Things to do in Tucson

21 activities, venues and outings in Tucson, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do
All Souls Procession
All Soul's Weekend
One of the largest festivals in Tucson and based on the Mexican holiday 'Día de los Muertos' (Day of the Dead), the highlight is a 3-mile parade beginning at dusk. Very colorful, with participants dressing in traditional or creative costumes. Takes place annually on the first Sunday in November.
November
Do
Arizona Theatre Company
Temple of Music and Art
Also operating in Phoenix, the company performs six productions a year. Tickets can be purchased online.
Box office: Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM/curtain, Sat Sun noon-curtain
Do
Arizona Wildcats
The city's highest-profile sports teams are those of the University of Arizona, members of the Big 12 Conference alongside 15 other schools located mostly in the middle and inland western states. While the school fields teams in 21 sports (nine men's and 12 women's), the biggest draws are (as at most major schools) football and men's basketball. The latter is a very tough ticket, considering the Wildcats' consistent regional and national success in that sport for the last 30 or so years.
Mon-Fri 9AM–5PM
Do
Carnival of Illusion
The Carnival of Illusion Parlour Show presents national quality magic in an intimate setting at the Historic Scottish Rite in downtown Tucson, and is limited to 125 guests. The hosts are the National Recipients for Excellence in Magic and have performed as house entertainers at the world's top resorts, for Fortune 100 CEOs, to the 200 Most Powerful Women in America.
Do
Catalina State Park
On the northwestern edge of the Santa Catalina Mountains, this park covers 5,500 acres (2,200 hectares) and has eight multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, of varying difficulty. Other popular activities include picnicking, wildlife viewing and birdwatching, with over 170 avian species identified in the park. A small shop at the visitor center carries such items as snack, water, sunscreen, maps, and books.
Daily 8AM-5PM (visitor center)$7 (vehicle w/1-4 adults), $3 (individual/bicycle)
Do
Centennial Hall
A venue for classical music, dance, jazz, and musicals. Tickets can be purchased online.
Ticket office: Sep-Apr: Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat noon-5PM; May-Aug: hours vary; open 2 hr before performance
Do
DesertView Performing Arts Center
State of the Performing Art Theater located in the heart of SaddleBrooke live performances from Rock and Roll to Musicals and Symphonies.
Ticket office: Mon-Fri, but online at https://dvpac.net/varies
Do
Fiesta de los Vaqueros
An annual week-long rodeo held in mid-February, the highlight of which is the Rodeo Parade. This event marks the start of rodeo season in the US.
February$22-60
Do
Funtasticks Family Fun Park
Park with different activities such as waterslides, bumper boats, go-karts, minigolf and arcade games. It has a fast food restaurant.
Do
Golf N'Stuff
Another park with activities including minigolf, bumper boats, go-karts, laser tag, and arcade games.
Do
La Fiesta de Guadalupe
This annual event celebrates Mexico's patron saint, the Virgin of Guadalupe, and features performances by mariachi bands, folklorico dancers, Yaqui dancers, and Spanish flamenco guitar. Booths sell crafts and souvenirs, as well as southwestern-style food and beverages.
First Sun in December, 10AM-4PMFree
Do
La Frontera Tucson International Mariachi Conference
An annual four-day event celebrating mariachi music and folklorico dance. International stars and local students alike give performances.
Late April
Do
Leo Rich Theater
The venue for concerts sponsored by the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, and Tucson's primary space for ballet, theater, and musicals. Tickets can be purchased online.
Ticket office: Mon-Fri 10AM-5:30PM, 2 hr before event
Do
Tucson Arena
The venue is part of the Tucson Convention Center, though it isn't Tucson's largest indoor arena (that would be the Arizona Wildcats' McKale Center). It hosts a number of events throughout the year including local events, concerts, Monster Truck shows, and circus performances. It has been the home for the Tucson Roadrunner American Hockey League (AHL) team.
Do
Tucson Modernism Week
October. Annual festival celebrating Tucson's legacy of mid-century modern architecture and design, centered around the mid-century modern convention center and its Garrett Eckbo-designed plaza. Events include a vintage market where numerous vendors sell everything mod, from suits and ties to designer furniture to cool retro gadgets; a car show displaying mostly mid-century cars and trailers; various lectures on architecture; and tours of various mid-century modern homes around Tucson. Prices vary by event; the market and car show are free, but most lectures require tickets.
Do
Tucson Mountain Park
This minor mountain range to the southwest of the city has an excellent trail network for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. The park has many healthy stands of saguaros. The higher-elevation trails provide beautiful views, and are a popular place to photograph sunsets.
Free
Do
Tucson Music Hall
The home of Tucson Symphony Orchestra and the Arizona Opera. Tickets can be purchased online.
Ticket office: Mon-Fri 10AM-5:30PM, 2 hr before event
Do
Wa:k Pow Wow
This annual two-day event showcases traditional dancing from a number of different regional tribes. Booths offer crafts and jewelry for sale, as well as food and beverages.
2nd weekend in March; activities begin at 10AM on Sat and extend until 6PM on Sun$7 (adults), $5 (children), free (children under 6); $3 for parking
Do
Winterhaven Festival of Lights
An annual event in the Winterhaven subdivision north of Fort Lowell Road displaying a huge Christmas light festival involving several dozen homes in the subdivision. The festival starts in the middle of December, ending a few days before New Year's Day. The event is very popular, and traffic to the event is always very congested.
December
Do Not mapped
Summer Car Shows
Tucson's dry climate makes it an ideal location for classic car restoration. There are community organized car shows at various locations and times.
Year round. Typically after sunset during summerUsually free.
Do Not mapped
Tucson Gem & Mineral Show
For two weeks every winter, the world meets in Tucson as it becomes a bustling, international marketplace of buyers and sellers at the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase. The "Gem Show" is much more than a single event at one location. Rather, there are thousands of participants and attendees at nearly 50 sites around town. Dozens of shows take place at the same time – in giant white tents, at hotels and resorts and at exhibit halls. There's something for everyone at the many open-to-the-public shows – from gold and diamonds to granite bookends and glass beads – and from fine specimens of dinosaur fossils to opals dug from the Australian Outback.
late January - mid February

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Tucson (CC BY-SA 4.0).