There are so many exciting events happening in Tucson, it's almost hard to know where to start! Luckily, we've compiled our list of 38 must-see events to liven up your weekend!
Walking tours with the Presidio Museum
Explore Tucson's downtown area with walking tours hosted by the Presidio Museum. There's a long list of tours on the calendar, including the Turquoise Trail, Armory Park, Barrio Viejo, Death After Dark and Public Art & Murals.
When:Various dates, check out the calendar.
Where:Locations vary based on tour.
Cost:$30 and up. Pre-registration may be required for these events
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Music in the Courtyard
Jointhe Southern ֱ Arts & Cultural Alliance and Tucson Jazz Festival, for a relaxing midweek music break during the fifth season of Music in the Courtyard, a free concert series in the beautiful Historic Pima County Courthouse Courtyard.
When:11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, fromSeptember 12 - May 22
Where:Pima County Courthouse,
Cost:
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Discovery Nights at Children's Museum Tucson
Visit Children's Museum Tucson for a free night of science and art, including story times and pop-up science experiments.
When:5-7 p.m. Thursdays
Where:Children's Museum Tucson,.
Cost:Pay what you wish
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Kevin Hart Acting My Age Tourat AVA on Oct 4th!
Emmy & Grammy nominatedat AVA Amphitheater on Oct 4, 2025!!
$5 Fridays at the Tucson Botanical Gardens
Enjoy $5 admission to the Tucson Botanical Gardens every Friday through September 26.
When:Fridays through September 26
Where:Tucson Botanical Gardens,
Cost:$5
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Magic & Mystery Dinner Theater
Enjoy dinner from Dante's Fire alongside a magical theatrical performance.
When:6:30 p.m. Saturdays and most Fridays
Where:Dante's Fire,
Cost:$49 without dinner, $89 with dinner
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Di Luna Saturdays
Head over to Di Luna on Saturdays for a weekly market that features local vendors, food, drinks, flash tattoos and more!
When:8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays
Where:Di Luna,.
Cost:Free to attend, bring money for shopping
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Sabino Canyon Night Crawler
The Sabino Canyon Crawler's night tour returns on Saturdays, now through October 25!
When:7:30- 9 p.m. on Saturdays
Where:Sabino Canyon Recreation Area,
Cost:$15 for adults, $8 for children
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Art Cart with Caroline Martin
Head to local art educator Caroline Martin's art cart, where she brings craft supplies to different locations around Tucson. Choose from three self-guided crafts to complete at each spot!
When:Various dates throughout September
Where:Various places
Cost:$5-$15
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Gail Benjamin walks past the spooky themed patio at Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress — one of the stops along the downtown Tucson ghost tour in 2023.
Haunted Hotel Tours
This 30-minute walking tour, you’ll explore all of Hotel Congress’ scary secrets, including the lady of the staircase, the Victorian gentleman in Room 214 and other spooky ghosts.
When:Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. throughout October 29
Where:Hotel Congress,
Cost:$15 for adults and $10 for kids
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Les Misérsables
When:Various times, Tuesday, September 9 - Sunday, September 14
Where:Centennial Hall,
Cost:$43
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Twilight Free Adoption Event- PACC
When:10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Friday, September 12
³:Pima Animal Care Center,
Cost:Free to attend
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Biogeography of the Sonoran Desert
Want to learn more about our desert environment?Want to know why it's considered one of the most biologically diverse environments on earth? Are you curious about sky islands? Join host Franklin Lane for an educational exploration of the biogeography of the Sonoran Desert.
When:10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, September 12
³:Miller- Golf Links Library,
Cost:Free to attend
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Video Game Trivia Night- Poppin' Off
Level up the fun with a trivia night that spans all your favorite consoles, characters, and cheat codes! Think you’ve got what it takes to win? Prove it!
When:6:30 p.m. Friday, September 12
Where:Poppin' Off Pop Culture Gifts & More,
Cost:Free to attend
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Sonoran Sashay
This drag and burlesque showcase created in collaboration with the Sonoran Institute celebrates the Dragonfly Festival and the beauty of the Sonoran Desert and the Santa Cruz River.
When:7 p.m. Friday, September 12
Where:Club Congress,
Cost:$10 for advance tickets and $15 on the day of the show
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Comedy Kiki
Start your weekend with a laugh at The Comedy Kiki! This late-night variety show celebrates queer voices in comedy, serving up a fabulous mix of improv, stand-up, sketch, and alt-comedy. It’s queer, it’s iconic, it’s a riot!
When:9-10 p.m. Friday, September 12
Where:Tucson Improv Movement,
Cost:$9
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80s Dance Party at The Surly Wench Pub
Dance the night away to all of your favorite retro hits including Prince, Madonna, QUEEN, Michael Jackson, and more.Dress in your favorite 80s attire, or come as yourself!
³:9p.m., Saturday, August 2
Where:The Surly Wench Pub,
Cost: $5
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Mat Pilates at Scented Leaf
Head over to Scented Leaf’s University location for a Pilates workout followed by a social hour. All tickets include a medium hot or iced drink. Don’t forget to bring your own mat!
When:8-9 a.m. Saturday, September 13
Where:Scented Leaf,
Cost:$12.51
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Paper Flower Making Workshop with Yoeme Garden Committee Members
For Pascua Yaqui Recognition Day, members of the Yoeme Garden Committee will teach participants how to make paper flowers in honor of the rich cultural traditions of the Pascua Yaqui people.
When:9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Saturday, September 13
Where:Mission Garden,
Cost:Free to attend
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Card Show
Buy, sell and trade Pokémon, One-Piece, Magic The Gathering, or any other favorite collectible cards! You can browse over 60 vendors selling cards, anime, toys, and other collectibles.
When:10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, September 13
Where:Tucson Convention Center,
Cost:Free to attend, bring money for shopping
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Desert Artisans Market- Catalyst
Shop and support local Artisans and small businesses! Vendors will have handmade crochet plushies, soaps, candles, art, home decor, jewelry, bags and more!
When:12-5 p.m. Saturday, September 13
Where:Catalyst Creative Collective, Tucson Mall,
Cost:Free to attend, bring money for shopping
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Shoppers browse the selection of clothes at Etcetera Vintage Market.
Etcetera Vintage Market
Shop a dozen or so vintage sellers, stocking everything from graphic tees, to '90s and Y2K fashion, and secondhand accessories.
When:12-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13
Where:4th Ave Coalition space,
Cost:Free to attend, bring money for shopping
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Mexican Independence Day Celebration
Celebrate Mexican history and heritage with Ballet Folklorico and mariachi performances as well as a lecture, and of course, El Grito!
When:5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, September 13
Where:Presidio Museum,
Cost:Free to attend
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Latin Dance Night- Trail Dust Town
Xplosion is turning it up in the Savoy Opera House at Trail Dust Town for Latin Dance Night featuring Tejano and Cumbias! Don't forget to check out theirdrink specials. This event is 21+, and space is limited.
When:6 p.m. Saturday, September 13
Where:Trail Dust Town,
Cost:Individual tickets are $5 each, or$80 per table andinclude both8 chairs and 8 admissions
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Water Color Pet Portrait Class- Hunter's Kitten Lounge
Meet the adoptable kitties of Hunter's Kitten lounge, and get creative with thishands-on watercolor paint class fundraiser!
When:6-8 p.m. Saturday, September 13
Where:Hunter's Kitten Lounge,
Cost:$25
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Dream Night at the Zoo
Reid Park Zoo is hosting Dream Night, a private event for kids with specialized health-care needs, chronic illnesses and disabilities, as well as their parents and siblings. Expect a lineup of popular characters and activities for all.
When:6-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13
Where:Reid Park Zoo,
Cost:Free to attend
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Social Saturdays
All of Tucson is invited to spend an evening with the shops of the Monier Building located in the Mercado District in Menlo Park. Visit 10+ participating shops at the Monier, where you’ll find complimentary refreshments and family-friendly activities. Don’t forget to enter to win a huge raffle basket with goods from all of the shops.
When:6-9 p.m., Saturday, September 13
Where:
Cost:Free to attend
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Paint Night- Poppin' Off
Enjoy a relaxing evening of mandala painting, using vinyl records as a canvas! Bring your own or use the records provided, and create your own unique masterpiece.
When:6:30 p.m. Saturday, September 13
Where:Poppin' Off Pop Culture Gifts & More,
Cost:$25
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Spectators view a laser presentation played to Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” at Flandrau Planetarium on the University of ֱ campus July 16, 2010 in Tucson.
Laser Shows at Flandrau
Flandrau is hosting several different music-themed laser shows this September. Expect shows paired with the music of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and classic rock.
When:6:30- 10:30 p.m. Saturday, September 13
Where:Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium,
Cost:$20, admission to science exhibits is included
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Grease Sing-A-Long
Sing along with the Rydell High crew while you watch this classic musical. Each viewer will receive a Grease Goodie Bag filled with interactive props. Don’t forget to dress in your best 50’s outfits for the costume contest!
When:7 p.m. Saturday, September 13
Where:The Loft Cinema,
Cost:$15 general admission, $12 for Loft members and children under 12
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Retro Game Show Night Presents: The $9.95 Pyramid
Enjoy an evening of off-the-cuff comedy that pays homage to old TV game shows with a funky twist.
When:7 p.m. Saturday, September 13
Where:Club Congress,
Cost:$19.06
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Sculpture Soíree
Triangle L Ranch is hosting an opening reception of Sculpture in the Park featuringnew large scale artist installations along the Magic Path and a group sculpture show in the Adobe Barn Gallery.
When:the exhibition opens Sept. 13 and the opening reception is from 5-8 p.m. on Sunday, September 28.
Where:Triangle L Ranch,
Cost:Free to attend
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Bicis y Burros Ride
FUGA hosts a westside morning bike ride on the second Sundays of the month. Grab your bike and head over to the Ward 1 office to join! Make sure to bring a water bottle and there will be free bean burritos from Los Jarritos.
When:8-10 a.m. Sunday, September 14
Where:
Cost:Free to attend
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Pet Remembrance Day at Old Souls Animal Rescue
Honor and celebrate beloved pets who have crossed the rainbow bridge at Old Soul's first annual Pet Remembrance Day event.Create a keepsake, spend time with the older, special needs, and hospice rescue animals of Old Souls, and shop food and tattoo vendors.
When:9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Sunday, September 14
Where:Old Souls Animal Rescue,
Cost:Free to attend, bring money for vendors
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Second SundAZe atTucson Museum of Art
Visit the Tucson Museum of Art every second Sunday for pay-what-you-wish admission. Activities include art-making and family yoga with Yoga Oasis
When:10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14
Where:Tucson Museum of Art,
Cost:Pay what you wish
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Succulent Workshop- Poppin' Off
Get Your Hands Dirty at this Creative Succulents Workshop!Pick your favorite pot, build your own potted succulent garden, and take home a one-of-a-kind, living creation!
When:1-4 p.m. Sunday, September 14
Where:Poppin' Off Pop Culture Gifts & More,
Cost:$15
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Snakes & Lattes on Main Gate on East University Boulevard
Ravensburger Puzzle Race Mini Tournament- Snakes & Lattes
Bring your competitive spirit and pair up with your friends to compete against other teams, and fight for first place! If you love puzzles, you won't want to miss the fun. Your ticket includes a refreshing soda or iced tea for each team member, a shareable treat, and a captivating 500-piece puzzle to take home.
When:2-4 p.m. Sunday, September 14
Where:Snakes & Lattes,
Cost:$25
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Lisa Frank Paint and Sip at Bawker Bawker Cider House
For their 5th anniversary, Bawker Bawker Cider House is throwing a Lisa Frank inspired sip and paint party.
When:2-5 p.m. Sunday, September 14
Where:Bawker Bawker Cider House,
Cost:$49.87
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Charm Your Chunks
Head to El Be Goods and decorate your choice of clip or claw clip from Chunks with cute charms, giving it a Y2K makeover!
When:6-8 p.m. Sunday, September 14
Where:El be Goods,
Cost:$40 for one clip and charms or $20 for just charms (bring your own item)
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