on Buckeye
the official publication of the city of Buckeye
COUNCIL UPDATE on Buckeye
September 2025
3 5 7 8
Holiday Events Fall Events
Spring Events Buckeye Air Fair
District 1 Representative Tony Youngker
I’ m pleased to announce that event season is officially here in Buckeye! The cooler temperatures mean our Community Services Department has put together a fantastic lineup of events designed to bring our community together.
Don’t miss the classic Buckeye events like the 85th annual Halloween Carnival to Old Town Buckeye’s Glow on Monroe and Cotton Fest. We also offer marathons to air shows, carnivals, parades and more, we bring something for everyone, and it all starts now! We’re always looking for volunteers to help make these events a success, so please consider lending a hand!
CITY OF BUCKEYE 530 E. Monroe Ave. Buckeye, AZ 85326
623.349.6000
For more information on this publication, contact John O’Halloran at johalloran@buckeyeaz.gov.
BUCKEYE CITY COUNCIL
Eric Orsborn, Mayor
Craig Heustis, Vice Mayor, District 5
Tony Youngker, District 1
Jamaine Berry, District 2
Curtis Beard, District 3
Patrick HagEstad, District 4
Clay Goodman, District 6
The holidays are coming, and with them, an array of amazing events across Buckeye that you won’t want to miss! Looking ahead to the new year, get active with our annual Buckeye Marathon, or experience the high-flying excitement of the Buckeye Air Fair. We’ll round out the season with our popular Concert in the Park series, bringing live music to various parks, followed by our Spring Celebration with activities for the whole family.
This is an exciting time to be in Buckeye, and I encourage you to join us in creating lasting memories!
Get ready for some family fun and leisure as Movies in the Park return to Buckeye this fall! We’re bringing the big screen to a neighborhood near you, with showings located at parks throughout town. What makes this year even more special? You, our residents, voted for every movie on the schedule!
Earl Edgar Park
Saturday, October 4, 2025 7 - 9 p.m.
A Minecraft Movie
Festival Foothills Park
Saturday, October 11, 2025 7 - 9 p.m. Wicked
Tartesso Sports Park
Saturday, November 1, 2025 7 - 9 p.m.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Sundance Park
Saturday, November 8,
2025
7 - 9 p.m.
Elf
Grab your lawn chairs and blankets and join us for a memorable evening under the stars. In addition to the feature film, each Movies in the Park will feature delicious food trucks, engaging activities and exciting giveaways.
Downtown Buckeye
Saturday, October 25, 2025 5 - 9 p.m
The 85th annual Halloween Carnival haunts downtown Buckeye as one of our premier events of the year. Traditional carnival-style games, food vendors and activities from local nonprofit groups take over Monroe Avenue to get you in the Halloween spirit!
Activities and food range in cost from 1 to 10 tickets. Tickets are $1 each and can be purchased at the entrance. 100 percent of the proceeds raised from ticket sales go back to the nonprofit groups that support our community. It’s an old-fashioned win-win and great family-fun!
And of course, no Halloween carnival is complete without a costume contest! Sign up at the carnival for your chance to win a fun prize. Find contest categories at buckeyeaz.gov/halloweencarnival.
Volunteers
We’re always looking for volunteers! If you would like to help, there are a variety of shifts and positions available including event set-up/take-down, ticket sales, traffic control, main stage and vendor check-in. This is an exciting way to give back while earning volunteer credit hours. Plus, you’ll receive a free custom volunteer t-shirt. Volunteer opportunities are open for groups and individuals with several shifts from 210 p.m. Volunteers must be 16 years or older to participate. For questions, please email events@buckeyeaz.gov.
Downtown Buckeye Saturday, November 29, 2025
3 - 8 p.m.
Start your holiday season with small-town charm and big holiday spirit at Cotton Fest on Monroe! Stroll along Monroe Avenue in Downtown Buckeye and shop one-of-a-kind gifts from local artisans, indie craft vendors and makers. It’s the perfect place to get a jump on your holiday shopping while supporting small businesses.
Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with live entertainment, a classic car show and festive activities for the whole family. Don’t miss your opportunity to take a free photo with Santa himself.
At 6 p.m., gather around for Buckeye’s official holiday tree lighting! It’s a night full of heartwarming traditions and holiday cheer!
Vendor applications and event details available at buckeyeaz.gov/holidayactivities
Holiday Light Experience
Downtown Buckeye and Sundance Park Throughout the Holidays
Get in the holiday spirit as Buckeye decks out downtown and Sundance Park with dazzling holiday light displays. The downtown area will once again be decorated with thousands of lights and photo booth stand-ins for the perfect backdrop for your holiday photos. In the heart of downtown, 6th Street Plaza, will be illuminated by the city’s 33-foot tall Christmas tree. This tree will feature a 15-minute music and light show, playing every half hour from sunset until 10 p.m.
By popular demand, Candyland Takeover is returning to Sundance Park one last time! This fan-favorite walkthrough experience, inspired by the classic board game, features whimsical zones like Gumdrop Pass, Peppermint Forest and Snowflake Lake. Guests can stroll through each themed station, snap photos and pose with colorful props. Bring the entire family out and get the perfect picture for this year’s holiday card.
Don’t miss your chance to experience the magic one more time! 2025 will mark the final year of Candyland Takeover as we prepare to unveil an all-new holiday display in 2026.
Santa Photos
Sundance Park
Saturdays, November 29 and December 6, 13, 20, 2025
5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
This holiday season, make magical memories with your family at Sundance Park! Starting Saturday, November 29, and continuing every Saturday through December 20. Santa will be at the Lake Pavilion for festive photo opportunities from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Don’t miss your chance to capture the holiday spirit with a cheerful photo with Santa!
We have more opportunities to get your photos with Santa this season, both happening during two of our more popular events in downtown Buckeye:
• Cotton Fest in downtown Buckeye on Saturday, November 29; 3 - 8 p.m.
• Glow on Monroe in downtown Buckeye on Saturday, December 13; 6 -9 p.m.
Downtown Buckeye
Saturday, December 13, 2025
6 - 9 p.m. (parade starts at 6:30 p.m.)
Get ready to light up the night at Buckeye’s most dazzling holiday tradition! The 22nd Annual Glow on Monroe returns to Downtown Buckeye on Saturday, December 13, bringing the magic of the season to life with a sparkling parade of illuminated floats, community groups and marching bands. From twinkling lights to festive music, this free event delivers an evening full of cheer for the whole family.
Parade entries will cruise down Monroe Avenue from 2nd Street to Apache Road, each one decked out in its holiday best. Find your favorite spot along the route, bring your chairs and blankets and enjoy the glow! After the parade, don’t miss the chance to snap a photo with Santa from the end of the parade until 9 p.m. and soak in the holiday fun.
To learn more about the parade, visit buckeyeaz.gov/ holidayactivities. 5 eye on buckeye
Buckeye Municipal Airport
Saturday, January 10, 2026
8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Get your New Year’s resolution off to a great start and sign up for the 12th Annual Buckeye Marathon “Race to the Runway” on Saturday, January 10, 2026. The event features a variety of courses for all activity levels and ages.
Known for its downhill and fast course, this Boston Marathon Qualifier route starts in the community of Sun City Festival before making its way around the beautiful White Tank Mountains and ending at the runway of the Buckeye Municipal Airport. Half Marathon, 10K and 5K runners will start and finish at the airport, with views of the White Tank Mountains on the outgoing section of the out-and-back course.
Register today before prices increase October 31. To learn more about the Buckeye Marathon and to register for the race or become a vendor, visit buckeyeaz.gov/marathon
Downtown Buckeye
Saturday, January 24, 2026
9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Put on your cowboy boots and go back in time as Buckeye Days brings history alive for us modern day cowboys. This year we are hosting Buckeye Days on Saturday, January 24, 2026 in Downtown Buckeye starting at 9:30 a.m.
Buckeye Days is Buckeye’s signature heritage celebration, honoring the city’s Wild West roots with a day full of family-friendly fun in Historic Downtown. The festivities kick off with a lively cattle drive parade down Monroe Avenue, complete with cowboys, horses and hometown pride. Visitors will enjoy inflatables, a petting zoo, a chuckwagon cookout supporting the Buckeye Valley Museum, food trucks, Dr. Buck’s Wild West Show, Helzapoppin’ PRCA Rodeo at the Buckeye Equestrian and Events Center and live entertainment throughout the weekend.
At the heart of the celebration is the Buckeye Valley Museum, which opens its doors to share the rich stories of the region’s past. Guests can explore authentic artifacts, historic photographs and recreated storefronts that bring Buckeye’s frontier days to life. Whether you’re a longtime resident or visiting for the first time, Buckeye Days offers a spirited blend of history, community and Western charm for all ages.
To learn more about Buckeye Days visit buckeyeaz.gov/events
Buckeye Municipal Airport February 13 - 15, 2026 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The Buckeye Air Fair returns for a weekend of highflying fun, February 13 - 15, 2026 at the Buckeye Municipal Airport.
This year’s event features 2-hour action packed airshows, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Fly-In, Aviation Academy, a free STEM education experience and a VIP experience for a front row view of the airshows.
Other family activities include hundreds of pilots from around the western U.S. showcasing their unique aircraft, historic and military static aircraft displays, great food, vendors and a Kid’s Zone.
Watch your mailboxes for a special edition of the Eye on Buckeye in January with more details to help you prepare for the 2026 Buckeye Air Fair. Complete event details at buckeyeairfair.com.
530 E. Monroe Ave.
Buckeye, AZ 85326
Concert in the Park
Enjoy Buckeye’s beautiful spring weather with live music and good company. Next year’s Concert in the Park series features some great local bands at three different locations throughout Buckeye, keep an eye out for upcoming band announcements!
Saturday, February 28, 2026
6 - 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 7, 2026
6 - 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 14, 2026
6 - 8 p.m.
In addition to the live music, there will be games for the family, local food trucks will be in attendance and free giveaways! Bring along your own chairs and blankets for extra comfort.
Spring Celebration
Sundance Park
Saturday, March 28, 2026
9 a.m. – noon
Our Spring Celebration has fun activities for the entire family including the annual egg hunt, egg decorating and much more! Mr. and Mrs. Bunny will be on-site for festive pictures, as well as bounce houses, a petting zoo, vendors and face paintings. A variety of food options will be available to purchase, so bring your appetite.
More information can be found at buckeyeaz.gov/ springcelebration.
Sundance Park Tartesso Sports Park
Festival Foothills Park