Things to do this first weekend of July in the Valley

PHOENIX — Hello July! This first weekend is jam-packed with sports, family activities, and free Fourth of July events happening across the Valley!

Here’s our round-up.

WWE Friday Night SmackDown
WHEN: Friday, July 1, at 4:45 p.m.
LOCATION: Footprint Center [201 East Jefferson Street]
COST: Tickets start at $20 each.

Arizona Rattlers vs. NAZ Wranglers
WHEN: Saturday, July 2, at 6:05 p.m.
LOCATION: Footprint Center [201 East Jefferson Street]
COST: Tickets as low as $11 each.

Phoenix Rising vs. Orange County SC
WHEN: Saturday, July 2, a 7:30 p.m.
COST: Tickets start at $22 each.
LOCATION: Phoenix Rising Stadium at Wild Horse Pass [19593 S. 48th St.]

Summer of a Billion Bubbles
WHEN: Saturdays & Sundays in July from 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
WHERE: The fountain park at the Westgate Entertainment District [6770 N. Sunrise Blvd.]
COST: Free

ARTOPIA
WHAT TO EXPECT: The exhibition is described as an "innovative and collaborative art exhibition that lives at the intersection of art, technology and immersive spaces."

• LOCATION: 313 W Apache St. in Phoenix
• HOURS: Thursday & Friday 4 p.m.-10 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• COST: Ticket prices start at $29.

The SpongeBob Musical
LOCATION: Arizona Broadway Theatre [7701 W Paradise Ln]
WHEN: Musical runs now through July 17.

Independence Day Celebration in Buckeye
The family events will food trucks, vendors, and live music. The fireworks show is scheduled to start at approximately 8:45 p.m.

• LOCATION: Buckeye Airport [3000 S. Palo Verde Road]
• WHEN: Saturday, July 2, from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

City of Surprise Independence Day Celebration
This event is free to the public and will have food trucks, inflatables for the kids, and you’ll be able to enjoy a fireworks show from the lawn.

• WHEN: Saturday, July 2, from 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. [fireworks display starts at 8:40 p.m.]
• LOCATION: Mark Coronado Park [15850 N Bullard Ave.]

Firework Fest at Westgate
Other the main show, fireworks shows, there will be free face painting, a splash zone, and an “open-air beer garden with live music, games.”

• WHEN: Sunday, July 3, from 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
• LOCATION: Westgate Entertainment District [6770 N. Sunrise Blvd.]
• COST: Free

Light Up The Sky Celebration
The public has access to the tailgate parking, there will food trucks, games, a Kid Zone, live music, and a 25-minute fireworks show.
WHEN: Saturday, July 2, from 5 p.m.- 9 p.m. (Fireworks show starts at 8:25 p.m.)
LOCATION: 7602 Jimmie Johnson Dr. in Avondale.
COST: Free general admission

Fountain Hills Independence Day Fireworks Show
WHEN: Friday, July 1, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
LOCATION: Fountain Park [12925 N Saguaro Boulevard]
COST: Free

"Red, White, And Choo-Choo"

• LOCATION: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park [7301 E. Indian Bend Rd]
• WHAT TO EXPECT: Bounce houses, water slides, family field games, pie-eating contest for adults & kids, mechanical bull ride, no fireworks, Live DJ, and unlimited train and carousel rides.
• WHEN: Sunday, July 3, from 4 p.m.– 9 p.m.
• COST: $15 a person for anyone 12+, $5 a person ages 3 – 12, free for 2 under.

RED, WHITE AND FLOOM
According to the city of Tempe, there will be live music, activities for the children, and a “spectacular fire show choreographed to music on Tempe Town Lake."
WHEN: Sunday, July 3, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
LOCATION: Tempe Beach Park [80 W. Rio Salado Parkway]
COST: Entry is free for everyone, but food/beverages will be available for purchase.

FIRST FRIDAY IN PHOENIX
This popular event in Downtown Phoenix happens on the first Friday of every month and it's known for its self-guided art walks, local shopping, live music and quite frankly- Roosevelt Row restaurants & bars get lively.

• Location: Downtown Phoenix; click here to view a map & directory of the area.
• On this Friday, there’s also free admission to many museums in the area. Here’s a list of those museums:

Heard Museum

• Free admission from 4 to 8 p.m.
• Location: 2301 N Central Ave,

Japanese Friendship Garden

• Free admission from 5 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. with the last admission at 7 p.m.
• Location: 1125 N. 3rd Avenue
  

Children’s Museum of Phoenix On the first Friday of each month, the Children’s Museum of Phoenix offers free admission from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Due to limited space, free admission is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and tickets can only be acquired in-person, at the museum.

• When: Friday, June 3, from 5 p.m.- 9 p.m.
• Location: 215 N. 7th Street

Phoenix Art Museum
On the first Friday of every month, this museum also offers free admission from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; exhibitions may require an extra cost.

• Location: 1625 North Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004