Mellow Mushroom Mesa

The Tempe Festival of the Arts is a beloved community event that has been taking place in Tempe for over 50 years. It is held annually in early December and early to mid-March and is one of the oldest festivals in the Southwest. The festival has become a point of pride for Tempe and a favorite of residents and visitors. Guests can enjoy art from over 350 artists nationwide, local music, a Kids Block, and various food options on the historic Mill Avenue. This urban fine art festival consistently ranks among the Top 100 Classic & Contemporary Craft Shows in the nation by Sunshine Artist magazine. It has been honored with the prestigious Pinnacle Award from the International Festival and Events Association. The spring and fall events each attract nearly 225,000 visitors to Downtown Tempe throughout a 3-day weekend.

The MCC Theatre has been a significant venue for the college's performing arts program and a community landmark for three decades. It has helped countless students launch their careers, provided a platform for community forums, and even hosted the President of the United States. Before the theatre's opening in 1978, the MCC theatre program had to perform in the student cafeteria or wherever space was available. The theatre was initially designed to serve as a lab for theatre students. Still, over the years, it has also hosted several other events, the most notable being George W. Bush's appearance in 2004 to discuss his proposal for federal grant job training programs for community colleges. Despite this, the venue's primary aim has been to foster and train the college's students in all aspects of the performing arts, resulting in numerous award-winning musical, theatrical, and dance productions.