First Fridays Art Walk in Phoenix
Galleries open late, food trucks line the streets, local artists everywhere — downtown Phoenix's First Fridays is one of the largest art walks in the country.
First Fridays is downtown Phoenix's monthly self-guided art walk, held on the first Friday of every month, and it's grown into one of the largest events of its kind in the nation — drawing crowds into the Roosevelt Row arts district and along historic Grand Avenue.
The scene centers on Roosevelt Row (RoRo), where galleries, studios, and pop-up vendors open their doors, the streets fill with food trucks and live music, and local artists sell work straight off the wall. It's free to wander and deliberately low-key.
A free Artlink-coordinated trolley and the Valley Metro light rail make it easy to hop between the arts districts without parking downtown. The energy peaks in the cooler months; summer First Fridays are smaller but still happen.
Common questions
When and where is it?
The first Friday of every month, roughly 6-10 PM, centered on Roosevelt Row and Grand Avenue in downtown Phoenix. It's free and self-guided — just show up and wander.
How do I get around?
Park once and ride the free First Fridays trolley or the Valley Metro light rail between districts. Parking downtown fills fast, so arrive early or use rideshare.
What's there to do besides galleries?
Food trucks, live street musicians, local makers and vintage vendors, pop-up markets, and the bars and restaurants of Roosevelt Row. Many galleries hold opening receptions for new shows.
Is it family-friendly?
The early evening is great for families; it gets more of a nightlife crowd later on. Bring cash for vendors and food trucks, and wear comfortable shoes — you'll cover a lot of ground.
