Phoenix, AZ weekend events for tweens & teens (11+)

Nature Fest PHX

Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area (NE 7th Ave Trailhead) — Phoenix · Maricopa Co. · Phoenix

City of Phoenix nature festival with wildlife encounters, guided walks, games and art along the Salt River.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Free

Optional community river cleanup 8-9am.

Free Harvest Fest at Arizona Boardwalk

Arizona Boardwalk Courtyard — Scottsdale · Maricopa Co. · East Valley

Free family festival with crafts, bounce houses and face painting, presented by Family Fun AZ.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Free

Family Funday at Phoenix Art Museum

Phoenix Art Museum — Phoenix · Maricopa Co. · Phoenix

Free all-ages day with complimentary admission and hands-on family activities.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Free
• Indoors

Cactus Clubhouse

Desert Botanical Garden — Phoenix · Maricopa Co. · Phoenix

Cactus Clubhouse is a fun and immersive nature play space for kids 12 and younger.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed

Fall Butterflies

Desert Botanical Garden — Phoenix · Maricopa Co. · Phoenix

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed

Christmas at the Princess

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess — Scottsdale · Maricopa Co. · East Valley

65 acres of holiday lights with an outdoor ice rink, a 120-foot Ferris wheel, Santa and s'mores.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Tickets and parking sold online

Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027. Mon-Thu 5-10pm; Fri-Sun 4-11pm.

Cactus Clubhouse

Desert Botanical Garden — Phoenix · Maricopa Co. · Phoenix

Cactus Clubhouse is a fun and immersive nature play space for kids 12 and younger.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed

Storytime

Desert Botanical Garden — Phoenix · Maricopa Co. · Phoenix

Spark your child’s love for nature with engaging stories, songs and hands-on activities.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed

Sock Skating

Children’s Museum of Phoenix — Phoenix · Maricopa Co. · Phoenix

November 21st through December 28th | 9am-4pm Slip, slide, and glide into fun when the Museum’s Atrium transforms into a whimsical, sock-skating wonderland.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed
• Indoors

Christmas at the Princess

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess — Scottsdale · Maricopa Co. · East Valley

65 acres of holiday lights with an outdoor ice rink, a 120-foot Ferris wheel, Santa and s'mores.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Tickets and parking sold online

Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027. Mon-Thu 5-10pm; Fri-Sun 4-11pm.

ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo

Phoenix Zoo — Phoenix · Maricopa Co. · Phoenix

Millions of lights and a lantern trail at the Phoenix Zoo.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid

Las Noches de las Luminarias

Desert Botanical Garden — Phoenix · Maricopa Co. · Phoenix

Thousands of hand-lit luminarias and live music along desert trails; more December nights.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid

Woven Stories with Deonoveigh Mitchell

Children’s Museum of Phoenix — Phoenix · Maricopa Co. · Phoenix

Sessions at 10:30 & 11:30 Enjoy a read-aloud by Deonoveigh Mitchell, illustrator of We Weave .

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed
• Indoors

Stories in the Spotlight: Featuring Felicia Penza

Children’s Museum of Phoenix — Phoenix · Maricopa Co. · Phoenix

Spend the morning celebrating chosen families with author Felicia and her book, I Will Always Choose You .

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed
• Indoors

Cactus Clubhouse

Desert Botanical Garden — Phoenix · Maricopa Co. · Phoenix

Cactus Clubhouse is a fun and immersive nature play space for kids 12 and younger.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed

Sock Skating

Children’s Museum of Phoenix — Phoenix · Maricopa Co. · Phoenix

November 21st through December 28th | 9am-4pm Slip, slide, and glide into fun when the Museum’s Atrium transforms into a whimsical, sock-skating wonderland.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed
• Indoors

Christmas at the Princess

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess — Scottsdale · Maricopa Co. · East Valley

65 acres of holiday lights with an outdoor ice rink, a 120-foot Ferris wheel, Santa and s'mores.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Tickets and parking sold online

Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027. Mon-Thu 5-10pm; Fri-Sun 4-11pm.

ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo

Phoenix Zoo — Phoenix · Maricopa Co. · Phoenix

Millions of lights and a lantern trail at the Phoenix Zoo.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid

Special Night of Play

Children’s Museum of Phoenix — Phoenix · Maricopa Co. · Phoenix

December 6th | 4:30pm-7:30pm Join us for Special Night of Play, a private, sensory-conscious family play experience at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, where children…

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed
• Indoors

Cactus Clubhouse

Desert Botanical Garden — Phoenix · Maricopa Co. · Phoenix

Cactus Clubhouse is a fun and immersive nature play space for kids 12 and younger.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed

Sock Skating

Children’s Museum of Phoenix — Phoenix · Maricopa Co. · Phoenix

November 21st through December 28th | 9am-4pm Slip, slide, and glide into fun when the Museum’s Atrium transforms into a whimsical, sock-skating wonderland.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed
• Indoors