July festivals around metro Phoenix and Arizona
Arizona's summer heat is in full swing. Check out our list of things to do in July 2016 to stay out of the heat (or bask in it, if that's your thing).
Find our picks below.
MORE EVENTS: Things to do in Phoenix this week | Biggest upcoming events | Top events for kids this week | Latest concert announcements | 5 pool parties around Phoenix | Summer concert guide
7/30: HarvestFest & Grape Stomp
Enjoy southern Arizona wine country at this festival, with tours of the winery and vineyards, six wine tastings and four wine and food parings. VIP ticket holders have access to a VIP lounge, bathroom and parking, a lunch voucher, private tours, massages and an afterparty.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, July 30. Sonoita Vineyards, 290 Elgin Canelo Rd., Elgin. $20 for general admission, $75 for VIP. 520-455-5893, sonoitavineyards.com.
7/30-31: Garlic Festival
Make sure to bring some gum after you experience this fragrant event, which features dishes such as garlic-lime pulled pork and roasted garlic chocolate-chip cookies. Roasted garlic can be added to any sandwich. The event will also feature craft vendors, a farmers market and live bands. Proceeds benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 30 and 31. Triangle T Guest Ranch, 4190 W. Dragoon Road, Dragoon. 520-586-7533, azretreatcenter.com.
Through 8/27: Lunch & Learn
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa is bringing back its Lunch & Learn summer series for the 15th year, offering an in-depth look at the cooking techniques of some of top chefs in the U.S. Running Saturdays through Aug. 27, the series follows the same tried-and-true format: interactive demonstrations led by Sanctuary's executive, chef Beau MacMillan, alongside national guest chefs and fellow Food Network stars. Each culinary expert prepares a multicourse meal with MacMillan, which diners then eat with paired wines.
Details: Saturdays, July 16-Aug. 27. Elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa, 5700 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley. Lunches, $75 (begin at noon); dinners, $125 (begin at 6 p.m.), plus tax and gratuity. 480-607-2300, sanctuaryoncamelback.com.
Through 9/3: Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Cool Summer Nights, a program from Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum’s popular summer program, starts on May 21 with events each Saturday through Sept. 2. Each night is themed to make it a blast for kids, too.
Details: Through Sept. 3. On Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road, Tucson. Event free with Museum admission. $19.50; $17.50 seniors; $15.50 youth 13-17; $6 children 4-12; free for children 3 and under. 520-883-1380, desertmuseum.org.
Through 12/17: Ahwatukee Eats
Look for more than 10 food trucks, vendors, a kids zone, live music and Disney princesses. The event also highlights a different Valley charity each month. Ahwatukee Eats generally runs on the third Saturday of each month through Dec. 17.
Details: 5-9 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month. Horizon Community Learning Center, 16233 S. 48th St., Phoenix. Free admission. ahwatukeeeats.com.
Anthony Sandoval and Alison Stanton contributed to this article.
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