Get outside with this week’s top events

St. Patrick’s Day Block Party

The next Tempe block party is here. El Hefe, Fat Tuesday, and Handlebar are joining forces to put on the St. Patrick’s Day Block Party in Tempe. This all day block party features four stages and six bars along Mill Avenue. Once the sun goes down, a Live DJ will provide entertainment until close. This event is 21 and over. The event benefits the Navy League of America.

Mill Avenue, 680 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, March 17, $10 adv, $20 dos

Haru in the Garden

Haru is the Japanese word for spring. This spring festival is the Japanese Friendship Garden’s largest event of the year. It celebrates the beginning of spring in colorful and cultural fashion. The event features artists working in a number of mediums such as clay, sculptures, fabric and water painting, and others. In addition, there will be Japanese bamboo flutes, fire dancers, ensemble groups, and more to entertain the crowd. Asian food will be available via food trucks alongside sake, beer and wine.

Japanese Friendship Garden, 1125 N. Third Ave., Phoenix, March 20, $20 adv, $25 dos

Kathy Griffin

The bubbly Kathy Griffin brings her comedic talents to Chandler this weekend. Most recognized for her annual New Years Eve show with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, this quick-witted celebrity’s standup has crowds laughing from coast to coast.

Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino, 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler, March 20-21, $65+

NOH8 Campaign Photo Shoot

The NOH8 campaign is an organization that promotes marriage, gender and humane equality through silent photographic protests. Their campaign is coming to phoenix to give people the chance to participate in the campaign. Photographer and Co-Founder Adam Bouska will take about 5-10 frames for each person. Participants must wear a white t-shirt. Photos will be ready in approximately eight weeks. The photo shoot lasts from 5p.m.-8p.m., but as long as participants are in line by 8 p.m., they should be guaranteed a chance to pose.

W Scottsdale Hotel, 7277 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, March 20, $40 for single photos; $25 per person for couple/ group shots

Arizona Renaissance Festival

Take a step back in time and experience the annual festivities of the Arizona Renaissance Festival. This event sprawls across 30 acres and offers an assortment of entertainment, arts and crafts, and other spectacles. Over 2,000 actors work throughout the festival as dancers, acrobats, musicians, and other performers. Shows take place throughout the day on 13 stages. One of the largest events at the festival is live jousting, which takes place three times a day. In addition to the hefty entertainment, the festival offers medieval eats as well.

Arizona Renaissance Festival, 12601 E. Highway 60, Gold Canyon, March 21-22 and March 28-29, $20 adv at Fry’s, $22 dos