The kids are out of school, and you're already being inundated with the summertime ritual: "We're bored!"
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.
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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.
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.
