Art shows, a book swap, a jazz fiesta — you don't have to break the bank to enjoy local events in Tucson.
Here are 22 events that are free to attend this January.
Signs guide guests through the paths at Valley of the Moon.
Free First Saturday
Valley of the Moon is opening its doors for free this Saturday. Expect a storybook picnic with fairytales and magical folk.
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4
Where: Valley of the Moon, 2544 E. Allen Road
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Clothing & Vintage Swap
Head to Monsoon Mystics for a swap of clothing, books and kitchenware. You don't have to bring anything to participate!
When: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 4-5
Where: Monsoon Mystics, 657 W. Saint Marys Road
Cost: Free to attend, bring something to swap
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: 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4
Where: See the map here
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Transmutable Ground by Samirah Steinmeyer
Mudroom Gallery's latest exhibit is dubbed "Transmutable Ground" where Samirah Steinmeyer focuses on the shared language between landscape and ceramics. A small selection of regional rocks and minerals are featured in each piece.
When: Exhibition runs Jan. 4 through Feb. 15; opening reception is 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4
Where: Mudroom Gallery, 102 W. Washington St.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Beer + Bikes
This bike ride goes along The Loop to 1912 Brewing Co. for a beer or two, followed by a ride back to Button Brew House.
When: 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4
Where: Button Brew House, 6800 N. Camino Martin
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for brews
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.
Located at the base of Sentinel Peak, Mission Garden, a nonprofit organization, is a living agricultural museum of Sonoran Desert-adapted heritage fruit-trees, traditional local crops and edible native plants.
Tasting History: Olives
Learn about the origins behind olives and how they became part of Tucson's agricultural and culinary traditions. Tastings are part of the fun.
When: 9-11 a.m. Friday-Saturday, Jan. 10-11
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted
Visit the event page for more information.
Bark in the Barrio
Pima Animal Care Center is hosting its third annual Bark in the Barrio featuring adoptable dogs from several organizations and rescues. You'll also find pet vendors, food trucks and games.
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11
Where: Armory Park, 220 S. Fifth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Sahuarita Art on the Lake Festival
Experience art in Sahuarita! You'll have the chance to shop local artwork and enjoy interactive art activities, such as a community chalk mural competition. There will also be live music, an art installation on the lake, a Chinese lion dance and food trucks.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11
Where: Sahuarita Lake Park, 15466 S. Rancho Sahuarita Blvd.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping and food
Visit the event page for more information.
Urgent Care Art: Still OK
Urgent Care Art is hosting its first of three art shows on Jan. 11, an initiative to bring work by underrepresented artists to unconventional spaces. You'll see paintings projected through small drill holes in a door, in addition to ethereal piñatas outside the century-old OK Market building.
When: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11
Where: OK Market, 600 S. Fourth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
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, Jan. 11
Where: Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road
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, Jan. 11
Where: Children's Museum Tucson, 200 S. Sixth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Book Swap
The Fourth Avenue Coalition is partnering with the Pima County Library for a book swap. You don't have to bring anything to take home a book!
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12
Where: Coalition Space, 311 E. Seventh St.
Cost: Free to attend, bring books to swap
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. Activities include art-making, a self-help zine workshop and a performance from School of Rock Tucson.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12
Where: Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave.
Cost: Pay what you wish
Visit the event page for more information.
Tucson Jazz Festival
January in Tucson means jazz. More than three dozen events will be part of this year's Tucson Jazz Festival, including late-night jams at The Century Room and a free fiesta downtown.
When: Jan. 17-25
Where: Several locations
Cost: Varies. A free fiesta takes place Jan. 20.
Visit the event page for more information.
Zoom Zoom at Children's Museum Tucson
Children's Museum Tucson's transportation-themed event is back! Expect to see large and specialty vehicles from classic cars to fire trucks.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18
Where: Children's Museum Tucson, 200 S. Sixth Ave.
Cost: Pay what you wish
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 bees, birds and reptiles.
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18
Where: Watershed Management Group, 1137 N. Dodge Blvd.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Traditional O'odham Agriculture
Learn about Tohono O'odham agricultural practices, including demonstrations and talks about Native American crops.
When: 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted
Visit the event page for more information.
TKMA Sunday Jam
The Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association, aka the folks who put on the Tucson Folk Festival each spring, are behind this jam session, where participants will get to sing or play songs among other performers.
When: 1:30-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19
Where: Monterey Court, 505 W. Miracle Mile
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Silent Reading Party
Join the Silent Book Club for a silent reading party. After 90 minutes of reading silently, you can stay to chat with others about what they're reading.
When: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19
Where: Coalition Space, 311 E. Seventh St.
Cost: Free to attend
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, Jan. 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: 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted
Visit the event page for more information.
