Things to do in Phoenix in January: Nick Kroll, 'Waitress,' Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
KiMi Robinson
If you’re lucky enough to be in metro Phoenix during the peak event season of winter, there are plenty of things to do throughout January.
Whether you are in town for a special event, such as the Barrett-Jackson’s car auction in Scottsdale, or you’re a local who is looking for something to do with the family, there are a variety of live performances, arts festivals and expos to check out.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 data tracker, community spread of the coronavirus is “high” throughout Arizona. Make sure to check the CDC’s website to assess your risk for contracting the coronavirus and find out the latest recommendations for minimizing the virus’ spread.
Here are more than a dozen events happening in metro Phoenix this month.
Phoenix's biggest 2022 events:Country Thunder, spring training and more
Maricopa County Home and Garden Show
The Southwest's largest home show will kick off the year at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix. Check out tiny homes on wheels at the Tiny Homes Street of Dreams, watch demonstrations and seminars and learn tips from Master Gardeners throughout the weekend.
Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 7-8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 9. Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix. $6 daily, $1 for children 3-12 years old, free for children 2 years old and younger. 602-485-1691, https://maricopacountyhomeshows.com.
Tango Argentina at The Madison Center for the Arts
Eight dancers and a live quartet will perform at The Madison Center for the Arts in Phoenix on Jan. 13 and 14, showcasing the evolution of Tango.
Details: 7 p.m. Jan 13-14. The Madison Center for the Arts, 5601 N. 16th St., Phoenix. $35-$65. 602-664-7777, https://www.themadison.org.
Disney on Ice presents 'Dream Big'
Disney on Ice's "Dream Big" performance will bring "breathtaking ice skating and beloved Disney stories," such as "Moana," "Coco," "Frozen" and "Aladdin," to downtown Phoenix.
According to the Disney on Ice website, "face coverings are strongly encouraged, regardless of vaccination status," at its shows. Masks are required for entry, according to the venue's website.
Details: 7 p.m. Jan. 13; 7 p.m. Jan. 14; 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 6:30 p.m. Jan. 15; 12, 4 p.m. Jan. 16. Footprint Center, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. Starting at $25. 800-844-3545, https://www.disneyonice.com.
Arizona Fine Art Expo
The Arizona Fine Art Expo will bring a “vibrant arts community” to Scottsdale for 10 weeks, from Jan. 14 through March 27. Every day, visitors can pop into studios where artists from across the country are working on their craft. Season passes can be purchased ahead on Eventbrite. eventbrite.com/e/18th-annual-arizona-fine-art-expo-tickets-221536069347
Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 14-March 27. 26540 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. $12.00 for season pass ($10 for military and seniors), free for children 12 years and younger. 480-837-7163, https://arizonafineartexpo.com.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon makes its return in January, bringing four races — marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K — to the streets of Tempe. It is a “flat and fast race that takes you through the best of Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe,” according to the event’s website.
The 5K will take place on Saturday, and the other races will happen on Sunday.
Details: Jan. 15-16. At University Drive and College Avenue in Tempe. Starting at $49. www.runrocknroll.com/arizona.
Rock 'n' Roll Arizona guide:What runners, fans and drivers need to know
Nick Kroll at the Orpheum Theatre
Comedian Nick Kroll's Middle-Aged Boy Tour arrives for one night in downtown Phoenix on Saturday, Jan. 15. Kroll's tour, which started in 2019, boasts sold-out shows in the U.S. and abroad.
According to the Phoenix Convention Center and Venues ticket office, there are no COVID-19 safety protocols for the show as of Dec. 27
Details: 7 p.m. Jan. 15. Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St., Phoenix. $27 to $47. 602-262-6225, www.pccticketing.com/events.
Chandler Center for the Arts
A “biographic masterpiece about one of history's most well-known leaders,” three-time Grammy Award nominees and a gypsy-rock band are among the Chandler Center for the Arts’ upcoming performances in January. Here’s what is on the schedule:
- “Winston Churchill: Man of the Century”: 1 and 4 p.m. Jan. 16. Starting at $28.
- “The Baylor Project”: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22. Starting at $36.
- “Legendary Ladies of Soul”: 3 p.m. Jan. 23. Starting at $24.
- “Mostly Kosher”: 3 p.m. Jan. 29. Starting at $22.
According to the venue’s website, “For all performances, we encourage all patrons (regardless of vaccination status) to wear a well-fitting mask over their nose and mouth while inside the building.”
Details: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. 480-782-2680, https://www.chandlercenter.org.
Barrett-Jackson auto auction
The much-anticipated Barrett-Jackson collector car auction will bring crowds of auto enthusiasts back to WestWorld of Scottsdale for one week, starting Saturday, Jan. 22.
According to the event’s website, “At this time masks are not required to attend our event. As with all large events, we do kindly request that all unvaccinated guests wear face coverings while indoors at the auction.” Collector cars will be staged in “well-ventilated buildings” and open-air tents.
Details: Jan. 22-30. WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road. Single-day tickets start at $23 for advance reservations through Jan. 21, $30 at the gate. 480-421-6694, https://www.barrett-jackson.com.
The Magical World of Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea gets a “Harry Potter” twist at Drink Me! Tea Room in Tempe with two-course options: Full Wizard’s Tea ($55 per person) and Muggle’s Tea ($37 per person). Special tea blends will be available for the event. The Full Wizard’s Tea experience includes a three-tiered selection of plant-based and gluten-free sandwiches and sweets, while the Muggle’s Tea provides a sampling of "Wizarding World treats.”
Cocktails and mocktails will also be available for purchase. Dressing up is “highly encouraged.” Reservations are required and can be made at www.exploretock.com/drinkmetearoom.
Details: 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Jan. 26-Feb. 6. Drink Me! Tea Room, 1730 E. Warner Road. #5, Tempe. Starts at $20, with a $20 deposit per person. 602-206-5469, https://drinkmetearoom.com.
‘Grease’ at Fountain Hills Theater
Danny Zuko, Sandy Dumbrowski and their Rydell High School friends will take to the main stage in a “Grease” production at Fountain Hills Theater from Jan. 28-Feb. 13. Patrons must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, show a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of attendance or wear a mask while indoors.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays Jan. 28-Feb. 13. Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. $35 for adults and seniors ($30 on Thursdays for seniors), $18 for students and children 17 years and younger. 480-837-9661, extension 3; fhtaz.org/events/grease.
‘Waitress’ at the Orpheum Theatre
The stage adaptation of the film “Waitress” will stop at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix from Jan. 28-30. Masks are required to be worn inside unless eating or drinking.
Details: 8 p.m. Jan. 28; 2, 8 p.m. Jan. 29; 1, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30. Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St., Phoenix. Starting at $45.25. 602-262-6225, www.pccticketing.com/events.
Old Town Scottsdale Western Week
Old Town Scottsdale will host a week’s worth of “events that pay homage to the city’s Western roots and Native American heritage.” Western Week consists of:
- Western Spirit Gold Palette ArtWalk in the Scottsdale Arts District: 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3.
- 64th Annual Hashknife Pony Express Arrival at Scottsdale’s Museum of the West: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4.
- Arizona Indian Festival at Brown Avenue and First Street: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6.
- 68th annual Scottsdale Parada del Sol Historic Parade and Trail’s End Festival on Scottsdale Road in Old Town: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5.
- Arizona Native Edible Experience at Scottsdale’s Museum of the West: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5.
Details: Jan. 29-Feb. 6. Old Town Scottsdale. scottsdalewesternweek.com.
Arizona Wine Festival
The Arizona Wine Festival will take place in downtown Phoenix. Twenty Arizona wineries will be pouring more than 150 different wines as wine fans enjoy live performances, artists and food trucks in Heritage Square.
Details: Jan. 29-30. Heritage Square, 113 N. Sixth St., Phoenix. $30-$45. 480-516-8848, https://experiencearizonawine.com.
Outdoor film screening: 'Metropolis' at Taliesin West
The 1927 silent science fiction film "Metropolis" will be screened at Taliesin West on Jan. 28. Stick around for a conversation about how architecture is presented in the film after the screening, and make sure to bring warm clothes and blankets to sit on — folding chairs are not allowed.
Visit https://franklloydwright.org/taliesin-west/events for the full list of events at the UNESCO World Heritage site and National Historic Landmark.
Details: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28. Taliesin West, 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale. $15. https://franklloydwright.org/taliesin-west.
Asian District Night Market
Mesa's Asian District Night Market is back. In celebration of Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 1 in 2022, the market will bring musical performances and food and drink vendors to the AZ International Marketplace parking lot on Jan. 29.
Details: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29. AZ International Marketplace, 1920 W. Broadway Road, Mesa. Free. https://www.asiandistrictmesa.com/events.
Reach the reporter at kimi.robinson@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin and Instagram @ReporterKiMi.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.