Happy New Year! These first three(ish) months tend to be when the weather is at its best in the desert regions of Arizona.

It’s not a coincidence that many of Tucson’s biggest events of the year are planned for this time. The Jazz Festival, Gem Show, and Rodeo are basically scheduled right on top of each other. The Festival of Books isn’t far behind. It’s like the city is trying to cram as much as possible in between the holidays and the onset of the summer heat!

To help you keep track of it all, here’s my handpicked list of intriguing goings-on around Arizona, as well as a few you can enjoy virtually anywhere!

The Happenings List

Anywhere

Free, online quilting conference.

Quilt N Learn

• January 9 – January 11
• online
• Teachers from around the world present workshops for a variety of skill levels
• Workshops are closed captioned
• Sew-alongs, live discussions and other events
• Free. Purchase a VIP pass to have extended access to workshops
• *Goodies: Register to receive free access to over $250 of bonus downloads!
• *Save $20 on a VIP pass by buying it before January 11

 

Foundational jewelry class.

Workshop: Intro to Metalsmithing Series

• ongoing
• online
• Beginning level jewelry class, part of a self-paced series of 4
• Includes access to the private KP Studio Facebook student community
• $50 fee
• *Save $25: Bundle all 4 classes in The Intro Series for $175.

 

Black-Indigenous women share their experiences through art.

Exhibition: Ancestors Know Who We Are

• ongoing
• online
• National Museum of the American Indian digital exhibition.
• Paintings, photographs, digital art, and spoken-word performance from a Black-Indigenous perspective.
• Free

 

24 poems about human connection.

Exhibition: Poems of Love and Compassion

• ongoing
• online
• Online exhibition presenting poems of love and compassion.
• Both a large-scale view of humanity’s interconnectedness and a glimpse into life’s most intimate moments.
• Free

 

Goodies Anywhere

Goodies to enjoy wherever you are:

• Artist Matt White’s online watercolor guides.
• Sandhill crane cam.
• Silkroad’s American Railroad project – stream the album and listen to the podcast free!

Shop my seasonal Etsy picks:

• Jewel Tones
• Valentines
• Planters and Flower Pots

 

Central Arizona

Art show of Arizona landscapes.

Exhibition: Arizona Plein Air Painters (APAP) Salon

• January 5 – January 23
• Scottsdale at Scottsdale Artists’ School
• Juried exhibition that showcases a collection of the Arizona Plein Air Painters members’ finest works.
• Created en plein air in Arizona between January 2023 and December 2024.
• All artwork for sale.

Festival of cosplay, comics, and pop culture.

Tempe FanCon

• January 25, 10am
• Tempe at Tempe Public Library
• Local artists + authors, costume contests, photos ops with cosplayers, games, activities, and prizes!
• Over 80 vendors and food trucks
• Free entry

 

“[Annabelle] Lopez Ochoa made the magic of Kahlo’s world tangible in her ballet.”

–Dutch National Opera + Ballet

Frida’s life and art in ballet form.

Performance: Frida

• February 13 – February 16
• Phoenix at Symphony Hall
• Mexican painter Frida Kahlo’s story, told through dance and the colorful imagery of her paintings
• Accompanied by The Phoenix Symphony
• U.S. premiere of the ballet, choreographed by Belgian-Colombian ballet dancer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
• $35-169 per ticket, including ticketing fees

Related:

• Most Frida performances include a pre- or post-show chat with Ballet Arizona dancers and guest artists (included with your ticket purchase)
• Jan. 31, 7pm: Frida Studio Spotlight at Dorrance Theatre. Rehearsal, Q+A, and behind-the-scenes look at Frida. $40

 

Skilled hoop dancers compete in this high-energy tradition.

Performance: World Championship Hoop Dance Contest

• February 15 – February 16, 9am-5pm
• Phoenix at Heard Museum
• 100 contestants from across North America compete and showcase the intricate art of the Hoop Dance.
• Food trucks / vendors
• $47 per adult 2-day pass (without discounts)

Large used book sale!

Market: VNSA (Volunteer Nonprofit Service Association) Book Sale

• February 15 – February 16
• Phoenix at Arizona State Fair Grounds
• Annual sale of hundreds of deeply discounted used books, media, and other items.
• Raises money for nonprofit organizations in Maricopa County.
• Free entry to the sale
• Arizona State Fairgrounds parking is $12
• *Everything is half-price on Sunday (except for the books in Rare + Unusual)!

 

Free form metal stamping workshop

Workshop / Class / Lecture: Stamping with Hector Ortega

• February 23, 1pm
• Phoenix at KP Studio L.L.C.
• Hands-on beginner-level workshop on metal stamping design methods and best practices.
• Create one half inch wide cuff bracelet.
• Guest instructor: Hector Ortega of Silverlining Metalstamps
• $150 fee, includes all supplies / materials

 

Community quilts on display.

Exhibition: Art of Quilting show

• February 25 – May 26
• Gilbert at HD SOUTH – Home of the Gilbert Museum
• 20th annual show theme: “Old and New”
• Some quilts will be for sale with a portion of the proceeds going to support HD South, home of the Gilbert Historical Museum.
• Included with admission

For quilters:

• Bring your quilt and completed entry form to the museum by February 8.
• Receive 2 museum passes as a thank you.

 

 

“Prepare yourself for a spectacle of art, blending traditional heritage with modern innovation.”

–Heard Museum

Native American fine art festival.

Market: Indian Fair + Market

• March 1 – March 2, 9:30am-4pm
• Phoenix at Heard Museum
• Artwork from over 600 top Native artists (from 100 North American tribes) on display and for sale
• 7-12th graders’ Youth Art Show and Sale (YASS)
• Cultural performances, music, and a Kids’ Fun Zone
• Food trucks / vendors and the Museum’s cafes will be open
• $26 single-day adult general admission
• *Goodies: Save 10% when you purchase a 2-day ticket (instead of individual day tickets)

 

Downtown Carefree’s Art Festival with Wine Tasting

Festival: 30th Annual Spring Carefree Fine Art + Wine Festival

• March 14 – March 16, 10am-5pm
• Carefree at 101 Easy Street
• 160 artists displaying pieces in a wide variety of media.
• Paintings, blown glass, hand-thrown pottery, wood working, gourd carvings, metalsmithing, sculptures, photography, and one-of-a-kind jewelry.
• Music from jazz and funk band After Glow

 

Celebration of Asian cuisine, arts, and traditions.

Festival: Asian Festival in Asian District Mesa

• March 29 – March 30
• Mesa at Mesa Community College
• Live performances, traditional fashion show, demonstrations, artifact displays, hands-on activities and crafts
• Food trucks and vendors
• Free entry

 

Northern AZ

Benny Goodman tribute concert.

Performance: David Shifrin and the Miró Quartet – Rendezvous with Benny Goodman

• January 12, 3pm
• Sedona at Sedona Performing Arts Center
• Concert that mixes classical and big band music to honor the legacy of “King of Swing” Benny Goodman
• Musicians: David Shifrin, clarinet with the Miró Quartet (Daniel Ching, violin; William Fedkenheuer, violin; John Largess, viola; Joshua Gindele, cello)
• Music: Beethoven’s String Quartet in G major, Alan Shulman’s “Rendezvous” for Clarinet and Strings, Swing Arrangements by David Schiff, and Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet in A major.
• $45 per General Admission ticket

 

Festival of independent films from around the world.

Festival: Sedona International Film Festival

• February 22 – March 5
• Sedona at Mary D. Fisher Theatre + Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre
• Over 150 films, including features, shorts, documentaries, animation, foreign films, and student films.
• Prices start at $160 for a 10-ticket pack.
• *Save $15 on 10-ticket pack when you buy it in advance.
• *Discounts on rental cars and lodging for Film Festival attendees.

 

Celebration of Camp Verde’s pecan growers and wineries.

Festival: Pecan and Wine Festival

• March 15 – March 16
• Downtown Camp Verde
• Pecan tastings and food vendors
• Beer garden and wine tasting tent with 15 Verde Valley wineries represented (tasting tickets available for purchase)
• Craft and other vendors, plus non-profit booths
• Live music
• Free entry

 

Southern AZ

Holiday lights decorating botanical gardens.

Festival: LightsUp

• now – January 12
• Tucson at Tucson Botanical Gardens
• Beautiful lights and luminarias, plus sculptures by local artists.
• Snacks and hot chocolate
• Adult tickets $23 and up

 

Poetry revealed in altered books.

Exhibition: Erasures

• now – February 8
• Tucson at University of Arizona: Poetry Center
• Created by poet Mary Ruefle
• Art (collage) and poetry together!
• Free

 

Artwork from across Arizona.

Exhibition: Arizona Biennial 2024

• now – February 9
• Tucson at Tucson Museum Of Art
• Work by innovative and diverse emerging artists, curated into a cohesive overview of artistic creativity in Arizona.
• Included with admission

 

Folk-art fauna from cultures across Mexico grace the gardens.

Exhibition: Fiesta de los Animales

• now – April 30
• Tucson at Tucson Botanical Gardens
• Vibrant animal sculptures that display the imagery and symbolism of indigenous Mexican cultures.
• Included with admission

 

Artistic explorations of human interactions with nature

Upcoming Exhibitions at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

• January 11 – April 20
• Tucson in Ironwood Gallery + Baldwin Gallery at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
• The Desert Within: January 11 – February 23. Focused on desert ecosystems
• unNATURAL BORDERS: January 25 – March 16. The interplay between natural and human-imposed boundaries.
• Depth and Horizons: March 1 – April 20. Focused on the Gulf of California.
• All are included with admission.

 

Bringing light and shadow into watercolor paintings.

Workshop: Painting Light and Atmosphere

• • January 14-15 (Session A) and/or January 16-17 (Session B)
  • Tucson at St. Francis in the Foothills Celebration Center
  • 2-day premier Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild workshop
  • Intermediate level workshop: Learn color mixing and values, timing, and other techniques to create light and depth in watercolor paintings.
  • Each day, there’s time to practice new paint skills and have one-on-one check-ins with instructor Matt White.
  • Session A and Session B will have different demonstrations, so you can take either workshop – or both!
  • $325 per class
  • *ANYWHERE: The instructor/artist’s online watercolor guides. (Email address required.)

 

“Wings Over Willcox (WOW) combines adventure, entertainment and education to provide a fun-filled weekend of birding pleasure for the novice, expert or curious.”

–WOW

Birding + nature festival.

Festival: Wings Over Willcox

• January 16 – January 19
• Willcox at Willcox Community Center
• Scheduled annually at the perfect time for observing sandhill cranes and other bird species in the Sulphur Springs Valley!
• Activities include field trips, tours, seminars, and a Nature Expo.
• $20 fee
• *ANYWHERE: Sandhill crane cam!

 

Community discussion about favorite poets.

Oro Valley Poetry Circle: Poetry of Healing

• January 16, 2pm-3:30pm
• Oro Valley at Oro Valley Public Library
• Led by UA Poetry Center docents, different poets and topics are discussed each month, based on participant feedback.
• Share about your favorite poets or learn about new ones.
• Docents will provide reading materials for participants sourced from the Poetry Center’s world renowned collection.
• Free

 

Tucson Jazz Festival (TJF)

• Over a week of concerts and other events to celebrate live jazz performance.
• World-class musicians, as well as up-and-comers.
• TJF events happen in a variety of venues, so check the Festival’s event list for times, places, and ticket info!

Concert series with local musicians from a variety of genres.

Performance: Oro Valley Concert Series

• January 18 – May 3
• Tucson + Oro Valley at rotating venues.
• Monthly dates: 1/18, 2/22, 3/13.4/12, 5/3
• Various music genres, including country, classic rock, R+B, jazz, and classical.
• January 18, 5-8pm: Redhouse Family Jazz Band at Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa, as part of Tucson Jazz Festival.
• Free

 

Jazz ensemble fronted by award-winning bassist, composer, and philanthropist Endea Owens.

Concert: Endea Owens and the Cookout

• January 18, 2pm
• Tucson at Rialto Theatre
• Part of Tucson Jazz Festival.
• $39 and up per ticket, plus ticketing fees

 

“Guests will experience a unique combination of exquisite cuisine, extraordinary art, and music in a setting that blends history with the vibrancy of contemporary Indigenous culture.”

–Tucson Jazz Festival

Art, music, and a gourmet dinner in support of education.

Performance: Pictures at an Exhibition with Gabriel Ayala

• January 21, 5pm
• Tucson at CORBETT’S
• 3-course dinner showcasing the cuisine of Corbett’s Chef Omar.
• Exclusive auction of Indigenous art from Bahti Indian Arts.
• Gabriel Ayala will play guitar while his visual artwork is projected on screens that surround the audience.
• $150 per ticket, plus ticketing fees

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Gem Show Season

• Jewel Tones collection on Etsy
• 10 Things to Know About Gem Shows in Tucson

 

Geology-themed day at the Desert Museum

Rockin’ Minerals

• January 18 – January 19, 10am-4pm
• Tucson at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
• Hands-on activities for all ages
• “Shop for your own mineral and fossil treasures at rock-bottom prices.” (They said it, not me.)

Mineral museum open house.

A Day at the Alfie

• February 1, 10am-5pm
• Tucson at University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem + Mineral Museum.
• Free admission, activities, and guest speakers!
• Reserve your free ticket to the presentation(s) of your choice, since seating is limited.

 

The Umbrella for all winter 2025 Tucson Gem Shows

Tucson Gem, Mineral + Fossil Showcase

• February 1 – February 16 (officially, but some shows start earlier)
• Tucson
• Cost varies

Notable shows:

• 1801 Oracle — Mineral Village Show: 1/29 – 2/16 at 1801 Oracle Rd. (and the surrounding neighborhood)
• 22nd Street Mineral, Fossil + Gem Show: 1/30 – 2/16 at 993 S. Freeway in the big tents
• African Art Village: 2/1 – 2/16 at 221 S. Avenida del Convento (in the Mercado District)

The Original Gem Show

Tucson Gem and Mineral Show®

• February 13 – February 16
• Tucson at Tucson Convention Center
• Single-day General Admission $13
• *$2 off adult single-day admission coupon 
• *2-day ticket bundles are $22 (save $4!)

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Art takes over Tubac.

Festival: Tubac Festival of the Arts

• February 5 – February 9
• Tubac
• Southern Arizona’s longest-running art festival
• Over 200 fine artists and craftspeople exhibit throughout Tubac’s roadways, plazas, art galleries, boutiques, specialty shops, and restaurants.
• Live entertainment, horse-drawn trolley rides, and a large assortment of festival eateries.
• Free entry

Centennial Celebration of Tucson Rodeo

100th annual Tucson Rodeo Parade

• February 20, 9am
• Tucson at Tucson Rodeo Grounds
• 100th anniversary of La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, Tucson’s Rodeo, Feb. 15-23.
• Parade takes place the Thursday of Rodeo Week
• Grandstand tickets: $17 (including ticketing fee).
• *Free to watch from the sidewalk. BYOFolding chairs.
• Parking: Paid lot by the start of the parade route or free parking wherever you can find it!

 

Crafts for sale outside the art museum.

Market: TMA Spring Artisans Market

• February 28 – March 2
• Tucson at Tucson Museum Of Art (TMA)
• 100 unique vendors selling crafts, original artwork, pottery, glass, jewelry, textiles, and gift items
• Outdoor street fair setting
• Fundraiser for TMA, organized by the Museum Store
• Free entry
• *TMA is pay-what-you-wish admission during the market.

 

Books, authors, and literacy take center stage.

Festival: Tucson Festival of Books

• March 15 – March 16
• Tucson at UA Mall
• Panels and workshops on various book-centered topics.
• Hundreds of local and national exhibitors with literacy-focused booths and activities, purchase books and book-themed merch.
• Meet well-known and indie authors, get books signed.
• Food trucks / vendors
• Free
• *Goodies: Free parking in University of Arizona surface lots and in Park Avenue and Highland garages during Festival weekend. Or take the bus or street car fare free!

 

Performance celebrating a pioneer of modern dance.

Performance: Martha Graham Dance Company

• March 19, 7:30pm
• Tucson at Centennial Hall
• Dance program honoring Martha Graham’s artistic legacy.
• Part of GRAHAM100, a three-season celebration of the Martha Graham Dance Company’s upcoming centennial through  performances, new productions, exhibitions, film screenings, publications, discussions, and educational activities.
• $39 and up, plus ticketing fees

 

Looking ahead…

Concert connecting the music of Indigenous North America to the World.

Tour: Silkroad Ensemble: Uplifted Voices

• April 6, 6:30pm
• Tucson at Centennial Hall UA
• Tour shining a light on the collaborative ensemble’s women and non-binary members.
• Special guest Tuscarora/Taíno musician Pura Fé.
• $39 and up, plus ticketing fees
• *ANYWHERE: Check out Silkroad’s American Railroad project –stream the album and listen to the podcast free!