Carefree Earth Day Celebration

Kick off Easter weekend with a day of adventure, discovery, and fun at the Carefree Earth Day Celebration in the breathtaking Carefree Desert Gardens! Join us on Saturday, April 19, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. for an unforgettable morning that celebrates both our planet and the joy of being outdoors.

Get up close with mini ponies, birds, and rattlesnakes in live animal encounters while wildlife experts share fascinating facts about Arizona’s unique ecosystem. You’ll also learn ways to protect these incredible creatures and their habitats. Throughout the day, enjoy a variety of interactive activities and games—test your luck at prize wheels, unleash your creativity with crafts, explore sensory boxes, and even try karate board breaking! Local conservation groups will be on hand with exciting exhibits, making sustainability both fun and inspiring.

Don’t miss the legendary Smokey Bear, champion of wildfire prevention, as well as local and regional organizations dedicated to preserving our natural spaces. If you’re looking to live greener, our sustainability exhibitors will share practical tips on reducing waste, conserving resources, and making a lasting environmental impact. Meanwhile, the Jubilate Conservatory of Music will provide the perfect soundtrack to your day with live performances that add a magical touch to the event.

And, of course, be sure to join in the Carefree Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt activity, which will be happening all throughout the Carefree Desert Gardens. 

Carefree Earth Day is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of nature, learning, and fun for everyone. Whether you’re an animal lover, a conservationist, or simply looking for a great day outdoors, this is the perfect way to honor our planet and create unforgettable memories. See you there!

Carefree Art Night - Only Two More!

Don’t miss the second-to-last Carefree Art Night of the season! Stroll through the town’s vibrant galleries, meet talented artists, and enjoy live art demonstrations, exclusive showings, and unique handcrafted pieces. From fine paintings and sculptures to jewelry and mixed media, there’s something for every art lover.  

Join us Thursday, April 17, from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. for an wonderful evening of creativity and inspiration!  

Rattlesnake Season - How to Prepare & Know What to Do

As warmer weather draws more people outdoors, it's important to remember that Arizona is home to 13 species of rattlesnakes, which become more active as temperatures rise.

Commonly encountered species include the Western diamondback, sidewinder, Mojave, and black-tailed rattlesnakes.

Rattlesnakes are most active from March through October, with April being a peak month as they emerge from hibernation. In early spring, they are often seen during the day, but as temperatures rise, they become more active at night.

Safety Tips: Watch your step: Rattlesnakes blend into their surroundings. Use a flashlight at night.

Stay on trails: Encounters are more likely off marked paths.

Give them space: Back away and avoid provoking them—rattlesnakes won’t chase you.

If Bitten:

• ✅ Stay calm and call 911 immediately.
• ✅ Remove jewelry and keep the limb below heart level.
• ✅ Minimize movement.

🚫 DO NOT apply ice, cut the wound, use a tourniquet, or try home remedies.

More than half of all bites occur when someone provokes the snake—leave them alone!

For more information, call the Arizona Poison & Drug Information Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Being close to the great outdoors is one of the rewards of living in or visiting Carefree. But while we enjoy these open spaces, it’s essential to use them responsibly.  

Carefree lies within the Phoenix PM-10 Nonattainment Area under the federal Clean Air Act. PM-10 consists of tiny dust and pollutant particles that can cause health issues, with off-road vehicle use on unpaved surfaces being a major contributor. To reduce air pollution, the Town of Carefree prohibits off-road vehicles on unpaved areas, including washes.  

Washes are more than scenic—they are vital to our stormwater system, providing wildlife habitat, supporting native plants, and filtering runoff. Driving through them damages vegetation, causes erosion, and stirs up contaminants like oil and heavy metals, which then pollute our water sources.  

Protecting our washes means protecting our health, water, and environment. Please respect these natural spaces and keep vehicles on designated roads. Please avoid driving in washes except at paved crossings, and please report any all-terrain vehicles in washes to the Town’s Code Enforcement Officer at (480) 488-3686 or codeenforcement@carefree.org.

Jewelry Arts in Carefree is a new addition to Carefree, offering a storefront and studio dedicated to handcrafted jewelry and hands-on learning. This unique space, created by local artist Lanni, features a curated collection of one-of-a-kind enamel and sterling silver jewelry, made on-site with fine craftsmanship.

Located in the Courtyard on Easy Street, the studio is perfect for finding special gifts or adding a meaningful piece to your collection. It’s also a creative hub offering small, personalized jewelry-making classes for all skill levels—from silversmithing to enameling.

“I wanted to create a space where people could not only admire jewelry but also discover the joy of making it themselves,” says Lanni, artist-owner.

Whether you're a beginner or experienced, the studio provides everything needed to craft your own jewelry. Classes are fun, accessible, and include all materials. ✨

Jewelry Arts in Carefree is a must-visit in Carefree, whether you’re shopping for stunning jewelry or exploring your creative side! 🛍️

📍 Where: 42 Easy St, Suite 3E

📞 Call: 914-356-3368

🌐 Website: www.jewelrybylanni.com

MC-LEF Gathering of Heroes

• Thursday, April 24 at 6 p.m.
• Handlebar J (116 E Becker Lane)

Live Music from Country Artist Herndon Brothers & More!  

Join us for a special open house reception as we honor distinguished military service members, veterans, and first responders. Enjoy live music, great company, and a night of appreciation—open to all!  

MC-LEF 19th Annual Golf Tournament

• Friday April 25 at 7:30 a.m.
• McDowell Mountain Golf Club (10690 E Sheena Drive)

Tee off the next morning at McDowell Mountain Golf Club at 7:30 a.m. for a fantastic day of golf, sunshine, and camaraderie.  

Interested in supporting the cause? Explore sponsorship opportunities and ways to contribute!

Desert Foothills Theater Summer Camps - Sign Up Now

Desert Foothills Theater is now registering campers ages 4–17 for an unforgettable summer of theater fun! With camps running throughout June and July at two convenient North Scottsdale locations, there’s something for every young performer—from littles to teens.

Whether your child is into singing, acting, dancing, or all of the above, DFT’s camps offer exciting themed productions like Moana, Annie, High School Musical, Newsies, and more. Spots fill quickly, so before things heat up, grab a place at the coolest camp in town!

Learn more with the button below.