Free Halloween festivities, live music, Cyclovia and a silent reading party — you don't have to break the bank to enjoy local events in Tucson.
Here are 39 events that are free to attend this October.
Tucson Humanities Festival
Hosted by the University of Arizona, the 15th annual Humanities Festival highlights the theme of "well-being" through four events including lectures and discussions with special guests like Dr. Andrew Weil.
When: Select dates through Oct. 29
Where: Various locations on the University of Arizona campus
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
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Find Children’s Museum Tucson at 200 S. Sixth Ave.
Discovery Nights at Children's Museum Tucson
Visit Children's Museum Tucson for a free night of science and art, including story times and pop-up science experiments.
When: 5-7 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Children's Museum Tucson, 200 S. Sixth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Park Place Mall and SAACA. Watch Tucson muralist Jessica Gonzales paint a new mural, enjoy folklorico performances and experience hands-on art projects.
When: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11
Where: Park Place Mall, 5870 E. Broadway
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Tasting History: Corn
Learn all about corn! Head to Mission Garden for this interactive program that includes recipes and tastings.
When: 9-11 a.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 11-12
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted
Visit the event page for more information.
Pop Nights
DJ Bex is spinning all the pop hits of your dreams, from Britney Spears and Madonna to Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Billie Eilish.
When: Midnight to 2 a.m. Fridays
Where: Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St.
Cost: Free to attend, this event is for ages 21 and up
Visit the event page for more information.
Club Country
Put on your cowboy boots and dance the night away as DJ Du spins country hits.
When: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays through Oct. 18
Where: Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St.
Cost: Free to attend, this event is for ages 21 and up
Visit the event page for more information.
Marana Fall Festival
Celebrate fall in Marana! The annual festival is home to carnival rides, mutton busting, live music and performances, a beer garden and food trucks, artisan vendors, crafts, dog adoptions, a donation drive and a screening of 2023's "Haunted Mansion."
When: 2-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: Heritage River Park, 12375 N. Heritage Park Dr.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food and shopping
Visit the event page for more information.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Art Show
This one-night art show is a fundraiser for Indivisible Tohono, a grassroots group that educates the community on issues impacting the Tohono O'odham Nation.
When: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: Coalition Space, 311 E. Seventh St.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
2024 Dusk Battle of the Bands
Dusk Music Festival isn't for another month, but festival organizers are putting together a Battle of the Bands competition at Hotel Congress.
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Cultivating Culture at Mission Garden
Appropriately dubbed "flooding the land with stories and poems," this free event at Mission Garden is all about food sharing, poems, storytelling and an open mic.
When: 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted
Visit the event page for more information.
Second Saturday at Steam Pump Ranch
The second Saturday of every month is special at Steam Pump Ranch. Find historic tours of the grounds, demonstrations led by Archaeology Southwest, crafts for kids, vendors selling their artwork and a farmers market.
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit the event page for more information.
Art After Dark at Children's Museum Tucson
Each month, Children's Museum Tucson hosts Art After Dark with local arts groups and free admission!
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: Children's Museum Tucson, 200 S. Sixth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Tucson Repair Cafe
Need something fixed? Bring it to the Tucson Repair Cafe to be fixed for free! All items are welcome.
When: 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: Xerocraft Makerspace, 101 W. Sixth St.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Patagonia Fall Festival
If you've been wanting to take a trip to Patagonia, now's a good time to go. This festival is set to feature more than 100 artists, plus food and live music.
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13
Where: Patagonia Town Park, 325 McKeown Ave., Patagonia
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food and shopping
Visit the event page for more information.
Cali McCoy works to fix up a vintage Schwinn bike her brother gave her during a Women Trans Femme workshop at BICAS (Bicycle Inter-Community Art and Salvage) on Feb. 27, 2017.
BICAS Crafternoons
Get free access to recycled bike art parts, tools and other materials and get creative! Once you're finished, you can donate your creation to BICAS or give a suggested donation to the nonprofit, if you're able to. Check in at the front counter before heading to the art area.
When: 1-4 p.m. Saturdays
Where: BICAS, 2001 N. Seventh Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, donation suggested
Visit the event page for more information.
Music on the Mountain
For years, Mount Lemmon was home to a weekly concert series. The series went on hiatus in 2013, but made its highly anticipated comeback over the summer.
When: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12; noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19; noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Where: Mount Lemmon Lodge, 12833 N. Sabino Canyon Park
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Auguste Rodin’s Adam stands on the lowest level of the Tucson Museum of Art, in one of several galleries utilizing underground space in 2021.
Second SundAZe at TMA
Visit the Tucson Museum of Art every second Sunday for pay-what-you-wish admission. Activities include art-making, family yoga, an art talk and sweets from Bella's Gelato.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13
Where: Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave.
Cost: Pay what you wish
Visit the event page for more information.
Ride with FUGA
Take a bike ride with organization FUGA, which advocates for mobility, accessibility and representation for Tucson's south-side and west-side communities.
When: 8-10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 13; 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25
Where: Ward 1, 940 W. Alameda St., on Oct. 13; El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Road, on Oct. 25
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Indigenous Peoples Day
This free family-friendly event hosted by Alianza Indigena sin Fronteras is slated to feature cultural performances, live music and more than 20 food and art vendors.
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14
Where: 225 E. 26th St.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food and shopping
Visit the event page for more information.
Free Third Thursdays at MOCA
The third Thursday of the month is a party at MOCA. The art museum is open late with free admission. Expect drinks from Tap+Bottle, food from Reservation Sensation, tunes from KXCI DJs and talks and activities surrounding the 2025 Sonoran Desert School Gardeners’ Almanac.
When: 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson, 265 S. Church Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event page for more information.
Third Thursdays at Mission Garden
Mission Garden is staying open late on the third Thursday of the month. Cross your fingers for an immaculate sunset!
When: 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event page for more information.
Concerts in the Courtyard
Head to Marana for this concert series, this time featuring Znora. Food trucks will be onsite and kids will be able to go trick-or-treating from community organizations. Bring your own chairs or blankets!
When: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17
Where: Marana Municipal Complex, 11555 W. Civic Center Dr.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event page for more information.
Fall Festival
Casas Church is hosting a community-wide event with a truck-or-treat, vendors, inflatables, food trucks, music and a donation drive for Interfaith Community Services.
When: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18. Editor's note: This event has been canceled as of Oct. 17.
Where: Casas Church, 10801 N. La Cholla Blvd.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event page for more information.
Arizona Barraza sits in his mother Aliza Barraza’s arms dressed as Scooby Doo during the Boo Bash at Lincoln Park, 4325 S. Pantano Road, in 2023.
Boo Bash
Tucson Parks and Recreation is hosting its annual Boo Bash, complete with carnival games, a costume parade, food trucks and lots of candy. Bring your own trick-or-treating bag!
When: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
Where: Lincoln Park soccer fields, 4325 S. Pantano Road
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Traditional O'odham Agriculture
Learn about Tohono O'odham agricultural practices, including demonstrations and talks about Native American crops.
When: 8-9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted
Visit the event page for more information.
Family Saturdays with Watershed Management Group
Head to Watershed Management Group for Family Saturdays, this time to learn about using native plants to create rain gardens. Kid-friendly activities are part of the fun.
When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 19
Where: Watershed Management Group, 1137 N. Dodge Blvd.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Silent Reading Party
Each month, the Pima County Library hosts a silent reading party. Find a cozy and quiet spot to read in the company of others.
When: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20
Where: Coalition Space, 311 E. Seventh St.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Queer Clothing Exchange
Take home a new-to-you item during this queer clothing exchange. Clothes, shoes and accessories are welcome!
When: 2-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25
Where: Coalition Space, 311 E. Seventh St.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Halloween Night Market
Local plant nursery Rozet is celebrating Halloween with a two-day market slated to include vendors, a haunted shade house, trick-or-treat stations, flash tattoos, tarot readings, a bounce house, face painting and food. Costumes are encouraged!
When: 6-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 25-26
Where: Rozet Nursery, 7707 E. 22nd St.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping and food
Visit the event page for more information.
HallOVeen Spooktacular
Oro Valley is celebrating Halloween with an evening of vendors, music, jumping castles, crafts, food trucks and trunk-or-treating.
When: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Where: James D. Kriegh Park, 23 W. Calle Concordia
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event page for more information.
Oro Valley Fall Foodie & Art Festival
This two-day market in Oro Valley, hosted by SAACA, features more than 100 artisans in addition to music, food vendors, a beer garden, crafts for kids and costume contests.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 26-27
Where: Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N. Oracle Road
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping and food
Visit event page for more information.
Cultura X Chicano Festival
With a goal of bringing the community together to celebrate culture and creativity, this festival will feature hip-hop performances and a break dance competition along with food trucks, vendors, a car show and a fashion show.
When: 2-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 26-27
Where: MSA Annex, 267 S. Avenida del Convento
Cost: $5 presale, $10 at the door on Saturday; Sunday is free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Trunk-or-treat 2024
This event benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters, featuring trunk-or-treating, face painting, a costume contest, music and a photo booth.
When: 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Where: Synergy Plaza, 2959 N. Swan Road
Cost: Free to attend, register online
Visit the event page for more information.
PCSD trunk-or-treat
Visit Kino Sports Complex for a trunk-or-treat event hosted by the Pima County Sheriff's Department.
When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Where: Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Spooktacular in Sahuarita
This all-ages Spooktacular event in Sahuarita features trunk-or-treating, food trucks and family-friendly activities.
When: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Where: Sahuarita Town Hall, 375 W. Sahuarita Center Way, Sahuarita
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Cyclovia
Enjoy a day of car-free streets, where you can walk, bike or skate your way through Tucson neighborhoods. It's essentially a big block party where you'll find activity hubs and food vendors along the route.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27
Where: Armory Park to 37th Street and Eighth Avenue. See the route here.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event page for more information.
Trick-or-Treat the Avenue
Head to North Fourth Avenue for a family-friendly afternoon of trick-or-treating down the historic street. There will be a costume contest at 1 p.m.
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27
Where: North Fourth Avenue. Costume contest is at Haggerty Plaza, 316 N. Fourth Ave., at 1 p.m.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit the event page for more information.
Howl-oween
It's a Halloween party for dogs! Bring your four-legged friends to St. Philip's Plaza for a pup parade, a costume contest and giveaways.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27
Where: St. Philip's Plaza, 4280 N. Campbell Ave.
Cost: Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
'90s vs. '00s Halloween Party
Head to this dance party where a DJ will be spinning music from the '90s and 2000s. There will also be themed costume contests, plus throwback video games, drink specials, Halloween candy and funky portraits drawn by local artist Linus Schief.
When: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 31
Where: The Royal Room, 450 N. Sixth Ave.
Cost: Free to attend, bring money for drinks. This event is for ages 21 and up.
Visit the event page for more information.
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Gloria was born and raised in Tucson and is a 2018 University of Arizona grad. From wildflowers to wildlife, she loves all things Tucson and hopes to share her love of the city with readers ✨
Gloria Knott
#ThisIsTucson Editor
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