Tucsonans enjoy the chilly weather with a walk around the Botanical Gardens, 2150 North Alvernon Way, Tucson, Ariz., Jan. 29, 2025.

It's not just U of A grad weekend; you can also paint a cute racoon, lounge poolside at a Lisa Frank themed pool party, pick up some vintage finds and so much more!

Check out what to this weekend below!

Walking tours with the Presidio Museum

Explore Tucson's downtown area with walking tours hosted by the Presidio Museum. There's a long list of tours on the calendar for March, including the Turquoise Trail, Armory Park, Barrio Viejo, Death After Dark and Public Art & Murals. 

When: Various dates, check out the calendar here.

Where: Locations vary based on tour.

Cost: $30 and up. Pre-registration may be required for these events.

Visit the event page for more information.

Art Cart with Caroline Martin

Head to local art educator Caroline Martin's art cart, where she brings craft supplies to different locations around Tucson. Choose from three self-guided crafts to complete at each spot!

When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15

Where: The Korean Rose, 6118 E. Speedway

Cost: $5-$15

Visit their event page for more information.


Sponsored

SPECIAL GUESTS!! Fennec Fox & Armadillo. May 17th 9am, 11:30am & 2pm

This experience comes with some guest stars from another zoo.  You will get to take pictures with the fennec and armadillo. You will get to also feed and/or interact with; capybaras, African crested porcupines, warthogs, emu, goats, Patagonian mara, water buffalo and more. 


Ceviche Festival

Villa Peru is hosting a ceviche festival where customers can taste over 18 different dishes from an expanded ceviche menu. There will also be live music on Friday and Saturday night. 

When: May 15 - May 17

Where: Villa Peru, 1745 E. River Rd. Suite 165

Cost: Various prices

Visit their 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.

Movie Night at Tanna’s Botannas

Every Friday, Tanna’s Botannas will be hosting a free movie night under the stars at their newly renovated patio. They suggest coming early so you can grab a good seat and snacks. 

When: 7:30 p.m. on Fridays 

Where: Tanna's Botannas, 4426 S. 6th Ave. 

Cost: Free to attend, bring money for snacks

Visit their event page for more information.

A group picture from a summer Light the Mic event at the Tucson Mall.

Light the Mic

Light the Mic is a curated artist showcase that centers around Black, queer and local voices.

When: 7 p.m. Friday, May 16

Where: Splinter Collective: 901 N. 13th Ave. 

Cost: $10 entry 

Visit their event page for more information.

Waila with the Alianza 

Dance the night away listening to Gertie and the T.O. Boyz at the Alianza Indigena Sin Fronteras fundraiser. The event will also include indigenous crafts and food vendors. 

When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 16

Where: Tohono Chul, 7366 N Paseo del Norte

Cost: $10

Visit their event page for more information.

Taste and Tour with Farmer John at the Life Under Oaks Lavender Farm

Learn all about lavender and the farm itself at this tour led by Farmer John. At the end, you’ll be able to enjoy lavender cookies and a drink. 

When: 10 a.m. Friday, May 16

Where: Life Under Oaks Lavender Farm, 1221 N. Rancho Robles Rd. 

Cost: $15

Visit their event page for more information. 

Twilight Viewing Party 

Forage Hair Co. is holding a special viewing of Twilight. They are going for the ultimate slumber party vibes so wear something cozy and bring your favorite blankets and pillows. 

When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 16

Where: Forage Hair Co., 5303 E. Speedway

Cost: $23

Visit their event page for more information. 

Magic & Mystery Dinner Theater

Enjoy dinner from Dante's Fire alongside a magical theatrical performance. 

When: 6:30 p.m. Saturdays and most Fridays

Where: Dante's Fire, 2526 E. Grant Road

Cost: $49 without dinner, $89 with dinner

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.

Pirate and Mermaid Day at Trail Dust Town

Live out your mermaid and pirate dreams at this event where you can dance to live music, meet other mermaids and pirates, dress up in costumes, test your swashbuckling skills, enjoy amusement rides and more. 

When: 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17

Where: Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd. 

Cost: $15 per person, $5 for babies two and under

Visit their event page for more information.

Paint for a Cause 

The Humane Society of Southern Arizona is hosting a fundraiser where participants can sip on non-alcoholic drinks while they recreate a "Cosmic Furriends" painting with the help of an instructor. All art materials will be provided and a portion of the profits will go to the Humane Society. 

When: 4-6 p.m. Saturday, May 17

Where: Humane Society, 635 W. Roger Rd. 

Cost: $48

Visit their event page for more information.

Buds & Blooms

Check out this night market at EcoGro that will feature local food, shopping and music. 

When: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, May 17

Where: EcoGro, 657 W. St. Mary’s Rd. 

Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping

Visit their event page for more information. 

The 2023 Tucson Originals Ultimate Pizza Throwdown is a chance to sample pizza from makers you've never tried before and to revisit some old favorites. 

Tucson’s Originals 2025 Pizza Throwdown and Dessert Duel

This annual showdown brings some of Tucson’s pizza makers and bakers together so you can vote for the best. Those going to the event get three free drink tickets and get to sample all the pizza and desserts they want. 

When: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, May 17

Where: Fresco Pizzeria, 3011 E. Speedway

Cost: $60

Visit their event page for more information.

Singles Yoga & Cold Plunge

Take an all-levels yoga class and then cool off in a cold plunge after. The event will also have an after party and a sauna to help warm you back up. 

When: 5 p.m. Saturday, May 17

Where: Voltron Brewing Taproom, 330 S. Toole Ave, #200

Cost: $18

Visit their event page for more information.

Desert Haze Vintage Market

Shop all kinds of vintage clothing when this market pops up at Hotel Congress. Expect a DJ, food and drink specials while you're there!

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 17

Where: Hotel Congress Plaza, 311 E. Congress St. 

Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping 

Visit their event page for more information. 

Paint Your Own Trash Cat with Darby Hunter

Paint and embellish small figurines of racoons, opossums, skunks or mice with local artist Darby Hunter. 

When: 12-5 p.m. Saturday, May 17

Where: Desert Garden Gallery, 2456 N. Pantano Rd. 

Cost: $20 per figure

Visit their event page for more information. 

Retro Game Show Night Presents : The Wheel of Misfortune

Join host Chatty Kathee and her executive assistant Swish Manley and other special guests for a ridiculous night of the Wheel of Misfortune. 

When: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 17

Where: Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. 

Cost: $15

Visit their event page for more information.

Brew at the Zoo

Taste all kinds of craft beers, hard ciders, lagers and ales at Brew at the Zoo. There will also be live music, games, fun photo ops, pub-style food and you get to take home a commemorative tasting glass. 

When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17

Where: Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Ct. 

Cost: $55

Visit their event page for more information.

Playful Paradox 

Pima Community College fashion design students will hold a spring fashion show, showing off their designs. Emerging student brands and local designers will also be featured as well as their upcycling project that’s in collaboration with Goodwill. 

When: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 17

Where: PCC West Campus Proscenium Theatre, 2202 W. Anklam Rd. 

Cost: $10

Visit their event page for more information. 

Kitty Yoga

Take an all-levels yoga class with the cats of Hunter’s Kitten Lounge. 

When: 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17

Where: Hunter’s Kitten Lounge, 5319 E. Speedway

Cost: $20

Visit their event page for more information. 

Neon Safari Pool Party at AC Hotel 

Have fun in the sun at this Lisa Frank themed pool party that includes live music, drinks and the chance to hang by the pool. 

When: 5-9 p.m. Saturday, May 17

Where: AC Hotel Rooftop Pool, 151 E. Broadway 

Cost: $28

Visit their event page for more information. 

Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert

Watch the Tucson Symphony Orchestra play John Williams’s score live as the the film is projected in the background. 

When: 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18

Where: Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. 

Cost: Tickets start at $22

Visit their event page for more information.

Best of the Stories that Soar

This Literacy Connects event brings student-written stories to life, featuring tales of laughter, wonder and more. 

When: 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18

Where: Marroney Theater, 1035 N. Olive Rd. 

Cost: Free admission

Visit their event page for more information.

Music Under the Stars

Tucson Pops Orchestra will be performing with Katherine Byrnes for this week’s Music Under the Stars concert. Ballet Tucson will also be dancing as Byrnes performs. Make sure to bring your own lawn chairs and blankets!

When: 7 p.m. Sunday, May 18

Where: Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way

Cost: Free to attend, bring money for the food truck roundup 

Visit their event page for more information.

Tucsonans enjoy the chilly weather with a walk around the Botanical Gardens, 2150 North Alvernon Way, Tucson, Ariz., Jan. 29, 2025.

Community Day at Tucson Botanical Gardens

Tucson Botanical Gardens is celebrating spring with the American Public Gardens Association’s Go Public Gardens, making admission free for a day. 

When: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 18

Where: Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way

Cost: Free to attend

Visit their event page for more information. 

Summer Sing

The Tucson Choir League and participants will workshop one piece of music and then sing it performance style for themselves. 

When: 5:30-6:30 p.m. optional happy hour; 6:30-8:30 p.m. singing; 8 p.m. friends and family can come listen, Monday, May 19

Where: Borderlands Brewing, 2500 E. 6th St. 

Cost: $25 per singer

Visit their event page for more information.

520 Day Music Festival

Club Congress is hosting a music festival for 520 day, featuring bands like Get A Grip, Maldita Gente and Far Out. 

When: 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 20

Where: Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. 

Cost: $15 for advance tickets, $20 on day of show

Visit their event page for more information.

 

React

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Jamie Donnelly is the food writer for #ThisIsTucson. Contact her via e-mail at jdonnelly@tucson.com