Free museum days, outdoor movies, a Juneteenth celebration — you don't have to break the bank to enjoy local events in Tucson.
Here are 20 events that are free to attend this June.
Visitors look over the art displayed on multiple levels at the Tucson Museum of Art where ramps lead to the lowermost galleries below ground level.
First Thursday at Tucson Museum of Art
Visit the Tucson Museum of Art every first Thursday of the month for pay-what-you-wish admission, gallery activities, live music and a cash bar. Get food from Parkie Sandwich while you're there!
When: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, June 6
Where: Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave.
Cost: Pay what you wish
Visit the event page for more information.
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, 200 S. Sixth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Fargo, the miniature Australian shepherd, watches the pass crowd as partner Dee Allen takes in the first few minutes of DC League of Super-Pets for Movies in the Park at the DeMeester Center, Reid Park, Tucson, Ariz., July 14, 2023.
Movies at Reid Park
Catch a family-friendly movie in Reid Park thanks to Cox Communications. There will be pre-show entertainment including music, games and prizes. Food trucks will be onsite, too. The movie begins when the sun goes down.
When: 6 p.m. Fridays, June 7 and June 21
Where: Demeester Outdoor Performance Center in Reid Park, 800 S. Concert Place
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food trucks. Bring chairs or blankets!
Visit the event page for more information.
Tasting History: Garlic and onions
Learn about the origins behind garlic and onions and how they became part of Tucson's agricultural and culinary traditions. Demonstrations are part of the fun.
When: 9-11 a.m. Friday-Saturday, June 7-8
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted
Visit the event page for more information.
First Friday Poetry
Poet and author Cara Lopez Lee, who wrote "Candlelight Bridge," is stopping by Revolutionary Grounds during its First Friday Poetry open mic.
When: 5 p.m. Friday, June 7
Where: Revolutionary Grounds, 4675 E. Speedway
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Tucson Juneteenth Festival
The Tucson Juneteenth Festival is celebrating with a week packed with events. The six events begin June 8 with a Cinderella Ballet at the Temple of Music and Art and end June 19 with an artist talk and exhibit. The main festival takes place June 15 with a car show, live entertainment, kid-friendly activities, vendors and food trucks.
When: June 8-19; festival is 4-10 p.m. Saturday, June 15
Where: Multiple locations; festival is at Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way
Cost: Festival is free; ballet starts at $18.
Visit the event page for more information.
Loft Kids Fest
Loft Kids Fest is back for another summer of family-friendly movies. Every Saturday and Sunday morning in June, free movie screenings will take place indoors at The Loft with pre-show entertainment from local toy shop Mildred & Dildred.
When: Doors open at 9:15 a.m. for pre-show activities and movies begin at 10 a.m. weekends in June.
Where: The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
2nd Saturdays
Check out food trucks, live music and local makers during this monthly outdoor street festival.
When: 5-10 p.m. Saturday, June 8
Where: Downtown Tucson along East Congress Street
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping and food
Visit the event page for more information.
Art After Dark at Children's Museum Tucson
Each month, Children's Museum Tucson hosts Art After Dark with local arts groups and free admission!
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8
Where: Children's Museum Tucson, 200 S. Sixth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
A community member, left, and repairer and webmaster Pete Vieira solder a PlayStation circuit board at a Tucson Repair Cafe event.
Tucson Repair Cafe
Need something fixed? Bring it to the Tucson Repair Cafe to be fixed for free! All items are welcome.
When: 4-8 p.m. Saturday, June 8
Where: Xerocraft Makerspace, 101 W. Sixth St.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Second SundAZe at TMA
Visit the Tucson Museum of Art every second Sunday for pay-what-you-wish admission. Activities include art-making and family yoga.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 9
Where: Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave.
Cost: Pay what you wish
Visit the event page for more information.
Ride with FUGA
Take a bike ride with organization FUGA, which advocates for mobility, accessibility and representation for Tucson's south-side and west-side communities.
When: 8-10 a.m. Sunday, June 9; 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 28
Where: ard 1, 940 W. Alameda St., on June 9; El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Road, on June 28
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Movies in Marana: "The Bad Guys"
Summer means outdoor movies are back! Catch a free outdoor screening of "The Bad Guys." Bring your own seating!
When: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, June 15
Where: Gladden Farms Community Park, 12205 N. Tangerine Farms Road
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Oro Valley Movies on the Lawn
Kid-friendly movies will take over the Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center monthly through September. June's movie is "Wonka." Bring your own seating!
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 15
Where: Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center, 10555 N. La Cañada Dr.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Traditional O'odham Agriculture at Mission Garden
Attend this event to learn about Tohono O'odham agricultural practices, including demonstrations and talks about Native American crops.
When: 8-10 a.m. Saturday, June 15
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted
Visit the event page for more information.
Free Third Thursdays at MOCA
The third Thursday of the month is a party at MOCA. The art museum is open late with free admission. Expect food, drinks and tunes from KXCI DJs.
When: 5-9 p.m. Thursday, June 20
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson, 265 S. Church Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Monsoon Literacy Celebration
This kid-friendly event, recommended for children ages 4-10 years old, will include hands-on literacy activities, animated short movies, story times and a sing-along with musicians from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
When: 2 p.m. Saturday, June 22
Where: Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St.
Cost: Free to attend, register online
Visit the event page for more information.
Mission Garden is located at the base of “A” Mountain, at 946 W. Mission Lane.
Archaeology Day at Mission Garden
Kids can learn hands-on archaeology skills at Mission Garden's monthly Archaeology Day.
When: 8-11 a.m. Saturday, June 22
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted
Visit the event page for more information.
Canstruction Tucson: Build for Hunger
This art exhibit features "cansculptures" built with canned foods by teams of local architects, designers, builders, contractors and engineers. You can vote for your favorite sculpture by donating to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.
When: June 22-July 10
Where: Park Place Mall, 5870 E. Broadway
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Fire Show at Sky Bar
Cirque Collective Fire Troupe puts on a 20-minute fire show every fourth Friday, right outside of Sky Bar.
When: 8:15 p.m. Friday, June 28
Where: Sky Bar, 536 N. Fourth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
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