Our Local Living

A mobile brain... bus, that is!
2024-05-04 10:00 UTC | Murphy-Wilmont Library, 530 N wilmot Rd, Tucson, 85705, United States
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May and in collaboration with The Center for Neurosciences, the Synapse Team is excited to present a program, Brain Anatomy, and a visit from the Brain Bus at two libraries:
Saturday, May 4
The Brain Bus: 10 to 11 am
Brain Anatomy: 11 am to noon
Murphy-Wilmot Library, 530 N. Wilmot Rd.
Saturday, May 11
The Brain Bus: 10 to 11 am
Brain Anatomy: 11 am to noon
Flowing Wells Library, 1730 W. Wetmore Rd.
The Brain Bus is a mobile neuroscience laboratory that empowers communities and enriches the lives of Southern Arizonans. A variety of Neuroscience activities engage visitors and educate people of all ages about the amazing brain’s function, neuroplasticity, and how to care for it.
About Brain Anatomy
Your brain allows you to talk, move, feel and think, but how does it do all of this in just 3 pounds of tissue? Discover how the brain works, the different parts of the brain, and their specific functions.
Please note, for those attending Brain Anatomy, registration is not required, however audience will be limited by room size and is first come first serve.

32nd Arizona International Film Festival
2024-04-17 - 2024-04-28 | The Screening Room, 127 E. Congress St. Tucson, AZ 85701, Tucson, AZ, 85701, United States
The 32nd Arizona International Film Festival, the oldest film celebration in Arizona, runs April 17 to April 28 at The Screening Room (downtown), the Mercado Annex (westside), UA Main Gate and other venues throughout Tucson. Remaining true to the independent spirit, this Festival is a venue for independent filmmakers in search of an independent audience.
Festival sponsors include Rio Nuevo, the Pima County Attractions & Tourism, Film Tucson, Downtown Tucson Partnership, and the Mercado District.
Photo: “Giants Rising” which plays on Saturday, April 27, 7:30 PM at the Mercado Annex.

Visit website for complete schedule of screenings and locations.

Oro Valley 50th Anniversary Parade
2024-04-06 09:00 - 11:00 | Naranja Drive, Oro Valley, United States
Celebrate the Town’s 50th Anniversary with a memorable parade filled with floats, local performers, bands, and community groups! The parade starts near Ironwood Ridge High School and travels east on Naranja Drive, ending at the Oro Valley Library. Naranja Drive will be shut down to all vehicle traffic beginning at 8 a.m. and will open soon after the parade ends.

2024 Spring Ikebana Festival
2024-02-22 09:30 - 16:30 | Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson, 2130 North Alvernon Way, Tucwon, AZ, 85712
Let’s welcome the season of renewal surrounded by vibrant colors and fragrances. Our annual Ikebana Festival is here!
Ikebana is considered “an art of the moment”: one flower, one branch, one artist, one encounter. Ikebana exemplifies how no moment repeats itself and how the rarity of that moment cannot be forgotten.
Step into this world where every flower arrangement tells a story and captures a fleeting moment.
Spring is finally here, come enjoy it!!
Festival will be held from 2/22 – 3/3. Special event fees apply, please check ticket prices below.

Day Camp for K-5th
2024-02-22 09:00 - 16:00 | Ghost Ranch Exotics, 9027 Ghost Ranch Dr, Marana, AZ, 85653
🐾 Welcome to Ghost Ranch Exotics Rodeo Break Camp! 🌞
Embark on an extraordinary adventure at our exotic petting zoo, where learning and fun go hand in hand! Ghost Ranch Exotics offers a one-of-a-kind camp experience for kids who are passionate about animals.
🌟 Camp Highlights:
Animal Encounters: Get up close and personal with our amazing animals, including friendly capybaras, curious African crested porcupines, playful wart hogs, hopping kangaroos, and many more. They will get to feed and pet all the animals at the ranch. Kids will engage in interactive learning sessions, where they’ll discover interesting facts about animal habitats, behavior, and care.
Creative Crafts: Tap into your creativity with animal-themed crafts. Whether it’s making masks, coloring, or creating wooden dioramas, each activity is crafted to enhance understanding and appreciation of our animal friends. Crafts can very per camp session.
📅 Camp Details:
Duration: 9am to 4pm
Age Group: k – 5
Fees: $55
🌟 Special Features:
Experienced and passionate instructors have been teaching after school programs locally for over 10 years. Secure your child’s spot for a day filled with unforgettable memories, learning, and lots of animal fun. Join us at Ghost Ranch Exotics for an adventure like no other!

Tucson Rodeo Parade-La Parada de los Vaqueros
2024-02-22 09:00 - 11:00 | Tucson rodeo, 4823 S. 6th Ave. , AZ 85734, Tucson, 85734
The Tucson Rodeo Parade February 22, 2024. This colorful, exciting Parade is presented each year and keeps the spirit of the first Parade back in 1925. Now known to be the largest Non-Motorized Parade in the country, it still achieves its success through the community’s participation and the dedicated work of its volunteers and the generosity of the Sponsors.
Grandstand seating includes pre-parade entertainment and is limited this year due to the change of the Parade Route.
We will be emailing you the map and directions on how to get to the Grandstands.
*No Refunds
The New Rodeo Parade route will begin at South 12th Ave and East Drexel Road. The Rodeo Parade will travel East on Drexel Road, passing the Grandstands, KOLD TV, the Judges’ Stand, and public spectators along Drexel Road until reaching Nogales Hwy. There it will turn North (left) and travel Nogales Hwy ending at 6th Ave and Irvington Road.

Turquoise Trail Walking Tour with Wine Tasting
2024-02-18 13:00 - 16:00 | Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum, 196 N. Court Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85701
Learn about Tucson’s fascinating history and see some architectural gems along the Turquoise Trail.
This 2-mile tour is led by Dorothy Yanez and covers the Turquoise Trail PDF Filethrough stop 14 at the south end of Church Avenue, going to the wine room in Maynard’s Market afterwards for a wine tasting of a variety of Sonoran Wines and small bites.
Pre-registration is required at www.TucsonPresidio.com/walking-tours/
Sunday, January 21, 1-4 pm
Sunday, February 18, 1-4 pm
Sunday, March 17, 1-4 pm
Sunday, April 21, 1-4 pm
$50/member, $60/non-member

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros - Tucson Rodeo
2024-02-17 08:00 - 2024-02-25 17:00 | Tucson rodeo, 4823 S. 6th Ave. , AZ 85734, Tucson, 85734
Tucson’s annual celebration of the cowboys has been heralded as Southern Arizona’s oldest and most celebrated heritage event since its inception in 1925. It’s centered around the Tucson Rodeo, one of the top 25 rodeos on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) calendar, at which the sport’s best cowboys and cowgirls compete in six rodeo performances at Tucson Rodeo Grounds. The fun also includes the Tucson Rodeo Parade, billed as the longest non-motorized (horse-drawn) parade in the world on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. An estimated 150,000 spectators line the streets along the route or purchase tickets for grandstand seating to see a parade of over 150 western-theme floats and buggies, Mexican folk dancers and marching musical groups.
TICKETS are ONLY SOLD via the official Tucson Rodeo website or by the rodeo ticket office.
Rodeo dates: Feb 17, Feb 18, Feb 22, Feb 23, Feb 24, Feb 25

36th Annual Arizona Renaissance Festival
2024-02-03 10:00 - 2024-03-31 18:00 | Arizona Renaissance, 12601 E. U.S. Hwy. 60 Gold Canyon, AZ 85118
The Festival is a medieval amusement park, a 16-stage theater, a 50-acre circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament and a feast — all rolled into one non-stop, day-long adventure. You never know what you will find on or off the stage!
This unique outdoor event combines entertainment and wares reminiscent of what may have been found in a 16th Century European village market celebrating the arrival of the King and Queen to their shire. Walk through our gates to be transported back in time.
Mingle with over 2,000 costumed characters, eat a giant roasted turkey leg; take part in games of chance and skill; cheer on your favorite knight; Shop in over 200 artisan shops and select an inimitable gift for that special someone; there is so much to see and do.
Eat Drink and be Merry is the order of the day at the Village of Fairhaven. The Arizona Renaissance Festival is open Saturdays and Sundays Feb. 3 – Mar 31 and Presidents’ Day Monday, Feb. 19th. Just East of Apache Junction, on U.S. Highway 60!
Also open President’s Day – February 19th

Mt lemmon Sky Valley Oktoberfest
2023-10-14 11:30 - 2023-10-15 16:30, 2023-10-07 10:30 - 2023-10-08 16:30 | Mt Lemmon Sky Valley, 10300 Ski Run Rd. Mt, Lemmon, AZ, 85619
Fun for the entire family! Enjoy German beer, authentic Oktoberfest food, live traditional German-style music and dancing on the large outdoor dance floor, children’s games, and beautiful views with fall colors at Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley in Coronado National Forest. During the event, the sky ride usually runs and The Iron Door restaurant is open regular hours. This event runs WEEKENDS ONLY beginning No dogs permitted during Oktoberfest.

Copland's Appalachian Spring
2023-10-07 19:30 - 2023-10-08 19:30 | Catalina Foothills High School, 4300 E Sunrise Dr Tucson, Tucson, AZ, 85718
Copland’s evocative Appalachian Spring, originally written for the Martha Graham Dance Company, has become an American classic. It’s the climax of this Pan-American program that includes Spanish composer Maria Teresa Prieto’s Chichén Itzá, inspired by the Mayan ruins in Mexico, and a suite of music from Jennifer Higdon’s opera Cold Mountain, specially co-commissioned by the TSO.
Sat, Oct 07, 2023 • 7:30 PM
Sun, Oct 08, 2023 • 2:00 PM
Presented in partnership with Visit Tucson – Hispanic Heritage Month.

Arizona Coyotes vs. Anaheim Ducks
2023-10-07 14:00 - 17:00 | Tucson Convention Center Arena, 260 S. Church Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85701
COYOTES PRESEASON GAME TICKETS ON SALE NOW
The Tucson Arena Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

MOCA Fall Fundraiser Chorizo Dancehall
2023-10-06 20:00 - 23:00 | MOCA, 265 S. Church Ave., Tucson, AZ, 85701
Don’t miss MOCA’s one-night-only genre-hopping dance party at the museum!
Music by DJs: xsonazx, MIJITO, Violet, NGHTFVR, Fingerlust, and altrice, immersive video art by Inner Freq, gallery takeover by Last Night’s Makeup, and glam photo ops with All Frills Pop-Up Photo Boutique. Plus, bites from the Chinese Chorizo Project x Barrio Bread, and LOCALE, specialty cocktails by Suncliffe Gin, spirits from INSÓLITO Tequila, NA beer from Visitor, brews from MotoSonora, and a pop-up beer truck by Love Your DIRT!
Party Tickets

$35 General Admission
$75 VIP — Skip the entry line and get free drink tickets and more!

Popovich Comedy Pet Theater
2023-10-06 19:30 - 20:30 | Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St., Tucson, AZ, 85701
The Popovich Comedy Pet Theater is entertainment for the whole family, featuring the unique blend of comedy and juggling skills of Ukranian circus performer Gregory Popovich and the extraordinary talents of his performing pets. His entourage consists of world-class jugglers, Diamond the Shetland Pony and over 30 performing pets including house cats and dogs (all rescued from animal shelters!), geese, white doves and parrots.

Old Tucson NIGHTFALL: Resurrected
2023-10-06 17:30 - 2023-10-29 23:30 | Old Tucson, 201 S. Kinney Rd., Tucson, AZ, 85735
The scares are back at Old Tucson! Experience FIVE ALL NEW, Terrifying haunted mazes, four brand new Scare Zones, two new Halloween Stunt Shows, Mentalism at the Mission, four family-friendly attractions, a new musical in the Grand Palace Saloon, and a SEANCE where you’ll endeavor to resurrect a ghastly corpse. High Chaparral will reopen to guests as Hyde’s Metabolic Reassembly – our most hideous attraction.
FREE PARKING, fan-favorite turkey legs, and our beloved gargoyles are returning this season! We’ve listened to your input and NIGHTFALL: Resurrected is bigger, better, and scarier than ever!
OPEN THURSDAYS-FRIDAY-SATURDAY AND SUNDAY UNTIL OCTOBER 29/2023

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Fiesta Tamales!
2023-10-06 11:00 - 13:00 | Historic Pima Courthouse, 115 North Church Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85701, United States
El Charro will be providing free samples of their delicious vegetarian tamales on Friday, October 6th from 11am to 1pm at the Patio of the Pima County Historic Courthouse. These tamales are made with festive red and green pepper rajas, Mexican queso blanco, and corn masa, and they are sure to tantalize your taste buds.
The tamales are the creation and with the recipe of Chef Carlotta Flores, who is a fifth-generation Tucsonan and a self-proclaimed “tamale expert.” She has been making tamales for over 30 years, and her recipes have been passed down through her family for generations.
This event is a great opportunity to sample some of the best tamales in Tucson while also celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. So come on down and enjoy a taste of Mexico!

SAHBA Fall Home & Garden Show
2023-10-06 - 2023-10-08 | Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85701
The Tucson Convention Center hosts the Southern AZ Home Builders Association, showing the very latest in-home improvement trends, remodeling ideas and outdoor living with over 300 exhibitors showcasing new products, services and ideas for making your home more comfortable, more energy efficient, and more up-to-date.

Arizona Theatre Company: Barefoot in the Park
2023-10-04 - 2023-10-13 | Temple of Music and Art, 330 S Scott Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85701
Arizona Theatre Company opens its 56th Season with Neil Simon’s most beloved romantic comedy, “Barefoot in the Park.” Blissful ambitious young newlyweds struggle to get along in their Manhattan fixer-upper apartment, all while under the gaze of the bride’s neurotic mother and the eccentric upstairs neighbor. In a case of opposites attract – Paul is a successful lawyer known for his conservative and practical nature and Corie a sexy adventure seeker – they quickly face newlywed challenges that can try the best of marriages. Considered one of America’s best rom-coms, “Barefoot in the Park” is among the top 10 longest-running non-musical plays in Broadway history, and it was turned into an Oscar-nominated movie.
Recurring weekly on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday -Please check website for times.

Broadway in Tucson - Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
2023-10-03 - 2023-10-08 | Centennial Hall Univeristy of Arizona, Centennial Hall 1020 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ, 86721
An uplifting comeback story like no other, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock n’ Roll. Set to the pulse-pounding soundtrack of her most beloved hits, this electrifying sensation will send you soaring to the rafters.

Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson Re-Opening Celebration
2023-10-01 12:00 - 17:00 | Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson, 2130 North Alvernon Way, Tucwon, AZ, 85712
Join us on October 1st, 2023 when Yume will be re-opening its gates. Enjoy our cherished, reawakened Gardens while tasting delicious food from Takoyaki Balls food truck (from 12pm to 3pm) and be prepared to experience the joy of movement and music through captivating traditional Japanese dances and resounding beats of Taiko drumming from Odaiko Sonora.

Butterly Magic A Tropical Oasis
2023-10-01 08:00 - 2024-05-31 17:00 | Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, Az, 85712
The Cox Butterfly and Orchid Pavilion is a tropical oasis featuring hundreds of butterflies that flutter around you as you walk, tropical plants not easily seen in the Southwest, and dazzling showy orchids from around the world.
The greenhouse features 30 – 50 different butterfly species every day and around 100 over the course of the whole season. The butterfly species range from Costa Rica, South America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Watch butterfly chrysalises hatch all season long in our Chrysalis Exhibit located at the exit of the greenhouse.

Fall Pumpkin Celebration and Corn Maze
2023-09-30 09:00 - 2023-10-29 17:00 | Apple Annie’s, 6405 W Williams Road, Willcox, AZ, 85643, United States
Our 12.5-acre, 600,000-stalk corn maze opens every day at 9:00am with the last entry at 4:00pm. With three levels of difficulty spend as little or as much time as you want exploring the pathways of the maze.

Come early and enjoy a delicious “All-You-Can-Eat” pumpkin and buttermilk pancake breakfast served from 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Partake in the Apple Smoked Burger lunch served from 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Enjoy Delicious Homemade pumpkin ice-cream, Pumpkin pies, Pumpkin bread and homemade cider donuts

Arizona Arts Live: Los Trompos
2023-09-30 - 2023-11-05 | Univerity of Arizona Campus Arboretum, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210036, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
Get ready for a mesmerizing and interactive art installation that will transport you to a world where color collides with motion. Los Trompos features larger-than-life, three-dimensional spinning tops in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors and intricate designs as traditionally woven by Mexican artisans.

Jean LeRoy’s Buzzard Creek Ghost Town
2023-09-26 09:00 - 2023-11-05 16:00 | The Mini Time Machine Museum of Minatures, 4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive, Tucson, AZ, 85712, United States
Discover the magical world of miniatures at The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, where visitors are seemingly transported to different lands and times through the stories told by over 300 miniature houses and room boxes, expertly displayed in over 10,000 square-feet of state-of-the-art exhibit space. The Museum’s permanent collection boasts antique dollhouses dating to 1742, contemporary fine-scale miniatures and enchanting collectibles
Closed Mondays

La Calavera Catrina Sculptures by Ricardo Soltero
2023-09-25 07:30 - 2023-12-31 15:30 | Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, Az, 85712
Organized by the Denver Botanic Gardens with funding support from the Southwestern Foundation for Education and Historic Preservation.
We are pleased to welcome back La Calavera Catrina, a bilingual exhibition featuring larger-than-life sculptures of La Catrina, one of the most recognizable figures of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). An elegant female skeleton and an icon of Mexican heritage, La Catrina approaches death not through sadness, but as a colorful celebration of life. These works by artist Ricardo Soltero explore this rich iconography and feature interpretation written in partnership with Denver’s Mexican Consulate.

La Calavera Catrina has returned to Tucson! Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with us from September 15 – October 15 and visit this beautiful exhibit by artist Roberto Soltero. These 8 foot tall Catrinas are on display in the Barrio Garden and the Legacy Gallery, along with a brand new ofrenda and a monarch memory wall. Buy Tickets: https://tucsonbotanical.org/
