Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Tempe Blooms plans to turn downtown into a giant secret garden

And check out Arizona National Livestock Show on the Tempe Patch calendar

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Saturday December 27th Patch AM
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What's up Tempe! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Tempe Blooms plans to turn downtown into a giant secret garden
  • Will community pressure finally bring Valley Art’s screen back to life?
  • Why this in-state star chose to start his college career in Tempe

Also on today's calendar: Arizona National Livestock Show and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Tempefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: How many sheep does it take to make a sweater? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Tempefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 66 and low of 47 degrees.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 65, low: 45.
  • Monday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 68 and low of 52 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Award-winning flower festival returns to Tempe in January (yourvalley.net) — Downtown Tempe will burst with color when the award-winning Tempe Blooms festival returns January 24–25, 2026, featuring 21 floral installations, vendors, music, and kids’ activities. After earning multiple national and local awards, organizers are inviting residents, merchants, sponsors, and volunteers to help grow this free, family-friendly celebration in the heart of the city.
   

2. Will Tempe's Valley Art theater reopen? Phoenix film fan launches online petition (phoenixnewtimes.com) — Tempe’s long-closed Valley Art theater on Mill Avenue remains dark nearly six years after its pandemic shutdown, but a local resident has launched a petition urging Harkins Theatres to reopen and modernize it. Downtown Tempe Authority and city representatives have met with Harkins about potential upgrades and new programming, yet financial concerns and industry struggles still stall any concrete reopening plans.
   

3. In my own words: Zeth Theus (on3.com subscription) — A standout Peoria Liberty and former Saguaro defensive back, Zeth Theus is set to arrive in Tempe this spring to begin his freshman season with the ASU Sun Devils. He shares how local coaches, family values, and the “Activate the Valley” movement convinced him to stay home, what role he expects in ASU’s three-safety defense, and how he’s approaching college life and NIL.
   

4. The Biggest Country Music Festivals Set For 2026 (whiskeyriff.com) — Country fans in Tempe can look forward to a major two-day festival on February 27–28, 2026, featuring headliners Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, and HARDY. The national roundup highlights more than 25 big country festivals across the U.S., but Tempe’s stop stands out with a stacked lineup and notable supporting acts like Colby Acuff and 49 Winchester.
   

📸 Around Tempe

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Tempe

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★ Featured events ★

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📣 Tempe Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Tempe PatchAM possible:

  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • *Stranger knocking on doors*
    Hi folks, just downloaded this right now to put this on y'all's radar. At around 1:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m. tonight a man rang on my doorbell abruptly… (Nextdoor Pecan Grove)
  • Lost female Frenchie on Lakeshore Drive.
    The gate was open somehow please reach out with any info. (Nextdoor The Lakes)
  • Photos: 16-acre industrial park under construction in Tempe... (X: azcentral)
  • In observance of Christmas and New Year’s Day, the City of Tempe will close all administrative offices tomorrow, Dec. 25 and Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026... (X: Tempegov)
  • MUFG posted a job opening for Reporting Specialist, Assistant Vice President in Tempe. Apply here.
  • Driftwood Hospitality Management posted a job opening for Line Cook in Tempe. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Tempe here.

Ok Tempe! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I have no idea. I didn’t even know sheep could knit.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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