Get ready for a unique and imaginative way to experience classic storybook characters. The Great Arizona Puppet Theater is the place to be. From Rumpelstiltskin to The Tale of Peter Rabbit, you'll be amazed by the artistry of puppetry and the incredible skill of our professional puppeteers and theater artists. They offer entertaining and educational shows for students, and their repertoire of over 60 shows ranges from original stories about the environment to fun versions of fairy tales. They even provide study guides free of charge to enhance the experience for students and parents. Visit the historic building year-round, or catch one of the traveling shows at schools, libraries, child cares, and community centers all over Arizona and beyond. And see the adults-only Puppet Slam night for a truly unique and unforgettable experience.
Ready for a night of dancing and fun? Head to Bar Smith, located in the heart of downtown Phoenix. Whether you prefer to dance under the stars on the open Rooftop or inside on the lower level, Bar Smith has something for everyone. On Ladies Night, groove to the beats of HipHop/EDM Latin and DJ Fantastico. On BigFun Fridays, get down to Trip/Glitch/House and Electro/Prog/Dubstep. And on Solstice Saturdays, Senbad & Salaz bring the house down with new & old school hip hop, R&B, funk, and more. With two floors of creativity and energy, Bar Smith is the perfect spot to dance the night away.
To experience the magic of candy making, visit the Cerreta Candy Company. This family-owned business has been making delicious treats for over 50 years. They offer public tours of their factory, where you can watch as vats of chocolate are poured into delicate molds to create mouth-watering candies. You'll be able to hear the popcorn popping before it gets coated in luscious caramel. The Cerreta family has passed down their candy-making skills for four generations, and they continue to oversee production and operations. You can watch them make a variety of caramels, fudge, brittle's, Camelback's, and caramel popcorn. They combine modern and old-fashioned candy-making techniques to create popular chocolate-covered creams such as butter, maple, fudge, or peppermint. They specialize in molded chocolates like the famous French Mint and the Chocolate Enrober, where creams, caramels, pretzels, cherries, and marshmallows get covered in luscious chocolate.
If you're looking for a fun and exciting family adventure, the Renaissance Festival is an event you won't want to miss. Held annually in February and March, this festival transports you back in time to a 16th-century village filled with mermaids, maidens, and magical moments. With so much to see and do, you'll feel like you're a part of a 30-acre circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament, and a feast all at once. Over 200 shops sell handmade items like blown glass, leather goods, and jewelry, where you can watch artisans create masterpieces right before your eyes. And with 16 stages of nonstop entertainment featuring music, dance, comedy, falconry, and acrobatics, there's something for everyone. Make sure to catch the three daily jousting tournaments or the Exclusive Pleasure Feast fit for royalty.