Free Halloween festivities, live music, Cyclovia and a silent reading party — you don't have to break the bank to enjoy localevents in Tucson.
Here are 50 events that are free to attend this October.
Tucson Meet Yourself
Folklife festival Tucson Meet Yourself brings hundreds of thousands of people to downtown Tucson each year to celebrate the food, music, dance and arts of our city's many cultures.
When:11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 (no performances between 2-5 p.m.). 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6.
Where:Jacomé Plaza,101 N. Stone Ave.
Cost:Free to watch performances and demonstrations, bring money for food and shopping
Visit theevent pagefor more information.
Friday Night Concert at Steam Pump Ranch
Oro Valley Parks and Recreation is hosting a free concert this Friday, featuringHardscrabble Road.
When:7-9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4
Where:Steam Pump Ranch,10901 N. Oracle Road
Cost:Free to attend, bring money for food. Bring your own chair or blanket!
Visit theevent pagefor 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 theevent pagefor 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, Oct. 4-18
Where:Club Congress,311 E. Congress St.
Cost:Free to attend, this event is for ages 21 and up
Visit theevent pagefor more information.
Free First Saturday at Valley of the Moon
Celebrate fall with Valley of the Moon! Expect games, storytelling and crafts alongside a costume sale and a costume parade.
When:11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
Where:Valley of the Moon,2544 E. Allen Road
Cost:Free to attend
Visit theevent pagefor more information.
#LovePup Family Fest
Hosted by the #LovePup Foundation, which was founded by popular radio DJ Johnjay Van Es and his wife Blake, #LovePup Family Fest will feature pet adoptions, live entertainment, activities for kids, food trucks and the chance to meet Bluey.
When:10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
Where:Rancho Sahuarita Clubhouse,15455 S. Camino Lago Azul, Sahuarita
Cost:Free to attend; reservations required to meet Bluey
Visit theevent pagefor more information.
Tucson Big Sing
Bring your singing voice to Tucson Big Sing, an annual community-wide sing-along held at Reid Park.
When:7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
Where:DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center at Reid Park,800 S. Concert Place
Cost:Free to attend
Visit theevent pagefor more information.
Movie at the Ranch
Watch a free outdoor screening of "Back to the Future III" at Steam Pump Ranch this weekend.
When:6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
Where:Steam Pump Ranch,10901 N. Oracle Road
Cost:Free to attend
Visit theevent pagefor more information.
First Saturday ArtWalk
The Warehouse Arts Management Organizationis hosting its First Saturday ArtWalk this weekend, where you can walk through several local galleries and artist studios.
When:4-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
Where:Steinfeld Warehouse,101 W. Sixth St.
Cost:Free to attend
Visit theevent pagefor more information.
Music in the Park
Arizona Symphonic Winds is hosting the last concert in its fall concert series. Bring your own chairs and blankets!
When:7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
Where:Udall Park,7200 E. Tanque Verde Road
Cost:Free to attend
Visit theevent pagefor more information.
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 theevent pagefor 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:2-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5; 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 theevent pagefor more information.
Dogtoberfest
Oktoberfest is fun and all, but what about Dogtoberfest? This event, hosted by The Tucson Dog Magazine, features vaccinations and micro-chipping, adoptable dogs, costume contests, vendors and food trucks, plus games for pups like bobbing for hot dogs.
When:10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6
Where:Brandi Fenton Memorial Park,3482 E. River Road
Cost:Free to attend, bring money for vendors
Visit theevent pagefor more information.
Arizona Insect Festival
Back for its 12th year, the Arizona Insect Festival, which is hosted by the University of Arizona's Department of Entomology, hopes to encourage understanding of our local insects. Experience interactive exhibits and learn about insects! Four food trucks will be onsite.
When:10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6
Where:ENR2 building on UA campus,1064 E. Lowell St.
Cost:Free to attend
Visit theevent pagefor more information.
Tucson Pops Orchestra Concert Series
Tucson Pops Orchestra is back for the last concert in its fall series. Expect a beer garden and food trucks!
When:7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6
Where:DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center in Reid Park,800 S. Concert Place
Cost:Free to attend, bring money for food and drinks. Bring your own chair or blanket!
Visit theevent pagefor more information.
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 theevent pagefor more information.
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 theevent pagefor 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 theevent pagefor 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 theevent pagefor 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 theevent pagefor 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 theevent pagefor 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 theevent pagefor 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 theevent pagefor 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 byArchaeology 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 theevent pagefor 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 theevent pagefor 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 theevent pagefor 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
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