Tempe Festival of the Arts has over 50 years of history in Tempe — all located on the streets of historic Mill Avenue — and to keep this event safe for everyone, several roads must be closed, and multiple transit routes will be detoured. 

Below, you'll find the best ways to get to or around the event, city release stated.

Avoid traffic and parking hassles by taking transit to and from downtown Tempe. Tempe has 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 and ride rail: 

Light rail and Streetcar connections:

• Dorsey and Apache

Light rail connections:

• McClintock and Apache
• Price and Apache

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

Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7 a.m. until Monday, Dec. 9 at 5 a.m.:

• Mill Avenue will be closed in both directions between Fifth Street and University Drive.
• 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 Fifth and Seventh Street.
• Sixth Street will be closed in both directions from Mill Avenue to Maple/Tower Drive. 
• 440 S. Mill by Hackett House will be closed.

Thursday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. until Monday, Dec. 9 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 Fourth and Fifth Street. 

Thursday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. until Monday, Dec. 9 at 5 a.m.:

• Fifth Street will be closed in both directions between Ash and Myrtle Avenues.
• City Hall West Parking Lot will be closed 

Thursday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. until Monday, Dec. 9 at 5 a.m.:

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

The following bus detours have been identified; however, others could be put in place to address public safety concerns that occur during the event.

Thursday, Dec. 5 from the start of service until Sunday, Dec. 8 end of service:

• Streetcar service will be limited to operate between Dorsey Lane/Apache Boulevard and Ninth Street/Mill Avenue

Thursday, Dec. 5 from the start of service until Sunday, Dec. 8 end of service, bus routes impacted are:

• 48 Northbound – Regular route south on Ash Avenue to Fifth Street; continue south on Ash Avenue to University Drive; east on University Drive to College Avenue; north on College Avenue to Fifth Street; west on Fifth Street to Tempe Transportation Center; resume the regular route.
• 48 Southbound – Regular route to Tempe Transportation Center; east on Fifth Street to College Avenue; south on College Avenue to University Drive; west on University Drive to Ash Avenue; north on Ash Avenue to Fifth Street; resume regular route.
• 62 Northbound – Regular route south on Ash Avenue to Fifth Street; continue south on Ash Avenue to University Drive; east on University Drive to College Avenue; north on College Avenue to Fifth Street; west on Fifth Street to Tempe Transportation Center; resume the regular route.
• 62 Southbound – Regular route to Tempe Transportation Center; east on Fifth Street to College Avenue; south on College Avenue to University Drive; west on University Drive to Ash Avenue; north on Ash Avenue to Fifth 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 Fifth Street; west on Fifth Street to Tempe Transportation Center.
• 66 Southbound – From Tempe Transportation Center; east on Fifth 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 Fifth 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/Fifth 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 Fifth Street; west on Fifth Street to Tempe Transportation Center.
• Jupiter South – From Tempe Transportation Center; east on Fifth 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 Fifth 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 Fifth Street to College Avenue; south on College Avenue to University Drive; west on University Drive to Ash Avenue; north on Ash Avenue to Fifth Street; west on Fifth Street to resume regular route.
• Venus Forward – Regular route east on Fifth Street to Ash Avenue; south on Ash Avenue to University Drive; east on University Drive to College Avenue; north on College Avenue to Fifth Street; west on Fifth Street to Tempe Transportation Center to resume regular route.