May is here and we’re ready, once again, to fill up our schedules with some awesome local events in Tucson. This month there’s a lineup of great live music events as well as some local festivals, such as the Willcox Wine Festival or the Maíz Fiesta.
No matter your speed, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this month. Here are 11 fun things to do in Tucson this May 2023.
1. Los Lonely Boys
Date and Time: May 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Location: Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 West Congress Street
Cost: $20.00
What’s going on: Join Los Lonely Boys, Henry, JoJo and Ringo Garza and hear the sounds of their bluesy “Texican rock & roll.” The trio has been making music together since 2003 and plans to release a new record in 2023.
2. Maíz Fiesta
Date and Time: May 6, 2023
Location: John F. Kennedy Park, 3700 South Mission Road
Cost: Free
What’s going on: Join the 2nd annual Pueblos del Maíz Fiesta, hosted by Tucson City of Gastronomy. This free event will include live music, local food, chef demonstrations, and family-friendly activities — all to celebrate the significance of Maíz in the Sonoran Desert.
3. International Wildlife Museum 35th Anniversary
Date and Time: May 6, 2023 from 10:0 am-1:00 p.m.
Location: International Wildlife Museum, 48– W Gates Pass Road
Cost: $5.00 general admission
What’s going on: It’s the 35th anniversary of the International Wildlife Museum and they’re celebrating in style. Join this fun event with archery, horseback riding, crafts, a bounce house, raffles, and so much more.
4. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert
Date and Time: Friday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Tucson Symphony Orchestra, 2175 N. Sixth Avenue
Cost: Tickets start at $18.00
What’s going on: You know the story — the climactic sixth episode of the Star Wars saga showcases Darth Vader rallying the troops against Luke Sykwalker and his rebel alliance. Now you can see the film with the epic score performed live by the TSO.
5. Sonoita Horse Races
Date and Time: May 21 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 3142 S. Hwy 83, Sonoita
Cost: $60.00 on Saturday, $40.00 on Sunday
What’s going on: Enjoy the thrill and excitement of a day at the horse races. Make a day of it and bring your family out to Sonita for this fun event.
6. Tucson’s May-garita Pub Crawl
Date and Time: Saturday, May 13 from 4:30-9:00 p.m.
Location: Starts at 536 N 4th Avenue
Cost: $15.00 plus money for drinks
What’s going on: Calling all margarita lovers! This one’s for you. Join the May-garita themed bar crawl, where you’ll enjoy tequila, beer, cocktail specials and, of course, margaritas of all kinds. Your ticket includes access to venues, prizes, games, and discounted drinks.
7. Willcox Wine Festival
Date and Time: May 19-21
Location: Willcox Wine Country, 157 N. Railroad Avenue, Willcox
Cost: $20.00
What’s going on: This event is worth making the trip for. Call up your wine-loving friends and make a day out of it, experiencing some of the best local wines around. This event features 16 of Arizona’s best wineries and another 30 non-winery vendors for art, food, and entertainment.
8. Stargazing Agua Caliente Park
Date and Time: May 20, from 8:00-10:00 p.m.
Location: Agua Caliente Regional Park, 12325 East Roger Road
Cost: Free
What’s going on: Come be dazzled by the night sky at this free family-friendly event. Volunteers from the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association provide an introduction to the night sky and set up telescopes for you to use.
9. Mariachi Festival and Wine Tasting
Date and Time: May 20 from 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Location: Patagonia Lake State Park
Cost: $20.00 per vehicle
What’s going on: Get out of the city for the day and enjoy some time in nature. This popular event is back for another year and includes a day of international mariachi dancing and bands. There will be a full schedule of food vendors, activities for kids, and delicious food like roasted corn, tacos, and fry bread.
10. Meet the Chefs: Iron Chef Tucson
Date and Time: May 21 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Casino Del Sol, 5655 W Valencia Road
Cost: $20.00
What’s going on: If you love food and love competitions, you’ve got to attend this exciting event. You can see who is crowned the winner of Iron Chef Tucson and have the chance to meet the candidates in person.
11. Tucson Pops Orchestra Memorial Day Concert
Date and Time: Sunday, May 28 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, Reid Park
Cost: Free
What’s going on: Live music and the great outdoors — what could be better? This Memorial Day concert includes special guests, the Tucson Latin Jazz Nonet, who will be playing a variety of upbeat and fun tunes for you to enjoy.
What’s ending up on your calendar this month? If there’s anything we missed, let us know and we’ll add it to the list.
We also regularly host fun events for our community at The Post—contact us today to learn more and get set up with a tour!