The first day of fall is this Friday, which means this weekend we're all about drinking pumpkin spice lattes, jumping in leaves and wearing cable-knit sweaters.
Okay, it might be too hot in Tucson to do any of those things (yet), but there's still plenty happening. Who's ready to weekend?
🎉Fun for everyone🎉
Tucson Greek Fest
Michael Lauria and Kirstie O’Hagin kick up their heels with the Pan-Athenian Dancers.
Get ready to say "Opa!" eat delicious food and party the night away at the Tucson Greek Fest happening this weekend.
What started as a small fundraiser for Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church 41 years ago has transformed into an annual celebration that attracts more than 14,000 people — now that's a lot of spanakopita.
Find more information here.
When: Thursday, Sept. 21, 4-10 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 22, 3-11 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 23, noon to 11 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 24, noon to 6 p.m.
Where: Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 1145 E. Fort Lowell Road
Parking is free behind the church, but it also fills up fast. Consider parking at Sacred Heart Church, located at 601 E. Fort Lowell Road, and taking a free shuttle in.
Cost: Admission to the $3 per person and free for children under 12 and seniors over 65. Admission is also free for active duty military, fire, police and first responders with an I.D.
Watch Arizona Football use the force against Utah
It's Star Wars Night at Arizona Stadium this Friday as the Wildcats take on Utes in an evening game.
Come dressed up for a chance to be featured on the Star Wars Dance Cam — you might just be able to snag some tickets to the upcoming film, "The Last Jedi".
Find more information here.
When: Friday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Arizona Stadium, 545 N. National Championship Drive
Cost: Find ticket information here or how to watch the game on TV here.
Girls Scouts Thin Mint Sprint (Sponsored)
Girls running the Thin Mint Sprint at Brandi Fenton Park. The run is in the fall.
What: Thin Mint Sprint is a family fun run for racers of all ages. There are three race options: the 5K Thin Mint Sprint, 1-mile Do-si-do Dash, and 100-meter Trefoil Trot for kids 5 and under. Participants can run or walk. All youth participating in the race receive a free Thin Mint Sprint patch and all racers get a Girl Scout Cookie at the finish line!
Where: Brandi Fenton Memorial Park
When: Sunday, Sept. 24. The first race starts at 7:30am. (Day-of registration is 6-7am.)
Cost: Racers should register in advance, either online (until Wednesday) or via the paper form on the website. Drop your form off at the Girl Scout campus, 4330 E. Broadway. Adult tickets (ages 13+) are $25 and youth tickets (ages 6-12) are $20. The Trefoil Trot (5-and-under) is free! Day-of registration is $30 for everyone.
Other info: Winners in each age category take home medals, too! The race is part of the Girl Scouts' health and wellness initiative, and includes a race expo showcasing local organizations and companies dedicated to healthy, active lifestyles. Come out and enjoy the race and the expo without registering to run.
Museum Day Live!
Striking out on their own after the tour, Bridget Auvenshineand her husband John walk through the gardens after the Friday Exploring the Garders tour at the Tucson Botanical Gardens in 2011.
Explore museums and cultural institutions in Tucson for free as part of Smithsonian Magazine's Museum Day Live!
Sign up for passes at Smithsonian.com, print out them out and use them as admission into participating museums including the Tucson Botanical Gardens, DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun and the Arizona History Museum.
Find more information here.
When: Saturday, Sept. 22
Where: Find participating places here
Cost: Event is free to attend
Love of Literacy children's book festival
The Love of Literacy children's book festival at the Children's Museum Tucson will encourage kids to celebrate books and reading.
Fuel your kid's love of reading with this free event at the Children's Museum downtown.
There will be activities, book giveaways and performances — plus free admission into the museum all day.
Read our story about the event here.
When: Saturday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Children's Museum Tucson, 200 S. 6th Avenue
Cost: Event is free to attend
Oktoberfest on Mount Lemmon
You don’t need lederhosen to enjoy German music, food and been at local Oktoberfests, such as the one on Mount Lemmon.
This weekend kicks off Octoberfest at Mount Lemmon Ski Valley. Drink German beer, eat brats, dance and be merry. There will also actives for the kids, so bring the family.
Find more information here.
When: Every weekend beginning Saturday, Sept. 23 and ending Sunday, Oct. 15
Where: Mount Lemmon Ski Valley, 10300 Ski Run Road
Cost: Event is free to attend, pay for food and drink
Plant Sale at the Desert Museum
Succulents will be on sale at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's Annual Plant Sale
Get new plants just in time for fall at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's Plant Sale. They'll have more than 250 types of plant species available for purchase with prices starting at $4.
Find more information here.
When: Sunday, Sept. 24 from 6 a.m. to noon
Where: Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N Kinney Road
Cost: Event is free to attend.
💸 Let's shop those deals 💸
•Pop-Cycle is celebrating their 9th birthday with free popsicles and 20 percent off the entire store on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Get a free 4th Avenue tote bag with purchases over $50 or more while supplies last. Find more information here.
• It's 50 percent off day Saturday at all Goodwill of Southern Arizona locations (minus the outlet store). Get your entire purchase for half the price — how very thrifty of you!
• Buy that fancy mixer you've always wanted to make those fall baked goods this weekend — all KitchenAid appliances are 20 percent off at Target.
• JCPenny is having a large fall sale with deals up to 50 percent off of apparel for everyone.
🎥 Movies 🎥
Wonder Woman night at Casa Film Bar
Gal Gadot in “Wonder Woman,” a commercial and critical hit for Warner Bros.
Unleash your inner Amazon warrior with a free screening of the latest Wonder Woman movie at Casa Film Bar. They will also be showing episodes from the 1970s Wonder Woman television show.
Enojy drinks from the bar, POPPED Artisan Popcorn and food from The Curry Pot food truck.
Find more information here.
When: Thursday, Sept. 21, 7-11 p.m.
Where: Casa Film Bar, 2905 E. Speedway Blvd.
Cost: Event is free to attend, pay for the food and booze
Free outdoor movie screening at MOCA
Watch a free screening of the documentary "Waste Land" at the Museum Of Contemporary Art's plaza. It's presented by The Loft Cinema and MOCA Tucson as part of a movie series that celebrates stories about art and artists on film.
Bring your own seats and picnic food for a night under the stars.
Find more information here.
When: Friday Sept. 22, 8 p.m.
Were: Cox Plaza at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson, 265 South Church Avenue
Cost: Free to attend
"Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" at the Loft Cinema
Go on a ride across the country as Pee-Wee Herman tries to find his missing bike in this classic 80s film.
We won't even judge if you close your eyes during the Large Marge trucker scene. 👻😬
This movie was chosen by a Loft staff member and is part of Arthouse Theater Day 2017, which features special screenings, movie-themed giveaways and more.
Find more information here.
When: Sunday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd.
Cost: $6 General Admission, $5 Loft members
👯 For you and the BFF 👯
Fall planting workshop at Native Seeds/SEARCH
Tohono O'odham lentils, left, and peas from Native Seeds/SEARCH in Tucson.
Have a green thumb this fall. The Native Seeds team will show you the best vegetables and wildflowers to grow in the desert. They'll also give you a few tips to keep your garden thriving long after you plant.
Find more information here.
When: Saturday, Sept. 23, 9-11 a.m.
Where: Native Seeds/SEARCH, 3584 E. River Road
Cost: $10 suggested donation. RSVP by emailing cherndon@nativeseeds.org or calling 520-622-0830, extension 112.
Pound n' Pour at Martin Drug Co
These are your best friends in Pound Fitness.
POUND is a fast-paced workout that combines aspects of Zumba, yoga and Pilates. Be the drummer of your own rock show as you pound the ground with green sticks to the beat of music.
When you're done with the workout, treat yourself to some bubbly 🍾
Find more information here.
When: Saturday, Sept. 23 — register at 9 a.m., sweat from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and then have some drinks.
Where: Martin Drug Co, 300 E. Congress Street
Cost: $10 per person, includes one beverage — proceeds go to Ben's Bells
Succulent pallet garden workshop
This undated photo of Flora Grubb Gardens shows a living picture made with cryptanthus and neoregelia bromeliads, rhipsalis cactus, haworthia, hoya, and peperomia in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Flora Grubb Gardens, Caitlin Atkinson)
If you've ever wanted to learn how to start a pallet garden now's your chance. Green Things is offering a class where they will help set one up for you and fill it full of succulents.
Pay only for the cost of supplies — they're offering 10 percent off of pallets bought at the store — and you can even bring in your own wooden pallet. If it's a shipping pallet however they do suggest cutting it down as as they can become very heavy once loaded with plants.
RSVP through Green Things' Facebook event page here.
When: Saturday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Green Things, 3384 East River Road
Cost: The event is free to attend, pay for the materials you use.
The event is free to attend, pay for the materials you use.
Born & Brewed Beer Battle
Hotel Congress is hosting their 6th annual beer competition. Food, fun, and booze from your favorite breweries will be going head-to-head. Who will take home Tucson's Beer Cup of 2017?
Find more information here.
When: Saturday, Sept. 23, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Hotel Congress, 311 Congress Street
Cost: $30 general admission, $15 designated driver admission, $50 VIP. Buy tickets here.
