Spring has sprung, bringing with it a ton of amazing activities and events for you to enjoy in the Tucson and Oro Valley areas this month.
Here are 12 of them.
1. Sidewalk Live Music Series
Date and Time: Friday, April 16, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Location: Catalina Craft Pizza, 15930 N. Oracle Road
Cost: Free
What’s going on: Want to get out for a great night of outdoor music? Then stop by Catalina Craft Pizza and listen to live music from Patrick Rayl and the .357 Band as they host a sidewalk performance.
2. Heirloom Farmers Market
Date and Time: Every Wednesday in April from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Location: 101 South La Canada Drive, Green Valley
Cost: $25
What’s going on: Nestled along the I-19 corridor (off Esperanza Exit) you’ll find the Green Valley Village Farmers & Artisans Market, the area’s longest-running and largest marketplace and weekly community event! The morning comes alive with a variety of artisans and small, local food businesses. Stroll through the market to find artisan goods, jewelry, and southwest flavor for your home and taste buds! Plus, enjoy a diverse food court, freshly roasted coffee, flaky pastries, fresh vegetables from local growers, live music, and handmade crafts from the region.
3. DJ Beats at Hotel Congress
Date and Time: Sunday, April 11, from 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.
Location: Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St
Cost: $5 (reservations available)
What’s going on: Join Hotel Congress on the open patio for live music from DJ Calvin with special guest Rey Murphy and friends. DJ Calvin takes the plaza stage with special guest Rey Murphy & friends! Calvin creates a unique blend of live funky bass & guitar, electronic beats, synth, samples, and vocal harmonies that create an alternate lounge world dance party.
4. MLS Preseason in Tucson
Date and Time: Wednesday, April 7 until Saturday, April 10
Location: Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way
Cost: Check online for ticket prices
What’s going on: Major League Soccer will be hosting its pre-season scrimmage in Tucson this year! You can catch games between five teams, including the Colorado Rapids, LA Galaxy, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, and Sporting KC. The pandemic has meant that in-person sports have been impossible, so don’t miss this opportunity to catch some live sports action!
5. Art Institute Spring Student Show
Date and Time: All April, Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Location: 2021 N Kinney Rd
Cost: Free with admission purchase to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
What’s going on: Delight in the more than fifty pieces of original works by the students of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Art Institute. These unique pieces interpret the magic of the desert through a variety of mediums including mosaic, oil, scratchboard, photography, with many available for purchase. The exhibit features the portfolios of the Institute’s Nature Certificate graduates, Scott Adams and Karen Nealon.
6. Wine Tasting Tour of Elgin/Sonoita
Date and Time: April 10 to 24, starting at 9:30 a.m.
Location: Pickup #1 is at 231 W. Giaconda Way at 9:30 a.m.; pickup #2 is at Brushfire BBQ (7080 E. 22nd St.) at 10:15 a.m.
Cost: $59 per person for Trolley Transportation (bring money for glass/tastings and buying bottled wine to bring home)
What’s going on: Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride to Sonoita/Elgin. You’ll have your choice of three wineries to visit for 45-minutes each for wine tastings and tours. You can also use one of your stops for lunch at The Cafe.
7. The Arizona International Film Festival
Date and Time: April 14 to April 25
Location: The Screening Room (127 E. Congress St.)
Cost: Ticket prices and showtimes vary; check online
What’s going on: The Arizona International Film Festival is back for its 29th year! This is the longest-running film festival in Arizona. Since its start in 1990, the Arizona International Film Festival has exhibited over 2,900 films representing 100 countries to over 162,000 patrons in southern Arizona. And now, the 2021 edition will present more exciting and innovative films from around the world for Arizona audiences at The Screening Room and other exhibition venues throughout Tucson.
8. La Encantada Fine Art Market
Date and Time: Every Saturday (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and Sunday (11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) in April
Location: La Encantada Shopping Center (2905 E. Skyline Dr.)
Cost: Free to attend; bring money for purchases.
What’s going on: The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance presents its annual fine art festival with captivating art ranging from metalwork to locally designed fashion by some of Southern Arizona’s finest artisans. This is a great opportunity to support and be inspired by artists who have felt the impacts of the pandemic in a safe and socially distanced atmosphere.
9. Visit a Patio
Date and Time: Every Saturday (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and Sunday (11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) in April
Location: Some of Tucson’s best outdoor dining options
Cost: That’s up to you!
What’s going on: Looking for great, COVID-safe options for outdoor dining in Tucson? Then stop by one of the city’s incredible coffee and brunch spots for a bite on a patio. Some of our favorites include:
- Caffe Passé (415 N. Fourth Ave.): This bohemian coffee shop on Fourth Avenue has a large patio in the back that’s shaded with mesquite trees and palo verde.
- Decibel Coffee Works (267 S. Avenida del Convento, #9): Located in the MSA Annex outdoor market, this local roaster sources its coffee with an eye toward social responsibility and the environment.
- Raging Sage Coffee Roasters (2458 N. Campbell Ave.): This classic Tucson cafe has a mid-sized patio with a sidewalk cafe vibe that’s lined with leafy trees.
- Café a la C’Art: Located on the grounds of the Tucson Museum of Art, this charming breakfast cafe has a Monet-inspired garden patio with lots of leafy plants. / website: cafealacarttucson.com / address: 150 N. Main Ave.
- Toast 101 (4699 E. Speedway): The space that formerly held 7 Ounce Korean Steakhouse is now a trendy brunch restaurant, with a leafy patio that’s walled off from the nearby Speedway. The booths outside are plush.
- Blue Willow (2616 N. Campbell Ave.): Since 1978, this midtown restaurant has attracted Tucson brunchgoers with its shaded patio and backyard fountain.
For a ton of other incredible options, click here.
10. Get Your COVID-19 Vaccination
We also wanted to mention that Pima County has expanded its COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to everyone aged 16 and up. You can find a ton of information on where and how to get vaccinated in this article from ThisIsTucson.com.
11. Jurassic Quest Drive-Thru at Pima County Fair
Date and Time: Friday, April 9, to Sunday, April 11, and Wednesday, April 14, to Sunday, April 18
Location: Pima County Fair, 11300 S. Houghton Road
Cost: $49 per vehicle
What’s going on: Get ready for a dinosaur-filled drive-thru experience at Pima County Fairgrounds. This drive-thru event will feature over 70 moving and roaring dinosaurs, plus a 50-foot Megalodon. Other features will include an online personal audio tour guide, interactive baby dinosaurs, a free souvenir photo, and a dino doctor you can text with all your prehistoric questions.
12. International Dog Show
Date and Time: Saturday, April 10, and Sunday, April 11, from 8:30 a.m to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, 3482 E. River Road
Cost: Free!
What’s going on: Hey doggo lovers! The 2021 Desert Sieger dog show will be held at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park with over 150 dogs. Don’t miss the chance to see who is “best in show”!
We also host a ton of great social and professional events at The Post Workspaces each month.
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in learning more about, or if you’d like to book a tour of our space, get in touch with us today. Our team is available to speak with you.