As unreal as it may seem, the holiday season is right around the corner!
Here is my handpicked List of November and December markets, festivals, exhibitions, and other art/craft/cultural activities. All of them are based in Arizona, but many allow you to participate remotely — just look for the word “anywhere!”
Also, keep an eye out for *asterisked goodies, which are free or discounted extras inspired by items on the List.
The Happenings List
Grand Canyon Celebration of Art (CoA): Exhibition and Sale
Artwork painted en plein air at the Grand Canyon this past September is now available to view and purchase online at shop.grandcanyon.org and in-person at Kolb Studio! Proceeds will go towards establishing a dedicated art venue on the South Rim.
- Kolb Studio is located in Grand Canyon Village, near the Bright Angel Trailhead. It’s 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 anywhere.
Now – January 16, 2023 / Grand Canyon National Park (Northern Arizona) at South Rim of Grand Canyon + online anywhere / Included with park admission.
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 features the work and its unusual history.
- *Anywhere: Self-guided Restored exhibition tour.
Now – May 20, 2023 / Tucson at University of Arizona Museum of Art / exhibition included with museum admission
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.
TENWEST Street Fest
Hyper-local block party on the final day of the TENWEST Impact Festival. The event will highlight Toole Ave. Arts District’s artist spaces, galleries, and restaurants. Free and open to the public.
- 100+ food and retail vendors selling art, vintage items, and handmade crafts.
- Entertainment: live music, luchador wrestling, skate exhibitions, and performances by Kinetic Arts Tucson.
- *The TENWEST Kickoff party is also free with RSVP. November 1, 5-8pm at Tucson Museum of Art.
- *New Student 3-Class Pack: Kinetic Arts Tucson (who is performing at the event) offers a new student discount of 3 classes for $38.
November 5, 10AM – 5PM (Impact Festival is Nov. 1-5) / Tucson at Toole Avenue (Between 6th Ave. + Stone Ave.) / Free.
Canal Convergence
Large-scale, light-based public art created by artists locally and from around the world will provide an immersive art experience in and around the Arizona Canal.
- Nov. 4-5: One Water Brewing Showcase. A drought-friendly beer festival, featuring only craft beers brewed with recycled water.
- Drop-in art workshops for all ages include silk screen printing, Victorian flower language collage, geometric ornaments, seed bombs and botanical drawing, and scenic river postcards.
November 4-13, 6pm / Scottsdale (Phoenix area) at The Scottsdale Waterfront / 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. 4-6: Dance Of the Dead Concert Series at MSA Annex. MarchFourth with KULULULU, Arts Caravan and more perform to benefit All Souls Procession. Tickets start at $20.
- 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.
- Anywhere: Watch the Finale Ceremony livestream November 6 at 6pm.
November 4-6 / Tucson / Free. (Donations accepted.)
Arizona Fall Festival
Celebration of all things Arizona in a family-friendly and dog-friendly atmosphere that is free to attend. More than 200 community vendors, live music, and dozens of food trucks.
- Drink in AZ Beverage Garden featuring Arizona wineries, breweries, and spirit makers (ages 21+ only)
- Silent auction with over 100 local gifts, staycations, and Arizona experiences
- Kid Zone with crafts, games, and activities
- *The first 300 attendees will receive a free goodie bag filled with local surprises!
November 5, 10am-4pm / Phoenix at Hance Park / Free.
Good Stuff Pop-up
A micro art market with just six select vendors, organized by Tawney Weir (Little Toro Designs) and Lex Gjurasic.
- New location.
- *Free mimosas while you shop!
November 6, 10am-2pm / Tucson at 2131 East Monte Vista Dr. / Free entry.
DUSK Music Festival
Two-day, music, art and culinary festival, featuring EDM and indie artists on 3 stages. Area artists and art students create sculptures, digital artwork, and lighting exhibits that explore the intersection of art and music. There will also be a curated lineup of restaurants, food trucks, and chefs that highlight Tucson’s thriving food traditions, as well as its cutting edge cuisine.
- All-ages area for backyard games.
- Cobra Arcade tent of classic arcade games!
- Quality goods from local, regional and national artisans, makers and retailers.
- Read about Jácome Plaza.
November 11-12 / Tucson at Jácome Plaza / 2-day general admission tickets start at $99.
Desert Air Market (DAM)
Created and run by local makers + artists, DAM is a recurring pop-up market that aspires to be a day of joy and connection! The fall market will include over 40 local artisans, music from vinyl DJs, Natural Mente food truck, tattoo artists, and floral installations by Bloom Maven.
- Tanline Printing will be printing DAM tees (available for purchase) at the market out of their vintage firetruck!
- *Anywhere: Bhava Wellness (who is hosting the market) is offering free shipping for online orders over $100. Use code GETINTHEBHAV at checkout.
November 12, 10-4pm / Tucson at 6th Ave. + 6th St., in front of Bhava Wellness / Free entry.
Creative Saturday
Hands-on experiences in traditional and contemporary Japanese culture for visitors of all ages and abilities. Activities include trying shodo brush painting and origami with instructors from the Japanese Friendship Garden, playing mini matsuri games with the Japanese Outreach Initiative, and designing an anime or manga character with Scottsdale Artists’ School Teen Academy.
- *PhxArt Virtual Mindfulness Sessions on Thursdays. Free with RSVP.
- Read about the Phoenix Art Museum.
November 12, Noon – 3pm / Phoenix at Phoenix Art Museum / Included with admission.
Phoenix Pizza Festival
Festival of pizza makers selling $2-4 slices. Plus, live bands, lawn games, local vendors, and a kids’ zone.
November 12-13 / Phoenix at Margaret T. Hance Park / Tickets $18 general admission (advance online purchase required), free for kids under 5.
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.
November 16 + December 7 / Flagstaff, outside Mountain Sports Flagstaff (24 N. San Francisco) / Free. / All ages.
Early Bird Makers Market
Fourth annual market, featuring over 100 local makers with one-of-a-kind wares, including art, clothing and accessories, furniture, food, and health and beauty products.
- Live music.
- Raffle prizes to benefit Phoenix Children’s Foundation.
- *Free photo with Santa with any donation to Phoenix Children’s Foundation.
November 19, 9am-3pm / Phoenix at Shops @ Town + Country / Free.
Tucson Tamal + Heritage Festival
Festival celebrating the rich variation of tamales from the Southwestern U.S. and Mexico. It features a tamale contest, live local entertainment, food trucks, artisan booths, and farmers market vendors.
- *The Del Sol Marketplace offers city and state tax-free snacks, drinks, ice, tobacco products, gas, and an automatic car wash.
December 3, 10am to 5pm / Tucson at AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol / Free.
Oro Valley Festival of the Arts and Holiday Tree Lighting
Large, two-day celebration of the arts for all ages, which creates positive opportunities for artists to educate the public about their work and opportunities for the public to support artists financially. There will be food vendors, free Children’s Activities, and entertainment.
- Dec. 3, 6pm: Tree lighting
- Live music: Jazz, student performances, and Tubachristmas (an ensemble holiday concert of tuba and euphonium players).
- Dogs on leashes are allowed.
December 3-4 / Oro Valley (Tucson area) at Oro Valley Marketplace / Free.
Marana Holiday Festival
Holiday festival in Downtown Marana that includes the largest Christmas tree light show in southern Arizona, live holiday music performances, activities for kids, a holiday market, and more than 40 food trucks and a coffee and sweets zone. Take a free picture with Santa, enjoy live performances and music, ride the train, or jump around in the foam snow dance party. The big light show begins once the sun is down.
- Dec. 3: Holiday Festival + Christmas Tree Lighting. Lighting of a 25-foot Christmas tree with synchronized music and dancing lights.
- Dec. 4-28: Christmas Tree + Light Show (nightly on the hour from 5-8pm).
- *The Discover Marana site has tips on how to make your own margarita with fresh citrus (anywhere) or find one locally.
December 3-28 / Marana (Tucson area) at Marana Municipal Complex / Free.
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair
Street Fair that hosts artists from around the world, local entertainment, and food! Funds are used to support Fourth Avenue’s infrastructure and events.
- *Free shuttle service from the Pennington Street Garage.
- You can also park along the streetcar line + take Sun Link in.
- No pets.
December 9-11, 10am to dusk each day / Tucson / Free.
Finally, I’m not the one running any of these events, and details are, of course, subject to change. The purpose of the List is to support independent creators and point you towards festivals, performances, workshops, markets, exhibitions, and other goings-on you might be into. I can’t make it to everything, so if you participate in any of these Happenings, I’d love to hear about it!
Enjoy the holidays!
–Stephanie
