Tempe Blooms returns with award-winning floral experiences in 2026
The seeds that Downtown Tempe Authority planted with the introduction of Tempe Blooms continue to grow. Following the 2025 event in January, Downtown Tempe Authority has garnered prestigious recognition from numerous organizations, including two coveted Pinnacle Awards recently announced at the International Festivals & Events Association’s annual convention.
Need more? Read more: New Humble Bistro brings handcrafted cuisine to Downtown Phoenix
Tempe Blooms earns top honors for creativity and community impact
The weekend celebration, which transformed downtown into a veritable secret garden, earned Downtown Tempe Authority and its presenting partner Arizona Flower Market a Gold award in the Category of Best Sponsor Partner in the 30th Annual 2025 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Award Competition.
Downtown Tempe Authority recognized across multiple award categories
The IFEA Pinnacle Awards Competition recognizes outstanding festivals and events from around the world and continues to be the gold standard of achievement and inspiration for the global festivals and events industry. Also this fall, Downtown Tempe Authority’s Juneteenth Block Party and 2nd Sundays on Mill also earned top honors in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Best Event/Program Within an Event to Benefit a Cause categories, respectively.
A flourishing vision inspired by community and creativity
In recognition of its work on Tempe Blooms, Downtown Tempe Authority also earned a 2025 Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence from the International Downtown Association. The one-of-a-kind experience was a leading example of why Downtown Tempe Authority was recognized as a Culture Impactor in the 2025 Tempe Arts & Culture Awards presented by the City of Tempe. Tempe Blooms also earned an Impact Award for Best Downtown Event at the State of Downtown Tempe annual event and a Public Awareness Award from the Arizona State Floral Association.
“These awards are a wonderful recognition and reinforce our commitment to creating experiences that connect people to the downtown district,” said Lori Foster, President and CEO of Downtown Tempe Authority. “We’re grateful to all of our partners and artists who help create these memorable experiences at our events, and especially to Arizona Flower Market, who helped us launch Tempe Blooms into something truly special.”
The origins of Tempe Blooms and its early success
The idea for Tempe Blooms came to life in 2024 after the Downtown Tempe Authority team was inspired by a floral event in New York. Thanks in part to a $100,000 grant from the Arizona Office of Tourism’s Visit Arizona Initiative, the idea evolved — with plenty of Tempe twists — into an immersive community event like no other.
In its inaugural year, Tempe Blooms also earned a slate of awards, including recognition in the Downtown Event category for the 2024 Downtown Tempe State of Downtown Awards, a 2024 Public Awareness Award from the Arizona State Florist Association and Best New Festival or Event (Budget: $100,000 – $500,000) in the 2024 IFEA Pinnacle Awards contest.
Tempe Blooms returns in 2026 with expanded experiences
Returning for a new season
Tempe Blooms will bring its flower power back to Downtown Tempe on Jan. 24 and 25, 2026. The two-day free event invites the community to stroll through 21 floral displays crafted by local designers. Guests can also watch 10 live mural curations come to life, shop at over 45 local vendors in the floral-inspired market and enjoy live music on 10 different stages.
The experiential weekend event also features floral design workshops, a build-your-own bouquet area, floral-inspired specials at multiple downtown businesses, food and drinks, and a kids’ area that is fertile ground for little ones to show off their garden of creative talents. To learn more about Tempe Blooms in 2026, including opportunities for merchants, sponsors, and volunteers, visit downtowntempe.com/tempe-blooms.
