30 JUNE 2026 By Bridget Edgell The month of June is a time to honor the men we look up to and admire. Father’s Day takes place on June 21, and Phoenix and surrounding cities are full of events dedicated to dads. From barbecue smoke outs and pickleball tournaments to special screenings and scenic landscapes, there are plenty of ways to celebrate. Arizona Biltmore Golf Course (2400 Biltmore Estates Dr., Phoenix) invites fathers and families to enjoy a tee time before heading to the club’s weekly Sunday Smokeout barbeque that’s also paired with whiskey tastings. Dads do love golf, but they might love barbecues even more. azbiltmoregc.com Camelback Village Racquet & Health Club (4444 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix) is offering a Father’s Day package that includes lunch, a 60-minute signature massage and a Gentlemen’s Special Facial Treatment with microdermabrasion and a brow clean- up for $240. villageclubs.com The Musical Instrument Museum (4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix) is hosting fathers for a backyard inspired barbecue cookout. From 10-11:30 a.m., the brunch includes smoky favorites, seasonal sides, and indulgent desserts, crafted to celebrate the dads in your life, all set in the museum’s Founders Room. mim.org The Arizona Diamondbacks are up against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 21. The first 15,000 dads in attendance will receive a special D-backs Father’s Day polo. VIP packages are available for a pregame “Play Catch on the Field” experience, including tickets and a commemorative baseball. mlb.com Self-care lovers might like to check out a Sound Healing session before they head out to the golf course or out to brunch with the fam. Taking place on Sundays at Mountain Shadows Resort (5445 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley), this soothing sound healing experience is designed to restore balance and calm. Featuring crystal singing bowls and a resonant gong that create gentle vibrations to help relax the body, dads will leave feeling refreshed and recharged. mountainshadows.com Chicken N Pickle (9330 W. Hanna Lane, Glendale) is offering up some friendly competition at their Pickleball with Pops tournament at 10 a.m. Dress in your best dad uniform (you know, cargo shorts and tucked- in tees) and team up with your faves for prizes. All proceeds benefit Shriners Children’s, a nonprofit healthcare system. Tickets are $75 per team. chickennpickle.com Rosie’s House (919 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix) will present its third annual “Make Music Day,” a festive event with live music and performances throughout the day. The event is open to all ages, welcoming families to celebrate dads through music. rosieshouse.org Celebrate with a scenic adventure aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad (300 N. Broadway, Clarkdale) where families can enjoy a four-hour round-trip journey through Arizona’s red rock canyon June 20-21. Departing from the historic depot at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. or 5:30 p.m., the experience travels alongside the Verde River, across historic trestles and through a 734-foot tunnel carved through solid rock. Tickets are $139 and include climate-controlled seating, access to open-air viewing cars, a gourmet charcuterie box, a champagne or sparkling cider toast and a special keepsake. verdecanyonrr.com Desert Botanical Garden (1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix) is hosting Flashlight Nights, where dads can attend for free with a paid child ticket. Taking place on June 20 from 7-9:30 p.m., the experience includes glowing desert trails, local craft beers for dads, and hands-on activities for the kids, including a garden-wide scavenger hunt. dbg.org Whiskey-favoring dads can check out Outlaw Distillery (2125 E. 5th St., Tempe) and its guided bourbon tasting experience for two. One ticket includes both tastings, allowing dad + one to sample a curated selection of bourbons while learning about the flavor, craft and process behind each pour in a laid-back setting. outlawdistillery.com 810 Entertainment (50 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix) is part sports bar, part family- friendly entertainment. The Father’s Day package includes a two-hour lane rental for up to eight people, shoes, a party platter, and unlimited soda, for $150. 810bowling.com Queen Creek Botanical Gardens (25002 S. 206th St., Queen Creek) will host a “fishing with dad” competition. Starting at 7 a.m., attendees can head out and wet a line, win prizes, check out field games and the summer kindness program for kids, and shop for veggies at the market. Once you’ve had your fill of fish, head over to Pecan Lake to challenge dad in a game of laser tag, mini golf, axe throwing and more. qcgardens.org Father’s Day fun around the Valley Today’s fathers are more involved in caregiving than previous generations, participating in feeding, soothing, and daily routines, according to The Newborn Care Solutions Agency, a Valley-based company that provides services during the newborn stage. However, many fathers report feeling less confident in the early weeks, particularly if they lack prior experience with newborns. Access to clear, evidence-based guidance can help bridge this gap. When fathers understand what is normal – frequent waking, cluster feeding, or periods of inconsolable crying – they are better equipped to respond calmly and effectively. For many high-performing professionals, the transition into fatherhood is meaningful, but it can also be disruptive. The newborn stage introduces a completely different rhythm – one not driven by schedules, deadlines, or predictability. Newborns require frequent feeding, often every 2-3 hours, and their sleep patterns are biologically immature. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, irregular sleep and frequent waking are normal and developmentally appropriate in the early weeks. This adjustment period can challenge even the most disciplined and structured individuals. One of the most overlooked aspects of the newborn phase is decision fatigue. From feeding choices to sleep environments to recognizing early signs of discomfort, new parents are constantly processing information and making decisions – often while sleep-deprived. Research consistently shows that sleep deprivation impacts cognitive function, reaction time, and decision-making ability. For professionals who are used to operating at a high level, this can feel particularly disorienting. Understanding this cognitive load is important. It reframes early parenting challenges not as a personal shortcoming, but as a normal response to an intense and temporary phase. A common misconception is that structure must come immediately in the newborn phase. In reality, early stability comes from understanding patterns, not enforcing schedules. Evidence-based newborn care focuses on following feeding cues rather than strict timing, supporting safe sleep environments, responding to infant needs in a timely and consistent way and gradually introducing gentle rhythms as the baby develops. Postpartum support can help new parents provide structured, evidence-based guidance during this transition. Families receive guidance on normal newborn sleep patterns and safe sleep practices, feeding expectations and cues, soothing techniques and more. The goal is to reduce uncertainty while helping parents build confidence in their own decision-making. Every family’s needs, schedules, and support systems look different. Taking time to evaluate what support may be helpful can provide clarity before the baby arrives. For executive dads, success during this transition often comes from shifting expectations, reducing unnecessary pressure, and relying on accurate, evidence-based information. thencsa.com The executive dad’s guide to a smoother newborn transition PHOTO: NEWBORN CARE SOLUTIONS AGENCY Play Catch on the Field at Chase Field. Flashlight Nights at DBG. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS PHOTO COURTESY OF DBG