The Happenings List is my handpicked list of events for people who love art, craft, and culture. I can’t go to everything (no matter how much I’d like to), so I’d love your feedback on any Happenings you’ve participated in!
What would you go to if you could go to any event on this list?
Worldwide
1. Sky Day
Sep 20
Everywhere
Free citizen art project that encourages people reflect on the beauty and importance of the sky. Participate by taking a photo that’s just the sky as you see it that day and post it to the SkyDay Project website or tweet it using #skydayproject.
U.S.
2. Museum Day
Sep 21
Many U.S. museums are offering free admission and/or planning special events.
3. American Craft Week
Oct 4-13
+Arizona
4. Tucson Botanical Gardens
- Now – Sep 29: Quilts in the Gardens. Nature-themed quilts on display and for sale in the gift shop. The event is in partnership with Quilts for a Cause, an organization that sells handmade quilts and quilt patterns to support breast and gynecological cancer research.
- Now – Sep 30: Dog Days. Dogs are allowed in the Gardens! Dog admission $3 + human admission.
- Sep 21, 9am-2pm: Plant Geek Festival + Sale. Over a dozen of Tucson’s growers and nurseries, local food vendors, and live music. Free admission.
5. Summer Night Market
Sep 27 from 6-10pm
MSA Annex, Tucson
A market under the stars with local vendors and MSA Annex shops open late.
6. Shining Brow
Opera about the life of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Arizona Opera will present the World Premiere of the “Taliesin West Version” of Shining Brow.
- Sep 27-29: Phoenix performances.
- Oct 5-6: Tucson performances.
- Curators at Taliesin West have installed an exhibit in the Arizona Opera Center in Phoenix detailing Wright’s most significant work in Arizona.
7. Made with Love Fall Market
Sep 28, Oct 12 + 26, Nov 9 + 30, Dec 7 + 14
Heritage Marketplace, Downtown Gilbert
70 vendors with items either handmade, baked, brewed, or designed by them personally. As well as local food, coffee, and hands-on activities for kids. Free admission.
8. Quechan Indian Tribe Annual Indian Days Celebration
Quechan Tribe Stomping Grounds (460 Quechan Road) near Yuma
Oct 10-13
Weekend of games, competitions, booths, and traditional Quechan performances. Events include 5k and 1 mile Walk/Run, bird singing and dancing, a parade honoring murdered indigenous women, and tournaments in softball, boxing and senior chair volleyball.
9. Willcox Wine Country Festival
Oct 18-20
Railroad Avenue Park, Willcox
Festival with 15 Arizona wineries, along with live music, and fine arts, artisan foods, and vintage vendors. 6 tasting tickets + commemorative wine glass: $20 advance / $25 at the door. Free admission for designated drivers and other non-drinkers.
- Oct 18, 6-9pm: Railroad Park Fundraiser at Railroad Park. Ticket price includes dinner catered by Big Tex (pig roast, smoked brisket, hot buttered corn on the cob, etc.), wine tasting with a commemorative glass + 8 tastings, and live music. Tickets $35
- Oct 20: Cellar Selection Sunday. Special tasting of reserve and library wines from Willcox Wine Country Partners’ cellars. Tickets $45
10. Membrillo Fest
Oct 19
Mission Garden, Tucson
Celebration of the membrillo (or quince) fruit, which ripens in October.
11. Dia de los Muertos Festival (Mesa)
Oct 26, 10am-5pm + Oct 27, 12-5pm
Mesa Arts Center, Mesa
Art and craft market, live entertainment, and artist demonstrations and altars. Free.
12. Tucson Comic-Con
Nov 1-3
Tucson Convention Center, Downtown Tucson
Community-based pop culture convention with a mission statement of “Pop Culture For All!” Full weekend passes $35 through Sep 29 (early bird pricing).
13. All Souls Procession
Nov 2-3
Downtown Tucson
Two-mile long procession to both celebrate and mourn of the lives of our loved ones and ancestors. Leading up to the procession are art exhibits, performances, and other Dia de los Muertos events. Free. (Donations accepted.)
14. Loft Film Fest
Nov 7-14
The Loft Cinema, Tucson
Eight-day showcase of independent, foreign and classic cinema. Film fans can experience hand-selected festival favorites from Cannes, Sundance, SXSW, etc. and meet internationally-renowned artists from the world of independent cinema. Festival pass (for admission to all film screenings) $150.
+California
15. Blue Boy Restoration Project
Now – Sep 30
Huntington Art Gallery, San Marino (Pasadena)
Watch the process of conservation work on the iconic painting The Blue Boy (ca. 1770) by Thomas Gainsborough each Thursday and Friday, 10am – noon + 2-4pm and 2-4pm on the first Sunday of the month. This is the last segment of the yearlong Project Blue Boy.
16. Lady Filmmakers Festival
Sep 26-29
Beverly Hills
Festival of films made by women, along with screenplay contests, readings, parties, visual art, and music.
17. Stitch Retreat
Oct 19-26
San Francisco School of Needlework + Design, San Francisco
Individualized retreat to focus on further developing and enhancing your embroidery skills and knowledge with guidance from School of Needlework + Design instructors. Registration $1200
18. Death Valley Fall Star Party
Oct 25-26
The Oasis at Furnace Creek, Death Valley
Two evenings of stargazing under the largest International Dark Sky Site in the United States. After sunset, there will be Astronomy in the Park and a Laser-guided tour of the Night Sky. On Saturday, there will also be Solar Observing during the day.
- Lodging: Reservations can be made at The Oasis Resort or at Furnace Creek Campground (http://www.recreation.gov). Other nearby National Park Service Campgrounds will be open with campsites available on a first come, first served basis.
- To participate as an Astronomer on the Observing Field, you must have a telescope and be willing to work with the public during public viewing hours.
- Registration is only required for astronomers bringing telescopes to the Observing Field. The general public does not need to register.
+Colorado
19. Golden Farmers Market
Now – Oct 5 (Saturdays), 8am-1pm
Golden Library, Golden
Held Saturdays in the parking lot just west of the Golden Library.
20. Sneffels Fiber Arts Festival
Sep 21-22
Ouray County 4H Events Center (on Hwy 550), Ridgway
Fundraising event for Weehawken Creative Arts, a non-profit arts education center in Ouray County. The festival features fiber vendors, food, workshops, classes, and demonstrations.
21. Denver Botanic Gardens fall events
- Sep 27-28, 9am-5pm: York Street Fall Plant + Bulb Sale. Hundreds of bulbs, perennials and Grown at the Gardens plants for sale and expert advice from our horticulturists. Free admission to the sale and to the Gardens both days.
- Oct. 11-13, 9am – 5pm: Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms. Tickets $8.
- Oct 21-25, 5:30-9:30pm: Glow at the Gardens. Display of larger-than-life sculptures made with real pumpkins harvested from local farms. Tickets $21
- Nov 2, 9am – 3pm: Día de los Muertos Celebration. Observance of Día de los Muertos with indoor screenings of Disney’s Pixar film “Coco.” Included with admission to the Gardens.
+Illinois
22. Wine Notes
Wednesdays, Thursdays, + Fridays through September, 5:30-9pm
ENO Wine Room, Chicago (inside the InterContinental Chicago Hotel)
Live music series of singer-songwriters performing in a restaurant with 180-degree views of the Magnificent Mile, seasonal wines by the bottle and glass, chocolates and cheese.
23. In a Cloud, in a Wall, in a Chair: Six Modernists in Mexico at Midcentury
Now – Jan 12, 2020
The Art Institute of Chicago
The transformative impact of six visionary artists and designers who lived or worked in Mexico between the 1940s and 1970s. The work of Clara Porset, Lola Álvarez Bravo, Anni Albers, Ruth Asawa, Cynthia Sargent, and Sheila Hicks has never been shown together before. Included with museum admission.
24. The Power of Children: Making a Difference
Sep 6 – Oct 13
The Elmhurst History Museum, Elmhurst
A special immersive exhibit about three children whose lives teach us about overcoming obstacles to make a positive difference in the world: Anne Frank, Ruby Bridges, and Ryan White.
25. Aquarium After Hours
September 12 + 27, 6-10pm
Shedd Aquarium, Chicago
After Hours events for adults (21+). Admission includes all aquarium exhibits, touch experiences, and entertainment. Food, beverages, and 4-D Experiences are available for purchase. $25 admission.
26. Chicago Architecture Biennial
Sep 19 – Jan 5, 2020
Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago
The largest architecture and design exhibition in North America. The theme of the 2019 edition is #AndOtherSuchStories.
27. Adler Planetarium Events
- Doane at Dusk: Monthly telescope viewings and discussions with Adler Astronomers after museum hours. Free and open to the public on a first come, first served basis, weather permitting. No tickets are needed. Upcoming dates: Sep 27, 7:30pm / Nov 22, 7pm / Dec 20, 7pm
- Adler After Dark: Themed evening event for adults (21+) offering full access to museum exhibits, unlimited sky shows, special guests, hands-on programs, access to Doane Observatory, and live entertainment every third Thursday of the month from 6:00–10:00 pm. $20 advance / $25 at the door.
28. Chamber Music at the Art Institute of Chicago: Inspired by Tradition
Oct 6, 2–3:30pm
Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago
Celebrating work by composers and artists who lived and created in Mexico in the mid-twentieth century, this immersive afternoon showcases the marriage between modern thinking and indigenous tradition. Mexican composer Manual Ponce’s Petite suite dans le style ancien and String Trio are featured alongside Brahms’ Piano Quartet No. 2 in A Major. Presented with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Tickets $35
+Nevada
29. Cathedral Gorge Campout and Star Party
Sep 27-28
Cathedral Gorge State Park, near Panaca
All astronomers and visitors are welcome to join the Las Vegas Astronomical Society at one of our Cathedral Gorge Campout and Star Parties. Camping and Day Use fees are covered for current LVAS members. Non-members are responsible for their own park entry and camping fees. Register online.
+New York
30. Fall Crafts at Lyndhurst
September 13, 14, 15
Lyndhurst mansion grounds, Tarrytown
Festival of fine craft and food with 300 modern American artists on the grounds of the Neo-Gothic Lyndhurst mansion. Artwork for sale will include fine art painting, printmaking, drawing and photography, as well as fashion and accessories, and functional and sculptural works in ceramics, glass, metal, fiber, wood and mixed media. There will also be gourmet foods, concessions, and tastings from local distilleries, wineries and cider houses. Admission (cash or check only): adults $12 / kids, age 6-11 $4
- Demos of wheel thrown pottery and silk scarf painting.
- Tours are available of the 67-acre estate.
- For kids: interactive puppet theater, hands-on craft workshop, face painting, stilt walkers, and storytelling.
- Complete online form to be emailed a $1 off admission coupon.
- Free parking.
- h/t Margaret Wozniak Ceramics
31. NY State Sheep and Wool Festival
Oct 17-30
Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck
Fiber festival with a fleece show and sale, a wide variety of workshops, livestock displays, shepherd talks, competitions, and used equipment auctions. Some workshop fees include show admission. Day passes $9 advance / $12 at the gate
+Virginia
32. Neptune Festival Art + Craft Show
Sep 27 (12-7pm), Sep 28 (10am-7pm), Sep 29 (10am-6pm)
20th – 31st Street, VIrginia Beach Oceanfront
Show featuring over 250 artisans displaying handmade work including paintings, sculptures, photography, and glasswork.
+Washington D.C.
33. March on Washington Film Festival
Sep 22-29
Venues across Washington, D.C.
Festival that uses film screenings and panel discussions as a platform for uplifting the untold stories of the Civil Rights era to inspire renewed passion for activism.
INTERNATIONAL
+Ireland
34. Púca Festival
Oct 31 – Nov 2
Meath and Louth counties
A new festival celebrating Ireland as the birthplace of Halloween with music, film, storytelling, and light installations.
- h/t Lonely Planet
+Italy
35. La Tavola Marche Classes
Piobicco, Le Marche
- Oct 15-20: Made in Le Marche: D.O.C. Wine Tour, Artisan Meat and Cheese Market Trip, Craft Beer Tasting + 3 Cooking Classes. Includes 5 nights’ accommodations, welcome dinner, 3 half-day cooking classes with meals, wine + handmade apron gift, 1-day wine tour with lunch and transportation, Pizza Night Dinner, Apecchio market tour and tasting, breakfast daily. €1025/person (Price based on double occupancy.)
EN: This is the place where we stayed, hiked, and took a cooking class in the countryside. I highly recommend it!
+Papua New Guinea
36. Bougainville Chocolate Festival
Sep 21-22
Buka Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea
Two-day culinary festival in celebration of award-winning Bougainville cocoa.
Art Inspires Expeditions in “Headhunt Revisited” Documentary
+UK
37. Shetland Wool Week
Sep 28 – Oct 6
Shetland Islands
Annual nine-day festival of of Shetland’s textile heritage with classes, knitting, spinning, dyeing, weaving, tours, exhibitions, open studios, teas, talks and tours.
38. London Restaurant Festival
Oct 1-31
across London
Festival celebrating London’s diverse range of restaurants with restaurant-hopping tours, tasting menus, master classes, chef-hosted events, and gastronomic weekends.
Event descriptions are based on information provided by the organizers. I fact check as much as I can and edit them for length and clarity. Of course, things can change and typos can happen, so be safe out there!
See captions for photo credits / sources. Uncredited photos are by Phillip or Stephanie Liebold.
