January of 1926 wasn’t just another month in Phoenix—it was the start of something extraordinary. The inaugural Masque of the Yellow Moon, organized by the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, transformed the city into a stage for culture and creativity. Inspired by Native American traditions, the festival featured music, dance, pageantry, and hundreds of floral displays by students from Phoenix Union High School and Phoenix Junior College.
Held at the El Zaribah Shrine Auditorium, this dazzling event—directed by Sharlot Hall, Arizona’s first Territorial Historian—was more than just entertainment. It showcased Phoenix as a rising star, ready to claim its spot as a cultural and economic hub.
The Masque became an annual tradition, growing in scale and splendor under art teacher Claudia Perkins. The performance became popular in the mid 1930s, it was touted as a the best theatrical event in the U.S. Themes changed each year, but the spirit of celebration endured until 1955.
This iconic festival reflected the city’s ambition—a fitting prelude to the completion of the Southern Pacific Railroad later that year. Phoenix in 1926 was a city on the move. Much like today our city has always known how to shine. While it may look different today, the ambition that lit up the desert in 1926 still burns just as bright.
For more information about the Masque of the Yellow Moon and Phoenix History, please consider these other resources: PBS Arizona Stories: The Photo Worth a Million Words & DTPHX: Downtown Phoenix’s Iconic Springtime Bash
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At The Phoenix Art Deco Society, we’re passionate about preserving the vibrant history of Phoenix, especially its incredible Art Deco era. Our latest article, ‘Phoenix Then and Now,’ explores how events like the 1926 Masque of the Yellow Moon captured the city’s spirit of ambition and creativity. By celebrating these moments, we aim to keep the stories of Phoenix’s golden age alive, inspiring our community to cherish and protect the architectural and cultural treasures of this remarkable time.”