After you’ve had a day to rest from stuffing your face this Thanksgiving, head to CityScape in downtown Phoenix for more holiday festivities. This Saturday, CityScape Phoenix will officially kick off the season with the lighting of the Christmas Tree.

Local favorite band, Jimmy Eat World will help light the tree at 6:30 p.m. Followed by a performance by the Phoenix Symphony Brass Quintet and Christmas carols from the ASU Gospel Choir. You can head there early for the opening of the ice rink at 2:00 p.m.

The festivities also include a figure skating show, face painters, free cookies and hot chocolate and much more. If you’re 21 and older, grab yourself a beer or wine from Chloe’s Corner and enjoy their beverages outdoors.

‘Tis the season, folks.

We know you love wine. Who doesn’t? From November 11 to November 17, you can celebrate Arizona Wine Week. Home to 63 licensed and bonded wineries operating throughout the state, Arizona has a great wine culture.

Join over 30 of Arizona’s wineries for the fourth annual Festival at the Farm to celebrate the best local wines. Wine tasting, food, live music, live and silent auction, locally-grown food tastings, wine judging, and educational seminars, what’s not to love? The money you spend at the festival goes to the Arizona Wine Growers Association, to help the growing and enriching Arizona wine culture and to the sustainable growth and production of authentic local vino.

For more information and to purchase your tickets, click here.

October 11 was the showdown of the century at Lucky Break. Tomorrow, November 3, the epic battle continues. Get ready for Beer Wars II.

The Oregon State Beavers are taking on the Arizona State Sun Devils in college football. Lucky Break will be having their own Oregon vs. Arizona squabble during the game. Six craft beers from the state of Oregon will be taking on six craft beers from Arizona. Seeing how International Stout Day is on November 8, Lucky Break found it fitting that most of the contenders will be stouts.

And here they are:

Rogue Chocolate Stout vs Papago Elsie’s Irish Coffee Stout
Widmer Milk Stout vs Four Peaks Oatmeal Stout
Full Sail Wassail Winter Ale vs San Tan Rail Slide
Bridgeport IPA vs Lumberyard Flagstaff IPA
Widmer Drifter Pale Ale vs Four Peaks Pitchfork Pale Ale
Bridgeport Kingpin Double Red vs Lumberyard Big Rapid Red

Who will win? You get to decide tomorrow at Lucky Break.

Tonight is the night. We’ve been talking about it for weeks now, but tonight is finally Halloween. You may have gone out this past weekend but that doesn’t mean you should miss out on the day itself. If you’re looking for a party you should head to Mill Ave. World of Beer will be hosting WOBOWEEN.

Tonight from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. World of Beer will have all the fun. Known for their exceptional (and numerous) selection of beers, WOB will have a variety of pumpkin brews on draft. It wouldn’t be a Halloween party with a costume contest. The WOBOWEEN costume contest will award first place with $500, second place with a $250 gift card, and third place with a $100 gift card.

World of Beer is the place to be tonight. We’ll see you there.

World of Beer | 526 South Mill Avenue | Tempe, Arizona 85281

Tomorrow night is Halloween and if you didn’t get enough partying done last weekend then you should head to the W Scottsdale tonight and don’t forget to bring your four-legged best friend. From 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. the W Scottsdale will be hosting its Dog Halloween Event.

Join Oh, My Dog Boutique and Home Fur Good Animal Rescue for a party where canines are the main event. Dress your dog in their favorite costume for a chance to win in the categories of funniest, cutest, or most creative costume. The party will feature a bar, $5 Sushi Roku specialty rolls.

If you don’t have a dog you can still come and you may leave with a new best friend. Home Fur Good animal Rescue will have dogs available for adoption at the event. Entrance is free but to help out the rescue shelter, a donation of cat or dog food, cat litter, pet toys, etc. will be accepted.

W Scottsdale | 7277 East Camelback Road | Scottsdale, AZ 

This Friday, Oct. 26, R&B legends The Temptations will perform at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino in Chandler. Everyone knows The Temptations, with classic songs like “My Girl,” “Aint To Proud to Beg,” and “Pappa was a Rolling Stone.”

This will be your chance to see them live so you can sing along. The doors open at 7:00 p.m. on Friday and the show starts promptly at 8:00. Tickets range from $29 to $99. If you have a Gila River Casinos Players Club card, you’re eligible for an up to $20 discount on tickets.

For tickets, click here.

It’s safe to say we love Arizona. Perfect weather for the most of the year (if you don’t mind those brutal months of summer), low cost of living, and many things to do and places to see. So, what is one thing that people from out of town always ask to do or try? No, not the Grand Canyon. Mexican food. More specifically, tacos. We’re not talking Taco Bell, we’re talking real, authentic tacos. Good thing the Arizona Taco Festival is coming Oct. 20 and 21.

It’ll be the taco battle of the century with over 50 teams throwing down their best recipes. Thousands of tacos will be made this weekend and we couldn’t be more excited. Taking place at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, there will be over five acres of taco-making madness and fun. Teams will be submitting competition tacos to the National Taco Association judges where a winner will be declared.

There’s plenty to do besides eat delicious tacos. The event will also have live Lucha Libre wrestling (awesome!), a Tequila Expo on Saturday featuring over 100 types of the Mexican spirit, a craft beer tent on Sunday, bartender challenges, Chihuahua beauty pageant, hot chile pepper eating contests, and even Go-Kart racing. What’s not to love?

Tickets are $12 per day and each taco is $2. You better come hungry, because you’re going to want to try them all.

For more information or tickets, click here.

Tuesday, Nov. 6 will be a night of philanthropy, fashion, and overall class. Arizona Cardinal Greg Toler, his foundation and G-Star Raw Scottsdale are teaming up to help at-risk youths. The Greg Toler Foundation, an outreach program for at-risk youths, provides a valuable resource for kids who really need it.

That’s why on Nov. 6, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., athletes, fashion trendsetters, and guests are invited to G-Star Raw in Fashion Square Mall. Enjoy the evening with live music, hors d’oervres, bubbles, and more. Every guest will obtain a 20 percent discount on their entire purchase from G-Star, where a portion of the proceeds will go to the foundation.

Mingle fashionistas and athletes from the Suns, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, and Coyotes. Unfortunately the event is invitation only, so if you’re interested in attending call the store at 480.429.1909.

Image via azcentral

It’s the Day of the Dead and it’s coming to the Valley on Nov. 3 and 4. The Adelante Gallery at el Pedregral is going to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos during a fun, event-filled weekend. Featuring art and imagery, jewelry, and live music by Marmalade Skies, the first weekend of November is going to be a lot of fun.

While you’re enjoying the unique view el Pedregal has to offer, you can check out hand-crafted works of art like paintings and jewelry of the holiday’s traditional (and famous) skulls and skeletons. There will be specialty margaritas and cuisine at the Bakery Cafe all day while the staff at the Spotted Donkey Cantina will be dressed in costume. Spotted Donkey will also be offering specialty food and drinks.

For more information, click here.

National Breast Cancer awareness month may be over, but that doesn’t mean you should stop giving to such a good cause. The American Cancer Society Walk is on Oct. 27. The walk supports all cancers and what better way to show your support than purchasing one of these t-shirts?

This is for all of you who have missed the Susan G. Komen walk, or if you just want to give more. Just pick up one of these shirts and head to Tempe Beach Park on the 27th. Courtesy of Rowdy Hair Salon in Desert Ridge Marketplace, the shirts are designed to raise awareness based on their experience with loved ones being affected by the deadly disease.

Alright you lovers of the night life, get ready for a Halloween lineup at The Mint. One of Scottsdale’s hottest spots will be having four nights of scary fun this month with DJs, drink specials, and costume parties. Let’s check it out.

This Friday, Oct. 19 the scare fest kicks off with happy hour, followed by Yelloween. From 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm, guests can pop bottles without breaking your bank. During happy hour, enjoy a glass of Veuve Clicquot for $10 or an Ultimat Vodka drink for $5. Tables of guests can sip on an entire bottle of Veuve Clicquot for $50. After happy hour, DJ MCB will be spinning all night.

On Saturday, Oct. 27, head back to the club for Storybook Mint. It’ll be a costume party that’s storybook themed. Dress as Little Red Riding Hood or Alice in Wonderland. Enjoy the perfect fall drink with the special Pumpkin Pie and Cinnamon Whipped Cream shooter, shaken and strained into a shot glass then topped with whipped cream and cinnamon sugar.

If you can’t make those dates because you’re working in the industry, head back on Sunday Oct. 27 for industry night. All of these nights are leading up to the grand finale on Oct. 31, featuring renowned DJs – Gabriel & Dresden. For tickets, click here.

Halloween is just over two weeks away. Until the 31st, you should check out some of the Valley’s best places to get your scream on. In today’s edition of the Haunted House Round Up, we’ll be heading to Glendale for the AZ Field of Screams.

Imagine walking through a cornfield in the middle of the night. The stalks are so high you easily get disoriented. Is there something or someone lurking in the next row? What was that sound? Ghastly howls, and the sound of chainsaws in the distance cause your palms to sweat and your heart rate quicken. This was supposed to be fun, right? It’s hard to run away when you can’t find your way out of the cornfield.

If that sounds like fun to you, check out the AZ Field of Screams. For more information, click here.

The autumn weather is upon us. With the dropping temperatures, isn’t it about time we enjoyed ourselves outside? From Oct. 25 to the 28th, you can do that at the Longfellow Fine Arts Festival at the SHOPS at Gainey Village.

Beginning that Thursday morning, Gainey Village is debuting their first ever fine art festival throughout the complex. The festival will showcase works by the Longfellow street artists. You spend a day of shopping at Gainey while browsing through many tents that feature paintings, sculptures, photography, and jewelry.

The SHOPS will be getting in on the action too. If you make a purchase at the festival, you’re eligible for savings at some stores. For example, you can receive 20 percent off any purchase at Kiss Me Kate if you make a purchase at the fest. Scottsdale Jean Company will be having a sidewalk sale with merchandise up to 80 percent off.

There’s plenty more where that came from. The only way to see it all is to go the festival.

Welcome to the second installment of the Haunted House Round Up. In today’s edition, we’ll be heading to Rawhide in Chandler. Get ready to have the **** scared out of you at The Nest.

Terrifying characters freely roam the grounds, so no where is safe. After checking out concession stands for beer, photo’s, and things for the kids, you’ll make your way to the 55,000 sq. foot pavilion of haunted attractions. Photo’s don’t do it justice, but to us, it looks like a horror movie of the likes of Texas Chainsaw Massacre. We’re excited to go, but almost don’t want to.

Through the use of special effects, Hollywood sets, and trained actors, The Nest was voted Spookiest Place in America by ABC News and Good Morning America.

For more information about The Nest, click here.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Recently, we brought you a post about Humble Pie’s Pink Menu. The menu features items where proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization. Humble Pie is going one step (or many) further.

On October 14, join team Humble Pie for the  2012 Race for the Cure walk. Tim Valencia, an owner operator of Humble, lost his mother to the deadly disease. For the last three years, he has made it a personal goal to raise awareness and funds to help find a cure. This year, he hopes to have 200 teammates with him during the walk.

After the walk, there will be an after party at the Humble Pie on 7th street. From 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. you can enjoy live music, and food and drink specials for all runners and walkers sporting pink attire or your race bib (every location will offer these specials on the 14th.)

For more information, click here.

Ladies and gentlemen, get ready. Tonight is the night! Cadillac Ranch in Tempe will be home to Fascinations’ Hot Halloween Fashion Show. This year marks the launch of Fascinations’ exclusive branded Halloween costume line. Featuring sexy and unique updates of some classic costume ideas, because isn’t that the best part of Halloween?

It’ll be the best pre-Halloween party this year. All night long, DJ Johnny Knuckles will be spinning your favorite songs. Cadillac Ranch will be offering drink specials from 10 p.m. to Midnight including $3 San Tan Devil’s Ale Drafts, $4 Fireball Shots & $4 Vodka Red Bulls.

Everyone who attends will be able to pick up an exclusive coupon toward any Halloween costume at Fascinations and will be entered to win raffle prizes from Fascinations, Cadillac Ranch and more.

The event kicks off at 10 p.m. and is free to all ladies, guys will have to pay $5 at the door (it’s worth it, trust us.)

Cadillac Ranch | 2000 East Rio Salado Parkway |Tempe, AZ 85281

It’s October, so it’s about time we start bringing you some of the best Halloween events are the Valley. As the days go on, we’ll bringing you great Halloween activities. First up in our Halloween round up: Nightmare on Main Street.

Taking place on Main Street in Mesa, get ready for the largest Halloween block party in Arizona on Oct. 27. Featuring beer and spirits, retail vendors, food, fire dancers, and live music from COMBICHRIST, Komor Kommando, The Strand and Hardwire. Enter the costume contest, where the grand prize is $1000!

In order to attend, you must be at least 16 years old. Tickets are $15 for presale and $20 at the door. For an additional $10, you can gain entry in the spooky Monsterland Haunted House. It’s not all scary though, a portion of the proceeds will go to the Barrow Neurological Foundation.

The night starts at 6:00 p.m., for more information, click here.

Ladies and gentlemen, get ready. This Friday, Oct. 5, Cadillac Ranch in Tempe will be home to Fascinations’ Hot Halloween Fashion Show. This year marks the launch of Fascinations’ exclusive branded Halloween costume line. Featuring sexy and unique updates of some classic costume ideas, because isn’t that the best part of Halloween?

It’ll be the best pre-Halloween party this year. All night long, DJ Johnny Knuckles will be spinning your favorite songs. Cadillac Ranch will be offering drink specials from 10 p.m. to Midnight including $3 San Tan Devil’s Ale Drafts, $4 Fireball Shots & $4 Vodka Red Bulls.

Everyone who attends will be able to pick up an exclusive coupon toward any Halloween costume at Fascinations and will be entered to win raffle prizes from Fascinations, Cadillac Ranch and more.

The event kicks off at 10 p.m. and is free to all ladies, guys will have to pay $5 at the door (it’s worth it, trust us.)

Cadillac Ranch | 2000 East Rio Salado Parkway |Tempe, AZ 85281

Cask 63 will be hosting a Fashion, Food, & Charity Event on October 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Benefitting the Barrow Neurological Institute at The Phoenix Children’s Hospital, the event will be filled with everything you could possibly want.

Partnering with Michka Unique Trends, the event will be emceed by ABC 15′s Stephanie Sandoval of Sonoran Living Live. Enjoy live music, a silent auction that will include jewelry from the Diamond Source, and a fashion show that will debut this season’s styles by Michka, Scottsdale Jean Company, and Urban Kidz.

Catered with spirits and bites by Cask 63, Dr. P. David Adelson, Chief Pediatric Neurosurgeon will be taking questions and talking about how far the Barrow Institute has come. Be ready for water works too, because a special patient guest will be speaking about how they have been positively affected by the institute.

To purchase tickets call 602.933.8667 or send an email to [email protected] It’ll be a fun afternoon, plus it’s for an extremely noble cause, so why not come?

It’ll be the showdown of the century at Lucky Break on October 11. Craft beers from Arizona and Colorado will go head-to-head to see who is better. In homage to the Colorado Buffaloes versus the Arizona State Sun Devils football game, Seeing how both Arizona and Colorado make exceptional beer, Lucky Break thought it would be a good idea to pit eight Colorado brews against eight Arizonan.

The Challengers: 

Oskar Blues Old Chub vs. Four Peaks Kiltlifter

Boulder Beer Mojo IPA vs. Mudshark Desert Magic IPA

Breckenridge Vanilla Porter vs. Four Peaks Pumpkin Porter

New Belgium Fat Tire Amber vs. San Tan Epicenter Amber

Left Hand Milk Stout vs. Mogollon Apache Trout Stout

Tommyknocker Nut Brown vs. Oak Creek Nut Brown

SKA Brewing Pinstripe vs. Sleepy Dog Red Rover Irish Red

Great Divide Raspberry Ale vs. Lumberyard Raspberry Ale

The best part? You get to decide who the winner is. Just try and not be biased toward AZ. For the sake of competition, let’s win in the most honorable way.

Any lover of photography is going to love this. From September 28 to October 4, the Phoenix Art Museum will be home to the INFOCUS Photography Exhibition. The exhibit will feature a silent auction on Oct. 4, from 5:30 – 9 p.m.

This is an annual fundraising event that will feature more than 50 signed limited-edition prints and books for sale by some of the best photographers from Arizona and the United States. All proceeds will go directly to INFOCUS, a non-profit that benefits photography through education, exhibits, and publications.

Raffle tickets will also be available for $20. With them, you will have the opportunity to win prizes, like photographs by Debra Bloomfield, Mark Klett, Alex Webb and Dr. John P. Schaefer.

Image via Mark Klett and Byron Wolfe, “Two boys with striped shirts”

Back in 1973, five major designers got together in France to duke it out to see who was the best. This event single handedly changed the course of fashion. It was the Americans versus the French in a runway battle royale.

On September 29 you can join the ACI Nouveau for a special advanced screening of this new film that documents that important moment in fashion history. The event will include a Paris versus New York themed cocktail reception and discussion with the director, Deborah Riley Draper. Hors d’Oeuvres and Cash-only bar. Wear your favorite Paris or New Yorkinspired outfit.

For more information, click here. Already sold? For tickets, click here.

Friday, September 21 is World Peace Day. Started by the UN, EarthCam will be joining the celebration with a collection of webcam views from around the world. EarthCam will deliver live streaming views of some of the most interesting international locations and will also highlight Peace One Day events.

One of the more significant events, Pause For Peace, is a moment of silence and a gathering of the Flags of the World in Times Square at noon. The first World Peace Day started way back in 1982 with the intention of having the whole world observe a full day of peace with a global ceasefire and nonviolence.

So let’s all take a moment tomorrow and reflect on how much better a place the world be if everyone stopped their petty squabbles. Hopefully, the world will take a lesson from World Peace Day.

The star of that little show about nothing will be heading to the Valley on Saturday, September 22. Playing at the Comerica Theatre in downtown Phoenix, this is a show you want to miss. Jerry Seinfeld is one of those comedians that has a voice and humor that will stand the test of time. Personally, we love watching reruns of Seinfeld on TV, we’re guessing some of you do too. So why not go and see the man in real life? Tickets range from $48-$78 and can be purchased here.

Yar mateys! This Saturday, September 22 is the fifth annual Talk Like A Pirate Day Pub Crawl. Start the evening off with the Dreda Fleet in the Pirate Parade. Bellydancers and live music will fill the water dance plaza throughout the night. Complete with enchanting mermaids, and sword fighting buccaneers.

Westgate City Center in Glendale marks the spot for treasure and adventure. The event is open to all ages but obviously the pub crawl is for those 21 years and older. If you purchase your official Talk Like a Pirate Day Pieces of Eight lanyard, you will receive free admittance and drink specials. Purchase them here.

To get tickets to the event, click here.

Westgate City Center | 6770 North Sunrise Boulevard | Glendale, AZ 85305