On top of dozens of music performances and festivals this month, March is bustling with arts and cultural events in Downtown Phoenix.
The weekend of March 6-8 alone features several events and activities during Art Detour, a two-day arts and culture experience in the greater downtown area.
Hosted by Artlink Phoenix, Art Detour returns for its 27th year with exclusive opportunities to explore artists’ studio spaces, visit galleries, witness live mural painting and so much more.
First Friday — Friday, March 6

The pre-Detour First Friday, a night when galleries and studios host special receptions, will be especially busy and bustling with energy this month. Don’t miss “Exploding Plastic Invisible,” a free event at the Phoenix Art Museum featuring live music, dance performances and more in celebration of the new “Andy Warhol: Portraits” exhibit. The new exhibition “Everything After” at R. Pela Contemporary Art is a must-see along with shows at MonOrchid; a group exhibition and new mural at The Lodge Art Studio; and the annual Mutant Piñata Show at Frontal Lobe Gallery. The After Party begins at 10:30pm at The Pressroom, where the first 200 people can get in free.
Art Detour 27 — Saturday-Sunday, March 7-8 — 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Visit open galleries, explore artists’ studios and check out other activities and programming from 11am-5pm during this free weekend event. Highlights include stops at working studios where artists and designers craft modern fireplaces, bike racks, and stationery on traditional letterpresses. Don’t miss an outdoor screening of the film “Stop Making Sense” plus the rare opportunity to see the two Ted Degrazia murals inside the former Greenhaus Boutique building, slated for demolition later this month.
Paint PHX 5th Street Block Party — Saturday, March 7 — 2-10 p.m.
Paint PHX is a multi-day arts event organized by local artists to paint new murals around central Phoenix. This year, the event has grown to include the 5th Street Block Party, a free celebration of Phoenix arts and culture on Saturday, March 7 on Fifth and Roosevelt streets in the heart of the Roosevelt Row Arts District. Expect performances by local bands, a beer garden, skate demos, live mural painting, screen printing and more.

Detour de Grand — Sunday, March 8 — 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Bike, beer and band enthusiasts can party amongst friends at the Detour de Grand celebration on Grand Avenue. The event commences at 10am with an organized bike ride to various galleries and studios for Art Detour followed by music and libations on Grand Avenue. You’ll be able to visit the galleries, shops, vendors and food trucks along Grand Avenue then stop by the main event on Grand Avenue between 10th and 12th avenues for a beer and some live, local music.
Artlink Trollies will be providing free transportation Friday through Sunday between major destinations. Visit Artlink Phoenix’s website for more information on trollies and Art Detour weekend events, or click here for the official event map and program.