Festival of Books, bike rides, Mardi Gras, STEM β you don't have to break the bank to enjoy localΒ events in Tucson.
Here are 30 events that are free to attend this March.
Art Corner with BICAS
Get free access to recycled bike art parts, tools and other materials and get creative! Once you're finished, you can donate your creation to BICAS or give a suggested donation to the nonprofit, if you're able to. Check in at the front counter before heading to the art area.
When:Β 4-6 p.m. Fridays
Where:Β BICAS,Β 2001 N. Seventh Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attend, donation suggestedΒ
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Friday Night Concert at Steam Pump Ranch
Oro Valley Parks and Recreation is hosting two free concerts in March, including one on March 3 with Good Trouble and one on March 31 with Black Cat Bones.
When:Β 7-9:30 p.m. Fridays, March 3 and March 31
Where:Β Steam Pump Ranch,Β 10901 N. Oracle Road
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for food and drinks. Bring your own chair or blanket!
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Sustainable Landscapes Expo: A family-friendly, free event March 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
TheΒ Sustainable Landscapes ExpoΒ (Saturday, March 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 4210 N. Campbell Ave.) includesΒ more than 40 exhibitsΒ to increase your knowledge on efficient water usage andΒ sustainable landscaping in the Southern Arizona desert. Enjoy food trucks and hands-on activities for all ages. There will also be giveaways and (free) raffle for items and services, plus you could take home one of 200 free trees from Civano Growers!
Tucson Festival of Books
Book lovers, it's almost the best time of year: the 14th annual Tucson Festival of Books is back! Find 300 authors, 300 presentations and 200 vendors at this year's book fest.Β
When:Β 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, March 4-5
Where:Β University of Arizona Mall
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Tucson Orchid Society's Orchid Show and Sale
Tucson Orchid Society is hosting its annual show where you'll get to see orchid displays and have the chance to purchase orchids of your own.
When:Β 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 4; 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 5
Where:Β Mesquite Valley Growers,Β 8005 E. Speedway
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money forΒ shoppingΒ
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for moreΒ information.
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, March 4 and March 18
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.
Free First Saturday at Valley of the Moon
On the first Saturday of each month, fantasy park Valley of the Moon opens its doors for free. This Saturday there will be a dance performance by Haggs of Tucson.
When:Β Noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 4
Where:Β Valley of the Moon,Β 2544 E. Allen Road
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Plant swap with Plantney
Britney Spears-themed plant shop Plantney is hosting a plant swap for community members. Bring your plants, pots and any botanical-themed items to trade and swap with fellow plant lovers. Snacks and drinks will be provided!
When:Β 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 5
Where:Β On the corner ofΒ Sixth Avenue and Sixth Street
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring plants to swap
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
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, March 5 and March 19
Where:Β Borderlands Brewing Company,Β 119 E. Toole Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attendΒ
Visit theΒ event pageΒ 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.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.
Guided look at the night sky
Volunteer astronomers at Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium will guide guests through points in the night sky with a 16-inch telescope at the observatory.Β
When:Β 7-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, March 10-11
Where:Β Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium,Β 1601 E. University Blvd.
Cost:Β Free to attend, donations accepted
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 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 25
Where:Β The Tuxon,Β 960 S. Freeway
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Tucson Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras may be over, but the third annual Tucson Mardi Gras event is happening this month with a parade, Louisiana-style cuisine, live music and a "Bourbon Street Balcony Experience." Organizers decided to hold the festival in March, instead of February, to ensure better weather.Β
When:Β 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 11, geared more toward the 18-and-up crowd; noon to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 12 is more family-friendly.
Where:Β The Slaughterhouse,Β 1102 W. Grant Road
Cost:Β Free to attend. Upgraded tickets available.
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.Β
SARSEF Community STEM Expo
Enjoy a whole afternoon of STEM activities with local nonprofit SARSEF. The expo will feature hands-on science, the chance to chat with professional scientists and engineers, a scavenger hunt, live entertainment and an innovators hall where you can see student projects from the 2023 science fair. Food trucks will be onsite!
When:Β 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 11
Where:Β DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center in Reid Park,Β 800 S. Concert Place
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for shopping and food
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Spring Community Day: Celebrate Youth Artists
The University of Arizona Museum of Art is hosting a spring community day that celebrates local youth artists. You'll find a high school artists exhibition, a food truck, live music curated by Groundworks and a paint workshop.Β
When:Β 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 11
Where:Β University of Arizona Museum of Art,Β 1031 N. Olive Road
Cost:Β Free to attend, reserve your spot in advance if you want to participate in the paint workshop.
Visit theΒ event pageΒ 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:Β 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 11
Where:Β Children's Museum Tucson,Β 200 S. Sixth Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Tucson Repair Cafe
Need something fixed? Bring it to the Tucson Repair Cafe to be fixed for free! All items are welcome.
When:Β 4-8 p.m. Saturday, March 11
Where:Β Xerocraft Makerspace,Β 101 W. Sixth St.
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
An Archaeological View of Human History at Tucson's Birthplace
Two lectures later this month will allow you to dig into Mission Garden's history. Archaeologists Homer Thiel and Allen Denoyer will discuss the history of the area where Mission Garden sits, which is often dubbed Tucson's birthplace, and how we learn about the past.
When:Β 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 11
Where:Β Mission Garden,Β 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost:Β Free to attend with a suggested donation at the gate
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, March 11
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.
Tucson Portrait Story LIVE Festival
Taste, watch, listen and learn at the Tucson Portrait Story LIVE Festival. The fest is described as an immersive art experience in partnership with local artist Lauri Kaye, the Tucson Jewish Community Center and Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance. Kaye's "Tucson Portrait Stories" is a series of 60 mixed media stories. The portraits come to life at the festival β for example, Chef Maria Mazon will have chips and salsa at her portrait, or you can listen to a guitar concert at Gabriel Ayala's.Β
When:Β 1-4 p.m. Sunday, March 12
Where:Β Tucson JCC,Β 3800 E. River Road
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, performances, story time and family yoga.
When:Β 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Β Sunday, March 12
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
Ride with FUGA
Take a bike ride with organization FUGA, whichΒ advocates for mobility, accessibility and representation for Tucson's south-side and west-side communities.Β
When:Β 9-11 a.m. Sunday, March 12; 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 31
Where:Β Ward 1,Β 940 W Alameda St.,Β on March 12;Β El Pueblo Center,Β 101 W. Irvington Road,Β on March 31
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.Β
Free Third Thursdays at MOCA
Third Thursday at Tucsonβs Museum of Contemporary Art is a party. The art museum is open late with free admission β and free beer from Barrio Brewing Co. KXCI will be DJing and Tita Tita will be serving Filipino food!
When:Β 5-9 p.m. Thursday, March 16
Where:Β Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson,Β 265 S. Church Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for food
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 Xplosion. Bring your own chairs or blankets!
When:Β 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 16
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.
Stargazing in Saguaro National Park East
Go stargazing with the National Park Service and Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association in Saguaro National Park East.
When:Β 7-9 p.m. Friday, March 17
Where:Β Rincon Mountain Visitor Center,Β 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Marana Founders' Day
It's a day to celebrate Marana! There will be a parade, car show, performances, art station, food trucks, vendors, inflatables and more.
When:Β 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 18
Where:Β Town of Marana,Β 11555 W. Civic Center Dr.
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for food and shopping
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 how to create your own rain garden at home. After attending a 30-minute workshop, you'll get to take home a free rain garden kit! Plus, there will be story time and other activities for kids and teens.
When:Β 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 18
Where:Β Watershed Management Group,Β 1137 N. Dodge Blvd.
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.Β
EGGstravaganza with Tucson Parks and Rec
Celebrate Easter early with Tucson Parks and Recreation! Enjoy egg hunts, music, games and prizes. The Easter Bunny will be there!
When:Β 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 25. Egg hunts are at various times, organized by age. See theΒ full scheduleΒ for details.
Where:Β Mansfield Park,Β 2000 N. Fourth Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Telling Our Barrio Stories
Listen and share stories about local neighborhood Barrio Kroeger Lane. The stories will be used as inspiration for a mural that's set to be created later this year.
When:Β 10 a.m. Saturday, March 25
Where:Β Verdugo Park,Β 902 S. Verdugo Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attend
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, March 29
Where:Β The Ninth House,Β 2563 E. Fort Lowell Road
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Tucson Folk Festival
The annual Tucson Folk Festival features more than 125 live performances across five stages. Headliners include Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, The Fretless, Kyshona and The Brother Brothers.
When:Β Friday-Sunday, March 31-April 2
Where:Β Downtown Tucson
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.Β
