Tucson’s multicultural mix of Spanish, Mexican and Native American influences adds to the city’s internationally known events.
The Tohono O’odham, descendants of the ancient Hohokam Indians, host several cultural events and the strong Hispanic heritage of many Tucson residents adds extra flair to Mexican holidays, including Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day. You’ll also find events catering to other local ethnic and religious groups including Jewish, African-American, Irish and Scottish people.
Local events that draw international attendance including the annual Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase, the largest of its kind in the world, and La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo and Parade, one of the “Top 20 Rodeos in North America.” Whether you’re looking for a little family sporting fun or want to collect some of the finest Native American art in the Southwest, Tucson has you covered.
January Events
Annual Tucson Quilt ShowA show of more than 300 quilts and other items by the Tucson Quilters Guild at the Tucson Convention Center. 520-547-5463
www.tucsonquiltersguild.com
Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil ShowcaseOne of the world’s largest gem, mineral and fossil marketplaces held at 37 locations around town. Metro Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau, 800-638-8350
www.visittucson.org/Gemshow/
February Events
Annual Tucson Gem & Mineral ShowExhibits of gems, mineral, fossils, geodes and meteorites from around the world. Tucson Gem & Mineral Society, 520-322-5773
www.tgms.org
La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo & ParadeChampionship rodeo events, the world’s longest non-motorized parade and country and western musical entertainment at one of the “Top 20 Rodeos in North America.” Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 520-741-2233
www.tucsonrodeo.com
Chili Cook-Off & Western Heritage DayChili tasting, live music and cowboy poetry at La Posta Quemada Ranch. Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 520-647-7275
www.colossalcave.com
Accenture Match Play ChampionshipTucson’s official PGA Tour golf tournament. Gallery Golf Club at Dove Mountain South, 520-571-0400 or 800-882-7660
www.tucson.pgatour.com
March Events
Major League Baseball Spring TrainingThe Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies and other teams warm up for the regular season with practice games at Tucson Electric Park and Hi Corbett Field. Metro Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau, 800-638-8350
www.tucsonbaseball.com
St. Patrick’s Day Parade & FestivalA celebration featuring dancing, live music and a parade.
www.tucsonstpatrick.com
April Events
Wildflower FestivalEnjoy a colorful display of flowers, gourmet food and live music at Tohono Chul Park. 520-742-6455
www.tohonochulpark.org
Spring Home & Patio ShowBuilding, landscaping and home-decorating ideas at the Tucson Convention Center. Southern Arizona Home Builders Association, 520-795-3025
www.sahba.org
Arizona International Film FestivalThe latest independent films, plus workshops and seminars. The Screening Room, 520-882-0204
www.filmfestivalarizona.com
Pima County FairOld-fashioned county fair with exhibits, food, entertainment, rides, educational exhibits and a gem and mineral show. Pima County Fair Grounds, 520-762-9100
www.swfair.com
May Events
Cinco de MayoA Mexican celebration featuring dancing, music, arts and crafts and Mexican food. Kennedy Park Fiesta Area, 520-292-9326
www.tohonochulpark.org
Waila FestivalTraditional Tohono O’odham dances, food and live “chicken scratch” music. Arizona Historical Society, 520-628-5774
www.arizonahistoricalsociety.org
June Events
Ha:san Bak: Saguaro Harvest CelebrationA celebration of the saguaro cactus featuring hands-on saguaro fruit harvesting with the Tohono O’odham. Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 520-647-7121
www.colossalcave.com
Juneteenth FestivalA commemoration of the Emancipation Proclamation, with a fashion show, arts and crafts and entertainment at Kennedy Park Fiesta Area. 520-225-2670
July Events
Tucson’s Fourth of July CelebrationEntertainment, fireworks, a classic-car show, food vendors and children’s activities. Tucson Convention Center, 520-791-4101
www.ci.tucson.az.us
August Events
La Fiesta de San AgustinA festival celebrating Tucson’s patron Saint Augustine. Festivities include entertainment, art exhibits and mass at Saint Augustine Cathedral. 520-623-6351.
September Events
Mexican Independence DayA celebration of Mexico’s independence from Spain. Activities include entertainment, food and arts and crafts. 520-292-9326.
October Events
Buckelew Farm Pumpkin Festival & Corn MazeU-pick pumpkins, horse-drawn wagon rides, a corn maze and a haunted corn field. 520-822-2277
www.buckelewfarm.com
Desert Thunder Pro RodeoA competitive professional rodeo with riding and roping contests at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds. 520-721-1621
www.desertthunder.com
Tucson Blues FestivalLive blues music at an annual event held by the Tucson Blues Society at DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, Reid Park
www.azblues.org
Tucson Meet YourselfAn exploration of Tucson’s ethnic heritage with entertainment, arts and crafts and food at El Presidio Park. 520-792-4806
www.tucsonmeetyourself.com
Tucson Bluegrass FestivalLive bluegrass music at the Pima County Fairgrounds. 520-296-1231
www.desertbluegrass.org
November Events
1900 Festival & Historic Neighborhood Open HouseSelf-guided tours of Tucson’s historic neighborhoods, horse-drawn carriage rides and living-history presentations. Historic Manning House, 520-770-0714
Holiday Arts CelebrationAn invitational fair featuring Native American arts and crafts and live entertainment. Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, 520-626-8381
www.statemuseum.arizona.edu
Tucson Celtic FestivalA celebration of Scottish and Irish cultures at Rillito Park Racetrack. Tucson Celtic Festival Association, 520-807-9509
www.tucsoncelticfestival.org
December Events
El Nacimiento (The Nativity)A display of traditional Mexican nativity scenes at the historic La Casa Cordova. Tucson Museum of Art Historic Block, 520-624-2333
www.tucsonmuseumofart.com
Luminaria NightsSeasonal music, refreshments and luminarias at Tucson Botanical Gardens. 520-326-9686
Arizona National Monuments
Grand Canyon-Parashant
Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument borders Grand Canyon National Park and includes over one million acres of public land. The area contains mountains, deep canyons, and a portion of the Shivwits Plateau. It provides habitat for bighorn sheep, raptors and migratory birds, and pronghorn, among many other birds, mammals, and reptiles. The biggest threats to this area are potential mineral development, especially uranium mining.
Sonoran Desert
Sonoran Desert National Monument contains an abundance of cultural resources, including evidence of ancient villages, campsites, rock art, and artifacts of the prehistoric Hohokam and other native peoples. In addition, there are trails that extend back in time hundreds or even thousands of years used by local peoples to collect salt and shells from the Gulf of California.
Vermillion CLiffs
Vermillion Cliffs National Monument is a 293,000-acre monument located in northern Arizona, and includes the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness. The monument is quite remote and has therefore been protected from some of the more destructive forces of human beings. It contains desert grasslands and provides habitat for a number of species including desert bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and one threatened species of plant — Welsh’s milkweed. The monument is also home to at least twenty species of raptors including California Condors, which have been reintroduced into the region.
Agua Fria
Agua Fria National Monument is located about 40 miles north of Phoenix and contains two mesas – Perry Mesa and Black Mesa. It is 71,000 acres of semi-desert area, which includes some rich riparian habitat along the Agua Fria River. This monument contains some of the most significant prehistoric sites in the southwest – at least 450 prehistoric sites inside the monument. This area suffers from its proximity to the sprawling Phoenix area and has been subject to vandalism.
Ironwood Forest
The 129,000-acre Ironwood Forest National Monument encompasses the Silver Bell, Ragged Top and Sawtooth Mountains and contains one of the richest stands of ironwood trees in the Sonoran Desert. There are also more than 200 sites from the prehistoric Hohokam period that have been recorded in the area. Like the Agua Fria Monument, this area suffers from its close proximity to an urban area, in this instance the Marana and Tucson areas. The area is also threatened by additional mining development, and potential boundary decreases.
