Your September Guide to Fountain Hills: Slower Days and Football Season
September in Fountain Hills has a rhythm all its own. The big festivals haven't kicked off yet, the farmers market isn't back on the Avenue, and the crowds that fill the town from October through April are still a few weeks out. What we do have is a little breathing room, evenings that are finally starting to cool off after sunset, and the start of football season — which, if you ask around town, might be the real September tradition here.
If you're new to the area or just looking for a reason to get out of the house this month, here's what's actually going on around Fountain Hills right now.
The quiet before the season
Locals sometimes call this stretch "the lull," and it's a good thing. The Fountain still puts on its show daily, shooting up on the hour from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (weather and wind permitting), and Fountain Park is a nice, uncrowded place for an early morning walk or a sunset picnic while the heat starts to break.
A few things worth marking on your calendar as we head into fall:
Fountain Hills Oktoberfest returns October 2–4, just a few weeks out. It's one of the town's most popular annual events, so if you want to plan around it, now's the time.
Movie in the Park is set for October 10 at Fountain Park, with a screening of Toy Story 5 at sundown — free, family-friendly, and a good excuse to bring a blanket and stake out a spot on the lawn.
The Fountain Hills Farmers Market on the Avenue of the Fountains typically returns in November once the weather cooperates, so hang tight — it's coming back.
Football is officially back
If there's one thing that defines September around here, it's football. The NFL season kicked off this week, and both of Arizona's college and pro teams are already in action:
The Arizona Cardinals open their September slate on the road against the Chargers (Sept. 13) and the 49ers (Sept. 27), but they're home at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, September 20 against Seattle — a great excuse for a Fountain Hills watch party or a short drive down the hill to Glendale.
The Arizona State Sun Devils are off to a strong start after a 70-7 home opener, with road games at Texas A&M (Sept. 12) and a trip across the pond to face Kansas in London (Sept. 19).
Where to watch the game in Fountain Hills
You don't have to leave town to catch the action. A couple of local go-tos:
Saddle Bronc Grill (11056 N. Saguaro Blvd) covers NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB across a western-themed dining room hung with sports pennants, plus over 25 beers on tap and a happy hour that runs 11 a.m.–5 p.m. weekdays. It's a three-time Fountain Hills "Restaurant of the Year," so the food holds up as well as the game-day atmosphere.
All American Sports Grill (16872 E. Ave of the Fountains) is the spot most people think of first — 30 TVs, a full menu of game-day comfort food, and happy hour specials that make it easy to settle in for an afternoon of football.
Skybox Ultra Sports Lounge (16737 E. Parkview Ave) is the more low-key option — a genuine neighborhood bar with TVs, Golden Tee, pool, and a crowd that's there for the game, not the scene. Open late if your Sunday turns into a doubleheader.
Either way, you're minutes from home, which is one of those small Fountain Hills perks that's easy to take for granted.
A quieter month, but a good one
September doesn't try to compete with our fall and winter event calendar, and that's honestly part of its charm. It's a month for settling back into routines, enjoying the first real relief from the heat, and getting a little louder on Sundays than the rest of the year. Whether you're cheering on the Cardinals from your own couch or grabbing a table at All American, I hope you get a chance to enjoy everything this town does well, even on its slower weeks.
If you're thinking about buying or selling in Fountain Hills and want a local's read on the market — or just want to talk football — I'd love to hear from you.
— Jenn