Things to Do in Tempe in November 2026

By Daniel Barash, REAL Broker AZ, LLC | Updated November 1, 2026

Short answer: November is packed in Tempe, Arizona. The Water Lantern Festival lights up Kiwanis Park November 6 to 8, Dance Theatre of Harlem brings Firebird to ASU Gammage on November 7, and 2nd Sundays on Mill is November 8. Then come the Veterans Day Parade on November 11, ASU Homecoming on November 21 and Fantasy of Lights on November 28.

Most of the big ones are free and most land on or near Mill Avenue, so you can park once and walk. Here's the full list with dates, places and costs from each event's official page.

Tempe events at a glance, November 2026

This table lists seven Tempe events between November 6 and November 28, 2026. The street events in Downtown Tempe are free. The Water Lantern Festival, the two stage shows and the ASU football game are ticketed. Check each link before you go, since times can change.

Sources: Downtown Tempe Authority, ASU Gammage, ASU Homecoming, Water Lantern Festival and Tempe Center for the Arts event pages, accessed October 26, 2026. Details as of October 26, 2026, subject to change.

Water Lantern Festival at Kiwanis Park

The Water Lantern Festival runs Friday through Sunday, November 6 to 8, 2026, at Kiwanis Park in South Tempe. Gates open at 3 p.m., and the lantern launch on the lake runs from 6 to 7 p.m. General admission starts at $30.99 and goes up closer to the event, so buy early.

Water Lantern Festival promotional image. Image: Water Lantern Festival (waterlanternfestival.com); generic festival photo, not taken in Tempe.

Kiwanis Park is the 125-acre city park at Mill Avenue and All America Way, with a 12-acre lake. If you've never been, I wrote a full South Tempe neighborhood guide that covers the park and the homes around it.

Shows at ASU Gammage and Tempe Center for the Arts

Two ticketed shows stand out this month. Dance Theatre of Harlem performs Firebird at ASU Gammage on Saturday, November 7 at 7 p.m. Latin big band Orkesta Mendoza plays Tempe Center for the Arts on Saturday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m. I couldn't confirm ticket prices for either, so check the venue links.

ASU Gammage is at 1200 S. Forest Ave. on the ASU campus. Tempe Center for the Arts sits on the south shore of Tempe Town Lake at 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.

2nd Sundays on Mill and the Veterans Day Parade

Downtown Tempe has two free events on Mill Avenue in the same week. 2nd Sundays on Mill takes over Mill Avenue between 3rd Street and University Drive on Sunday, November 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a multicultural theme this month. The Tempe Veterans Day Parade is Wednesday, November 11 from 10 a.m. to noon.

A performer at the November 2025 multicultural edition of 2nd Sundays on Mill. Photo: Downtown Tempe Authority.

The Downtown Tempe Authority says 2nd Sundays is family- and dog-friendly. The parade starts at ASU Gammage, heads north on Mill Avenue and ends at Tempe Beach Park, so the best viewing spots are along Mill between University Drive and Rio Salado Parkway.

ASU Homecoming on November 21

ASU Homecoming Week runs November 15 to 21, 2026, and ends Saturday, November 21 with the Homecoming Parade on University Drive, a block party on the Old Main lawn and the football game against Oklahoma State at Mountain America Stadium. Parade, block party and kickoff times weren't announced yet as of October 26.

If you live near ASU, expect heavier traffic and parade closures on University Drive that day.

Fantasy of Lights and the tree lighting

Fantasy of Lights closes out the month on Saturday, November 28, 2026. The free street parade starts at 6 p.m. on Mill Avenue, and the 36-foot tree at CenterPoint Plaza lights up after it. Festivities run from 4 to 8 p.m.

It's one of the busiest nights of the year downtown. Get there before 5 p.m. if you want a curb spot.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Tempe this weekend?

On the weekend of November 6 to 8, Tempe has the Water Lantern Festival at Kiwanis Park, Firebird at ASU Gammage on Saturday and 2nd Sundays on Mill on Sunday.

Are Tempe's November events free?

2nd Sundays on Mill, the Veterans Day Parade, the ASU Homecoming Parade and Fantasy of Lights are free. The Water Lantern Festival, the stage shows and the ASU football game are ticketed.

When is the Tempe tree lighting in 2026?

Saturday, November 28, 2026, after the 6 p.m. Fantasy of Lights parade, at CenterPoint Plaza in Downtown Tempe.

When is the Tempe Festival of the Arts?

The fall Tempe Festival of the Arts is December 4 to 6, 2026, on Mill Avenue, per the Downtown Tempe Authority.

Thinking about living in Tempe?

If you want to see what homes cost near Mill Avenue, Kiwanis Park or ASU, call or text me at 480.906.3831. More Tempe reading: my Tempe real estate page, what Tempe Prop 424 means for homeowners, and November events in Chandler and Phoenix.

Event details as of October 26, 2026, subject to change. Confirm times and tickets with each organizer.

Sources

• Downtown Tempe Authority events
• Water Lantern Festival Tempe
• ASU Gammage, Firebird
• ASU Homecoming
• Tempe Center for the Arts, Orkesta Mendoza

About the author: Daniel Barash has spent 10 years in Phoenix-area real estate and works with buyers and sellers across Tempe, Chandler and the East Valley with REAL Broker AZ, LLC.

Daniel Barash | REAL Broker AZ, LLC | 480.906.3831