As part of our Community Showcase series, the Herberger Theater Center participates in First Friday from October through May on the Herberger Theater Plaza. Each FREE outdoor performances featuring diverse and eclectic music, performances, projection and visual art, interactive activities and food and drink specials. Every month is themed and features a local non-profit organization.
Welcome to First Friday Live 2026-27
Dear Friends,
We are delighted to welcome you to the Herberger Theater Center’s 2026–2027 First Friday Live season. Each month, our downtown Phoenix campus becomes a free, family-friendly gathering place for live performance, cultural learning, local artists, small businesses, and community connection.
This season celebrates the many voices, traditions, and artistic expressions that shape our city—from Indigenous arts, Día de los Muertos, and Flamenco traditions to mariachi and folklórico, jazz, emerging student artists, and Hawaiian music and dance. Representation is at the heart of First Friday Live, and every event is designed to invite Phoenicians of all ages and backgrounds to see themselves, their neighbors, and their cultures reflected on our stages and throughout the Center.
We are also proud to welcome nonprofit organizations that are doing meaningful work throughout the Valley. Alongside our local artists, vendors, and community partners, these organizations help connect guests with resources, services, and opportunities to support the people and neighborhoods they serve. Our monthly food drive partnership with St. Mary’s Food Bank offers another way for attendees to give back.
We warmly invite every Phoenician to join us throughout the season—to experience great art, celebrate culture, support local organizations and small businesses, and connect with the vibrant community that makes Phoenix home.
Warmly,
Herberger Theater Center
First Peoples’, First Friday
October 2, 2026 | 6-9 p.m.
Join us for First Peoples’, First Friday, a special community event celebrating and honoring Arizona’s Indigenous communities. The evening features live music from The Zoniez, led by artist Mogley Oney (Navajo & Inuit), along with a screening and discussion of the award-winning short film The River by Claude A. Jackson (Akimel O’otham). Guests are invited to explore the art galleries, enjoy drink specials at the Spotlight Bar, savor Indigenous cuisine from local food vendors, participate in arts activities for children, and visit a marketplace featuring Native American artists.
Día de los Muertos
November 6, 2026 | 6-9 p.m.
Calaveras Cantantes y Calacas Bailantes comes to life as a colorful celebration of remembrance and community. The evening features singing skulls, dancing skeletons, music, dance, poetry, art, and pure vida. The program highlights the interdisciplinary sounds of Peter Torsiello, Vincenzo Torsiello, and Liliana de León of FLORYPIEDRA, blending tradition and innovation in a vibrant showcase. Guests can also engage with the history and symbolism of ofrenda and remembrance traditions.
Zambomba
December 4, 2026 | 6-9 p.m.
A seasonal celebration of Spanish holiday traditions featuring Flamenco-inspired music, dance, and community-style performance. Participation-based activities invite audiences to explore traditional rhythms and seasonal storytelling. Program description and performer details are to be confirmed.
New Year New Celebration
January 1, 2027 | 6-9 p.m.
Welcome the New Year with an evening of vocal and musical performance featuring various music genres and SOULITIFY, also known as Choir of the Valley. This gathering celebrates new music and community connection.
ASU School of Art & Design Showcase
February 5, 2027 | 6-9 p.m.
Celebrate emerging creative work during the ASU School of Art & Design Showcase. The event features student performances, visual exhibits, and interactive design stations, with hands-on workshops and demonstrations led by ASU students and faculty.
First Friday Fiesta
March 5, 2027 | 6-9 p.m.
Celebrate Mexican heritage with a lively evening of mariachi music and folklórico dance. Guests can enjoy traditional food and craft vendors, learn about mariachi history, participate in dance workshops, and create interactive cultural crafts.
American Jazz Showcase
April 2, 2027 | 6-9 p.m.
Celebrate National Jazz Month with a full-scale youth jazz concert featuring Young Sounds of Arizona. The evening includes program notes on the history of American jazz and a spotlight on youth performance and mentorship.
Luau on the Pavilion
May 7, 2027 | 6-9 p.m.
Close out the 2026–2027 First Friday Live season with Luau on the Pavilion, a joyful celebration of Hawaiian music, dance, and traditions. Enjoy live Hawaiian-inspired music and dance performances, participate in a hula mini-lesson, experience cultural storytelling, and visit local vendors during this end-of-season community celebration.
Thank you to our First Friday Live Sponsors!
Presented by
SRP
