Need a plan to fill summer's dog days? We've got ideas

Hey, we get it. It's hard to shake those summertime blahs if you don't have a plan. 

We have a plan.

We have checked all the local venues, scoured websites, and, when that failed us, we thought way, way outside of the box to come up with at least one thing to do each day for the next 100 days of summer.

We start today, which is exactly one month from the actual start of summer — hey, why quibble over such minor details — and then we take you to the end of August.

Not quite to the unofficial end of summer — Labor Day weekend — which comes the following weekend. But we hit the summertime highlights, from Memorial Day to Father's Day and Fourth of July (Happy 250th, America!) and all those dog days in between.

Think of this as a guide, an inspiration if you will, that might lead you to consider other ideas. No matter what direction you go in, be sure to call ahead; things have a way of changing with time. 

May

21 — MOCA Free Third Thursday at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Kick off your 100 Days of Summer with free art, outdoor performances and community vibes as the sun sets.

22 — The summer’s first blockbuster film “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” is in theaters today.

– Singer-songwriter Mac DeMarco is in concert at Linda Ronstadt Music Hall.

23 – “Broadway Rave: A Musical Theater Dance Party” comes to La Rosa.

– Take a day trip to Tombstone for the annual Wyatt Earp Days through Memorial Day.

24 — Music Under the Stars at Reid Park Zoo. Bring a picnic and enjoy a free performance by the Tucson Pops Orchestra at the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center.

25 – Michael Franti & Spearhead return to Tucson, only this time they are playing Music Hall.

– Mondo Monday at The Loft Cinema. Check out a "weird and wild" cult classic on a big screen and back in the AC.

26 — The electronic band Lords of Acid brings its techno-acid meets house meets industrial blend to 191 Toole.

27 — The ‘90s leaning New York City band Hotline TNT shares the La Rosa stage with LA’s post-punkers Provoker.

28 — Thievery Corporation brings its 30th anniversary tour to Rialto Theatre.

29 — La Rosa is hosting a night of reggae with Bermuda’s Collie Buddz featuring the Orlando reggae rock band Kash’d Out and Tucson’s own DJ Jahmar.

30 — The '90s Banda Tour with Banda El Recodo, Banda Los Recoditos and Banda El Mexicano pull into AVA at Casino del Sol

– The 520 Card Show, featuring more than 100 trading card vendors, comes to Tucson Convention Center. Continues May 31.

31 – Guitar virtuoso Trace Bundy comes to La Rosa with Tucson’s Desert Music Project opening.

— Tucson's own Latin rumba/flamenco rockers Tesoro are at Gaslight Music Hall in Oro Valley.

June

1 — Las Vegas-based jazz vocalist Jonathan Karrant joins the Century Jazz Orchestra for two shows at the Century Room.

2 — Tucson Children’s Museum is hosting “Dino Discovery!” at Southwest Library, 6855 S. Mark Road. Preregistration is required at pima.bibliocommons.com

– “Love Island” Season 8 premieres on Peacock.

3 — Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band pull into the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall.

— Tucson clarinetist Dario Brignoli is sharing the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music stage with violinists Elena Chernova and Grace Nakano, violist Michael Davis and cellist Robert Chamberlain at the Rincon Congregational United Church of Christ.

4 — Kids have been out of school a couple of weeks by now and they’re likely starting to bug you about being bored. Head over to the Children’s Museum of Tucson for its pay-what-you-can Discovery Nights series from 5-7 p.m.

5 — Latin Legacy Tour featuring Baby Bash, Lil’ Rob, MC Magic and special guest Concrete plays AVA at Casino del Sol.

— “Masters of the Universe” hits theaters today.

6 - World Margarita Championship returns to Westin La Paloma Resort.

— Standup John Mulaney brings his “Mister Whatever” tour to Music Hall.

– Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum kicks off its Cool Summer Nights series.

7 – Tucson Jazz Festival and La Rosa are presenting sax player Richard Elliot in concert.

– St. Andrew’s Bach Society kicks off its 38th season with the violin-guitar Sonoros Duo at Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

8 — Wanna learn the tricks of improv? Check out the weekly free Improv Drop-in class at Unscrewed Theater.

9 — Community Day at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. A "Pay What You Can" day.

10 — Mobile Farmer's Market - Mercado Móvil pulls into the Valencia Library, offering a variety of locally grown fruits and vegetables for sale.

11 — Head over to Oro Valley's Gaslight Music Hall to hear the Fleetwood Mac tribute band Dreams and Rumours. 

12 — Check out the live music and garden vibes at Tohono Chul Park’s Chillin’ at the Chul. The series runs Fridays and Saturdays at the park.

13 — Legendary bluesman Charlie Musselwhite is playing his first Tucson concert since 2018 at La Rosa.

14 — This would be a perfect day to float down the Salt River. Catch the shuttle at 9200 N. Bush Highway in Mesa. Book a reservation at saltrivertubing.com. 

15 — Simon & Garfunkel tribute band Homeward Bound will remind us of all those great 1960s folk tunes that inspired a generation of activists when they perform at Gaslight Theatre.  

16 — The 30th anniversary tour of “Beauty and the Beast” opens at Centennial Hall; runs through June 21.

17 — Explore the contemporary paintings and pottery of 50 Native American artists in “Native Voices: 75 Years of Creativity,” the newest exhibit at Maynard Dixon Museum, 6866 E. Sunrise Drive. 

18 — Bluesman Kenny Wayne Shepherd brings his "30th Anniversary of Ledbetter Heights" tour to Rialto Theatre. 

19 — La Rosa is about to get crazy loud with a lineup of local bands, including hip-hop artist Stacc Styles, the rap-metal band Lethal Injektion and metal rockers Stand With Fists.

20 — Pima Air & Space Museum turns its attention to animals for its popular “Night Ops” summertime series. 

— It’s Spots & Stripes Night — big cats! — at Reid Park Zoo’s Summer Safari Nights.

21 — Jazz great Herb Alpert is helping us celebrate today’s summer solstice — the official first day of summer — with a concert at Linda Ronstadt Music Hall.

— West Coast reggae artist J Boog plays a show at La Rosa.

22 — Head out to Chase Field in Phoenix to catch the Diamondbacks’ first game in a four-game homestand against the St. Louis Cardinals; tickets at mlb.com/dbacks.

23 — Invisible Theatre is hosting “10 Minute Dramas by Alejandro Canelos,” showcasing eight plays by the Tucson author who also moonlights as a drummer and vocalist in two local choirs.

— Spanish jazz and funk bassist Vincen Garcia plays a show at La Rosa, co-presented by Tucson Jazz Festival.

24 — Bob Dylan returns to the AVA at Casino del Sol.

25 — Spend a day on the lake at Patagonia Lake State Park, ranked No. 5 on the Arizona State Parks’ list of the state’s best lakes. You can fish, kayak or just float in the water. The park is on State Route 82, seven miles south of Patagonia.

26 — Stand-up comedian Jeff Foxworthy brings the laughs to Desert Diamond Casino.

— Saguaro City Musical Theatre opens the musical comedy “The Addams Family” at Berger Performing Arts Center.

27 — Arizona Folklorico Dance Co. presents “Senderos” at PCC Center for the Arts; azfolklorico.com.

— Get your ha-ha on with comedian Rene Vaca at Linda Ronstadt Music Hall.

28 — Get up early and head out to the University of Arizona’s scenic campus for an urban hike on the UA Campus Loop. Map out a route by visiting tucsonaccesstrails.com. 

29 — Spend your Monday morning at Cariño Coffee, 3305 N. Cardi Blvd. in midtown, where you can sip on a delicious latte while enjoying their peaceful patio.

30 — Treat yourself to a new summer scent and browse the candle section at Di Luna Candles & Goods, 2700 N. Campbell Ave.

July

1 — “Minions & Monsters” hits theaters.

2 — Unleash your creative side and head to the charm bar at Sigfus Designs, 3264 N Country Club Road. Here, you can make bag charms, necklaces, bookmarks, earrings and more.

3 — Five-dollar Friday at the Gardens: Enjoy discounted admission at Tucson Botanical Gardens.

4 — Happy 250th birthday, America! Marana is hosting its Star-Spangled Spectacular at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park; Sahuarita holds its Stars & Stripes show with fireworks; and Tucson’s “A” Mountain fireworks begin at 9 p.m.

— Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium on the UA campus is going K-pop and ABBA with two special shows.

5 — Got any extra trinkets lying around? Bring them to Darby Hunter’s trinket trade box at Golf ‘N Stuff, 6503 E. Tanque Verde Road.

6 — Walk around the MSA Annex and explore all the local stores. They also have great food options.

7 — It’s $3 ticket Tuesday at the Reid Park Zoo.

8 — In a crafty mood? Visit ReART, 2434 N. Pantano Road, a local shop that sells gently used art supplies.

9 — Call in sick tomorrow and take a drive to Phoenix to see the Mercury take on Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever at Mortgage Matchup Center. Tickets at mercury.wnba.com.

— Discovery Night: Bring the kids for free science and art at Children’s Museum Tucson.

10 — “Moana” is in theaters.

— Chillin at the Chul: Live music and spirits at Tohono Chul (Fridays/Saturdays).

11 — “Locomotion Commotion” is the theme for Pima Air & Space Museum’s Night Ops.

— Summer Safari Nights: Explore Reid Park Zoo after dark with special themes.

— It’s Radical Reptiles Night at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum’s Cool Summer Nights series.

12 — Tucson-based prog-rockers Little King is doing a little West Coast tour this month, including a stop at Brick Box Brewery, 220 E. Broadway. Tucson rockers The Crown Syndicate and Zold open the show.

— Museum Free Day: Enjoy free/pay-what-you-wish admission at Tucson Museum of Art.

13 — Indiana rockers Houndmouth are at La Rosa.

— Stargazing at Saguaro: Join a ranger-led astronomy program at Saguaro National Park.

14 — Apple Annie’s Sweet Corn Extravaganza is underway at the farm, 6505 W. Williams Road in Willcox. It’s your chance to get the region’s best sweet corn straight from the field.

15 — Indulge in a classic Tucson drink, an horchata latte, at Chappopin Cafe, 640 N. Stone Ave. 

16 — This could be a good day for a day trip to Madera Canyon, about 43 miles south of town, which hosts up to 15 species of hummingbirds. The feeders at Santa Rita Lodge offer the best public viewing.

17 — “The Odyssey” with Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway is in theaters.

18 — Iron Chef Tucson competition returns to Desert Diamond Casino.

— Children’s Museum Tucson is hosting a 40th anniversary party at the downtown museum.

19 — Pianist Rie Tanaka explores the themes of war, death, hope and dreams in his St. Andrew’s Bach Society recital at Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

— It’s the last home game for the Tucson Sugar Skills when they take on the Northern Arizona Wranglers at Tucson Arena.

20 — Explore the rich Hollywood history at Old Tucson in a 90-minute tour of the park; oldtucson.com. 

21 — It’s another $3 ticket Tuesday at Reid Park Zoo.

22 — Dogs want to have summer fun, too. Take your furry friend to Bark ‘N Berry, 6121 E. Broadway, for ice cream.

23 — When the sun starts to set, go grab dinner and play a game of pickleball at Corbett’s, 340 N. Sixth Ave.

24 — The film version of the Broadway musical “Hadestown” is in theaters.

25 — Cypress Hill brings 1980s-’90s hip-hop to AVA at Casino del Sol.

— Tucson country singer Mamma Coal is helping La Rosa throw a Sadie Hawkins Dance.

— It’s Taste the Desert Night at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum’s Cool Summer Nights series, billed as a flavorful celebration of the Sonoran Desert’s rich food heritage.

26 — It’s hot out: You deserve to go get a raspado at Funland Raspados and Munchies, 2100 W. Grant Road.

27 — Take an early morning stroll in Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane, at the base of "A" Mountain for spectacular greenery and a pleasant walk.

28 — Pretend it’s the 2000s again and head to Deserto Frozen Yogurt and Cafe, 5635 E. River Road, where you can build your own fro-yo masterpiece.

29 — Ex-TSO Concertmaster Lauren Roth-Gómez returns for an Arizona Friends of Chamber Music recital with John Milbauer at Rincon Congregational Church.

30 — Are you an avid thrifter? Super Thrift, 404 N. Fourth Ave., has all kinds of cool vintage items.

31 — “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is in theaters.

August

1 — Retro soul/Chicano soul singer Trish Toledo brings her oldies-leaning musical style to La Rosa.

— Take a day trip to Sonoita for Sonoita Vineyards' annual Harvestfest featuring a number of Sonoita vineyards and food trucks. There's also live entertainment. It's from 10 a.m. -5 p.m. at the vineyards, 290 Elgin Canelo Road. See sonoitavineyards.com for details.

— It’s Insectopia Night at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum’s Cool Summer Nights series. Get a bugs-eye view of the Sonoran Desert, a hot spot of insect diversity with a million species of arthropods.

2 — The Verona Quartet makes a summertime visit to Tucson as part of the 2026 St. Andrew’s Bach Society series at Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

— Rock out at the One Night of Queen tribute show at the Fox Tucson Theatre.

3 — Here’s one last summertime educational outing with the kiddos: Take a day trip to Oracle and check out Biosphere 2.

4 — Florida rockers Shinedown bring their “Dance, Kid, Dance Act II Tour” to Tucson Arena.

5 — "Believe" it: The long-awaited, much-anticipated “Ted Lasso” Season 4 drops on Apple TV.

6 — Good news, mom and dad: Tucson schools are back in session.

7 — Head over to Catalina State Park for a one-mile guided night hike that starts at a somewhat cooler 7:45 p.m. It's a chance to learn about the desert’s nocturnal animals.

8 — Art State Arizona (formerly Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance) is hosting “America’s Best Mexican Food Festival” with more than 30 chefs and culinary partners at Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, 3800 E. Sunrise Drive. Tickets ($150 VIP, $115 general admission) through artstateaz.org historically go fast.

— It’s "Large & In Charge Night," the final Summer Safari Night of the season at Reid Park Zoo, celebrating the giraffe, rhinos, bears, lions and elephants.

9 — This is your last chance to check out Apple Annie’s annual Peach Mania at the orchard, 2081 W. Hardy Road in Willcox.

10 — Check out the super cool Frida’s Garden at Tucson Botanical Gardens, where we’re guessing it’s probably a lot cooler given the lush canopy of trees and other plants. Frida’s Garden is modeled after the iconic Mexican artist’s garden in Mexico City. 

11 — Browse all the cute stationery at Pink Moon Mercantile, 845 N. Park Ave., for your back-to-school needs.

12 — The Southeast Arizona Birding Festival, through Aug. 16 at the DoubleTree by Hilton-Reid Park, focuses on our biodiversity during the monsoon season.

13 — Country singer Kane Brown makes his Tucson debut at AVA at Casino del Sol.

14 — “Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie” is in theaters.

—“Dancing With the Stars” alum Derek Hough brings his “Symphony of Dance: Encore” to Linda Ronstadt Music Hall.

15 — Take a ghost tour at Old Tucson and discover what’s behind all those strange, unexplained noises and sudden drafts in the former Old West movie studio at 201 S. Kinney Road. Reserve a spot at oldtucson.com.

16 — Django Festival Allstars bring its rollicking Gypsy swing and jazz to La Rosa.

17 — Grab a bag of spicy Gushers and other chamoy-covered treats at Dirty T Tamarindo.

18 — Broadway In Tucson opens its 2025-26 season finale, the Alicia Keys musical “Hell’s Kitchen,” at Centennial Hall. It’s there through Aug. 23.

19 — Slow Body Beer is a great place to relax and grab a drink. Plus, Holy Focaccia is there serving up delicious food.

20 — It’s the city’s 251st birthday, with a Celebration of All Things S-cuk Son at the Presidio Museum, 196 N. Court Ave., 6:30-10 p.m.

— Tempe emo rockers The Maine make the I-10 trek to La Rosa.

21 — Delta bluesman Tab Benoit returns to Fox Tucson Theatre to showcase his soulful vocal prowess and immense guitar talents. 

— Take the fam to see Gaslight Theatre's original and goofy take on the capped crusaders in "Gnatman."  

22 — Three-time Grammy-winning singer Fantastic Negrito plays his first Tucson concert in nearly a decade when he comes to La Rosa.

23 — Country crooner Tracy Lawrence brings his “No Alibis Tour” to Music Hall.

24 — UA and Pima Community College are back in session. 

25 — Scented Leaf is a Tucson favorite! Stop by and get a mid-day iced tea.

26 — Pianist Rie Tanaka and bassist Philip Alejo perform a recital with Arizona Friends of Chamber Music at Rincon Congregational Church, 122 N. Craycroft Road

27— This is the last weekend of the 2026 NFL pre-season, a chance to get a preview of what your favorite team's season might look like or to stalk your team's nemesis.

28 — Check out American Eat Co., 1439 S. Fourth Ave., and choose one of their many food spots for dinner. Or try a little of everything; we won’t tell.