first Friday of the month from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Free to attend. 2-hour parking validation available. For more information, click here.

If you always wanted to experience a traditional Irish seisiún, this is your chance to join in on the fun. First Fridays at the Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library include two free offerings for the community to enjoy:

Slow Session (6:00 p.m. to 7pm) invites musicians to get a feel for what playing at a session includes, and attendees will be taught typical session songs at a slower pace. 

Seisiún (7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) hosted by Four Peaks Irish Arts, musicians will fill the cottage with music and fun.

Every first Friday of the month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Free admission. For more information, click here.

See and be seen at PhxArt First Friday! With free general admission, you can experience access to in-gallery sketching, live music from a resident DJ, unique books and resources at the library pop-up, delicious food and drinks from local vendors, and docent-led art tours.

Every first Friday of the month from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Free general admission. For more information, click here.

Enjoy free, outdoor performances featuring diverse and eclectic music, performances, projection and visual art, interactive activities and food and drink specials. Every month is themed and features a local non-profit organization. Inside the theater, you can also explore art galleries and local vendors.

Every first Friday of the month from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Free to attend. For more information and to view the performance schedule, click here.

Watch Downtown’s historic Grand Avenue come to life every first and third Friday of the month with numerous immersive arts & culture activations throughout the neighborhood, offering a vibrant variety of fun and creative activities. Choose your Friday adventure, with everything from art galleries to karaoke, live music, shopping from local vendors, food trucks, and more.

Every first and third Friday of the month at multiple locations on Grand Ave. For more information, click here.

FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel and its onsite gallery, FOUND:RE Contemporary, are cant-miss stops for an immersive First Friday experience. The hotel features rotating local art, contemporary exhibitions, and often hosts live painting performances and artist receptions, plus themed exhibitions in the lobby and surrounding areas.

Every first Friday of the month from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Free to attend. For more information, click here.

Enjoy an intimate evening of live storytelling, soul music, and shared creativity. From feature sets to spontaneous open mic moments, this night celebrates the art of narrative and the heartbeat of our community.

Every first Friday of the month from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Free to attend. For more information, click here.

Photo: @centered.phx on Instagram

First Fridays are all about creative expression at the Phoenix Center for the Arts’ p(ART)icipate events, which rotate each month and typically feature an eclectic variety of open gallery exhibitions, artist-centric activities, informal social programming, game nights, workshops, and more.

Every first Friday of the month starting at 6:00 p.m. Free to attend. To view the upcoming schedule of events, click here.

Connect to your highest good with a free tarot reading by Keanna (@highkeypriestess on Instagram), who was awarded the title of Phoenix’s Best Tarot Reader by Phoenix Magazine. Keanna brings all the vibes to Friday nights at Valley Bar, offering manifestation jars, tarot readings, and plenty of good energy for an elevated evening.

Every Friday starting at 8:00 p.m. Free. For more information, click here.

Photo: @valleybarphx on Instagram