The Valley is not resting this Independence Day weekend and neither should you! From a music festival, firework displays at the zoo and Tempe Town Lake, a movie festival and a beer pong tournament, there is no excuse for being bored this holiday weekend.
Independence Day Music Festival with Phillip Phillips
The American Idol will start off this long weekend right, headlining the fourth annual Independence Day Music Festival at Salt River fields. Phillips won “American Idol” back in 2012 and has been busy ever since. He released a platinum debut, “The World From the Side of the Moon.” He first saw success with his inaugural five-times-platinum breakthrough of his “Idol” single, “Home” and his second single, “Gone, Gone, Gone,” also went platinum. The opening acts are set to start performing at about 5:30 p.m. and the Independence Music Festival promises the “largest fireworks show in Metro Phoenix,” which is set to start after the show, at about 9:55 p.m.
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road Scottsdale, ticketmaster.com, Thursday July 3. 5:30 p.m. $20 to $40
4th of Zoo-Ly
The Phoenix Zoo celebrates Independence Day with a special 4th of Zoo-Ly! There will be plenty of family fun and exclusive evening access to the zoo with fun activities for everyone. The event features a classic summer BBQ, carousel rides, face painting, bounce houses and special animal guests. The evening will close with a bang with a special view of the Tempe Town Lake Fireworks Spectacular at a “VIP” seating area in the back of the zoo.
Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, tickets here , Friday, July 4, 7 to 10 p.m., SOLD OUT
July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival
The Tempe Town Lake Festival, featuring Tempe’s 63rd annual fireworks display over Tempe Town Lake, is always a major hit on July fourth. The festival features many attractions, including live music, splash park, a climbing wall, and numerous culinary delights. People will line the lakeshore and kick back on the grassy “beach” for a fireworks show that cannot be beat in terms of location in the valley. The fireworks are shot from the Mill Street Bridge and nearby buildings and bridges are strung with colorful lights reflecting in the water. Also, lit-up and decorated boats float on the lake to add more color.
Tempe Beach Park, 54 W. Rio Salado Parkway Tempe, http://www.tempe4th.com/ , Friday July 4. 5 p.m., $ 5 general admission, $30 children’s VIP garden tickets, and $60 adult VIP garden tickets
Dawn to Dusk Film Festival
Escape the heat this weekend at the Phoenix Art Museum as it says goodbye to its Hollywood Costume exhibit with an all-day film festival! All-day screenings will highlight films from classic to contemporary. Enjoy an entire day of art, cinema, and surprises at the Museum and FilmBar. The schedule: “The Searchers” at 9 a.m., “The Birds” at 11:30 a.m. and “Taxi Driver” at 5 p.m. “Animal House” will also be shown at FilmBar, 815 N. Second St., Phoenix, at 2 and 7 p.m. as part of the festival.
Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave Phoenix, tickets here, Sunday July 6, $20 and $10 for museum members.
Beer Pong Tournament
Fire House in Tempe will be racking up red cups in the classic pyramid formation, so perfect your arch for a beer pong tournament that comes with series prizes. The second place prize is complimentary bottle service and the first place winners get a cash prize of $150 cash. Even if you do not sink that winning shot, you can still have beer as a consolation prize.
Firehouse Tempe, 4 East University Drive Tempe, Sunday July 6. 2 p.m.
