Here’s my handpicked list of upcoming events you should know about!
- Goodies marked by an asterisk (*) are free or discounted extras inspired by things on the List.
- If you are outside of Arizona, look for the “WORLDWIDE” designation to find goodies and events that have online components or other ways to enjoy them from anywhere!
Happenings List
Across the U.S….
Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day
Free general admission day at participating museums and cultural institutions when you present a Museum Day ticket! You need to reserve your ticket in advance by signing up with your email address on the Smithsonian magazine’s site. Museums may have a limited number of available tickets.
- Each ticket provides free general admission for two people on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
- Over 150 total museums participating, including 14 in Arizona.
- Museums may be accepting optional donations.
- Read about a past Museum Day we enjoyed.
September 17 / museums across the U.S. / Free.
In Arizona…
Summerhaven Artisans Market
Local artisan market on Mt. Lemmon held Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer until October. Part of the proceeds benefit Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank (SAAFB).
- *Vendor samples and tester products abound! We tried some delicious mushroom jerky from Fungirl’s Fungi and spiced cashews from Sonoran Sweetery.
- Read more about visiting Mt. Lemmon.
Now – October / Summerhaven (Tucson area) next to the Mt. Lemmon Community Center
Wine Education Night
Weekly wine tasting and 30 minute lesson with tips on choosing wine that appeals to your palate and pairs well with your food.
- Specially crafted wine tasting with each class.
- No sign-up necessary.
- H/T Downtown Flagstaff
now – November 6, Sundays at 4:30pm / Flagstaff at Oeno Wine Lounge / $20 per person
Grand Canyon Celebration of Art
Celebration of Art (CoA) is a recurring event that invites participating artists to paint en plein air (outside on location) for a week at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Proceeds will go towards establishing a dedicated art venue on the South Rim.
- Sep. 2-17: Online Silent Auction (worldwide)
- Sep. 10-16: Plein Air Painting. Park visitors will have the opportunity to watch artists painting on the South Rim.
- Sep. 18 – Jan. 16, 2023: Exhibition and Sale. All available artwork will be available for sale worldwide at shop.grandcanyon.org and in-person at Kolb Studio on the South Rim, open to the public daily from 9am-5pm.
- 2022 CoA Catalog: guide to participating artists
- *Vintage Grand Canyon postcards by artist Gunnar Widforss, originally published in 1932, are now in the public domain, online, and available for download worldwide.
September 2 – January 16, 2023 / Grand Canyon National Park (Northern Arizona) at South Rim of Grand Canyon + worldwide / Included with admission.
Downtown Geology Tours
45-minute guided walking tours covering the ancient history of stones used to build downtown’s iconic buildings, the progression of architectural styles, and an overview of more recent historic events. Participants will search for fossils on the Ice House walls, visit the layers of the “Grand Canyon” at Heritage Square, and view beautiful stone etchings.
- Offered once a month April-December by non-profit Willow Bend Environmental Education Center.
- 12:45pm sign in + 1pm start time
- Wheelchair and stroller accessible.
- Sign-up in advance online. Tours are limited to 20 participants.
- *The tour meets in front of local outdoor retailer Mountain Sports. Check out their current up to 30% off sale on apparel.
September 7, October 19, November 16, December 7 / Flagstaff, outside Mountain Sports Flagstaff (24 N. San Francisco) / Free. / All ages.
Ballet Under the Stars 2022
Outdoor performances by Ballet Arizona with a stage, lighting, costumes, and beautiful Arizona weather. Both contemporary and classical ballet excerpts.
- Bring a blanket or lawn chair.
- *If you go to Fountain Hills, you can take a self-guided art walk tour before the performance. There are 35 pieces in Fountain Park alone! (PDF map)
- Read more about Ballet Under the Stars or Fountain Hills.
September 8-11, 7pm / Fountain Hills, Glendale, Phoenix, Goodyear (Phoenix area) / Free. (Donations accepted.)
Sonoran Restaurant Week
10 days when Tucson-area restaurants offer special prix fixe menus for $25, $35 or $45. This year over 80 locally-owned eateries are participating!
- Part of the proceeds benefit San Xavier Co-op Farm, which is a cooperative of Tohono O’odham landowners committed to using healthy farming practices to grow traditional crops.
- Read our review of Maynard’s, which has re-opened and is participating in Sonoran Restaurant Week.
September 9–18 / Tucson area
MSA Summer Night Market
Over 60 local vendors, plus music, food trucks, and extended hours for MSA Annex shops the last Friday of the month, May through September.
- Read about one of last summer’s MSA Night Markets.
September 30, 6-10pm / Tucson at MSA Annex
Oro Valley Fall Artisan Market
Outdoor market with a curated selection of artisan fashion, food, home goods, and visual art sold directly by local makers. Entertainment will include pop-up music performances, live mural painting and interactive artist demos, and grab-and-go art activities.
- Food trucks and vendors.
- Dogs on leashes are allowed!
October 1–2 / Oro Valley (Tucson area) at Oro Valley Marketplace / Free.
Tucson Meet Yourself
Annual celebration of the folk arts of the Sonoran region. It features artisans, home cooks, dancers, musicians and special exhibits from Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico.
October 7–9 / Tucson at Downtown Tucson / Free. (Donations accepted.)
Restored: The Return of Woman-Ochre
Thirty-seven years after being stolen from the University of Arizona Museum of Art, Willem de Kooning’s Woman-Ochre returns to the UAMA galleries! A new exhibition will feature the work and its unusual history.
- Oct. 6, 7pm at Centennial Hall: Screening of the documentary The Thief Collector which looks at 1985 theft of Woman-Ochre from the University of Arizona Museum of Art and its recovery decades later. Free. Tickets are required.
- Oct. 7, 6pm at UAMA: “Woman-Ochre” Homecoming Reception. Musical entertainment, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and the chance to see Restored: The Return of Woman-Ochre before the exhibition opens to the public.
Ticket prices TBA.[UPDATE: Sold out.] - *Worldwide: UAMA’s online archive of visual arts.
October 8 – May 20, 2023 / Tucson at University of Arizona Museum of Art / exhibition included with admission
Sky Islands Artisan Market
Fall festival to showcase talent and artistry against the beautiful backdrop of the Patagonia community, nestled at over 4000 feet in the mountains of Southeast Arizona. Besides artisan booths, there will be entertainment, a kids’ zone, library book sale, and the Patagonia Fire Department’s annual barbecue, along with other food and beverage vendors.
- *Spirit Tree Inn B+B in Patagonia has wine and dine packages for guests staying at least 2 nights.
October 8–9 / Patagonia (Southeastern Arizona) at Patagonia Town Park / Free.
Artist Talk with Cara Romero
An enrolled citizen of the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe and contemporary fine art photographer, Cara Romero’s work is shaped by years of study and a visceral approach to representing lived experiences from a Native American female perspective. She stages theatrical compositions infused with dramatic color to depict the modernity of Native peoples, illuminating Indigenous worldviews, and aspects supernaturalism in everyday life.
- Reception at Arizona State Museum will follow the talk. The Cara Romero piece the museum recently acquired will be on view.
- Parking: $1/hour at Main Gate Garage (Euclid/Second St) or Tyndall Ave. Garage (Tyndall/Fourth St.)
- *Sunlink streetcar stop: 2nd Street + Olive Avenue. Sunlink is free to ride through the end of 2022.
- Worldwide: The talk will also be livestreamed on ASM’s Facebook page.
October 11, 6:30pm / Tucson at The Center for English as a Second Language (CESL) is one building east of ASM North, at 1100 E. James E. Rogers Way + worldwide / Free.
Loft Film Fest
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.
- *Members save $50 on festival badges + memberships start at $90 (even less for teachers/students/military)!
October 12-20 / Tucson at The Loft Cinema / Full festival badge $200 ($150 for members)
Mesquite Artisan Training
Hands-on collaborative workshop series teaching mesquite management and artisan skills that can enhance Southern Arizona habitats. Workshops will be conducted outdoors and will provide practical knowledge.
- Register in advance by emailing the Borderlands Restoration Network contact person for your class (listed on the events page).
- Classes are limited to 20 participants.
- October 14 – 16: Beekeeping and Honey Production, Patagonia.
- October 22: Mesquite Pod Milling + Food Safe Processing of Mesquite Flour, Patagonia.
Patagonia + Nogales (Southeastern Arizona) / October 14-22 / Free. / Ages 18+
La Encantada Fine Art Festival
Outdoor fine arts festival with jewelry, paintings, metalwork, ceramics, silks, and different kinds of home decor items. Live art demonstrations and music will be presented in the Southern Arizona Artists Guild (SAAG) Gallery throughout the weekend.
- Leashed dogs are allowed.
- *Check out current sales at La Encantada Shopping Center, where the festival takes place.
October 22–23 / Tucson at La Encantada Shopping Center / Free.
The Mural Marigold Project
Community art project where you can paint a tribute to your loved ones on a 26 foot long remembrance wall on the Calle Independence.
- Paints and brushes will be provided on site.
- Murals from previous years will be on display.
- *Discover Tlaquepaque magazine (Spring/Summer 2022 PDF)
- Read more about Día de los Muertos traditions.
October 29 – Nov 2, 11am-5pm daily / Sedona (Northern Arizona) at Tlaquepaque Arts + Shopping Village / Free.
All Souls Procession Weekend
A weekend of free workshops, community altars, performances, and installation art to honor the lives of our loved ones and ancestors, leading up to a two-mile long procession and ceremonial burning of The Urn.
- Nov. 4-5: All Souls Benefit Concert Series at MSA Annex.
- Nov. 5: Procession of Little Angels at Armory Park.
- Nov. 6: All Souls Procession and Ceremony, along the Santa Cruz River to the Mercado District.
- Worldwide: Watch the Finale Ceremony livestream November 6 at 6pm.
November 4-6 / Tucson + worldwide / Free. (Donations accepted.)
Finally, some things to keep in mind with the Happenings List:
- I’m not in charge of anything on the List, except for picking out stuff that sounds interesting to me and sharing it with you.
- I do my best to share accurate information. But there’s a chance that something is not or that something may change.
- If you go to something on the List, I’d love to hear how it went! Feel free to contact me.
–Stephanie
