This was a pretty cool event, though it's much smaller than what I'm normally used to. They did…read morehave an awesome kids area though... complete with the fire dept letting kids sit up in a real firetruck! There was a free movie being projected on the side of a building at one end, near the firetruck. There were belly dancers at the other end, near the food vendors. The problem was... there just wasn't much in between. I hope they cont. to have the fire trucks... the kids loved it. And on that note, I'd like to apologize for my friend cutting in front of all the parents and kids who were waiting for their turn in the firetruck. He didn't see the line and I was way in the back, wondering where he went! lol I think he cut in line anyway... or else how did he get up there so fast?! It's still something cool and free to do on a lazy Sat night, if you're in the area. Might see ya there... if I lived in Tuscon.

This is a fantastic event for an otherwise pretty lackluster downtown Tucson (in terms of events)!…read more If you took a snapshot of Scott & Broadway during a 2nd Saturday, you'd be able to convince anyone that Tucson is an awesome place, and that downtown is quirky, fun, and the place to be! This event is just that good! The entertainment is awesome! Sometimes at events, you have to wonder why certain entertainers were invited because they don't fit with the vibe. This was not the case at the bunch of 2nd Saturdays we've been to. The various entertainment matches the vibe of Tucson perfectly! The music is loud enough so you can hear it from the stage to the eating area, which is great so you can enjoy it while you eat. I love the vendors that line the streets, selling cool, often handmade, items that you don't see in stores every day. Lots of cool stuff to look at and buy, and a lot of it can make great gifts. And I just love that the Pima County Library brings their book truck there sometimes, and they give away free books! It's always a good thing to get books in the hands of the community. The selection of food trucks and vendors at 2nd Saturdays is pretty decent. So good, in fact, that we never eat from just one place. We tend to try as much stuff as our bellies can hold, and we don't regret it one bit because most of the food is really delicious! I'd love to see maybe a couple more places join up, there seems to be room down one of the streets, but that's just me being greedy to try more food. Overall, we really love 2nd Saturdays Downtown, and we will keep planning our 2nd Saturdays around this awesome Tucson event!

What a neat little gem of an art studio . Owned by an outgoing wonderful eccentric , Mariana …read more You'll find more than a gallery here . There are 2 levels of fun. Every Friday hosts local talent , spoken word , poetry , music , rap , everyone is welcome to attend free event on Fridays. This gallery hosts events that include sip & paints & private parties as well . You guys check it out . The only con is the parking is limited . More parking can be found around back .

Fluxx is a new studio space - promoting queer art & culture. They have all sorts of events ranging…read morefrom youth poetry slam to dance parties. the rent out the space to dance groups, meetings, crafters, photographers etc. The space is pretty nice, with a stage, hardwood floors, concessions and a chill outdoor patio in the back. The group that runs the place are artists and producers. They have been in the local Tucson art scene and non profit world for a few years and collaborate with A LOT of local artists and groups. Every time I go to Fluxx I have a great time - art receptions, dancing, storytelling, live performance art - these kids are really doing something great in Tucson.

Fluxx has not been at this location for a number of years. It has moved to a warehouse in another…read morepart of the city. Fluxx just is not the well- utilized community space that it was before it left the area near to Fourth Avenue. I doubt that it will ever recover.

The Tucson Meet Yourself (TMY) Festival is an awesome annual cultural event with live music,…read moreworkshops, dance, and tons of good food! It is free to attend and typically runs over three days in October. There are several paid parking lots and garages nearby. If you happen to attend on a Sunday, you might get lucky and manage to find a free parking spot at one of the metered spots. The festival covers several city streets, has security, atm's available, porta potty's, and water refill stations for humans and pets. At the festival they have multiple stages with live music and 50+ food vendors to choose from. Some of the vendors have very long lines (e.g. O'odham Ladies Fry Bread and Moreno's Roasted Corn) and just be aware that vendors may run out of certain items. I was able to get one of the last prickly pear lemonades from San Xavier Co-Op before they sold out and it was amazing! Also tried the empanadas from Boriken's and gozleme from Elif's Kitchen. The apple cider donuts from Purple Devil Donuts were so good too! Most of the vendors accept cash or card, but I would suggest bringing cash as some vendors charged a fee for card payments. Highly recommend checking out this family friendly Tucson event!

Run, don't walk Tucson to the 2026 edition of TMY! I was Downtown working & how lucky am I to have…read morethe festival across the street?? I loved my Prickly Pear Limeade from Desert Forager, and my fresh, hot Spanikopita from AHEPA! Stop by the Visit Tucson tent to see the smartest, hardest working pros in our city work with all of you to CREATE a font! That's right, Tucson will have its own font. Performances, food from everywhere, and shopping opps galore, get your fill here through tomorrow.

Another hidden gem in the Old Pueblo. Blue Lotus Artist Collective is a non-profit gallery space…read morededicated to supporting, showcasing, and giving much needed visibility to black artists. The collective was founded in 2022 and now resides in its current gallery space in downtown Tucsons Pioneer Building. Exhibits range from including Tucson artists, to student art shows, and also showcasing artists from around the country. Personally, I have not had a ton of meaningful exposure to black artists, so the fact that there is a space dedicated to just that in our own city is a benefit to all! Sign up for their newsletter to stay informed on upcoming exhibitions. They have limited hours during the week and are also available by appointment. They also post occasionally on their Instagram for upcoming events and collaborations.

I have been going over here for years, and the artwork varies from the mundane to the spectacular…read more This is one of the reasons I really like it, you never know what your going to find, it is a great vehicle for new artist to show their work. They always seem like family in their support of the artist showing work, and the work is multicultural as well. It's worth a peek in and 1st Saturdays is a great time to go.

As the Taller's web site notes, the gallery is "Tucson's only Latino based contemporary nonprofit…read morecooperative art gallery and workshop." It is small, but worth visiting for both the art's impact (which is often politically- and emotionally-charged; this isn't sofa-matching art) and its quality of execution. Keep an eye on the lovely web site, or the Tucson Weekly, for what's on display; each new exhibit has a theme. Workshops offer all kinds of interesting projects. I would love to see this wonderful little gallery thrive, because its focus-- art, multiculturalism, and community--are among the qualities that make Tucson so special.

I had an amazing time meeting up with friends and experiencing All Souls Processions. Some of us…read morecarried photos and items from lost loved ones and some didn't. Our group wasn't dressed up as we had been part of some community conversations from varying view points around the appropriate-ness of the event. However after meeting and speaking with a lovely Mexican American couple at our hotel we changed our opinion. They were very inviting to us and encouraged us to join in the festivities. They told us they annually travel to the event from Mexico to celebrate and dress up with their family. We thought it would at least be ok to attend and check it out for ourselves. The costumes and floats/props people made were beautiful. There was a large metal basket and ornately costumed "characters" collecting hand written remembrances and depositing them in the basket. When everyone began walking some music broke out from time to time, people began to sing, sometimes protest and resistance songs. Groups of dancers performed as we moved down the streets - the curbs lined were with onlookers. It was solemn, peaceful and reflective. At the end of our walk a huge crowd gathered around a barricaded stage backlight by a mega screen. We had VIP passes and were allowed into the barricade for a warm meal. There were a few large tables to eat at or rows of seating to watch the performance. Wow! Stage acts, live drumming, wacky jellyfish costumes, fire jugglers, live rock band, aerialists and fireworks. The big metal cage got lit on fire and hoisted up on a crane to let everything burn. It turned out to be a very epic evening. Lots of great local after parties, live bands and specials at neighboring bars.

This is a must see/participate in Tucson event. Look on Pinterest to see how you should dress/…read morepaint your face. The first time I went, I tried using the cheap Halloween face paint which looked awful. This year I bought the lightest coxed (porcelain) tinted moisturizer to make the light/whiteish background color for my face and it worked way better! There are also people who do professional face painting in the area (find on facebook). It gets cold at night so be sure to dress warm. I still haven't made it to the procession part yet but I want to next year. The walk ends in MSA Annex area and there are a bunch of performers and ALOT of food trucks. Then it's fun to go over to Mercado san Augustin courtyard. There is a live band and dancing here as well as food and drinks. If you want to go to Augustin Kitchen, you need a reservation.

The Colors of the Stone is held at the Casino del Sol hotel. It is a free annual show with beads,…read moreready made jewelry, clothing, equipment, glass, ceramic, supplies, wire and more. Vendors from all over the United States come and sell their wares. It is a fun show full of shopping opportunities and classes. There are restaurants and a coffee shop to fill your hunger pangs. Free hotel parking, both open, covered and valet. WiFi in the hotel.