Live music, movie screenings, Dillinger Days β you don't have to break the bank to enjoy localΒ events in Tucson.
Here are 25 events that are free to attend this January.
Customers walk past a display near the entrance of the University of Arizona Bookstore.
Story Time Character Hour
The University of Arizona BookStores are hosting monthly Story Time Character Hours for kids ages 2-5 years old. There will be reading and crafts, plus the chance to take photos with storybook characters. This month, Paddington will be there.
When:Β 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7
Where:Β The University of Arizona BookStores,Β 1209 E. University Blvd.
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.Β
BEYOND Tucson
BEYOND Tucson began in 2012 following the Jan. 8, 2011 mass shooting when "family members of slain congressional aide Gabe Zimmerman saw an opportunity to not only pay tribute to their son and the other victims, but to provide meaningful activities for community members to reconnect with each other while participating in health-related outdoor activities," BEYOND's website says. This year, BEYOND Tucson will be hosting a number of hikes and runs to take place over the course of a week.
When:Β Jan. 7-14
Where:Β Several locations
Cost:Β Free to attend, registration required
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Drag Queen Bingo
Roxi Starr is hosting at least two Drag Queen Bingo events this month!
When:Β 7-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7 at Button Brew House. 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29 at Bawker Bawker.
Where:Β Button Brew House,Β 6800 N. Camino Martin.Β Bawker Bawker Cider,Β 400 N. Fourth Ave.
Cost:Β Free to playΒ
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information on the Button Brew House bingo.Β Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information on the Bawker Bawker bingo.
Beer + Bikes
This bike ride goes along The Loop to 1912 Brewing Co. for a beer or two, followed by a bike ride back to Button Brew House for food truck bites.
When:Β 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 7 and Jan. 21
Where:Β Button Brew House,Β 6800 N. Camino Martin
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for brews and food
VisitΒ theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
New Year's Collage with Spark Project Collective
Use magazines to create a collage based around all your New Year's resolutions.
When:Β 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7
Where:Β Spark Project Collective Events Center,Β 4349 E. Broadway
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Cars and Coffee
Head to Topgolf early Saturday morning for a casual car meet. There will be free coffee and free golf for attendees 8-10 a.m.
When:Β 7-9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7
Where:Β Topgolf,Β 4050 W. Costco Dr.
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Second SundAZe at TMAΒ
Visit the Tucson Museum of Art every second Sunday for pay-what-you-wish admission. Check out art-making activities and family yoga.
When:Β 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Β Sunday, Jan. 8
Where:Β Tucson Museum of Art,Β 140 N. Main Ave.
Cost:Β Pay what you wish, reserve tickets in advance.
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.Β
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.Β
When:Β 5-7 p.m. Thursdays
Where:Β Children's Museum Tucson,Β 200 S. Sixth Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Queer Speed DatingΒ
Find your next date or make a new friend at this queer speed dating event!
When:Β 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12
Where:Β Bawker Bawker Cider House,Β 400 N. Fourth Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attend. This event is for ages 21 and up.
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
More than 80 jazz musicians will converge on Tucson next week for the 2023Β HSL Properties Tucson Jazz Festival.
Tucson Jazz Festival
This year's HSL Properties Tucson Jazz Festival features its biggest lineup yet with more than 80 musicians set to perform styles from modern jazz to old school.
When:Β Jan. 13-22
Where:Β Several locations
Cost:Β Varies. Downtown Jazz Fiesta at Hotel Congress is free to attend.
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Popover Battle
It's the battle of the popovers! Attendees will get to try a plate from any of the contestants, and three judges will pick the winners who will get a cash prize. There will also be the "dance till you drop" Ironman Pow Wow Competition, in which a performer from the community will select the winners. The event is hosted by the Native Music Coalition, featuring contestants that are tribe members and Native American vendors.
When:Β 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14
Where:Β Cholla High School,Β 2001 W. Starr Pass Blvd.
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
The Big Read: Literacy Event at Mission Garden
This upcoming literacy event held at Mission Garden will surround the "power of storytelling and poetry to transmit national histories and spark imagination." It's a day of books, speakers, readings, signings, giveaways and youth activities.
When:Β 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14
Where:Β Mission Garden,Β 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost:Β Free to attend, $5 suggested donation
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Second Saturday at Steam Pump Ranch
Steam Pump Ranch is hosting an event with handcrafted products, tours from the Oro Valley Historical Society, gardening and archaeological demonstrations, live music, a farmers market and crafts for kids.
When:Β 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14
Where:Β Steam Pump Ranch,Β 10901 N. Oracle Road
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Natural Wonder Photography ExhibitionΒ
Decode Gallery is unveiling its newest exhibit featuring nature photography by local and international artists. There will be drinks and snacks!
When:Β 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14
Where:Β Decode Gallery,Β 320 S. Convent Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Hundreds showed up for Dillinger Days at Hotel Congress in downtown Tucson for the 28th annual event on Jan. 16, 2022.
The celebration brings the spirit of the 1930s to life in honor of infamous gangster John Dillinger and other bank robbers being captured 88 years ago by Tucson police officers. Video by Jesse Tellez/Arizona Daily Star.
Dillinger Days
A fire that broke out at Hotel Congress in 1934 led to the capture of the infamous Dillinger gang. Each year, the hotel puts on Dillinger Days with reenactments of the capture, vintage cars and live music.Β
When:Β 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. There will also be aΒ Dillinger SpeakeasyΒ at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14.
Where:Β Hotel Congress,Β 311 E. Congress St.
Cost:Β Dillinger Days are free to attend; the speakeasy is $15.
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.Β
TKMA Song Circle Social Gathering
Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association, aka the folks who put on the annual Tucson Folk Festival, are putting together a bimonthly Song Circle Social. Bring your instrument, share some songs and mingle with fellow musicians.
When:Β 5:30-8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15
Where:Β Borderlands Brewing Company,Β 119 E. Toole Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attendΒ
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Free movie screenings for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
The Loft Cinema will screen two movies for free on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Catch a showing of "Black Panther" in the afternoon, followed by "Selma" in the evening.
When:Β 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16 for "Black Panther." 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16 for "Selma."
Where:Β The Loft Cinema,Β 3233 E. Speedway
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Stargazing at The Tuxon
Head to The Tuxon for an evening of stargazing with Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association. There will be complimentary wine and s'mores kits!
When:Β 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19
Where:Β The Tuxon,Β 960 S. Freeway
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Concerts in the Courtyard
Head to Marana for this monthly concert series, with food trucks onsite. This month, enjoy music from Little House of Funk. Bring your own chairs or blankets!
When:Β 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19
Where:Β Marana MunicipalΒ Complex,Β 11555 W. Civic Center Dr.
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Blaire Manalisay, left, 6, plays grocery store with her uncle Ryan Bustamante at the Children's Museum Tucson, 200 S. 6th Ave., in Tucson, Ariz. on March 25, 2021.Β
Zoom Zoom at Children's Museum Tucson
Children's Museum Tucson's transportation-themed event is back! There will also be a vaccine clinic onsite.
When:Β 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21. The museum itself will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission all day.
Where:Β Children's Museum Tucson,Β 200 S. Sixth Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ 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 traditional crops including corns, beans and squash.
When:Β 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 21
Where:Β Mission Garden,Β 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost:Β Free to attend with a $5 suggested donation
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Family Saturdays with Watershed Management Group
Head to Watershed Management Group for Family Saturdays where you'll learn about bugs and birds in the Sonoran Desert. There will be songs and story time, plus you can learn to shape and polish a worry stone.Β
When:Β 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 21
Where:Β Watershed Management Group,Β 1137 N. Dodge Blvd.
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.Β
Stargazing with Reach For The Stars
Local nonprofit Reach For The Stars is hosting an evening of stargazing! There will be telescopes set up, kid-friendly activities, space games, coffee and hot cocoa.
When: 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21
Where: Mollohan Castle,Β 1939 W. Mollohan Dr.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Tucson Bridal Expo
The Tucson Bridal Expo, hosted by our sister site the Arizona Daily Star, is back for another year. Chat with more than 50 wedding vendors, from venues to photographers. #ThisIsTucson will be there too!
When:Β 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22
Where:Β Tucson Convention Center,Β 260 S. Church Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attend, registration required
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Witch Talk Wednesdays
The Ninth House metaphysical shop hosts a monthly Witch Talk Wednesday. They compare the event to their other salons, where you can discuss tarot and astrology with like-minded individuals. Thereβs no instructor, but instead a community gathering to discuss chosen topics around witchcraft.
When:Β 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25
Where:Β The Ninth House,Β 2563 E. Fort Lowell Road
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
"Water Harvester: An Invitation to Abundance" Screening
Tohono Chul is hosting a free screening of "Water Harvester: An Invitation to Abundance," which is the story of Brad Lancaster's journey through water harvesting experimentation in Dunbar Springs. An informational panel will take place after the 30-minute film is over.
When:Β 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26
Where:Β Tohono Chul,Β 7366 N. Paseo del Norte
Cost:Β Free to attend, registration is required
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
