At the end of December and into the first days of January, the Valley celebrates college football with the Fiesta Bowl Parade, Fiesta Bowl Block Party, and, of course, the Fiesta Bowl (www.fiestabowl.org) at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

In February the popular VNS Book Sale (602/265-6805, www .vnsabooksale.org) has more than 600,000 used books for sale at the fair grounds.

In March, the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market (602/253-8848, www .heardguild.org) includes more than 600 artists, and Spring Training and Cactus League (www.cactusleague.com) brings MLB teams to the Valley for a game every day of the month.

In April, NASCAR Subway Fresh Fit 500 (www.nascar.com) roars into town, bringing the popular sport’s top drivers with it.

In October the Arizona State Fair and 48 Phoenix, Scottsdale , and the Valey of the Sun The Valey of the Sun the Heard Museum Spanish Market keep locals and visitors busy, and in November the cars return for the NASCAR Checker Auto Parts 500.

In December, don’t miss the popular Pueblo Grande Museum Indian Market (602/495-0901, www.phoenix.gov/pueblo).