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Tempe Arts & Culture

A desire for dance, a passion for theatre and a love of infectious music are easily satisfied in Tempe. Those looking for a bit of culture during their Tempe vacation won't be disappointed with our annual Broadway shows, museum exhibits, local theatre productions and more.

  • There are over 20 free museums and galleries at the Arizona State University Tempe Campus. You can see everything from the most cutting edge contemporary art at the ASU Art Museum to photography exhibits at the Northlight Gallery.
  • ASU Gammage, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is home to the annual M & I Bank Broadway Across America - Arizona series. Recent shows have included blockbusters such as Mamma Mia, Disney's The Lion King and Wicked.
  • The newest jewel in Tempe's arts crown is the Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA), a visually striking facility located on the shore of Tempe Town Lake. Resident artists at the TCA include the Tempe Symphony Orchestra, Childsplay, Tempe Little Theatre and Desert Dance Theatre. Childsplay, Arizona's professional theatre company for young audiences, offers a full season of productions that range from hilariously funny to thought provoking.
  • The Gallery at TCA features rotating themed exhibits throughout the year. Admission is free and it is open Tuesday-Saturday.
  • The Tempe Festivals of the Arts are among the largest arts and entertainment festivals in the Southwest. Artisans exhibit and sell hand-made works of art ranging from photography to sculpture to jewelry and everything in between. The festivals are held annually in December and March/April.
  • If you're seeking even more ground breaking works, Stray Cat Theatre is not to be missed. This left-of-center company presents the most contemporary material, hoping to inspire the next generation of theatre lovers. Performances are held at the Tempe Performing Arts Center.
  • Tempe's streets and sidewalks are venues for an array of public art. ASU also has one of the best collections of public art from Depression-era murals to contemporary sculpture. ASU's public art collection can easily be explored during a self-guided tour.
  • Live music from funky local bands wafts from many nightclubs and taverns throughout the Mill Avenue District. Tempe Marketplace features both acoustic musicians and energizing bands Thursday-Sundays evenings in The District.
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51 W. Third St., Suite 105
Tempe, AZ, 85281 USA
1-866-914-1052