Courthouse Plaza events
November and December 2026 on the square
Veterans Day Parade: Wednesday, Nov 11, opening ceremony 10:30 am at Cortez and Union, parade at 11 am. Holiday Light Parade: Saturday, Nov 28, 6 pm, bonfire at 7 pm. 44th Christmas Parade: Saturday, Dec 5, 1 to 3 pm. 72nd Courthouse Lighting: Saturday, Dec 5, music at 5 pm, lights and fireworks at 6 pm. Acker Night: Friday, Dec 11, 5 to 8:30 pm. Whiskey Row Boot Drop: Thursday, Dec 31, 7:30 pm to 12:30 am. All free. Full details in our November and December events guide.
July 4 parade and fireworks
Morning parade through downtown ends at the plaza. Fireworks evening of July 4 from Prescott Bowl. Courthouse Plaza fills with families through the day.
Frontier Days kickoff (late June)
Whiskey Row street parade kicks off rodeo week. Bands, food, and crowds. Plaza becomes the gathering point.
Phippen Western Art Show (Memorial Day weekend)
Three-day Western art show on the plaza. National Western artists, sculptors, and dealers. Free to walk; sales benefit the Phippen Museum.
Summer concerts (June-August)
Free Friday-night plaza concerts most weekends through summer. Local and Arizona-touring bands. Free, family-friendly, bring a chair.
Acker Night (Friday after the lighting)
One night of free music inside downtown shops, galleries and restaurants. In 2026 it is Friday, Dec 11: opening ceremony at 5 pm, music 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Donations fund music programs for local students.
Frequently asked
When is the 2026 Courthouse Lighting?+
Saturday, December 5, 2026. Music starts at 5 pm and the courthouse and more than 80 trees light at 6 pm, followed by fireworks.
When are summer concerts?+
Friday nights from June through August.
When is the Phippen Show?+
Memorial Day weekend.
Is parking available?+
Yes, plaza-area street parking. Free after 6 p.m. weekdays, all weekends.
Are events free?+
Most plaza events are. Specific shows charge entry.
How many events per year?+
Hundreds across the four seasons.
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