How to get around Tempe this weekend with the Festival of the Arts in town

Yahoo

08-03-2025

Tempe has announced street restrictions and bus detours for this weekend's Spring Festival of the Arts in downtown.
Held twice a year, in winter and spring, the festival showcases independent artists across various categories. More than 300 artist booths will line the iconic brick-paved Mill Avenue, accompanied by a diverse selection of food vendors and live entertainment. The event attracts nearly 225,000 visitors each year.
With an event of this scale, significant road closures are expected. Most notably, Mill Avenue through downtown Tempe will be closed from Third Street to University Drive. The city encourages attendees to use public transportation whenever possible. Valley Metro's light rail system offers a convenient "park-and-ride" option, which may be the best alternative for many Valley residents, especially since some bus routes will also be affected by the closures.
Below is a full list of street restrictions and bus detours happening in Tempe this weekend and throughout next week, as provided by the city.
Most closures will be focused on a section of Mill Avenue in downtown, where the festival is being held.
The city has announced the following street restrictions and closures but notes that additional measures may be implemented if necessary to ensure public safety during the event.
Mill Avenue will be closed in both directions between University Drive and Third Street.
Seventh Street will be closed in both directions from Mill Avenue to Maple Avenue/Tower Drive. Local traffic only will be permitted west of Myrtle Avenue.
Maple Avenue will be closed in both directions from Fifth to Sixth streets.
Sixth Street will be closed in both directions from Mill Avenue to Maple/Tower Drive going west, and from Mill to Myrtle avenues going east.
Fourth Street will be closed in both directions from Mill to Maple avenues.
Fifth Street will be closed in both directions between Ash and Myrtle avenues.
Buses traveling through downtown Tempe may experience delays due to increased traffic. The city operates 13 local bus routes, six free Orbit circulators, the Streetcar, and nine light rail stops. To avoid road closures and congestion, officials encourage attendees to use park-and-ride locations, allowing them to drive part of the way and take the light rail for the remainder of their trip.
No bike or mutiuse path is expected to be closed during the event.
The Tempe streetcar service will be limited to operating between Dorsey Lane/Apache Boulevard and Ninth Street/Mill Avenue.
The following bus service limitations will be in effect until the end of the day on Sunday, March 9.
48 Northbound ― Regular route south on Ash Avenue to Fifth Street; continue south on Ash Avenue to University Drive; east on University Drive to College Avenue; north on College Avenue to Fifth Street; west on Fifth Street to the Tempe Transportation Center; resume regular route.
48 Southbound ― Regular route to the Tempe Transportation Center; east on Fifth Street to College Avenue; south on College Avenue to University Drive; west on University Drive to Ash Avenue; north on Ash Avenue to Fifth Street; resume regular route.
62 Northbound ― Regular route south on Ash Avenue to Fifth Street; continue south on Ash Avenue to University Drive; east on University Drive to College Avenue; north on College Avenue to Fifth Street; west on Fifth Street to the Tempe Transportation Center; resume regular route.
62 Southbound ― Regular route to the Tempe Transportation Center; east on Fifth Street to College Avenue; south on College Avenue to University Drive; west on University Drive to Ash Avenue; north on Ash Avenue to Fifth Street; resume regular route.
66 Northbound ― Regular route north on Mill Avenue to University Drive; east on University Drive to College Avenue; north on College Avenue to Fifth Street; west on Fifth Street to the Tempe Transportation Center.
66 Southbound ― From the Tempe Transportation Center; east on Fifth Street to College Avenue; south on College Avenue to University Drive; west on University Drive to Mill Avenue; south on Mill Avenue to resume regular route.
Earth East ― From the Tempe Transportation Center; east on Fifth Street/Veterans Way to Sixth Street; northeast on Sixth Street to Packard Drive; north on Packard Drive to Rio Salado Parkway; east on Rio Salado Parkway to resume regular route.
Earth West ― Regular route to Rio Salado Parkway/Packard Drive; south on Packard Drive to Sixth Street; west on Sixth Street to Veterans Way; west on Veterans Way/Fifth Street to the Tempe Transportation Center.
Jupiter North ― Regular route north on Mill Avenue to University Drive; east on University Drive to College Avenue; north on College Avenue to Fifth Street; west on Fifth Street to the Tempe Transportation Center.
Jupiter South ― From the Tempe Transportation Center; east on Fifth Street to College Avenue; south on College Avenue to University Drive; west on University Drive to Mill Avenue; south on Mill Avenue to resume regular route.
Mercury East ― From the Tempe Transportation Center; east on Fifth Street to College Avenue; south on College Avenue to University Drive; east on University Drive to resume regular route.
Venus Back ― From the Tempe Transportation Center; east on Fifth Street to College Avenue; south on College Avenue to University Drive; west on University Drive to Ash Avenue; north on Ash Avenue to Fifth Street; west on Fifth Street to resume regular route.
Venus Forward ― Regular route east on Fifth Street to Ash Avenue; south on Ash Avenue to University Drive; east on University Drive to College Avenue; north on College Avenue to Fifth Street; west on Fifth Street to the Tempe Transportation Center to resume regular route.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How to get around Tempe with the Festival of the Arts in town