Free museum days, a big book fest, Easter egg hunts, a St. Patrick's Day parade and a star party — you don't have to break the bank to enjoy local events in Tucson.
Here are 27 events that are free to attend this March.
Auguste Rodin's Adam stands on the lowest level of the Tucson Museum of Art, in one of several galleries utilizing underground space.
First Thursday at Tucson Museum of Art
Visit the Tucson Museum of Art every first Thursday of the month for pay-what-you-wish admission, gallery activities, live music and a cash bar. This month's event will also feature aura photo readings and food from You Sly Dog, Butter Lover and Sin Fronteras Coffee.Â
When: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, March 7
Where: Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave.
People are also reading…
Cost:Â Pay what you wish
Visit the event page for more information.Â
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.Â
When:Â 5-7 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Children's Museum Tucson, 200 S. Sixth Ave.
Cost:Â Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Art Corner with BICAS
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:Â 3-6 p.m. Thursdays
Where: BICAS, 2001 N. Seventh Ave.
Cost:Â Free to attend, donation suggestedÂ
Visit the event page for more information.
Tasting History: Cardoon
Learn about the origins behind cardoon plants and how they became part of Tucson's agricultural and culinary traditions. Demonstrations are part of the fun.
When:Â 9-11 a.m. Friday-Saturday, March 8-9
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost:Â Free to attend, donations accepted
Visit the event page for more information.
The 2023 Tucson Festival of Books brought hundreds of authors and large crowds to the University of Arizona Mall March 4-5. Here are some highlights from the festival. Video by Aidan Wohl / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson Festival of Books
Book lovers, it's almost the best time of year: the annual Tucson Festival of Books is back! Find hundreds of authors, presentations and vendors at the beloved book fest.Â
When:Â 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, March 9-10
Where:Â University of Arizona Mall
Cost:Â Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Plant Swap
Head to the Fourth Avenue Coalition Space for a plant swap, plus enter a raffle to benefit the Pima Animal Care Center.Â
When:Â 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 9
Where: Coalition Space, 311 E. Seventh St.
Cost:Â Free to attend, bring plants to swap
Visit the event page for more information.
Egg Hop Hunt
Tucson Parks and Recreation is hosting an egg hunt with crafts, games, face painting and other activities.Â
When:Â 8 a.m. Saturday, March 9
Where: Quincie Douglas Center, 1575 E. 36th St.
Cost:Â Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.Â
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!Â
When:Â 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9
Where: Children's Museum Tucson, 200 S. Sixth Ave.
Cost:Â 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:Â 4-8 p.m. Saturday, March 9
Where: Xerocraft Makerspace, 101 W. Sixth St.
Cost:Â Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Evening closes in over the Sweet Rolls & More rolled ice cream food trailer, one of the vendors keeping the crowd fed during 2nd Saturdays downtown, Tucson, Ariz., March 11, 2023.
2nd Saturdays
Check out food trucks, live music and local makers during this monthly outdoor street festival.
When:Â 5-10 p.m. Saturday, March 9
Where: Downtown Tucson along East Congress Street
Cost:Â Free to attend, bring money for shopping and food
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, a bike swap, demonstrations led by Archaeology Southwest, crafts for kids, vendors selling their artwork and a farmers market.
When:Â 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 9
Where: Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road
Cost:Â Free to attend, bring money for shopping
Visit the event page for more information.
Second SundAZe at TMAÂ
Visit the Tucson Museum of Art every second Sunday for pay-what-you-wish admission. Enjoy art-making, gallery activities, family yoga and a performance by Ballet Rincon's Youth Ensemble.Â
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 10
Where: Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave.
Cost:Â Pay what you wish
Visit the event page for more information.Â
House Party at Thunder Canyon Brewery
Dance the night away to a fusion of hip-hop and R&B, alongside brews from Thunder Canyon.
When:Â 8-11 p.m. Thursday, March 14
Where: Thunder Canyon Brewery, 220 E. Broadway
Cost:Â Free to attend, bring money for drinks. This event is for ages 21 and up.
Visit the event page for more information.Â
Marana Founders' Day
It's a day to celebrate Marana! There will be a parade, car show, performances, art station, food trucks, vendors, inflatables and more.
When:Â 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 16
Where: Town of Marana, 11555 W. Civic Center Dr.
Cost:Â Free to attend, bring money for food and shopping
Visit the event page for more information.
Movie at the Ranch
Watch a free outdoor screening of "Back to the Future" at Steam Pump Ranch this month. The sequel will be played in April!
When:Â 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16
Where: Steam Pump Ranch, 10901 N. Oracle Road
Cost:Â Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
Traditional O'odham Agriculture at Mission Garden
Attend this event to learn about Tohono O'odham agricultural practices, including demonstrations and talks about Native American crops.
When:Â 8-10 a.m. Saturday, March 16
Where: Mission Garden, 946 W. Mission Lane
Cost:Â 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 where you'll learn about rain gardens and planting native edible plants.Â
When:Â 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 16
Where: Watershed Management Group, 1137 N. Dodge Blvd.
Cost:Â Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.Â
Archery Expo Day
Oro Valley Parks and Recreation is hosting an expo for all things archery! You'll find archery equipment and other items, basic archery instruction, raffles and more.
When:Â 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 16
Where: Oro Valley Archery Range, 660 W. Naranja Dr.
Cost:Â Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
St. Patrick's Day Festival of Tucson
This festival kicks off with a parade in downtown Tucson, followed by live Irish music, dancers, an area for kids, food and vendors.Â
When:Â 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 17
Where: Armory Park, 222 S. Fifth Ave.
Cost:Â Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event page for more information.
The Museum of Contemporary Art was established in 1997 by artists exclusively for contemporary art.
Free Third Thursdays at MOCA
Third Thursday at Tucson’s Museum of Contemporary Art is a party. The art museum is open late with free admission, plus food, drinks and KXCI DJs spinning tunes.
When:Â 5-9 p.m. Thursday, March 21
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson, 265 S. Church Ave.
Cost:Â Free to attend
Visit the event site for more information.
Fire Show at Sky Bar
Cirque Collective Fire Troupe puts on a 20-minute fire show every fourth Friday, right outside of Sky Bar.Â
When:Â 8:15 p.m. Friday, March 22
Where: Sky Bar, 536 N. Fourth Ave.
Cost:Â Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.
EGGstravaganza with Tucson Parks and Rec
Celebrate Easter early with Tucson Parks and Recreation! Enjoy egg hunts, music, food vendors, games and prizes. The Easter Bunny will be there!
When:Â 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 23. Egg hunts are at various times, organized by age.Â
Where: Mansfield Park, 2000 N. Fourth Ave.
Cost:Â Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event page for more information.
Park Fest at Palo Verde Park
Inspired by Porch Fest in the Garden District neighborhood, the Palo Verde Park neighborhood is hosting a family-friendly community event featuring two stages for live music and food trucks. Bring a chair or blankets for seating!
When:Â 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 24
Where: Palo Verde Park, 425 S. Mann Ave.
Cost:Â Free to attend, bring money for food
Visit the event page for more information.
Mujerx Chingonas
Galeria Mitotera is looking for art pieces now through March 15 for a new art show that will open on March 24.
When:Â 1-4 p.m. Sunday, March 24
Where: Galeria Mitotera, 1802 S. Fourth Ave.
Cost:Â Free to attend
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.Â
When:Â 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 29
Where: El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Road
Cost:Â Free to attend
Visit the event page for more information.Â
Tucson Astronomy Festival
It’s almost time for Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association’s annual Tucson Astronomy Festival! Head to Brandi Fenton Memorial Park in the afternoon for solar observing, followed by stargazing after dark. There will be astronomy-themed family-friendly activities and prizes!
When:Â 3-9 p.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, 3482 E. River Road
Cost:Â Free to attendÂ
Visit the event page for more information.
Starlit Skies
Local nonprofit Reach For The Stars is hosting a night of stargazing. Learn about the stars and planets, all while gazing through telescopes and other equipment.
When:Â 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30
Where: Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead, 16248 E. Marsh Station Road
Cost:Â Free to attend, donations accepted
Visit the event page for more information.
