Looking for things to do in Phoenix this weekend? September 11–13 brings a packed lineup of concerts, family events, festivals, football, UFC and plenty of reasons to get out of the house.
From the Cardinals’ season opener and a family musical at the Madison Center for the Arts to MANÁ, Alan Parsons, the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Goldrush, here are 15 events worth having on your radar this weekend in Phoenix and around the Valley.
1. Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers
Football is officially back. The Arizona Cardinals open the 2026 regular season Sunday afternoon against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
For those staying in Phoenix, kickoff is at 1:25 p.m. Arizona time on CBS, making this an easy Sunday afternoon excuse to meet friends at your favorite neighborhood sports bar.
Sunday, September 13 | 1:25 p.m. | CBS
Tickets & Info: Arizona Cardinals schedule
2. Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure
One of the most Upper Middle-friendly events of the weekend is happening right in North Central Phoenix.
The Madison Center for the Arts presents Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure, a bilingual and bicultural family musical following 12-year-old Vita Flores on a journey inspired by Día de Muertos traditions.
Sunday, September 13 | 3 p.m. | Madison Center for the Arts
Tickets & Info: Madison Center for the Arts
3. MANÁ: Vivir Sin Aire Tour
MANÁ brings its Vivir Sin Aire Tour to Phoenix Saturday night for one of the weekend’s biggest concerts.
The Mexican rock band takes the stage at Mortgage Matchup Center at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 12 | 8:30 p.m. | Mortgage Matchup Center
Tickets & Info: MANÁ tickets
4. Alan Parsons Live Project
Alan Parsons Live Project comes to one of Phoenix’s most distinctive concert venues Saturday night.
The Grammy Award-winning musician and producer takes the revolving stage at Celebrity Theatre for a 7:30 p.m. performance.
Saturday, September 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Celebrity Theatre
Tickets & Info: Celebrity Theatre
5. The Fabulous Thunderbirds
The Fabulous Thunderbirds bring their mix of blues, rock and R&B to the Musical Instrument Museum Saturday night.
The show is billed as “A Tribute to Chicago Blues” and takes place inside MIM’s intimate Music Theater.
Saturday, September 12 | 7:30 p.m. | MIM Music Theater
Tickets & Info: MIM concert calendar
6. UFEST 20 Featuring Godsmack
For something considerably louder, Godsmack headlines 98KUPD’s UFEST 20 at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre.
Stone Temple Pilots and Dorothy round out the lineup for Saturday night’s show.
Saturday, September 12 | 7 p.m. | Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
Tickets & Info: UFEST 20 tickets and information
7. wave to earth
South Korean indie band wave to earth brings The Pieces Tour to Downtown Phoenix Saturday night.
The band performs at Arizona Financial Theatre beginning at 8:15 p.m.
Saturday, September 12 | 8:15 p.m. | Arizona Financial Theatre
Tickets & Info: wave to earth tickets
8. Noche UFC: Silva vs. Delgado
One of the Valley’s biggest sporting events of the weekend takes place Saturday in Glendale.
Noche UFC comes to Desert Diamond Arena with Jean Silva facing Jose Miguel Delgado in the featherweight main event. The main card streams live on Paramount+.
Saturday, September 12 | Desert Diamond Arena
Tickets & Info: Noche UFC
9. Goldrush Music Festival
Goldrush returns to Rawhide for two days of electronic music, massive stages and festival crowds.
The 2026 festival runs Friday and Saturday at Rawhide Western Town & Event Center.
Friday–Saturday, September 11–12 | Rawhide Western Town & Event Center
Tickets & Info: Goldrush Music Festival
10. Titanic: An Immersive Voyage
If concerts and football aren’t your thing, Titanic: An Immersive Voyage offers a completely different weekend outing.
The Scottsdale exhibition features artifacts, recreated rooms, 3D views, video, immersive galleries and an optional virtual-reality experience exploring the wreck site.
The experience is located at The Galleria on Scottsdale Road and is open throughout the weekend.
September 11–13 | The Galleria, Scottsdale
Tickets & Info: Titanic: An Immersive Voyage
11. Neil Forever: A Tribute to Neil Diamond
“Sweet Caroline” seems like a pretty safe bet.
Neil Forever brings a 14-piece Neil Diamond tribute to the historic Orpheum Theatre Friday evening, performing music from throughout Diamond’s career.
Friday, September 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Orpheum Theatre
Tickets & Info: Neil Forever at the Orpheum
12. GNASH
Singer-songwriter GNASH takes over Crescent Ballroom Friday night.
Best known for “i hate u, i love u,” GNASH performs at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m.
Friday, September 11 | 8 p.m. | Crescent Ballroom
Tickets & Info: Crescent Ballroom
13. Emo Nite
Break out the eyeliner.
Emo Nite takes over Crescent Ballroom Saturday night with a late-night celebration of the emo and pop-punk songs that defined an era.
Saturday, September 12 | 9 p.m. | Crescent Ballroom | 21+
Tickets & Info: Emo Nite at Crescent Ballroom
14. Club 90s: 2010s Night
Apparently the 2010s are officially nostalgic now.
Club 90s brings its 2010s Night to The Van Buren Friday evening for a dance party built around the music of the decade.
Friday, September 11 | 8:30 p.m. | The Van Buren
Event Info: Visit Phoenix September events
15. Fore93 Golf Tournament
For those who would rather spend Saturday on the course, the Fore93 Golf Tournament tees off at Papago Golf Club.
The tournament benefits the United Phoenix Firefighters 493 Foundation and supports firefighters battling occupational cancer.
Saturday, September 12 | Papago Golf Club
Registration & Info: Fore93 Golf Tournament
What Are You Doing This Weekend?
Whether you’re looking for family activities, concerts, sports, nightlife or something completely different, there’s plenty happening in Phoenix this weekend.
For those staying closer to home, The Upper Middle covers the best restaurants, bars, events and things to do throughout North Central Phoenix, Biltmore and Arcadia.
Check back each week for The Upper Middle’s guide to what’s happening around Phoenix this weekend.
And, don’t forget to get your tickets for 15th annual Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships happening on November 7th!
Phantoms to Headline Scottsdale Polo Party 2026 at WestWorld
