Events in Buckeye
These are the events the town plans its year around: the January rodeo weekend, the February air show, October movies in the park, Cotton Fest after Thanksgiving, and holiday lights on Monroe. Dates below come from each organizer's official calendar for the current season, and editions that have already passed are marked. Confirm with the organizer before you pencil anything in.
City of Buckeye events calendar
What's happening in Buckeye?
The recurring calendar, month by month: ten events the town plans its year around, from the January cattle drive to the December lights on Monroe. Passed editions are marked with the next date noted; the rest are the season ahead. The full list sits below, with links to each organizer's page.
Buckeye Days
2026 edition passedThe town’s western-themed weekend: the Cattle Drive Parade down Monroe Ave, Dr. Buck’s Wild West Show, live entertainment, and the Helzapoppin’ PRCA Pro Rodeo at the Buckeye Equestrian Center. The 2026 edition ran January 23–25; the 2027 edition runs January 23–25, with the parade and street fair on Saturday, January 23, 9:30 a.m.–2 p.m. in Historic Downtown Buckeye.
The downtown field noteBuckeye Air Fair
2026 edition passedThe city’s signature air show at Buckeye Municipal Airport: vintage planes, military flyovers, static displays, and a large STEM expo for kids. The 2026 edition ran February 13–15; the next Air Fair is February 26–28, 2027, Friday 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Farmers markets
Weekly, in seasonThe Verrado Community Farmers Market runs Sundays, October through May, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at Verrado Town Square, and the Buckeye Farmers’ Market sets up Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., at Sundance Park. Both are worth a dedicated trip.
The market day book entryIndependence Day at the Airport
2026 edition passedBuckeye’s Fourth of July celebration with a fireworks finale at the municipal airport. The 2026 edition, billed as America’s 250th Celebration, ran 6–9 p.m. on July 4. The next edition is July 4, 2027; arrive early, the lot fills fast.
Movie in the Parks & Halloween Carnival
Next: Oct 24 & Oct 30Free outdoor movies, 7–9 p.m., with food trucks: the October 3 showing at Earl Edgar Park, the October 9 showing at Town Park, and the October 14 showing at Festival Foothills Park have passed. The season continues October 30 at Tartesso Sports Park (Hocus Pocus), November 7 at Sundance Park (The Mario Galaxy Movie), and November 14 at Teravalis (Windrose Park), per the city’s event calendar. The 86th Halloween Carnival follows Saturday, October 24, 5–9 p.m. on Monroe Ave in Downtown Buckeye, with carnival games, a costume contest, and trunk-or-treat.
Sundance notesHelzarockin’ Gem and Mineral Show
2026 edition passedThe 12th annual gem and mineral show, hosted by the West Valley Rock & Mineral Club, ran October 9–11, 2026 at the Buckeye Equestrian & Events Center (10300 S Miller Rd). A smaller, quirky favorite for rock hounds and families alike; watch the club’s site for the next edition.
The club is on the story boardCotton Fest
Next: Nov 28Saturday, November 28, 2026, 3–8 p.m.: downtown Buckeye turns out for a street fair on the 6th St Plaza and Monroe Ave, with local artisans, indie crafts, food, and a salute to the crop that built the town.
The downtown field noteHoliday Walkthrough Experience at Sundance Park
Next: Nov 28The city’s "Candyland at Sundance Park" holiday walkthrough runs nightly from the Saturday, November 28, 2026 light launch through January 1, 2027, at Sundance Park (22865 W Lower Buckeye Rd), with lighted displays and Santa photo opportunities, per the city’s holiday activities page.
Sundance Park is on the story boardGlow on Monroe & holiday lights
Next: Dec 12Saturday, December 12, 2026, 6–8:30 p.m.: downtown Buckeye lights up for the holidays, with the electric light parade stepping off at 6:30 p.m. along Monroe Ave and family activities on the 6th St Plaza.
The downtown field noteRace to the Runway (Buckeye Marathon)
Next: Jan 9, 2027The city’s annual running weekend: the Buckeye Marathon, Half, 10K, 5K, and 1-mile at Buckeye Municipal Airport. The next race day is Saturday, January 9, 2027, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
The race is on the story boardEvent dates, times, and details are subject to change by the organizer, and some events pause or move. The links above go to the organizers' own pages, which is the right source for the final word. Inside Buckeye AZ is an independent publication: these listings are community notes, not city announcements, and the city does not endorse or review this page.
Know an event we have missed?
Recurring events, markets, fundraisers, and open houses are exactly what the calendar is for. Send the details and we will verify and add them.
Submit an eventPlanning a weekend?
Pair the calendar with the day book for trails, golf, markets, and the downtown walk.
Things to doNeed the practical details?
Parks, libraries, city services, and the resource index sit one page over, kept in plain language and linked to official sources.
Community resources