The Tempe Festival of the Arts, a beloved community event with over 50 years of history, returns from March 7 to 9, showcasing over 350 artists from across the country in the heart of downtown Tempe. 

This vibrant urban art festival, set along the historic Mill Avenue, features local music, a Kids Block, diverse food options, and an exciting array of fine art, a city release explained.

Spring 2025 will highlight featured artist Sue Dranchak, known for her vivid acrylic paintings inspired by the Alaskan boreal forest and the Sonoran Desert. Her work blends contemporary and abstract-realistic forms, offering a unique artistic experience.

Avoid traffic and parking hassles by taking transit to and from downtown Tempe with Tempe’s 13 local bus routes, six free Orbit circulators, the Streetcar and nine light rail stops. 

Passengers are encouraged to park at one of the following park-and-ride locations to ride rail: 

Light rail and Streetcar connections:

• Dorsey and Apache

Light rail connections:

• McClintock and Apache
• Price and Apache

Several Tempe streets will be closed or restricted and transit routes detoured before, during and after the Tempe Spring Festival of the Arts, March 7 to 9. Traffic impacts will be in place March 6 to 10. No bike or muti-use path is expected to be closed during the event.

The following street restrictions and closures have been identified; however, others could be put in place to address public safety concerns that arise during the event. 

Thursday, March 6 at 7 a.m. until Monday, March 10 at 5 a.m.:

• Mill Avenue will be closed in both directions between 5th St. and University Dr.
• Seventh Street will be closed in both directions from Mill Avenue to Maple Avenue/Tower Drive. Local traffic only will be permitted west of Myrtle Avenue.
• Seventh Street will be closed east of Mill to Westin Alley.
• Maple Avenue will be closed in both directions between 5th and 7th St.
• Sixth Street will be closed in both directions from Mill Avenue to Maple/Tower Drive. 

Thursday, March 6 at 2 p.m. until Monday, March 10 at 5 a.m.:

• Fourth Street will be closed in both directions from Mill Avenue to Maple/Tower Drive. 
• Maple Avenue will be closed between 4th and 5th St. 

Thursday, March 6 at 5 p.m. until Monday, March 10 at 5 a.m.:

• Mill Avenue will be closed in both directions between Rio Salado and 5th St. 
• Third Street will be closed in both directions from Mill Avenue to Ash Avenue. 

To find the best parking and access options for any individual business on Mill Avenue, please call the business.

The following impacts have been identified; however, others could be put in place to address public safety concerns that occur during the event. Please note, buses traveling in downtown Tempe may experience delays due to traffic.

Thursday, March 6 from start of service until Sunday, March 9 end of service, Streetcar service will be limited to operate between Dorsey Lane/Apache Boulevard and Ninth Street/Mill Avenue. 

Bus routes impacted from Thursday, March 6 from start of service until Sunday, March 9 end of service are: 

• 48 Northbound – Regular route south on Ash Avenue to 5th Street; continue south on Ash Avenue to University Drive; east on University Drive to College Avenue; north on College Avenue to 5th Street; west on 5th Street to Tempe Transportation Center; resume regular route.
• 48 Southbound – Regular route to Tempe Transportation Center; east on 5th Street to College Avenue; south on College Avenue to University Drive; west on University Drive to Ash Avenue; north on Ash Avenue to 5th Street; resume regular route.
• 62 Northbound – Regular route south on Ash Avenue to 5th Street; continue south on Ash Avenue to University Drive; east on University Drive to College Avenue; north on College Avenue to 5th Street; west on 5th Street to Tempe Transportation Center; resume regular route.
• 62 Southbound – Regular route to Tempe Transportation Center; east on 5th Street to College Avenue; south on College Avenue to University Drive; west on University Drive to Ash Avenue; north on Ash Avenue to 5th Street; resume regular route.
• 66 Northbound – Regular route north on Mill Avenue to University Drive; east on University Drive to College Avenue; north on College Avenue to 5th Street; west on 5th Street to Tempe Transportation Center.
• 66 Southbound – From Tempe Transportation Center; east on 5th Street to College Avenue; south on College Avenue to University Drive; west on University Drive to Mill Avenue; south on Mill Avenue to resume regular route.
• Earth East – From Tempe Transportation Center; east on 5th Street/Veterans Way to 6th Street; northeast on 6th Street to Packard Drive; north on Packard Drive to Rio Salado Parkway; east on Rio Salado Parkway to resume regular route. 
• Earth West – Regular route to Rio Salado Parkway/Packard Drive; south on Packard Drive to 6th Street; west on 6th Street to Veterans Way; west on Veterans Way/5th Street to Tempe Transportation Center.
• Jupiter North – Regular route north on Mill Avenue to University Drive; east on University Drive to College Avenue; north on College Avenue to 5th Street; west on 5th Street to Tempe Transportation Center.
• Jupiter South – From Tempe Transportation Center; east on 5th Street to College Avenue; south on College Avenue to University Drive; west on University Drive to Mill Avenue; south on Mill Avenue to resume regular route.
• Mercury East – From Tempe Transportation Center; east on 5th Street to College Avenue; south on College Avenue to University Drive; east on University Drive to resume regular route.
• Venus Back – From Tempe Transportation Center; east on 5th Street to College Avenue; south on College Avenue to University Drive; west on University Drive to Ash Avenue; north on Ash Avenue to 5th Street; west on 5th Street to resume regular route.
• Venus Forward – Regular route east on 5th Street to Ash Avenue; south on Ash Avenue to University Drive; east on University Drive to College Avenue; north on College Avenue to 5th Street; west on 5th Street to Tempe Transportation Center to resume regular route.

Click here for event details.