Happy New Year! It’s 2023 and we’re ready for what the year has to bring.
As usual, there’s a ton of fun stuff happening around Tucson. Popular annual festivals like the Fringe, Jazz, or Gem and Mineral show are all back this year. You can also check out some live theater, a food and wine festival, or go stargazing in the desert.
No matter what you choose to do this month, let’s start out the new year on the right foot!
Here’s our roundup of the best 12 things to do in January 2023 in Tucson, Arizona.
1. Zoppé: An Old-World Family Circus
Date and Time: January 6-23, 2023
Location: 125 S. Avenida del Convento
Cost: $25.00 for general admission tickets.
What’s going on: Back for the 12th year of family fun, the Zoppé Family Circus is set to surprise and delight visitors of all ages with acts like acrobats and trapeze artists.
2. 1st Saturday Food Truck Rally and Vendor Fair
Date and Time: Saturday, January 7, 2023
Location: East Side Marketplace Rally, 7777 E Speedway Blvd.
Cost: Free entrance.
What’s going on: Enjoy a fun day of eating and shopping from locally-owned small business owners. There will be vendors selling handmade crafts, jewelry, art, antiques, and more.
3. Broadway in Tucson: Annie
Date and Time: January 3-8, 2023
Location: Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd.
Cost: Starts at $40.00
What’s going on: See the beloved classic live on stage at Centennial Hall. Watch determined Orphan Annie take the stage to an iconic score that’s inspired generations to remember all the positives in life.
4. Tucson Jazz Festival
Date and Time: January 13-22, 2023
Location: Varies.
Cost: Varies.
What’s going on: Immerse yourself in the world of jazz this January. Headliners include Bruce Hornsby and The Noisemakers, Monterey Jazz Festival, and Emmet Cohen Trio.
5. Lunar New Year Celebration: Year of the Rabbit
Date and Time: January 14, 2023
Location: Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, 1288 W. River Road
Cost: $5.00 for anyone 12 and up
What’s going on: Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center. There will be Chinese performances, a gift shop, and food and drinks for sale.
6. Mineral Madness
Date and Time: January 14-15, 2023
Location: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Rd.
Cost: $29.00/adult or $19.95/youth (ages 3-12).
What’s going on: Get close-up to many precious minerals and fossils with hands-on activities for families. You can also shop for your own treasures like rare or fluorescent minerals at rock-bottom prices.
7. Tucson Desert Song Festival
Date and Time: January 13-February 19, 2023
Location: Various venues.
Cost: Varies by show.
What’s going on: Explore classical and jazz music with some of the best local musicians. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Heroes and Villains,” which you can explore through a variety of shows across the city during January and February.
8. Broadway in Tucson: To Kill a Mockingbird
Date and Time: January 17-22, 2023
Location: Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd.
Cost: Starts at $40.00.
What’s going on: Head back in time to the 1930s with this Academy Award-winning adaptation of Harper Lee’s classic novel. Richard Thompson, an Emmy Award-winning actor, plays Atticus Finch, the lawyer who defends a black man who is wrongfully charged in Depression-era Alabama.
9. Stargazing in Agua Caliente Park
Date and Time: Saturday, January 21, 2023
Location: Agua Caliente Regional Park, 12325 East Roger Road
Cost: Free
What’s going on: Bring out your family for a night like no other. Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association volunteers provide an introduction to the night sky and will help you marvel at the stars with set-up telescopes.
10. Tucson Fringe Festival
Date and Time: January 19-22, 2023
Location: Varies.
Cost: Varies.
What’s going on: The 11th annual Fringe Festival is back in Tucson. There are dozens of performances over three days featuring magicians, musicals, comedy, dance, and storytelling.
11. Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase
Date and Time: January 28-February 12, 2023
Location: Various venues.
Cost: Free to attend.
What’s going on: This annual event brings out over 60,000 visitors to marvel at the splendor of precious gems and minerals. With 4,000 exhibitors at 50 locations across the city, you’ll be sure to find something special.
12. Savor Food & Wine Festival
Date and Time: Saturday, January 28, 2023
Location: Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N Alvernon Way.
Cost: $100.00 for general admission tickets.
What’s going on: Celebrate our region’s culinary best at the food and wine festival, hosted by the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance. There will be over 50 of the region’s finest chefs, wineries, restaurants, and breweries showcasing some exceptional tastings.
There’s always something fun happening in Tucson, and this month is no exception. Start the new year out on the right foot by checking out one of these fun events in the city.
We regularly host fun events for our community at The Post—contact us today to learn more and get set up with a tour!