We just happened upon First Friday in Phoenix last week as we had plans to meet at 8 PM with a wedding party after their rehearsal. I loved it! I was dying for some "local" eclectic shopping options and this little whim of a decision allowed me to score two adorable tops - one at the Happy Hippy and a Positive Thinking T-Shirt. What a wonderful option for exploring and enjoying downtown Phoenix the first weekend of the month! I know that Indy has this too so I may have to check it out in my hometown but if you are in the area, don't miss this group of artists, musicians and local business owners touting their wares for you to enjoy. I would have spent hours longer here but my hubby was dying of beer thirst. In any case, I love the finds I found and have already been wearing them a ton! Thanks PHX for a great first impression! read more

Great event. Local artists and musicians unite. Lots going on, lots to see. Love the freestyle dancers, the drummers, the djs, the bands, all the artists selling at tables, the art galleries, the shops... etc. I have a great time every-time. Its free and its fun (if you disagree on the later than I say your a bore). read more

I have been to a few first fridays in different cities but Phoenix has been the most entertaining I have ever visited. I've been three or four times, and between the endless people watching and exploring it is never dull. A fun variety of artists and vendors to explore or just sit on a patio and drink, eat and relax. Great evening for out of town visitors! read more

As a community gathering this is excellent, I had heard in the past it was an art walk and I think it's less that and more a scheduled community event for people to come together and enjoy themselves. The little bit of everything here, something for the kids, the bazaar, great food with sometimes a bit of a sideshow atmosphere. read more

So much fun! I have been twice now and all of the different art stands and shops are unique and amazing. So many people come down to experience first Fridays and it's amazing how fun it is. read more

Wow.... I'm happy to say First Friday's has accomplished a complete turn around since our last visit.... I would love to know the inside scoop on how the business owners regained control over a situation that was steadily getting more out of control. We had a great time tonight... I didn't get screamed at or molested by a single street preacher... No protest to speak of... Lot's of kids holding signs saying hugs... Some really amazing artist... Much better vibe! read more

Phoenix First Fridays - Some of the art on exhibit tonight... - Festivals Near Me

Great "free" event! Bring donation money for the Phoenix Museum, Ollie the Trolley, and food and drinks. Maybe some cash if you spot a piece of art that you must have from the several Art galleries or street artist. I parked at the Phoenix Museum, took in the museum pieces and then used Ollie the Trolley to get me down to Roosevelt. That is where all the art is. Just be prepared for the crowds of people, street musicians, and loud music. Lets not forget the random Bible preachers and Vegan fliers being passed out. Several galleries of art is open to view and buy. Plenty of street art is also available, I must say the robot sculptures were interesting to me. Even more interesting to another First Friday Attendee as I saw him walking around with the Robot statue that doubled as a toilet paper dispenser. That is part of the "fun" art to be had here. I also noted a vendor that used old instruments, such a a trumpet or violin and re purposed them as table lamps. Some other interesting galleries had blown glass art, with usable glasses and dishes to huge statues and metal sculptures. Pottery pieces can be had as well and traditional paint on canvas. I also noted various shirts and other artistic pieces to represent your ideas on display. Seriously a large event full of music, art, food, and various things to buy and look at. Great experience and a chance to see Phoenix art at its freshest. I am sure these are the developed artist and the up and coming artist in Arizona. This is a great chance to see it first hand. read more

I have to say I think the idea of this was amazing but I wasn't prepared! It was kinda difficult to navigate. I started at the Heard and didn't know what where or how to do the next thing. We eventually ubered to a spot on Roosevelt row. I want to go back with someone that's been so I can get a better idea of the scene. read more

Great event. Live music amazing local art food people and fun. It is an awesome experience and time. That is until the annoying Christans start preaching over the mega phone. We are here to enjoy the art music and food. No one wants to hear dudes with mega phones talking about gender (there are more then 2 its 2019 stop being a jerk) and burring in hell. This is a five star event until they show up on every cornner. Please stop letting them come it ruins the whole vibe and makes people with other religions feel uncomfortable. read more

This is a great event! Vendors everywhere, artist performing on the streets, free jazz concerts, art shows. Especially for anybody new to the area like myself. I will definitely be making first Fridays a habit from now on. read more

Smells like teen spirit? No I say more like teen BO. The skinny I have lived downtown most of my life and really wouldn't have it any other way I love the architecture and community for art downtown. I first heard about the first Friday events when I was working at the burton Barr library and was a fan of going out to support local artist. Most of the works that are in galleries or shops are too expensive but great to look at, most of the street art is crap and looks to be almost a joke or someone pretending to be an artist to make a quick buck. The funny thing to me is to always see some teen with a free hugs sign on or someone arguing for religion, animal rights and marijuana. Save your pamphlets as I recycle them, the vendors are not really reasonable about prices ur typical 3$ waters and over prices food trucks are always out there I paid 2$ for a sweet tea that I hope was tea and not just funny tasting water from a vendor called chillin b's. I honestly don't know how that dude makes money that was the worse tasting drink I ever had. There are some cool spots to buy some tshirt and other stuff which is cool but honestly everything is way overpriced here. Wait till winter as the heat will make any event the worse. read more

I finally went. It was a great time. Crowded, eclectic, food, art, people watching, free hugs. Given a chance, I would go again.

If you're an artsy fartsy type of dude or chick then you will love First Friday's... There's a little something for the artist in every one. Say you have little ones, the Children's Museum has free admission though it can get crazy crowded! Get there early. If you're a science geek then you should check out the monthly ANO at the Science Center. If you love visual art you should walk into some of the galleries along Roosevelt, including Monorchid and Modified. The Phoenix Art Museum is also free on the first Friday of every month. If music is your thing then you will love the street performances by local musicians of all kinds. Be sure to stop over and see who is playing at a Crescent Ballroom, another favourite venue of mine. If you want great craft beer to loosen you up before you tackle the first Friday crowd then stop in at the Leaf. They've opened up a beer garden in back just for you! You could also try Angels Trumpet Ale House. You might be hungry and tired after all that exploring downtown so stop at Carly's Bistro and grab a greek salad and more beer! Or if sushi is more your thing try Mido! Both places are open late. Parking can be a mother. Ride your bike or take the rail if you have the option. Find life downtown again! read more

the first time i came to this event when i moved out here, it was crazy! i was so enamored with the lack of scottsdale types, i considered moving downtown. then the event kind of changed and i didn't go back for years. my things are different. with food truck courts, local handicraft courts, and more venues than ever being opened, along with a strong security presence (which i appreciate), first friday is darn cool again! soap boxers, drum kit circles, and throngs of people enjoying downtown phoenix, it's a pleasure to visit again. this is the first time we took the light rail down and that helped with the parking situation. normally we head down there kind of early, like 5 or 6pm to get a good parking space. there is so much to see and do and people watch. things started winding down around 10pm, but a few places remain open late into the night. a great free entertainment activity for everyone! read more

What can I say that has not already been said? I have lived in Phoenix a little over a year and just recently had the pleasure of attending a first Friday. Being that I have social anxiety I was really nervous to go to this event because I knew there would be crowds! However, I went with a great group of people and had a blast! It was the best experience I have had in AZ since moving here. I highly recommend anyone to attend this event. The music, the art, the people are all worth it and the best part is you don't have to spend a dime if you don't want to! Only thing I would say is because it is so crowded and there were a couple of run ins with some drunks I would not bring my 8 year old daughter along with me. Definitely a great way to spend a Friday night! read more

I love it! Being from Chicago... and loving places like New York... sometimes it seems like art and culture is hard to find in phoenix. But, you find lots of it here. It's awesome. When I first started going it wasn't as much soul. There's so much soul now! Great bands. Great art. Great food. Bring cash to tip! read more

I gave this event a low score becuase it was my first time experiencing it so I was in a bit of a culture shock. My hometown did events like this and it attracted the same high school angsters, hipsters, acid tripping rock heads too. The vendures were all very unique and a few I would actually buy from. The crowds surronding were just really scary and a little too much for me to handle. I would go back when it cools down a bit and post up a resturant and listen to some music and drink. read more

I enjoyed myself the first time I came out to first Friday's. It was interesting to see an array of different artist and vendors. I will be sad when I go back home to Minnesota and won't get experience this anymore. read more

I remember First Fridays when it was a bus of people that went around to local artist's houses to see their work... yes that was long ago. But, I hadn't been since it became what it is today and I love what it has become! I now have a mental wish list of artwork I want to purchase and enjoyed filling my belly with food truck fare! I think everyone should check it out at least once to see what Phoenix's art scene has to offer. read more

First Fridays appears to be on the level of a fair/carnival. Annoying amount of young bucks, that have little interest in "art" the police presence is ridiculous and distracting. read more

If you are over 30 years old you may be too old to go to this event. Also, if you have kids under 16 you might wish to reconsider venues. Just about everyone here is trying to sell you something. Many hawkers were trying to solicit your vote for some cause or another. God was being sold by several street corner preachers. Do you really need another piece of costume jewelry? There were several booths selling stuff. The food vendors did not have very appetizing fare and it was my guess that the Board of Health would not have been happy. Like Rap music? You will be happy here since that was 90% of the music being played. On the positive side, if you ride the light rail you can avoid parking hassles trying to find a safe place to park. The rail stop at Roosevelt is the best departure point. Then, walk east on the south side of the street. The north side of the street is under development. Another plus was the huge police presence. Several police on bicycles kept an eye out for bad guys. read more

I am writing on behalf of my very first "first friday" experience, and I must say, it was the best experience of my life. The streets of phoenix were packed with vendors, art, music, and great food. The first thing that me and my friends saw was a man painting a work of art along the side of a building wall! The whole feeling of First Friday is so vibrant--it makes you feel like a little kid walking into disneyland for the first time. There were so many free exhibits of art to walk through full of unique pieces that spoke to everyone. There was always something for someone to do or look at. Just being in the presence of such amazing works of art makes you want to create one yourself! It wasn't just the art that got your attention, but also the free music. Every street corner you turned, there was a new, completely different style band playing. There was never a dull or quiet moment walking through these crowded streets. Once we all got tired of walking and our stomachs started to feel like they were eating themselves, we finally settled down in the picnic area where diverse food trucks circled wood tables. Let me tell all you food lovers out there, I fell in love with nachos that night. Just walking up to these tables and food trucks, you could smell the fresh grilled veggies and beef waiting to be savored. Everything was fresh, home made, and completely original. This is all coming from someone who watches food network every evening and goes out of their way to find some of the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in the STATE. If you are ever in the mood to do something spontaneous, out of the ordinary, and full of energy, and it happens to be on the first friday of the month, I strongly suggest going to check out first friday in downtown phoenix. read more

Roosevelt Row needs to keep it real. New development is slowly eating away at the cool vibe that initially attracted huge crowds. This quirky eclectic atmosphere needs to be maintained alongside the need to welcome new residents to Roosevelt, breathing life into this slice of the downtown pie. The diversity you see on First Friday is the reason this place is special. read more

I always find myself at First Fridays at least 6 times a year. I love the artsy environment and the different types of music, the food trucks (omg!), the small businesses, the art pieces... at all flows so well. And each time I go, I always find something different about Phx that I haven't seen before. It's a really cool way to feel "cultured". Highly recommended!!! read more