Critters at Mission Garden, an art festival and a birthday bash for our favorite desert city — you don't have to break the bank to enjoy local events in Tucson.
Here are 30 events that are free to attend this August.
Chillin at the Chul
Check out music, spirits and bites at Tohono Chul's summer series. On Saturdays, Tohono Chul has partnered with Children's Museum Oro Valley to provide family-friendly nature play.
When: 5-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 2
Where: Tohono Chul, 7366 N. Paseo del Norte
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Free Film Fridays
Catch a poolside movie every Friday at Hotel McCoy! Upcoming movies include "Black Panther," "The Lorax," "The Breakfast Club" and "Sixteen Candles."
When: 8-10 p.m. Fridays
Where: Hotel McCoy, 720 W. Silverlake Road
Cost: Free to attend and open to the public. Swimming is for hotel guests only, but day passes for the pool are available for $20.
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: 4-6 p.m. Fridays
Where: BICAS, 2001 N. Seventh Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, donation suggested
Visit the event page for more information.
Arizona Artfest
Hotel McCoy is transforming 15 of its rooms into tiny venues for comedy shows, fashion shows, live mural painting, concerts, a photography studio, karaoke and a silent disco. There will be food trucks, a drop-in paint experience, poolside music and a vendor market.
When: 4-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5
Where: Hotel McCoy, 720 W. Silverlake Road
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food and shopping. Onsite parking is for hotel guests only, but a free shuttle is available to and from the event.
Visit the event page for more information.
Summer Night Fest
Moe Moe Pop-up, which organizes anime-themed events in Tucson, is hosting Summer Night Fest featuring a scavenger hunt, vendors, a cosplay contest and a DJ.
When: 5-9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6
Where: Tea Hub, 4246 N. First Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping and tea
Visit the event page for more information.
Southeast Arizona Birding Festival
This birding festival, organized by Tucson Audubon Society, is hosting a big roster of activities including field trips, workshops and presentations throughout Southeast Arizona.
When: Aug. 9-13
Where: Locations across Southeast Arizona
Cost: Many events are free with registration. Field trips range in price.
Visit the event site for more information.
Solutions Focused Community Book Club
Journalist Caitlin Schmidt is teaming up with Tucson Tome Gnome and the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona for a solutions-focused community book club centered around "The Reading List" by Sara Nisha Adams. "This book club aims to bring together interested community members from all walks of life to bond over a shared desire to make our community better for all," organizers say.
When: 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9
Where: Community Foundation Campus, 5049 E. Broadway
Cost: Free to attend. RSVP online.
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.
Gardening Hour
Learn about gardening and bring home clippings all while connecting with The Garden Kitchen team.
When: 7-8:30 a.m. Thursdays
Where: The Garden Kitchen, 2205 S. Fourth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Free Mead Tasting
Superstition Meadery will be at 1912 Brewing Company for a free mead tasting! Also on the agenda: live music from Flatlander Jim.
When: Friday, Aug. 11. 4-6 p.m. for the tasting; 6-8 p.m. for live music.
Where: 1912 Brewing Company, 2045 N. Forbes Blvd.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for additional drinks
Visit the event page for more information.
Family Literacy Fiesta
Make Way for Books is turning 25 this year! To celebrate, the local nonprofit is hosting a Family Literacy Fiesta with literacy activities, giveaways and information about their free literacy programming.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12
Where: Make Way for Books, 700 N. Stone Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
"SWEAT" Party at The Royal Room
Head to The Royal Room where DJs will spin pop, alternative, techno, electronic and house music. There will be a full bar, board games and a water bottle donation drive.
When: 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12
Where: The Royal Room, 450 N. Sixth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for drinks. This event is for ages 21 and up.
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, Aug. 12
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, Aug. 12
Where: Xerocraft Makerspace, 101 W. Sixth St.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
"Beyond the Lens" photography exhibition
The upcoming exhibit at Decode Gallery showcases photography include nature, still life and portraits by local and international photographers. An opening reception takes place Aug. 12.
When: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12
Where: Decode Gallery, 320 S. Convent Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Ice Cream Social with Literacy Connects
Learn all about Literacy Connects' after-school program Youth Theatre and Film Collective during this ice cream social. While you're there, enjoy surprise activities and mingle with community members.
When: 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12
Where: Literacy Connects, 200 E. Yavapai Road
Cost: Free to attend
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. Enjoy art-making, gallery activities and family yoga.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13
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, Aug. 13; 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25
Where: Ward 1, 940 W. Alameda St., on Aug. 13; El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Road, on Aug. 25
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Summer Cinema Club at The Downtown Clifton
Enjoy an indoor movie at The Downtown Clifton every other Wednesday! Watch "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" on Aug. 16 and "My Cousin Vinney" on Aug. 30.
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Aug. 16, Aug. 30
Where: The Downtown Clifton, 485 S. Stone Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food and drinks
Visit the event page for more information.
Critter Night
Learn all about desert animals from wildlife agencies and local nonprofits at Mission Garden's Critter Night. Stay tuned for more event details from Mission Garden.
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: Free to attend, donations welcome
Visit the event page for more information.
Celebration of All Things S-cuk sọn/Tucson
Tucson was founded 248 years ago on Aug. 20, 1775. Every year, the Presidio Museum hosts a party to celebrate. This year, the event includes mariachi, Waila music, a Chinese lion dance and community organizations.
When: 6:15-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19
Where: Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum, 196 N. Court Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Movies in Marana
Outdoor movie screenings in Marana stretch all the way into the fall season. On Aug. 19, catch a screening of "Big Miracle" at the splash pad.
When: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. The movie begins at sundown.
Where: Heritage River Park Splash Pad, 12280 N. Heritage Park Dr.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food trucks. Bring a towel!
Visit the event page for more information.
Movies on the Lawn in Oro Valley
Oro Valley only has two more outdoor movie screenings this summer, including "The Mitchells vs. the Machines" on Aug. 19.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19
Where: Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center, 10555 N. La Cañada Dr.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
A Night Under the Stars
Local nonprofit Reach For The Stars is hosting a night of stargazing. Learn about the stars and planets, all while gazing through telescopes and binoculars.
When: 8-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19
Where: Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead, 16248 E. Marsh Station Road
Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted
Visit the event page for more information.
Family Saturdays with Watershed Management Group
Head to Watershed Management Group for Family Saturdays to learn all about composting! Every family will receive a copy of "Poo to Peaches" to take home.
When: 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19
Where: Watershed Management Group, 1137 N. Dodge Blvd.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Traditional O'odham Agriculture at Mission Garden
Attend this event to learn about Tohono O'odham agricultural practices, including demonstrations and talks about traditional crops like corn, beans and squash.
When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 19
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted
Visit the event page for more information.
Spirit Swap
Local shop Monsoon Mystics is hosting a spirit swap — a chance to gather, mingle and swap metaphysical tools like crystals, tarot decks and candles.
When: 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26
Where: Monsoon Mystics, 657 W. St Marys Road
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Sanrio K-pop Bash
Local shop Kira Kira Collectibles is organizing a Sanrio K-pop Bash which is slated to feature K-pop and anime vendors, a scavenger hunt, karaoke, a cosplay contest, a maid cafe and a photo booth.
When: 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26
Where: Ding Tea, 910 W. Irvington Road
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for drinks and shopping
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: 8-9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted
Visit the event page for more information.
Pop Swap
Pop Cycle and the Historic Fourth Avenue Coalition are hosting a community art supply swap. Bring supplies you no longer want or need and swap them for something you'd rather have in your art collection!
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27
Where: Coalition Space, 311 E. Seventh St.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
