Raw States

Arizona Matsuri

Phoenix, AZ · Arts & Culture

When

February 20–21, 2027

Where

Steele Indian School Park · Phoenix · AZ

Cost

Not confirmed

Status

Approximate: based on past editions, not announced yet

The largest Japanese cultural festival in the Southwest transforms Steele Indian School Park each February with taiko drumming, martial arts demonstrations, traditional dance, and a cosplay contest. Food and artisan vendors line the central Phoenix park for the free two-day event. It has run for more than three decades.

The history within reach

• Arizona Matsurisame spot

  The largest Japanese cultural festival in the Southwest transforms Steele Indian School Park each February with taiko drumming, martial arts demonstrations, traditional dance, and a cosplay contest.

• Phoenix Indian School opens0.3 mi

  A federal boarding school run on the principle of assimilation, children taken from reservations across the Southwest, hair cut, native languages punished, and half the day spent as unpaid labour.

• Winnie Ruth Judd and the bodies in the trunks0.3 mi

  Two women's bodies were found in trunks shipped to Los Angeles, and the medical secretary who sent them became a national tabloid fixture.

• M3F Fest0.3 mi

  Phoenix's homegrown, nonprofit music festival brings indie, electronic and pop acts to Steele Indian School Park each spring, with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting local charities.

• Fiesta Bowl Parade0.5 mi

  Central Phoenix's biggest winter tradition sends more than 3,000 marchers, floats, balloons and marching bands 1.5 miles down Central Avenue ahead of the Fiesta Bowl college football game.