abc15.com

Things to do: Fiesta Bowl Parade, Suns, First Friday & more

PHOENIX — The weekend is here! Check out these fun events happening around the Valley on January 2-4.

Friday, January 2

NBA: Sacramento Kings vs. Phoenix Suns

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix

Cost: Tickets start around $60

The Phoenix Suns will host the Sacramento Kings on Friday night at Mortgage Matchup Center. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.

Suns Pelicans Basketball

Peter Forest/AP

Phoenix Suns forward Oso Ighodaro (11) goes up to dunk over New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Poole (3) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)

Million Dollar Quartet

When: Now - March 8

Where: The Phoenix Theatre Company

Cost: Tickets start at $60

Inspired by true events, the Tony Award-winning musical Million Dollar Quartet takes you inside the famed 1956 recording session at Sun Studio that brought together Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. Through electrifying performances of rock ‘n’ roll classics like “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Great Balls of Fire,” and “Folsom Prison Blues,” this jukebox musical captures the passion, energy, and camaraderie of four music legends at the moment their careers collided.

Million Dollar Quartet.jpg

Brennen Russell / The Phoenix Theatre Company

First Friday at Heard Museum

When: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Where: The Heard Museum, Phoenix

Cost: Free admission

Kick off the new year with a free evening of community, movement, and creativity! In collaboration with ChezSpirit and Diverse Dance Arts, join Chezale Rodriguez (Taino) and Wade Antonio Colwell (Rarámuri) in FACING THE SUN TOGETHER, an interactive offering for participants of all ages and abilities to move, connect, and express their creativity.

First Friday at Heard Museum.jpg

Heard Museum

First Friday at Phoenix Art Museum

When: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Where: Phoenix Art Museum

Cost: Free admission

Experience the wide array of new exhibitions and installations across the museum for free on First Friday, January 2, 2026, from 5 – 8 p.m.

Phoenix Art Museum First Friday.jpg

Phoenix Art Museum

First Fridays in the Garden

When: 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Where: Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix

Cost: Free admission

The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix is happy to continue to support the arts and our local community on First Fridays with free admission/pay-as-you-wish admission each month. Just beside Roosevelt Row, in the heart of Downtown Phoenix, our natural oasis welcomes you to enjoy a tranquil stroll through our living art and transport yourself to Japan.

Japanese Friendship Garden.png

Zack Perry

First Friday

When: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Where: Downtown Phoenix

Cost: Free event

First Friday is one of the nation's largest, self-guided art walks on the first Friday of every month from 6 to 10 p.m. Tour more than 70 galleries, venues and art-related spaces throughout the Roosevelt Row and Grand Avenue arts districts.

Saturday, January 3

VRBO Fiesta Bowl Parade

When: 10 a.m.

Where: N Central Ave & Montebello Ave, Phoenix

Cost: Free event

The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade, a 1.5-mile march through Central Phoenix, will once again be nestled in the heart of Bowl Season. Held days after the Rate Bowl in downtown Phoenix, the Fiesta Bowl Parade will drum up excitement for the CFP Semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on January 8, with its traditional pageantry that attendees have grown to love for more than 50 years.

NCAA MBB: University of Colorado vs. Arizona State

When: 3 p.m.

Where: Desert Financial Arena, Tempe

Cost: Tickets start around $15

Arizona State will face off against Colorado on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Desert Financial Arena.

Arizona St UCLA Basketball

Ethan Swope/AP

Arizona State guard Maurice Odum (5) drives the ball against UCLA guard Donovan Dent (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Sunday, January 4

NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix

Cost: Tickets start around $60

The Phoenix Suns take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday at 6 p.m. at Mortgage Matchup Center.

Suns Cavaliers Basketball

Sue Ogrocki/AP

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots in front of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland, left, and guard Sam Merrill, right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Jaime French

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Desert Ridge Improv, Phoenix

Cost: Tickets start at $36.90

Comedian Jaime French will perform at the Desert Ridge Improv on Sunday at 6 p.m.

John Violinist Live!

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Herberger Theater Center, Phoenix

Cost: $57.50-$82.50

Meet John Violinist. John is a genre-blending violinist recognized internationally for his soulful fusion of R&B, and hip-hop.

More Things to Do stories:

Read full news in source page