We can’t quite believe it either, but the new year is here. It’s 2025! January is a great time to turn over a new leaf or start something new. And it doesn’t have to be all work and no play, either. What about trying a new activity by yourself or with friends or family? New activities and new surroundings can be some of the best things to spark innovation and inspire ideas.
This month, Tucson and the surrounding community are hosting a variety of events. There will be lights galore, sporting events, delicious food, a peek into history, and even a visit from an astronaut. What will you add to your calendar?
1. LightsUp! A Festival of Illumination
Date and Time: November 29th until January 12th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (last ticket sold at 9:00 p.m.)
Location: Tucson Botanical Gardens 2150 N Alvernon Way Tucson, AZ
Cost: $19+, children under 4 are free.
What’s going on: Enjoy the last few days of this winter illumination event, with beautiful landscapes for the whole family. Thousands of LED lights illuminate and dazzle the senses as you wander through the light tunnel, dancing cypress-inspired spindle trees, traditional punched-tin stars and trees, light curtains, and a dazzling display of luminarias.
2. Tucson Senior Olympic Festival
Date and Time: January 4th – February 2nd, times vary based on event
Location: Morris K Udall Regional Center, 7200 E Tanque Verde Road, Tucson, AZ (and various locations)
Cost: Various, please check the website
What’s going on: Join in this month-long festival of sports, fun, friends, and memories at the 38th annual Tucson Senior Olympic Festival. This year, there are numerous sports and events for women and men over 50 at Tucson’s parks and sports facilities. Family, friends, and the general public are encouraged to attend and cheer on all participants.
3. Arts & Crafts Festival on Fry’s
Date and Time: January 3rd at 10:00 a.m. – January 5th at 5:00 p.m.
Location: 7850 North Silverbell, Tucson, AZ
Cost: Free
What’s going on: Welcome to the New Year’s Arts & Crafts Festival with three days of creativity and fun! Vendors will be offering a variety of handmade crafts, unique artworks, and many treasures not found anywhere else.
4. Tucson Desert Song Festival
Date and Time: January 10th to April
Location: various venues in Tucson
Cost: Please see performance schedule
What’s going on: This festival is a unique blend of glorious singing in orchestral, chamber, choral, and solo formats, along with related lectures and master classes. Internationally celebrated soloists join the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Arizona Theatre Company, Ballet Tucson, and the Tucson Guitar Society.
The 2025 schedule features performances in January from Ryan Speedo Green, Sasha Cooke, Dominique Eade, Kristin Dauphinais, the UA School of Music, and more. The full festival season runs from January until April.
5. Living History Day
Date and Time: January 11th at 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Presidio Museum, 196 N. Court Ave Tucson, AZ
Cost: $9
What’s going on: Experience a window into the daily life of past generations at Living History Day: The Trades, Crafts, Skills, and Arts of the Historic Southwest. The Presidio Museum will display exhibits on jobs and skills that people had in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Topics range from the everyday to the unexpected, with past activities featuring the life of a Presidio soldier, 1800s hazards, embroidery, fantastical folk art sculptures, tastings of handmade tortillas, and performances of traditional Spanish music.
6. Perspectives Speaker Series: How to Astronaut with Terry Virts
Date and Time: January 15th from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Location: Fox Tucson Theater, 17 West Congress Street, Tucson, AZ
Cost: $20
What’s going on: Terry Virts, a retired astronaut who served in the US Air Force as an F-16 fighter and test pilot, shares his unique experience and insights in this speaker series presentation. During his seven months in space, Terry led a multi-national team and took more than 300,000 photographs and hours of video—the most of any space mission before or since.
7. Wings Over Willcox Birding & Nature Festival
Date and Time: January 16th – 19th
Location: Willcox Playa Wildlife Area 312 W. Stewart St., Arizona Game and Fish Willcox, AZ
Cost: $20+
What’s going on: Spend some time in nature by hiking in the Sky Islands, spotting wildlife, or just enjoying the outdoors in Cochise County. This is the best time of year to see all the winged winter migrants that visit our area and other wildlife. Take advantage of tours and seminars on photography, geology, history, botany, agriculture, and the wonderful Sandhill cranes.
8. Fort Lowell Soccer Shootout
Date and Time: January 17th – 20th
Location: Kino Sports Complex 2500 E. Ajo Way Tucson, AZ
Cost: $300+ per team, free for spectators
What’s going on: This year is the 35th Fort Lowell Shootout, a tournament with teams from all over the Southwest and Arizona. ECNL teams, USYS National League teams, Desert Conference teams, and elite academies from Mexico attract top teams from around the region.
Friday night festivities will include a parade, live music, food trucks, and games/rides. Come on out for a fun and exciting event for young athletes to showcase their skills and abilities.
9. Downtown Jazz Fiesta
Date and Time: January 20th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Corbett’s 340 N. 6th Avenue Tucson, AZ
Cost: Free
What’s going on: Enjoy non-stop music on two stages featuring top-notch local and national artists. Corbett’s and local food trucks will dish up some tasty Tucson specialties. The festivities kick off at 11:00 a.m. and continue into the night for a day filled with singing and dancing.
Grammy-nominated group, The New Breed Brass Band will headline the event with their joyful and distinct sound– showcasing New Orleans’ next generation of music. Stay tuned for more musical guests to come.
10. Savor Southern Arizona Culinary Festival
Date and Time: January 25th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Tucson Botanical Gardens 2150 N. Alvernon Way Tucson, AZ
Cost: $125-$160
What’s going on: One of the region’s most revered culinary arts is back! This event will highlight Tucson’s prestigious culinary scene and deep connection to centuries-old food culture traditions. Sample and savor the flavors and ingredients that make this area special.
The festival features over 60 of Southern Arizona’s finest chefs, wineries, breweries, and local food purveyors. Guests can indulge in a wide array of heritage foods, including tepary beans, mesquite flour, and innovative dishes.
11. American Indian Arts Exposition
Date and Time: January 26th – February 9th (last Sunday in January through the second Sunday in February) from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: 2830 S Thrasher Ave Tucson, AZ
Cost: Free
What’s going on: American Indian Artists share their unique tribal crafts at this event. A range of 2,700 artisans from 80 tribal nations showcase baskets, beadwork, quill work, carvings, jewelry, rugs, fine custom jewelry, award-winning gold and silversmith work, and traditional Navajo sterling with quality multi-stones of turquoise, malachite, coral, and white buffalo.
Start the New Year Off Right
New year, new opportunities. If you’re looking for a change of scenery or to grow and expand your workplace, consider a new environment. It can spark new ideas, lead to new connections, and bring a fresh perspective to your business.
The Post Workspaces has a variety of convenient options like virtual offices, coworking, and dedicated desks to support your goals and business growth. Book a tour today.