Free museum days, outdoor movies, music in the park — you don't have to break the bank to enjoy local events in Tucson.
Here are 30 events that are free to attend this May.
A replica Darth Vader helmet is on display behind glass with a few of the more esoteric items at Heroes and Villains.
Free Comic Book Day at Heroes and Villains
Heroes and Villains is celebrating Free Comic Book Day with costumed characters and more than 10,000 free comics. Visit early for the best selection!
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4
Where: Heroes and Villains, 4533 E. Broadway
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Free Comic Book Day at Space Monkey Comics
While supplies last, pick up free comics at Space Monkey Comics on Tucson's east side. There will also be local vendors, in-store sales, raffles and a book signing.
When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 4
Where: Space Monkey Comics, 7431 E. 22nd St.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit the event page for more information.
First Saturday ArtWalk
The Warehouse Arts Management Organization is hosting its First Saturday ArtWalk this weekend, where you can walk through several local galleries and artist studios.
When: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, May 4
Where: See the map here
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Movie at the Ranch
Watch a free outdoor screening of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" at Steam Pump Ranch to celebrate Star Wars Day! Food trucks and crafts are part of the fun.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4
Where: Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
May the Fourth "Crafternoon"
The Quincie Douglas Library is hosting a "Star Wars"-themed crafting event for kids and tweens. Snacks will be provided.
When: 2:30-4 p.m. Saturday May 4
Where: Quincie Douglas Library, 1585 E. 36th St.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
"Star Wars: double feature screening
Casa Video and Film Bar's "Star Wars" celebration kicks off at noon with a showing of the original "Star Wars: Clone Wars" series from 2003. After watching the series, the film bar is hosting a double feature at 7 p.m. starting with "Star Wars Episode VI — Return of the Jedi" followed by "Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure."
When: Noon on Saturday, May 4; double feature starts at 7 p.m.
Where: Casa Video & Film Bar, 2905 E. Speedway
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food and drinks
Visit the event page for more information.
"Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope" screening
The Forty Niner Country Club is celebrating May the Fourth with a showing of the first episode of "Star Wars" from the original trilogy.
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4
Where: Forty Niner Country Club, 12000 E. Tanque Verde Road
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Nature Photography Exhibit
Decode Gallery is hosting an exhibit dedicated to nature photography, featuring local and international artists.
When: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, May 4
Where: Decode Gallery, 320 S. Convent Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Madaras Gallery Presents: Foreign Shores Boat Show by Chuck Albanese
From May 4-May 28, make a trip to Madaras Gallery to see Chuck Albanese's boat-themed watercolor collection. Meet Albanese this Saturday!
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 4 for opening reception
Where: Madaras Gallery, 3035 N. Swan Road
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.
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: 3-6 p.m. Thursdays
Where: BICAS, 2001 N. Seventh Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, donation suggested
Visit the event page for more information.
Keeli Grooms, left, dances with daughter Arnia and son Javier just before the start of a showing of "Jungle Cruise" at the Cox Movies in the Park at the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center at Reid Park in 2022.
Movies at Reid Park
Catch a family-friendly movie in Reid Park thanks to Cox Communications. There will be pre-show entertainment including music, games and prizes. Food trucks will be onsite, too. The movie begins when the sun goes down.
When: 6 p.m. Fridays, May 10, May 24, June 7, June 21
Where: Demeester Outdoor Performance Center in Reid Park, 800 S. Concert Place
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food trucks. Bring chairs or blankets!
Visit the event page for more information.
Tasting History: Wheat
Learn about the origins behind wheat and how it became part of Tucson's agricultural and culinary traditions. Demonstrations are part of the fun.
When: 9-11 a.m. Friday-Saturday, May 10-11
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted
Visit the event page for more information.
Community Day at Tohono Chul
Tohono Chul is opening its doors for free on May 11 in celebration of Community Day! Also expect family-friendly activities and live entertainment.
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 11
Where: Tohono Chul, 7366 Paseo del Norte
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page 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: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11
Where: Children's Museum Tucson, 200 S. Sixth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page 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: 4-8 p.m. Saturday, May 11
Where: Xerocraft Makerspace, 101 W. Sixth St.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Music in the Park
Arizona Symphonic Winds has performed over 260 concerts at Udall Park and they aren't stopping now. Bring your own chairs and blankets!
When: 7 p.m. Saturdays, May 11-June 1
Where: Udall Park, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Visitors look over the art displayed on multiple levels at the Tucson Museum of Art where ramps lead to the lowermost galleries below ground level.
Second SundAZe at TMA
Visit the Tucson Museum of Art every second Sunday for pay-what-you-wish admission. Enjoy art-making, family yoga and a "Mommy and Me" dance class held by Ballet Tucson.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 12
Where: Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave.
Cost: Pay what you wish
Visit the event page for more information.
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: 8-10 a.m. Sunday, May 12; 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 31
Where: Ward 1, 940 W. Alameda St., on May 12; El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Road, on May 31
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Tucson Pops Orchestra Concert Series
Tucson Pops Orchestra is back for another year of concerts in Reid Park. On May 12, enjoy a concert with special guest Gabriel Ayala. On May 19, enjoy a belated Earth Day celebration with special guests that include Ballet Tucson and Flam Chen.
When: 7 p.m. Sundays, May 12-19
Where: DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center in Reid Park, 800 S. Concert Place
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Free Third Thursdays at MOCA
The third Thursday of the month is a party at MOCA. The art museum is open late with free admission. Expect food, drinks and tunes from KXCI DJs. This month's event will also feature an interactive community art project.
When: 5-9 p.m. Thursday, May 16
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 No Sand Beach Band. Food trucks will be onsite. Bring your own chairs or blankets!
When: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 16
Where: Marana Municipal Complex, 11555 W. Civic Center Dr.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event page for more information.
Movies in Marana: "Pirates of the Caribbean"
Summer means outdoor movies are back! Catch a screening of "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park. Food vendors are TBA.
When: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, May 18
Where: Crossroads at Silverbell District Park, 7548 N. Silverbell Road
Cost: Free to attend, bring a towel because the movie is near the splash pad
Visit the event page for more information.
San Ysidro Festival
Mission Garden is hosting a festival for St. Isidore's Day, which is set to include a traditional procession, demonstrations on traditional wheat harvests and tastings of pozole de trigo, a soup with wheat grains.
When: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 18
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
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 food grown and harvested in the desert. Kids will enjoy song and story time, teens will get to learn programming skills!
When: 8-11 a.m. Saturday, May 18
Where: Watershed Management Group, 1137 N. Dodge Blvd.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
The Sun and Moon exhibits in Flandrau Planetarium, 1601 E. University Blvd., on the UA campus, Dec. 2, 2022.
International Day of Light
Celebrate International Day of Light with family-friendly optics activities and free planetarium programs.
When: 1-5 p.m. Sunday, May 19
Where: Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium, 1601 E. University Blvd.
Cost: Free to attend, science exhibits not included
Visit the event page for more information.
Lady Haha
Lady Haha is a comedy open mic for women, the LGBTQ+ community and allies to perform in a "supportive and super fun environment."
When: 6 p.m. for sign-ups, 7 p.m. show, Tuesday, May 21
Where: Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St.
Cost: Free to attend, this event is for ages 21 and up.
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, May 24
Where: Sky Bar, 536 N. Fourth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
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 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 25
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted
Visit the event page for more information.
Loft Kids Fest
Loft Kids Fest is back for another summer of family-friendly movies. The festival kicks off with an outdoor screening of "Looney Tunes" on May 31. Then every Saturday and Sunday morning in June, free movie screenings will take place indoors at The Loft with pre-show entertainment from local toy shop Mildred & Dildred.
When: 6 p.m. Friday, May 31 for the outdoor screening of "Looney Tunes." On other days, doors open at 9:15 a.m. for pre-show activities and movies begin at 10 a.m. weekends in June.
Where: Kickoff event is at Himmel Park, 1000 N. Tucson Blvd. Other screenings are at The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Explore nature through fun, hands-on exhibits at Children’s Museum Oro Valley at Tohono Chul
CMOV@TC has indoor and outdoor exhibits with daily activities and programming for kids and families that mesh with the environmental focus of Tohono Chul, teaching all about the culture, animals and plants of the Sonoran Desert!
What does "supported by" mean? Click here to learn more.
