The Tucson Festival of Books, a St. Patrick's Day Parade and an astronomy celebration β you don't have to break the bank to enjoy local events in Tucson.
Here are 33 events that are free to attend this March.
La PeΓ±a del SurCo
The University of Arizona's Applied Intercultural Arts Research is hosting a free gathering of Latin American folk music. Empanadas will be available for purchase!
When: 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 7
Where: Coalition Space, 311 E. Seventh St.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event page for more information.
Desert Bluegrass Festival
Nine bands over three days will perform all shades of bluegrass at the Desert Bluegrass Association's annual festival, coming to Marana's Gladden Farms.
When: Friday-Sunday, March 7-9
Where: Gladden Farms Community Park, 12205 N. Tangerine Farms Road
Cost: Free to attend on Friday; $25 each day Saturday and Sunday; $40 for a festival pass
Visit the event page for more information.
Tasting History: Cardoon
This drop-in monthly series teaches attendees about the plants that shape our home, including agricultural traditions and tastings. This month is all about cardoon.
When: 9-11 a.m. Friday-Saturday, March 7-8
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted
Visit the event page for more information.
Oro Valley Spring Festival of the Arts
This two-day market in Oro Valley features more than 120 vendors with crafts that range from photography to candles to fine art. You'll also find inflatables, live music, a painting competition, face painting, a planting station and more activities.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 8; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 9
Where: Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N. Oracle Road
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit event page for more information.
Spring Plant Swap
Bring plants, cuttings and seeds and swap them for something new to you during this event at Desert Survivors.
When: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 8
Where: Desert Survivors Native Plant Nursery, 1020 W. Starr Pass Blvd.
Cost: Free to attend, bring plants to swap
Visit the event page for more information.
Fort Lowell Day
Celebrating history and the Fort Lowell Neighborhood, Fort Lowell Day is a family-friendly afternoon of performances, demonstrations, tours and more.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 8
Where: Fort Lowell Museum, 2900 N. Craycroft Road
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Guests zoom by on the carousel during Festive Fridays at Trail Dust Town on Dec. 29, 2023.
Second Saturdays Family Fest
The Play District is hosting a free family-friendly event at Trail Dust Town, slated to feature music from Mr. Nature, bilingual story time and more.
When: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 8
Where: Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for amusement rides
Visit the event page for more information.
Community STEM Expo
Families are invited to this expo to experience hands-on STEM activities, an innovators hall where you can see this year's student projects, live music, food trucks and the chance to purchase STEM-related merchandise.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 8
Where: Reid Park, 910 S. Concert Place
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Second Saturday at Steam Pump Ranch
The second Saturday of every month is special at Steam Pump Ranch. Find historic tours of the grounds, a bike swap, crafts for kids, vendors selling their artwork and a farmers market.
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 8
Where: Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit the event page for more information.
Free Succulent Saturday
Although kids always get to plant for free at Four Arrows Garden, the nursery hosts "Free Succulent Saturday" each quarter where everyone can take home a free succulent.
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 8
Where: Four Arrows Garden, 13499 E. Success Dr.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Janet K. Burner: 50 Year Retrospective
Mudroom Gallery's latest exhibit is all about Janet K. Burner, who began her ceramics career in 1975 when the Tucson Museum of Art became a museum. You'll see work that represents her 50-plus years of ceramic experience.
When: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, March 8 for opening reception; exhibit is through April 12
Where: Mudroom Gallery, 102 W. Washington St.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Gardening Classes
Harlow Gardens is hosting five events this March, where you'll learn everything from tips on growing tomatoes to the secrets of citrus. One event is a workshop for a make-and-take spring bouquet.
When: Various dates
Where: Harlow Gardens, 5620 E. Pima St.
Cost: Most are free to attend; bouquet workshop is $60
Visit the event page for more information.
BICAS Crafternoons
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: 1-4 p.m. Saturdays
Where: BICAS, 2001 N. Seventh Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, donation suggested
Visit the event page for more information.
Second SundAZe at TMA
Visit the Tucson Museum of Art every second Sunday for pay-what-you-wish admission. Activities include art-making and family yoga.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 9
Where: Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave.
Cost: Pay what you wish
Visit the event page for more information.
Members of FUGA roll out on a monthly ride. With their rides, they hope to promote safer streets and representation for Tucsonβs south-side and west-side communities.
Ride with FUGA
Take a bike ride with organization FUGA, which advocates for mobility, accessibility and representation for Tucson's south-side and west-side communities.
When: 9 a.m. Sunday, March 9; 6 p.m. Friday, March 28
Where: Ward 1, 940 W. Alameda St., on March 9; El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Road, on March 28
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page 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.
When: 5-7 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Children's Museum Tucson, 200 S. Sixth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Book Talk: "What Side Are You On?"
Mission Garden will play host to this reading and conversation surrounding Michael Steven Wilson and JosΓ© Antonio Lucero's book "What Side Are You On? A Tohono O'odham Life Across Borders."
When: 10 a.m. to noon Friday, March 14
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Family Game Night
Enjoy games, music and refreshments at this free event hosted by Tucson Parks and Recreation.
When: 4:30-7 p.m. Friday, March 14
Where: Randolph Center, 200 S. Alvernon Way
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Friday Night Concert at Steam Pump Ranch
Oro Valley Parks and Recreation is hosting a free concert featuring Vindaloo Band.
When: 6-8:30 p.m. Friday, March 14
Where: Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food and drinks. Bring your own chair or blanket!
Visit the event page for more information.
Tucson Festival of Books
Book lovers, it's almost the best time of year: the annual Tucson Festival of Books is back! Find hundreds of authors, presentations and vendors at the beloved book fest.
When: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, March 15-16
Where: University of Arizona Mall
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Claire Pennington, 1, gets a little help from her mother in hula hooping during Marana Founders' Day at Ora Mae Harn Park in Marana, Ariz. on Saturday, March 25, 2017. Founders' Day celebrates the history and people of Marana.
Marana Founders' Day
It's a day to celebrate Marana! There will be a parade, a car show, performances, an art station, food trucks, vendors, inflatables and more.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 15
Where: Town of Marana, 11555 W. Civic Center Dr.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food and shopping
Visit the event page for more information.
Movie at the Ranch
Watch a free outdoor screening of "Inside Out 2" at Steam Pump Ranch.
When: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, March 15
Where: Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Family Saturdays with Watershed Management Group
Head to Watershed Management Group for Family Saturdays where you'll learn about rain gardens.
When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 15
Where: Watershed Management Group, 1137 N. Dodge Blvd.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
St. Patrick's Day Festival of Tucson
This festival kicks off with a parade in downtown Tucson, followed by music, dancers, an area for kids, vendors and food.
When: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 16
Where: Armory Park, 222 S. Fifth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event page for more information.
Living Room Craft Night
Bring whatever art project you're working on and craft in a safe space among friends and community.
When: 5-10 p.m. every third Sunday
Where: Coalition Space, 311 E. Seventh St.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
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 and beer from Brick Box Brewery.
When: 5-9 p.m. Thursday, March 20
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson, 265 S. Church Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Concerts in the Courtyard
Head to Marana for this concert series, this time featuring OnesAll Band. Food trucks will be onsite, as well as various pet agencies. Bring your own chairs or blankets!
When: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 20
Where: Marana Municipal Complex, 11555 W. Civic Center Dr.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event page for more information.
Tucson Astronomy Festival
Itβs almost time for Tucson Amateur Astronomy Associationβs annual Tucson Astronomy Festival! Head to Brandi Fenton Memorial Park in the afternoon for solar observing, followed by stargazing after dark. There will be astronomy-themed family-friendly activities and prizes!
When: 3-9 p.m. Saturday, March 22
Where: Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, 3482 E. River Road
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
The Thunderbirds line up as they scream over the runway for a Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona airshow rehearsal at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on March 24, 2023.
Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is opening the gates for their free weekend-long air show. Watch aerial displays from headliner the Thunderbirds.
When: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, March 22-23
Where: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, 3100 S. Craycroft Road
Cost: Free to attend, tickets available for seating and VIP options at $55 and up
Visit the event page for more information.
Archaeology Day at Mission Garden
Kids can learn hands-on archaeology skills at Mission Garden's monthly Archaeology Day.
When: 8-11 a.m. Saturday, March 22
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted
Visit the event page for more information.
Storytime at the Fox
The Fox is hosting story time with a very theater twist β instead of reading from a book in your hands, pages of a children's book will be shown on the movie screen.
When: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 26
Where: Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St.
Cost: Free to attend, register online
Visit the event page for more information.
Fire Show at Sky Bar
Cirque Collective Fire Troupe puts on a 20-minute fire show every fourth Friday, right outside of Sky Bar.
When: 8:15 p.m. Friday, March 28
Where: Sky Bar, 536 N. Fourth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Tucson Sculpture Festival
Sculpture Tucson is hosting the free Sculpture Tucson Festival featuring works by more than 60 sculptors. The festival was first held in 2018 and has since become the largest outdoor juried sculpture show in Arizona, organizers say.
When: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, March 29-30
Where: Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, 3482 E. River Road
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
