We love spring for a lot of reasons. It's the perfect time to dine on the patio of your favorite restaurant. Wildflowers start popping up, adding a splash of color to our desert landscape.
And then there are the events β the Fourth Avenue Street Fair, the Agave Heritage Festival, Made In Tucson Market, Pima County Fair. The list truly goes on.Β
Mark your calendars, y'all. Festival season has arrived.
TMA Spring Artisans Market
The annual Spring Artisans Market at the Tucson Museum of Art features over 100 local makers showing off their creations, from candles and pottery to jewelry and photography.
When:Β 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Β Friday-Sunday, March 3-5
Where:Β Tucson Museum of Art,Β 140 N. Main Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
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.
Moon Market
Four of Wands is hosting a moon market, complete with astrology, palm readers, and bone and tarot readings. There will be $20 Pisces- and Virgo-themed flash tattoos, vendors and a food truck.Β
When:Β 2-9 p.m. Saturday, March 4
Where:Β Spark Project Collective Event Center,Β 4349 E. Broadway
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for shoppingΒ
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.Β
It's not uncommon to see stilt walkers, jugglers and other circus artists entertaining the crowds at the Arizona Renaissance Festival. This photo was taken in 2018.
Arizona Renaissance Festival
Go back in time at the Renaissance Festival with an arts and crafts fair, jousting tournaments, entertainment, food and more.
When:Β Saturdays and Sundays through April 2
Where:Β 12601 E. US Highway 60,Β Gold Canyon, about 90 minutes north of downtown Tucson
Cost:Β General admission is $21 for kids, $33 for adults
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
St. Philip's Plaza Market
Visit St. Philip's Plaza to shop from local makers and enjoy live music. While you're there, grab a bite to eat at one of the plaza's several eateries.
When:Β 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through April
Where:Β St. Philip's Plaza,Β 4280 N. Campbell Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for shopping and food
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Foothills Happy Hour Market
Visit this market at the Foothills Mall for items made by a variety of artisans, from jewelry to yard art to resin crafts.Β
When:Β 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Β Saturdays
Where:Β Foothills Mall,Β 7401 N. La Cholla Blvd.
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit theΒ websiteΒ for more information.
Medella Vina Antique and Vintage Fair
Once a month, Medella Vina Ranch hosts an antique fair where you can shop vintage items from more than 100 vendors, plus take a break at an onsite food truck.
When:Β 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Sunday of the month
Where:Β Medella Vina Ranch,Β 4450 S. Houghton Road
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for shopping and food
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Lorri Boffo, co-owner and stylist, says the new Gather space fits the marketβs needs perfectly. βBrick walls, wood floors, high ceilings. We knew it would be great for hanging banners and light fixtures,β she said.
Gather A Vintage Market
Find all kinds of vintage and antique home and garden items at this four-day market.
When:Β 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Β Thursday-Saturday, March 9-11; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 12
Where:Β Gather A Vintage Market,Β 300 S. Park Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.Β
Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention
Put on your best Western-style steampunk garb and head over to the Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention, which has taken place since 2011. You'll find entertainment, panels, workshops, games and more.
When:Β Thursday-Sunday, March 9-12
Where:Β Casino del Sol,Β 5655 W. Valencia Road
Cost:Β $43 and up for convention passes for adults
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Tucson Swing Festival
Join the Arizona Swing Cats for their second annual Tucson Swing Festival! There will be three nights of live music, lessons, competition prizes, panels and more.
When:Β Friday-Sunday, March 10-12
Where:Β Hotel Congress,Β 311 E. Congress St.; and Armory Park,Β 220 S. Fifth Ave.
Cost:Β $110 for a full pass, $60 for a party pass
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Alma Verde Mercado
Local artist The Serene Essentials is hosting an all-vegan market at Del Cielo Tamal, featuring local vendors, vegan snacks, live music and flash tattoos. The event will also celebrate the grand opening of Del Cielo's new in-house market that will offer grab-and-go items like salsas and tortillas.
When:Β 1-4 p.m. Friday, March 10
Where:Β Del Cielo Tamal,Β 3073 N. Campbell Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Spring Fair with Tucson Organic Gardeners
Shop plants and gardening supplies at this spring plant fair with Tucson Organic Gardeners, where you can also get advice from plant experts about gardening in Tucson. You'll find plants and seeds, compost, fertilizers and more.
When:Β 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 11
Where:Β 3809 E. Second St.
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Water Is Life Southwest Music + Resistance Festival
Dubbed "Honor the Earth: Water Is Life Southwest Music + Resistance Festival," this event is a celebration of Indigenous art, music, culture and resistance. You'll find performances, food vendors, environmental organizations and artists.
When:Β 1-10 p.m. Saturday, March 11
Where:Β MSA Annex,Β 267 S. Avenida del Convento
Cost:Β $30
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
Piper Bayley works with a polarization experiment at the University of Arizona's College of Optical Sciences booth in the STEM expo area at the SARSEF Science Fair Awards Ceremonies and Community STEM Expo in 2022.
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.
2023 March Hoppiness
It's beer fest time. Button Brew House is hosting March Hoppiness with more than a dozen local breweries and distilleries. There will also be live music and food truck Haus of Brats.
When:Β Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 11
Where:Β Button Brew House,Β 6800 N. Camino Martin
Cost:Β $35 in advance, $40 at the door, includes a March Hoppiness glass and six 9-ounce beer/cider pours, 4-ounce wine pours and/or 1.5-ounce spirit pours. Additional pours are $5 each.
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.
Mercado Flea
Check out more than 45 vendors selling antique and vintage items at the Mercado Flea.Β
When:Β 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month through May
Where:Β Mercado District,Β 100 S. Avenida del Convento
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Visitors walk a trail as the sun sets over the grounds at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum during Cool Summer Nights, Mad About Monsoons, Tucson, Ariz., July 16, 2022.
WineDown with Wildlife
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is hosting its second annual WineDown with Wildlife festival, where attendees can sip on regional wines, enjoy live music and stargaze β all while supporting wildlife.Β
When:Β 6-9 p.m. Saturday, March 18
Where:Β Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum,Β 2021 N. Kinney Road
Cost:Β $30 designated driver tickets, $55 general admission tickets. This event is for ages 21 and up.
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.
Artist James Lee paints on a canvas in his booth during the Festival of the Arts and Holiday Tree Lighting in Oro Valley Marketplace on Dec. 4, 2021.
Oro Valley Spring Festival of the Arts
This two-day market in Oro ValleyΒ features fashion, food, home goods, paintings and visual arts from 120+ local artisans. Food trucks will be onsite, too!
When:Β 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 18; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 19
Where:Β Oro Valley Marketplace,Β 12155 N. Oracle Road
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for shopping
VisitΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Hotel Congress Record Fair
Fans of vinyl, this one's for you! Hotel Congress and Desert Island Records are hosting a record fair this March, featuring record dealers and local DJs.
When:Β 1-6 p.m. Saturday, March 18
Where:Β Hotel Congress,Β 311 E. Congress St.
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Las Mujeres VerdesΒ Mercado
Las Mujeres Verdes, a group of four women looking to uplift small businesses, is putting together another market in March! The markets usually feature 30-40 local makers.
When:Β 2-6 p.m. Saturday, March 18
Where:Β Flowers & Bullets Midtown Farm,Β 3538 E. Ellington Place
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Made in Tucson Market
Celebrate more than 300 Tucson artists at this market featuring items from jewelry and vases to skincare products and candles. There will be food trucks, too!
When:Β 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 19
Where:Β East Seventh Street, west of North Fourth Avenue
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Fourth Avenue Spring Street Fair
See hundreds ofΒ artists from around the world, plus enjoy bites from food vendorsΒ and hear the sounds of local musicians.Β
When:Β 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, March 24-25; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 26
Where:Β Historic Fourth Avenue
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.Β
Mason Brydon, 3, is ready to turn in his "Easter egg" golf balls to see if he found one of the four winners during the Eggstravaganza Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 4, 2015.
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.
BICAS Art Mart
Local nonprofit BICAS started an art market in 2021 after art events were canceled during the pandemic, taking away important revenue generators for Tucson artists. The vendor list has yet to be announced for this year's art mart but stay tuned!
When:Β 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 26
Where:Β BICAS,Β 2001 N. Seventh Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Ashley La Russa talks with one of the night's visitors during Blax Friday's Soul Food Wednesday at the MSA Annex.
Soul Food Wednesday
Visit Blax Friday's Soul Food Wednesday at the MSA Annex to support local Black-owned businesses and food vendors.
When:Β 7-10 p.m. Wednesday, March 29
Where:Β MSA Annex,Β 267 S. Avenida del Convento
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for shopping and food
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
Family Fun Fair
SAYF Pima County is hosting a family-friendly festival at Reid Park! You'll find jumping castles, face painting, games, crafts, giveaways and food.Β
When:Β 9 a.m. Saturday, April 1
Where:Β Reid Park,Β 900 S. Randolph Way
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.Β
Baja Beer Festival
Head to the seventh annual Baja Beer Festival to sample beers from Arizona breweries, plus food from area chefs.
When:Β 1-5 p.m. Saturday, April 1
Where:Β Armory Park,Β 220 S. Fifth Ave.
Cost:Β $45-65, or $15 for designated drivers. This event is for ages 21 and up.
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.Β
Fiesta SahuaritaΒ
Celebrate the culture and history of Sahuarita with more than 100 vendors, food trucks, live music, a kid-friendly water zone and more. A drone show will close out the night.
When:Β 2-8 p.m. Saturday, April 15
Where:Β Anamax Park,Β 17501 S. Camino de las Quintas, Sahuarita
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Maria Moreno of El Rio Health blows bubbles as cyclists ride down North Stone Avenue during Cyclovia on March 27, 2022.
Cyclovia
Enjoy a day of car-free streets, where you can walk, bike or skate your way through Tucson neighborhoods. It's essentially a big block party where you'll find activity hubs and food vendors along the route.
When:Β 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 16
Where:Β Lost Barrio and Himmel Park area in midtown Tucson. See the route here.
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Tucson International Mariachi Conference
The Tucson International Mariachi Conference is back for another year of student workshops, competitions and concerts. The goal of the conference is to "promote awareness and foster traditional values of mariachi music and baile folklΓ³rico."
When:Β April 19-23
Where:Β Various locations
Cost:Β Various prices
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.Β
Arizona International Film Festival
The 31st Arizona International Film Festival will feature independent and innovative films from around the world. Stay tuned for the film lineup!
When:Β April 19-30
Where:Β Various locations
Cost:Β Tickets were $10+ in 2022
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Pima County Fair
Enjoy funky fair food, hop on the rides, play some carnival games and more. Concerts this year include Lil Jon, Uncle Kracker, Jeremy Camp, Ginuwine, and more.Β
When:Β April 20-30
Where:Β Pima County Fairgrounds,Β 11300 S. Houghton Road
Cost:Β General admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-10. Parking is $7. Visit theΒ websiteΒ for info on wristbands, bundles and other promotions.
VisitΒ theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Tucson Earth Day Festival
Celebrate Earth Day by learning about recycling, composting, gardening and nature at this festival hosted by Children's Museum Tucson. See exhibits from wildlife groups and enjoy kid-friendly activities.
When:Β 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 22
Where:Β Children's Museum Tucson,Β 200 S. Sixth Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attend
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Desert Air Market
This pop-up market is run by local makers and creatives. Past markets have featured more than 40 vendors selling everything from clothing and jewelry to stained glass and candles.Β
When:Β 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 22
Where:Β Bhava Wellness,Β 439 N. Sixth Ave.
Cost:Β Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Visionary House Market
This market, presented by Fatboy Sandos, will feature a food truck garden, a DJ, live art and 20 vendors selling items like resin saguaros, mixed media, Filipino treats, pressed flowers and more.
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 23
Where: Hem & Her Bridal, 4004 N. Stone Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping and food
Visit the event page for more information.
The Agave Heritage Festival is a four-day event hosted by Hotel Congress that celebrates the agave plant.
Agave Heritage Festival
Celebrate agave at this festival that's "rooted in the historical and cultural significance of the agave plant," according to the event's website. The festival features workshops, tastings, lectures, a dinner and more.
When:Β April 27-30
Where:Β Various locations
Cost:Β Various prices
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
12th Anniversary Beer Festival
Borderlands Brewing Company is hosting a festival in celebration of its 12th anniversary. The event will include a selection of beers from 10 breweries, plus food trucks, games and live music.Β
When:Β 1-5 p.m. Saturday, April 29
Where:Β Borderlands Brewing Company,Β 119 E. Toole Ave.
Cost:Β $45-$55
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
Pueblos del MaΓz
This festival celebrates the cultural and agricultural significance of MaΓz. Last year's events included a free block party, a photography exhibit, a dinner experience and more.
When:Β May 4-7
Where:Β Various locationsΒ
Cost:Β Various prices
Visit theΒ event pageΒ for more information.
