Each March, the annual Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival brings big energy to the Valley with live music, carnival rides, festival food, and plenty of family fun. Why not make a weekend out of it and turn your Ostrich Festival outing into a full spring break weekend getaway with plenty to explore long after the gates close?

Here’s how to plan the perfect Ostrich Festival weekend in Chandler.

Stay the Weekend in Chandler

Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway for two or a spring break family adventure, Chandler offers comfortable hotels located just minutes away from the festival grounds.

Marriott Phoenix Chandler - Restaurant Fireplace

Couples Getaway Hotels

If you’re turning the festival into a fun weekend for two, these Chandler hotels offer stylish spaces to relax after a day of rides and music. Each of these hotels offers great on-site amenities like resort-style pools, modern lounges for cocktails, and convenient access to Chandler dining and nightlife. All three are short and easy drives to the festival site.

Sonesta Select Phoenix Chandler - Hotel Pool

Family Spring Break Stays

Traveling with kids in tow? These family-friendly hotels provide plenty of space and comfort after a day of carnival games, concerts, and more at the Ostrich Festival. These hotels are located a short drive from the festival grounds.

Explore more lodging options on the Visit Chandler hotels page.

Keep the Fun Going Around Chandler

The Ostrich Festival may be the main event, but Chandler offers plenty more ways to fill your weekend.

Play Into the Night

For late-night fun, head to Round1 Bowling & Arcade, where bowling, arcade games, karaoke, and billiards make it easy to keep the energy going after the festival closes.

Feel the Need for Speed

At Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, you can race high-performance electric karts, enjoy immersive games, and compete in a variety of thrilling attractions.

Catch a Spring Training Game

Enjoy world-class baseball under the desert sun with a cold drink in hand at this quintessential pre-season warm-up featuring a robust Spring Training schedule of more than 200 games this spring. All the Cactus League Spring Training Stadiums are located within a 5-45 minute drive from Chandler. The closest spring training stadiums are Tempe Diablo Stadium, Sloan Park, Hohokam Stadium, and Scottsdale Stadium.

Explore the Desert

Looking for a unique Arizona experience? Saddle up for a guided trail ride at KOLI Equestrian Center, where desert scenery and wide-open trails offer a peaceful change of pace to round out your weekend.

Stroll Through Downtown Chandler

Be sure to spend some time in Downtown Chandler, where colorful murals, locally owned shops, and lively patios make it a great place to wander between meals or evening activities.

You can explore murals, shopping, and more in the Visit Chandler Downtown Chandler guide.

Where to Eat Before or After the Festival

We know that festival food is part of the fun—but Chandler’s dining scene is worth exploring while you’re in town.

Over Easy - Banana-Nut French Toast

Start the Day with Breakfast

Fuel up before heading to the festival with a hearty breakfast. Two options in West Chandler, both near the intersection of I-10 and Ray Road, are a short drive from the Ostrich Festival grounds.

  • Over Easy serves creative twists on classic breakfast favorites and is known for many “As Seen on TV” features, including: The Best Thing I Ever Ate and Food Paradise. The Waffle Dogs, breakfast sausages dipped in waffle batter and fried, then served with powdered sugar and maple syrup, are a favorite alongside the freshly squeezed orange juice prepared per order.
  • Bisbee Breakfast Club is a local favorite known for generous portions and classic, scratch-made comfort food, including its signature biscuits.

Discover more morning spots on the Visit Chandler Breakfast & Brunch guide.

Birria dipping sauce in a bowl plated with tacos featuring a bun-like shell, stuffed to the brim with meat, onions, and cilantro.

Lunch or Dinner in Chandler

When the festival appetite kicks in, Chandler has plenty of memorable dining options.

  • The Mexicano, located near Chandler Fashion Center, delivers a lively, interactive dining experience with vibrant, authentic Mexican flavors and playful presentations. Insider tip: on Fridays and Saturdays, make dinner reservations for 6:30 p.m., which should have your food arriving as the glowing, dancing, Transformer-style robots perform.
  • Craft 64 is a premier artisan pizzeria, recently ranked #26 in the U.S. by 50 Top Pizza, where nearly everything is made from scratch, from the mozzarella to the beer, featuring locally sourced ingredients.
  • Chase’s Diner features an authentic retro vibe, complete with red vinyl booths and neon signage, but it’s the made-from-scratch comfort-food dishes that you’ll crave long after your visit.
  • SanTan Brewing Company is the perfect place for a cold Arizona craft beer and a laid-back bite after the festival crowds wind down. The Downtown Chandler brewery features an expansive patio for outdoor dining and a lively indoor dining room with TVs for sports fans.

Explore more local places to eat on the Visit Chandler local restaurants dining page.

Make It a Chandler Festival Weekend to Remember

With live entertainment, carnival thrills, and unique Arizona charm, the Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival is already a highlight of the season. Add in Chandler’s welcoming hotels, standout restaurants, and exciting attractions, and it’s easy to turn a single day at the festival into a full weekend getaway.

Check out our 2026 visitors guide, plan your trip, book a hotel, and come to experience why springtime in Chandler is something worth celebrating.