It's October in Tucson (finally!) and you and your crew are going into this month like:
And we can't blame you β from here on out it's nothing but sunny autumn days and lots of things to do in Southern Arizona.
So let's get out there and go to some fall festivals, watch a spooky film or two and eat all the Halloween candy. It's October, people!
πΒ Fun for every one π
Marana Pumpkin Patch & Farm FestivalΒ
For Jude Nenadovich, "pumpkin lifting" may as well be an Olympic event as he struggles to pick up a pumpkin while his family watches in the background at the Marana Pumpkin Patch and Farm Festival in 2014.
Find the perfect pumpkin and then go do a bunch of other fun fall activities at theΒ Marana Pumpkin Patch & Farm Festival.
Admission into the festival gives you access into their corn mazes, Straw Mountain, petting zoo, jumping pillows, kids' play area and a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch.Β
Find more informationΒ here. Β
Get a list of other pumpkin patches around TucsonΒ here.Β
When:Β Festival starts Saturday, Oct. 7 and ends Sunday, Oct. 29.Β Open Monday-Thursday, 3-7 p.m.; Friday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.Β
Where:Β Marana Pumpkin Patch Festival,Β 14901 N. Wentz Road, Marana
Cost:Β $10.50 per person, plus tax, Monday-Thursday admission; $12.50 per person, plus tax, Friday-Sunday admission. Kids 32-inches-and-under get in free.Β
Tucson Reptile and Amphibian Show and SaleΒ
Elianna Ornelas, 2, seems a bit wary of "Maynard", a 26-year-old black throat monitor with dad Marcos, right, and brother Eli, 4, behind, at the Tucson Reptile and Amphibian Show and Sale on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, at the Tucson Expo Center.Β
The Tucson Reptile and Amphibian Show is one of the largest events of its kind in Arizona. Venders from all over the world will be selling thousands of captive bred reptiles, amphibians, and everything else that goes along with it.
There will also be a bunch of exotic animals on display and a petting zoo with alligators, lizards and giant tortoises β how cool!Β
Find more information here.Β
When: Saturday, Oct. 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Tucson Expo Center, 3750 E. Irvington Road
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12, free for anyone under 5.
Nightfall at Old TucsonΒ (Sponsored)
Bigger and better this year, come check out the only real haunted town ... Nightfall. Bury yourself in a totally terrifying town with outrageous live shows, disturbing haunts, hideous live characters and other fun attractions.Β
When: Sept. 29-Oct. 31 β Friday-Saturday 6 p.m.-midnight; Thursday, Sunday and Halloween. 6-10 p.m.
Cost: $21-28. Click here for more info about group discounts and coupons.
Warning: Not appropriate for younger people, those with medical conditions or squeamish adults. It's scary!
Oktoberfest at Trail Dust TownΒ
Members of the Tucson International Folk Dance club dance to the music being played by Bouncing Czechs an Oktoberfest at Trail Dust Town.Β
Drink local beer, eat delicious food, and dance to live music from The Bouncing Czechs. Sounds like a fine time to us!Β
Find more information here.Β
When: Saturday, Oct. 7, from 3-9 p.m.Β
Where: Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde RoadΒ
Cost: Event is free to attend, pay for food and booze.
Tucson Meet Yourself
Eager customers watch and wait for the tsatziki sauce to top off a gyro at the Daughters of Penelope/Order of Ahepa Greek Food Booth at this worldy feast of foods.
It's time to eat wonderful food from around the world and soak up that perfect October weather at Tucson Meet Yourself β an annual folk festival in downtown Tucson that celebrates the living traditional arts of Southern Arizona and expressions of everyday life.
Did we already mention the food? Because there's a reason why people call this event "Tucson EAT Yourself." Check out this list to find out what food vendors will be there is year. Β
Find more information here.
When: Friday, Oct. 13 and Saturday, Oct. 14, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 15, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: El Presidio Park, 160 W. Alameda StreetΒ and Jacome Library Plaza, 101 N. Stone Avenue
Cost: Event is free to attend β bring cash for food and drinks.
Patagonia Fall Festival
Take road trip out of Tucson to the little town of Patagonia for their Fall Festival.Β It's hosted at the park right in the center of town β just like Stars Hallow! There will be music, food, vendors and a whole lot of fun.
Find more information here.
When: Friday, Oct. 13 to Sunday, Oct. 15
Where: Near Patagonia Town Hall, 349-365 McKeown Avenue β It's about an hour drive from Tucson BTW.
Cost: Event is free to attend
Vintage trailer show on Sunshine Mile
Jenni Paganoβs vinatge trailer.
A dozen restored vintage trailers are parking it at Sunshine Mile as part of Tucson Modernism Week. Go take a look at these beauties for yourself and prepare to daydream about the open road.Β
Find more information here.
When: Saturday, Oct. 14 and Sunday, Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.Β
Where: Sunshine Mile, 2419 E. Broadway Blvd.
Cost: $10 general admission.
VailFest
Samantha Hickey feeds grain to a pygmy goat at the 4-H petting zoo during the Vail County Fair, now called VailFest.
Formerly the Vail County Fair, VailFest claims to be not just another "ho-hum event." There will be activities for the kids, a large car show, beer tasting, food trucks, music, and vendors.Β
Find more information here.
When: Saturday, Oct. 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Pima County Fairgrounds, 11300 S. Houghton Road
Cost: Event is free to attend.
Marana Cotton Festival
Play in a big cloud of cotton, participate in rodeo activities, go on carnival rides, hang with goats in a petting zoo and eat a bunch of chili β it's all at the Marana Cotton Festival, an event created to celebrate the agriculture and history of Marana.Β Β
Find more information here.
When: Saturday, Oct. 21, from 4-9 p.m.
Where: Marana Heritage River Park, 12375 N. Heritage Park
Cost: Event is free to attend.
π§ For the kidsπ¦
Arizona Insect Festival
Kids with insects at the Arizona Insect Festival.
The 7th annual festival hosted by the University of Arizona's Department of Entomology features more than 20 booths where attendees will be able to engage in interactive exhibits, hold insects, learn about insect-based research taking place at the UA and, for the more adventurous, eat tacos and cookies made out of insects.
Find more informationΒ here.Β
When:Β Sunday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: ENR2 building on the UA campus, 1064 E. Lowell Street. Pro tip β park for free in the Sixth Street Garage. It's closest to the festival.
Cost: Free, but bring money for the vendor fair.
Look at bugs, hold bugs and eat bugs at this yearly festival.
Second SundAZe family day at Tucson Museum of Art
The Tucson Museum of Art is celebrating the opening of TMALearnβs brand new Creative Space, housed in the historic Fish house on Main Avenue. The new Creative Space has expanded from one small room to three rooms β a community gallery, art-making room, and reading area.Β
Help make a mess in the new space! Fuel your creativity at art-making stations that will be set up throughout out the building and learn about the history of the Fish Family.
Find more informationΒ here
When:Β Sunday, Oct. 8, noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Tucson Museum of Art,Β 140 N Main Avenue
Cost:Β Free admission for Arizona and Sonora, Mexico residents.
Kids Magic Pumpkin Class
Green Things tries to host classes that teach people to enjoy gardening.Β
Stuff miniature plastic pumpkins with whatever plants you choose. Check outΒ our storyΒ on Green Things for other events happening at the nursery this month.Β
RSVP and find more information here.Β
When:Β Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to noonΒ
Where:Β Green Things,Β 3384 E. River Road
Cost:Β Event is free to attend, pay for whatever supplies you use.
Stuff miniature plastic pumpkins with whatever plants you choose.Β
TRAK Harvest Festival
Riders Hunter Christensen, left, and Lyric Smith wash down Peanut, left, and Norman at the TRAK Ranch at 3250 E. Allen Rd. in Tucson, AZ. TRAK, Therapeutic Ranch for Animals and Kids, just recently moved into this property.
Therapeutic Ranch for Animals and Kids is hosting a harvest festival with face painting, a costume contest, live music, games, pony rides, a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch and carving and food trucks.Β
Find more informationΒ here, or callΒ 520-298-9808
When:Β Saturday, Oct. 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where:Β TRAK,Β 3250 E. Allen Road
Cost:Β $10 per familyΒ
Disney on Ice at the TCC
Take your family to see Disney On Ice's "Follow Your Heart" for your chance to see the Emotions from "Inside Out" and celebs such as Dory, Elsa, Cinderella, Buzz Lightyear and other Disney stars. And Mickey and Minnie. Obviously.
Find more information here.
When: Shows on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 14, at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 15, at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Where: Tucson Convention Center,Β 260 S. Church Avenue
Cost:Β The Tucson Convention Center box office is selling tickets starting at $17. You can also buy tickets from Disney here.
Your favorite Disney characters on ice!
In the Desert with Elmo β Tucson Symphony Orchestra's Just for Kids
Tucson Symphony Orchestraβs Just For Kids
Join Elmo and his pals for for a southwest adventure as part of Tucson Symphony Orchestra's Just of Kids series.
Find more information here.
When: Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Tucson Symphony Orchestra, 2175 N. Sixth Avenue
Cost: Event is free to attend
This Is Tucson School Fair
The This Is Tucson School and Camp Fair is a one-day event to help parents find the right school or community program for their kids.
Exhibitors this year include: preschools, private schools, district schools, charter schools, magnet schools, home schooling organizations, special needs schools, online schools, tutoring and educational enrichment programs, after-school programs and summer camps.
In addition to all these resources for parents, there will be plenty of activities to do for the kiddos, and optional childcare too!
Schools and organizations interested in being exhibitors can email SchoolandCampFair@tucson.com or signup here.
Find more information here.
When: Sunday, Oct. 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E. River Road
Cost: Event is free to attend.
Night of Fright at the Pima Air and Space Museum
Radio Disney emcee Natalia Schmidt entertains Saturday at the Pima Air and Space Museum during Night Wings.
It's a "non-scary" Halloween Carnival for the whole family at the Pima Air and Space Museum. Come dressed up in your costumes for a night of fun spooks, trick-or-treating and surprises.
Ghoulish lights will also be on display at the main hanger of the museum and some of the aircraft exhibits.Β Β
Find more information here.
When: Friday, Oct. 27, from 5-9 p.m.
Where: Pima Air and Space Museum, 6000 E. Valencia Road
Cost: $10 general admission, free for kids 12 and underΒ
Be Kind Halloween Bash
Alexis Brown, 2, walks back to the car dressed as a princess after a morning at the Viva La Local Food Festival at Rillito Park Race Track on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015.
Trick-or-treating, free things to do in Trail Dust Town and Golf N' Stuff and prizes for all ages!
Find more information here.
When: Sunday, Oct. 29, from 4-9 p.m.
Where: Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road, Golf N' Stuff, 6503 E. Tanque Verde Road
Cost: $12 gets you a one-time admission into Trail Dust Town attractions, including the stunt show, and one round of golf and tokens at Golf N' Stuff.
π₯ Movies π₯
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone celebration at The Loft
Yer ahh wizard, Tucson! Celebrate the 20th anniversary release of the first Harry Potter book with a magical movie party brought to you by the Pima County Public Library.
Go to all the pre-screening fun at 11:15 where you can hang out with some of the Hogwarts crew, eat free Golden Snitch cake pops from Cakes for Causes and do activities hosted by Mildred & Dildred Toy Store. It all leads up to a costume contest and showing of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."
Find more information here.
When: Sunday, Oct. 15, noon to 2:30 p.m.
Where:Β The Loft Cinema,Β 3233 E. Speedway Blvd.Β
Cost: $8 general admission, $6 for Loft Members and kids 12-and-under Β
The Purple Rain Sing-A-Long
A Prince "Purple Rain" sing-a-long, not unlike this "Purple Rain" viewing party in Minneapolis, will take place at the Loft, Oct. 21.Β
Sing along to the classic Prince film, "Purple Rain" at The Loft. Come dressed in your favorite Prince look because there will be a costume contest, and purple glow sticks!
Find more information here.Β
When: Saturday, Oct. 21, 7:30-10 p.m.
Where:Β The Loft Cinema,Β 3233 E. Speedway Blvd.Β
Cost: $12 general admission, $10 for Loft Members
Free screening of Hocus Pocus in Marana
Dress up as your favorite Sanderson sister and enjoy a free outdoor screening of "Hocus Pocus" at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park in Marana.
Bring something to sit on or rent something there. Concessions will also be available for purchase.
Find more information here.Β
When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 10-11:45 a.m.
Where: Crossroads at Silverbell District Park, 7548 N. Silverbell Road
Cost: Event is free to attendΒ
Halloween night with Donnie Darko
"Donnie Darko"
Come dressed in your Halloween costume or man suit to Casa Film Bar and watch the the 00's cult classic Donnie Darko.
"***Free popcorn will be divulged only to those with an interest in doing the shadow work that we have brought amongst ourselves during this dark season of harvest!!!***" Yeah...what they said.
Find more information here.
When: Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 7-9 p.m.
Where: Casa Film Bar, 2905 E. Speeway Blvd.
Cost: Event is free to attend, pay for drinks and food
πΈ Shopping πΈ
Antique Vintage Fair and Market at Medella Vina Ranch
Several Edison Gold Moulded cylinder records sit on a table for $5 each or three for $10.
This antique and vintage fair on the first Sunday of every month has over 180 vendors, a food court (with wine) and jeep tours and carriage rides.
Find more informationΒ here. If you really love antiquing, check out a list of markets in TucsonΒ here.Β
When:Β Sunday, Oct. 1, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where:Β Medella Vina Ranch,Β 4450 S. Houghton Road
Cost:Β Parking is $1 per car
Saguaro Market's Grand ReopeningΒ
You'll see all kinds of cactus stuff at Saguaro Market. Even in its own decor.Β
After a summer hiatus, Saguaro Market is back and ready to celebrate its one-year anniversary. Get a look at the new merchandise β if it's anything like their last stuff it's going to be super cute.
Find more informationΒ here.Β
Saguaro Market will also be hosting a vintage market later in the month on Oct. 28, find more information about that event here. Β
When: Open Thursday, Oct. 5, to Saturday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Saguaro Market, 657 W. Mary's Road
Cost:Β Items are in the $-$$ range.Β
$1 sale at Buffalo Exchange
Shoes sit on display atop a clothing rack at Buffalo Exchange.
Buffalo Exchange is hosting a $1 clothing and accessories sale to help raise funds for the All Souls Procession. Be sure to get there early to score some good stuff!
Find more information here.Β
When: Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. β or whenever clothes run out
Where: Buffalo Exchange, 2001 E. Speedway Blvd.
Cost: $1 for each clothing item β cash only
π―Β For the BFFΒ π―
Mask and Papier-MΓ’chΓ© craftshop for the All Souls ProcessionΒ
To get ready for the All Souls Procession happening on Nov. 5. with free papier-mΓ’chΓ© workshops geared towards helping you make that mask, float, puppet or any other project for the big event.
The organizers of the procession are also hosting a number of other crafting workshops for the month of October, get the full schedule here.Β
When: Sundays from 1-6 p.m., Wednesdays from 5-9 p.m. until Oct. 29, and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Oct. 14, 21 and 28. Β
Where: 1011 E. Miles Street
Cost: Workshops are free to attend
Punk Prayer at the Tucson Humanities Festival
Nadya Tolokonnikova of the Russian punk rock band Pussy Riot will be hosting a lecture called Punk Prayer: Pussy Riot's Fight for Global Freedom of Expression as part of the University of Arizona's Tucson Humanities Festival.
Tolokonnikova advocates for human rights and creative expression. She spent two years in a Russian prison for an anti-Putin performance.Β
Find more information here and learn about other Tucson Humanities Festival Events here.Β
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3.
Where: Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St.Β
Cost:Β $11 atΒ rialtotheatre.com
The speaker is Nadya Tolokonnikova of the Russian punk rock band Pussy Riot. Tolokonnikova advocates for human rights and creative expression.…
6th Annual CATART Event featuring Hues'n'Booze painting class
Party-goers cover their canvas with background color at the Hues βnβ Booze one-year anniversary painting party at CafΓ© a la CβArt.
You'll paint an adorable "Dracu-bat-cat" in this no experience needed painting class. $10 from each registration will be donated to the kitties at Pawsitively Cats No-Kill Shelter. Art supplies and instruction included.Β
Find more information here.Β
When:Β Tuesday, Oct. 3, starting at 6 p.m.
Where: La Cocina Restaurant & Cantina, 201 N. Court Ave.
Cost: $35 per person
Paint an adorable "dracu-bat-cat" in this no experience needed class. $10 from each registration goes to Pawsitively Cats No-Kill Shelter.
Dusk Music Festival
Dusk Music Festival returns as a bigger and better experience than last year.
The festival, which is now a two-day event, has a fun and star-studded lineup including headliners Big Sean and Steve Aoki.Β
Find more information here.Β
When: Friday, Oct. 6, from 4-11 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 7, from 4-11 p.m.
Where: Rillito Park Race Track, 4502 N. 1st Avenue
Cost: Tickets start at $49, find more prices here. Also, you gotta park β general admission parking passes are $20, get them before the event here.Β
World Margarita Championship at the Hilton El Conquistador
A bevy of Tucson bartenders compete for the title of World Margarita Champion.Β
Tucson Original Restaurants chefs are battling it out to see who has the best margarita in town.Β
The Southern Arizona Arts & Culture event will feature food and tequila tastings β attendees will also vote for their favorite margarita.Β
Find more informationΒ here.Β
When: Friday, Oct. 6, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Hilton El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, 10000 N. Oracle Road Β
Cost: $55 per person
Native Seeds/SEARCH fall plant sale
Join in on the ancient practice of seed saving. Native Seed/SEARCH will teach beginning seed savers how they can save seeds from common garden vegetables.
Get a variety of leafy greens, veggies and herbs to fill your cool-season garden.Β
Find more informationΒ here. Β
When: Oct. 20-22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where:Β Native Seeds/SEARCH, 3061 N. Campbell Ave.
Cost: Members get 10 percent off
Β
