16 Popular Festivals In Tucson, Arizona

1. Arizona Underground Film Festival

Now on its 12th year, Arizona Underground Film Festival is said to be the state’s premier underground film festival. The festival is well-known for showcasing cult films from a wide variety of genres like documentaries, animation, horror, narrative, and experimental cinema. They also give out several awards like Best of Fest Award, Director’s Award, Audience Award, etc. The festival aims to celebrate the works and visions of independent filmmakers. You can catch an individual flick or get a festival pass to enjoy several movies throughout the duration of the festival.

Arizona Underground Film Festival

Address: 127 East Congress Street, Tucson, Arizona 85701

Website: Arizona Underground Film Festival

Takes place: September

Price: From 7 USD

2. Empire Ranch Cowboy Festival

Organized each year by Empire Ranch Foundation, the Empire Ranch Cowboy Festival celebrates the Western culture and history of Arizona. At this free-to-attend festival, visitors can enjoy a range of activities and events that are suitable for all ages. There are Western heritage demonstrations, livestock exhibits, history and culture presentations, live Western music, ranch life displays, and many other entertainment options. Visitors can watch cowboy cooking demos, interact with skilled artisans, tuck into delicious food, or let their kids enjoy one of the many children’s activities.

Empire Ranch Cowboy Festival

Address: Empire Ranch Foundation, E Empire Ranch Rd, Sonoita, AZ 85637

Website: Empire Ranch Cowboy Festival

Takes place: November

Price: Free

3. Tucson Folk Festival

Celebrating nearly 35 years of entertaining the people of Tucson, Tucson Folk Festival is a three-day event that is held every April and free to the public. It celebrates various forms of folk music enjoyed in the US like blues, jazz, Celtic, country, American bluegrass, Latin music, etc., with nearly 160 acts performing each year. The festival is family-friendly and events are organised in various sections of Tucson’s historic downtown area. Visitors can enjoy interactive music workshops, a songwriting competition, raffles, youth music showcase programmes, food market, a beer garden, and many more such interesting events.

Tucson Folk Festival

Address: Jacome Plaza, Tucson, Arizona

Website: Tucson Folk Festival

Takes place: April

Price: Free

4. Tucson Jazz Festival

Started in 2015, Tucson Jazz Festival is a widely celebrated jazz music festival that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Held in the month of January when the weather is relatively warm in Tucson, world-class acts descend on the town to entertain visitors from the city as well as across the country. The lineup for 2020 includes performances by classical and contemporary jazz acts like Afro-Cuban All-Stars, David Sanborn Jazz Quintet, Mavis Staples, Christian McBride, Average White Band, and more. A free all-day-long Downtown Jazz Fiesta to be held on Martin Luther King Day is also included in the festival.

Tucson Jazz Festival

Address: Downtown Tucson, Arizona

Website: Tucson Jazz Festival

Takes place: January

Price: From 25 USD

5. Tucson Hip Hop Festival [Last event in 2019]

The Tucson Hip Hop Festival is a celebration of all things hip-hop! A relatively new event on the Tucson annual events calendar, this festival provides a family-friendly way to experience the hip-hop culture. It is a platform for up-and-coming local talents to showcase their music and lyrics as well as sharing the stage with established artists. More than 150 acts participate in the festival and visitors can also enjoy stage performances, workshops, panel discussions, and more.

Tucson Hip Hop Festival

Address: 191 E Toole Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701

Website: Tucson Hip Hop Festival

Takes place: March

6. Arizona Insect Festival

Organised by the Department of Entomology of The University of Arizona, the Arizona Insect Festival is a very unique type of festival celebrated in Tucson. It is a day-long event that attracts visitors from all walks of life and offers informative booths, student-led panel discussions, interactive exhibits, live music, food trucks, merchandise sales, etc. The main aim of the festival to increase public awareness about the significance of insects in maintaining the delicate balance of the earth’s ecosystems.

Arizona Insect Festival

Address: University of Arizona campus, Tucson, Arizona

Website: Arizona Insect Festival

Takes place: October

Price: Free

7. Tucson's Agave Heritage Festival

The agave plant is of immense cultural and historical significance due to its growth along the shared borders of Arizona and Mexico and Tucson’s Agave Heritage Festival is a celebration of all things agave. As one of the world’s best small festivals, it encourages visitors to explore the commercial, culinary, and medicinal importance of the plant. Visitors can sample delicious agave spirits like mezcal and tequila as well as enjoy regional music, food, art, trade shows, and other cultural events at the festival.

Tucson's Agave Heritage Festival

Address: Tucson, Arizona

Website: Tucson’s Agave Heritage Festival

Takes place: April to May

8. Tucson Pride Parade and Festival

Tucson Pride Parade and Festival is an annual celebration of all dimensions of the LGBTQIA+ community. Over the 40+ years of its existence, the festival has offered a safe and fun space for all members to come together and celebrate the achievements and pride of the community. Thousands of visitors attend the festival each year. It includes performances, vendors, cultural events, local entertainment and a colourful parade that anyone can attend.

Tucson Pride Parade and Festival

Address: Reid Park, Demeester Outdoor Performance Center, 900 S Randolph Way Tucson, AZ 85716

Website: Tucson Pride Parade and Festival

Takes place: October

Price: 5 - 15 USD

9. Tucson Greek Festival

Another unique cultural event in Tucson is the Tucson Greek Festival organised with the support of the parish of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. At this festival, you can indulge in Greek cultural activities like traditional dance lessons, live Greek music band, daily performances, activities for children, church tours, etc. Visitors can also shop for local products, tuck into authentic Greek food and pastries, sample wine and beer, and enjoy fantastic Greek hospitality in general.

Tucson Greek Festival

Address: 1145 E Fort Lowell Rd, Tucson, AZ 85719

Website: Tucson Greek Festival

Takes place: September

Price: 3 USD

10. Dusk Music Festival

Dusk Music Festival is an annual music and arts festival in Tucson where visitors are treated to a lineup of outstanding musical acts, food and drinks, arts, and shopping experiences. The family-friendly festival’s main attraction is its musical performances by talented local artists and renowned international acts. Besides this, you can also enjoy culinary delights from many local restaurants and food trucks; admire digital arts, lifesize sculptures, and lighting exhibits; indulge in backyard, video, and life-sized lawn games; and shop for local, regional, and international goods directly from the vendors at the festival.

Dusk Music Festival

Address: Armory Park, Tucson, Arizona

Website: Dusk Music Festival

Takes place: November

Price: From 69 USD

11. Tucson Fringe Festival

Tucson Fringe Festival is a local performing arts festival with an unusual name. It is said to be an uncensored event that has no jury and showcases experimental theatre performances at various venues in Downtown Tucson. The low ticket prices and hour-long performances ensure that visitors can catch more than one show during the festival. It provides a platform for underrepresented artists in the Tucson theatre scene to put forth their innovative ideas and opinions.

Tucson Fringe Festival

Address: Downtown Tucson, Tucson, Arizona

Website: Tucson Fringe Festival

Takes place: January

Price: From 18 USD

12. Tucson Festival of Books

Held annually for the past two decades, Tucson Festival of Books is a book fair that attracts visitors of all ages. The festival hosts well-known, up-and-coming as well as indie authors each year and provides visitors with opportunities to interact with them. With an aim to promote and celebrate authors, reading, and literacy, the festival has various stalls, booths, vendors, panel discussions, activities for teenagers and children, contests, food courts, performances, etc. They also have Young Author and Young Artist contests.

Tucson Festival of Books

Address: University of Arizona Campus, Tucson, Arizona

Website: Tucson Festival of Books

Takes place: March

Price: Free

13. Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival

A celebration of chamber music, Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival has been taking place in the city for more than 26 years now. Talented musicians take to the stage during this week-long festival to entertain you with much-loved classical pieces as well as new and innovative compositions. Visitors can also enjoy pre-concert discussions, open rehearsals, and master classes for amateurs. They also host a youth concert in order to pique children’s interest in chamber music.

Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival

Address: Leo Rich Theater, 260 South Church Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85701

Website: Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival

Takes place: March

Price: 30 USD

14. Tucson Desert Song Festival

Tucson Desert Song Festival is a music festival celebrating the beauty of the American voice in the classical music space. World-renowned classical singers take the stage to enthrall audiences with their magical performances. The festival is held at various venues across Tucson and enables music enthusiasts to enjoy a world-class experience. Tucson’s well-known performing arts groups accompany the vocal artists in delivering memorable performances.

Tucson Desert Song Festival

Address: Tucson, Arizona

Website: Tucson Desert Song Festival

Takes place: January to February

15. Tucson Water Lantern Festival [Event has passed]

Experience serenity, peace, and beauty with your near and dear ones on a magical night at the Tucson Water Lantern Festival. At this family-friendly event, you are invited to light up 100% eco-friendly lanterns which you can decorate with your hopes, dreams, and wishes for your loved ones and sent out on the water. After this emotional experience, visitors can take in the beauty of hundreds of lanterns floating serenely on the water spreading their glow against the night sky. Food trucks, music, and a festive ambience are included in the experience.

Tucson Water Lantern Festival

Address: Tucson, Arizona

Website: Tucson Water Lantern Festival

Takes place: October

16. Great Tucson Beer Festival [Event has passed]

Held every year since 1986, the Great Tucson Beer Festival is a popular beer-themed event in Tucson. Visitors to this festival can enjoy sampling beers from over 80 brewers besides tucking into some scrumptious local fare from food trucks and local restaurants. Products like spirits, champagne, wines, delicatessen, etc. are also showcased. There is live music, games, lots of entertainment and a fun atmosphere at the Great Tucson Beer Festival.

Great Tucson Beer Festival

Address: Kino Sports North Complex, Tucson, Arizona

Website: Great Tucson Beer Festival

Takes place: October

Price: From 15 USD

Festive times in Tucson

Besides its breathtaking natural beauty, the desert city of Tucson is also the perfect place to enjoy a range of festivals. From food and drinks through chamber and hip hop music to book festivals, Tucson has got you covered! So come on over to Tucson and have a jolly good time.