Summer Activities in Chandler, AZ

Summer 2024 in Chandler has a line-up of fun activities for every life season! Whether you’re visiting from afar or enjoying an Arizona staycation, you’ll find plenty of ways to relax and unwind with our 2024 Visitors Guide of things to do in Chandler this summer. Here are just a few of the summer events on the calendar:

• Downtown Ocotillo Farmers Market (every Sunday)
• Family-Friendly Improv Comedy Show (every Saturday)
• Steampunk Machines in Motion Camp (June 10-14, 2024) 
• Yoga At The Market: Downtown Chandler (every Saturday)
• STEAM Machines Maker Camp-Hosted by ASU (June 3-7)

Don’t miss this summer’s fun by checking out  Chandler’s 2024 Event Calendar for a complete calendar of summer 2024. Keep reading to check out some of our favorite summer spots below.

Family Friendly Events

Looking to keep the kiddos entertained during those scorching summer months? Whether your kids are toddlers, tweens, or teens, they'll find plenty to do in Chandler – much to the delight of parents and grandparents in tow. Chandler is an ideal place for family fun with its wide range of family-oriented attractions, year-round events, and a large selection of family-friendly restaurants that are sure to please even the most discriminating palate. 

Enjoy the Crayola Experience—one of five Crayola locations in the world where families can come together for hands-on fun to create lasting memories. The Chandler Crayola Experience is a colorful, one-of-a-kind family attraction featuring 19 hands-on activities to create, learn and play. Try wrapping and naming your own Crayola crayon (Wrap It Up!), creating melted wax spin-art (Drip Art), starring in your own coloring page (Be a Star), using technology and your touch to bring art to 4-D life, and much more!  

Chandler offers a variety of family fun centers that are well suited for kids of all ages with great opportunities to engage the whole family in some active, air-conditioned fun. The city is proud to host Rush Xtreme, America’s largest indoor adventure ropes course, offering a perfect way to beat the heat with the whole family. And Andretti Indoor Karting & Games will really get your motors running. For the little ones, Giggles and Makutu’s Island are expansive indoor play areas where toddlers can explore in a safe environment

Discover the iconic Chandler Museum, which showcases local exhibits and hosts regional and national exhibits the whole family will enjoy. And minutes from Chandler is the award-winning Phoenix Zoo, designed with the intent to connect kids of all ages to the natural world. This excursion is a must-see on any Arizona family trip. Complete your day at the zoo by booking a giraffe encounter, where you can get up close and personal by feeding them a treat!

Chandler Swimming, Water Parks, and Splash Pads

Kids and water go hand in hand. Whether you’re looking to spend the day at your hotel’s pool or want to venture out to one of Chandler’s splash pads, pools, and aquatic centers— get ready for some great family fun. 

Many of Chandler’s larger aquatic centers (Desert Oasis, Hamilton, Mesquite Groves, and Nozomi)  are more like mini-water parks with several fun features, including water slides, diving boards, zero-depth play pools, interactive water play features, the water vortex, and "current rivers" that mimic nature's waterways. These aquatic facilities also include ramadas and family dressing rooms, making it a breeze for a family outing.

If you’re looking for more of a refreshing spray, consider a visit to one of Chandler’s splash pads to mist away the day. From the fun flower-shaped sprays of Desert Breeze Park to the candy cane-shaped showers, ground sprays, and spray rings at Chuparosa and Espee – you’re sure to have a cool afternoon.

An additional splash pad is also available at the Outdoor Village at Chandler Fashion Center mall, making it a snap to combine with a shopping or dining trip to the mall. After spending the day in the sun, continue the cool-down with a sweet, frozen treat—the perfect ending to a summer afternoon!

Chandler Parks & Trails

Paseo Vista Trail is a 6.5-mile multi-use pathway and runs along the Consolidated Canal from Galveston Street south to Riggs Road. Here, you can walk, jog, or bike the paved eastern side, or bicycle or horseback ride on the unimproved path on the western side of the canal. Parking is available at Tibshraeny Family Park and Tumbleweed Park.

South Mountain Park is the largest municipal park in the world and has a network of 58 miles of trails suitable for hiking, trail running, horseback riding, and mountain bike riding. No wonder National Geographic named Phoenix one of the nation’s best hiking cities! 

Javelina Canyon Trail, which begins at Beverly Canyon parking lot at 46th Street, is the easiest option. For a panoramic view of the entire Valley, hike (or drive) the 5.5 miles up to Summit Road at Dobbins Lookout.

The San Tan Regional Park is a little over a half-hour drive from Downtown Chandler, making it extremely popular for hikers and mountain bikers who like to test themselves on the 5.1-mile San Tan Trail. Or you can hike to the three-mile Goldmine Trail for a bird’s eye view of Phoenix, Queen Creek, and San Tan Valley. It’s also a great place for horseback riders and picnickers.

If you’re looking to stay closer to town, Tempe Town Lake is a two-mile-long, man-made lake adjacent to the Arizona State University campus and features several watersports. Papago Park is another great option and is perfect for a quick trail run.

Indoor Things to Do in Chandler

You may be looking for climate-controlled fun - but there is plenty of adventure at Chandler's family fun centers and indoor adventure parks where the kids can be active and cool - all at the same time.  Active kids will be jumping for the chance to play at traditional trampoline parks and large climate-controlled complexes like Big Air Trampoline Park or Rush Xtreme which features extreme entertainment with 10 attractions including the largest indoor adventure ropes course in the country.  Inflatables, trampolines and arcade games are yours to be had at Uptown Jungle Fun Park and exploration is key at Makutu's Island with its 20,000 square foot center.  Traditional afternoon activities like bowling, rollerskating at USA Skateland, Ice Den Chandler for ice skating and a number of movie theaters are also available throughout Chandler. 

Build family memories and solve a puzzle together at Escape Chandler or enjoy a round of glow-in-the-dark mini-golf or catch a show and some laughs at Mic Drop MANIA. 

Summer Fun with Free Chandler Events

Chandler's All-American Bash

Feeling patriotic? Chandler's annual July Fourth celebration at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park: Stage Plaza is a great summer event in Chandler and not to be missed. This celebration will start at 7 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m., come out for some live music, treats, yard games and more!   Two musical performances will take place with hour long sets from Turn it Up - an upbeat band that will have you dancing to a number of classic and modern songs. Music performances start at 7:05 and 8:25 p.m.

At 8:20 p.m., a 5-minute pyrotechnic show will be included with the second concert in lieu of fireworks.

Chandler Farmers Markets

Spend your summer Saturday perusing a Chandler Farmers Market featuring locally grown produce and fresh made food products. The Downtown Chandler Farmers Market kicks off at 7 a.m. allowing plenty of time for a leisurely breakfast or brunch at one of the local restaurants and find plenty of free parking in Downtown Chandler.

In south Chandler, enjoy a casual stroll in Downtown Ocotillo where the farmers market opens at 8 a.m. and features a selection of specialty vendors alongside local produce.  

Find delicious meals and refreshing drinks await you in Chandler with a wide variety of restaurants appealing to kids and adults alike. Whether you are looking to enjoy an elegant, fine dining dinner for two or a casual outing with the kids at one of Chandler's family-friendly restaurants  - you'll find a number of dining options to tempt you.

Dining With the Kids?

It wouldn't be a family vacation without pizza - so become a pizza explorer using Chandler's Instagram Pizza guide to discover your favorite Chandler pizza whether you opt for the whole pie or a slice.

What kid doesn't love spaghetti? You'll find the Old Spaghetti Factory is a sure thing and it's conveniently located at Chandler Fashion Center - perfect for grabbing a bite to eat after shopping, enjoying a movie or time at the splash pad.

Perhaps your little diner is a bit more adventurous and looking for a more global adventure on the taste buds, check out the exciting world of teppanyaki at one of Chandler's numerous Japanese restaurants featuring cuisine cooked on the iron plate embedded in the table where the chef's display their exceptional knife skills for an entertaining meal that will delight all ages.  To experience some of the best teppanyaki restaurants in Chandler, check out Hon Machi, and national favorite Benihana.   

In addition to delightfully re-imagined and glammed up breakfast entrees and brunch dishes, enjoy an indulgent brunch with lively music at Hash Kitchen in north Chandler that will delight kids and adults.  

Looking for a cool treat that will delight on a warm, summer day?  You'll discover a world of options in Chandler, AZ from fish-shaped cones at Snowtime and SomiSomi to bubble waffle treats at Hot Bamboo to snow, yes snow at  Sumo Snow featuring Taiwanese-style shaved ice with a delightful, snow-like texture that is lighter than ice cream with a number of tasty toppings and flavor combinations.

Before you depart Chandler, be sure to make a stop at Arizona's largest candy store - Sweeties of Arizona, where you'll be able to share memories from your childhood with nostalgic favorite candies like Pez, Necco® wafers as well as a wall of Jelly Belly candies and plenty of unique sweets and a selection of more than 350 cane sugar sodas. Your kids and your inner child will be happy with a visit to the sweet store!