35 fun events happening in Tucson this week, Sept. 23-27 🍻

Tucson residents have a full slate of ways to spend the final days of September, with Oktoberfest celebrations, a closing summer night market, plant sales, live music, neighborhood gatherings and free family activities across the city. The week of Sept. 23 to 27 also brings chances to swap clothing, shop from local makers, support animal adoption and conservation efforts, and enjoy Tucson’s food and arts communities without spending much, or anything, on admission.

The MSA Annex, 267 S. Avenida del Convento, will host the final Summer Night Market of the season. The market brings about 80 local makers together, with free entry and plenty of opportunities to shop. Another free shopping event is the Indigenous Market at Coalition Space, 311 E. Seventh St., where dozens of Indigenous vendors will offer jewelry, clothing, baked goods and other items. The Xerophytes Extravaganza at the same general weekend time will focus on unusual plants, local vendors, pottery and a food truck. Admission is free, although visitors should bring money for purchases and food.

People looking to refresh their wardrobes can visit the free clothing swap organized by Tucson Love Letter and Di Luna. The swap is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. Clothing drop-offs are available at Di Luna on Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event offers participants a chance to donate items they no longer need and take home new to them clothing. For a different kind of hands on activity, Lunar Flare Studios is offering a Customize Your Fit workshop, where participants can bring a T-shirt and learn embroidery techniques.

Oktoberfest celebrations are spread across several Tucson area venues. At Sahuarita Lake Park, 15466 S. Rancho Sahuarita Blvd., a free, family friendly event will include German food, polka performances, pumpkin bowling, a pretzel toss, a beer garden and local vendors. Tucson Foodie’s Oktoberfest will pair live music and German food with a craft beer garden, contests including a stein holding competition, and beer tastings included with admission. Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St., will host an end of summer party with carnival parades, traditional Samba de Roda, acai samples and drink samples. Tickets cost $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the event.

Several gatherings offer live entertainment in a more casual setting. American Eat Co., 1439 S. Fourth Ave., will feature live music, folklorico performances, a jumping castle, a photo booth and raffles, with free admission and donations welcome. Sky Bar will host the Cirque Collective Fire Troupe on its patio for a fire flow performance, also free to attend, although guests should plan to pay for drinks. Community Care Tucson is holding a fundraiser at Slow Body Beer with performances by local bands. A picnic at La Rosa, 800 N. Country Club Blvd., will include live music, local vendors, barbecue from Sisters, flash tattoos, chicken poop bingo and a jumping castle.

Food and drink are central to several other events. At The Cork, 6320 E. Tanque Verde Road, local restaurants will compete in an all you can eat chili event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. The winner will be the restaurant that collects the most cash tips. Tokyo Sushi on East Speedway Boulevard is offering an all you can eat lunch or dinner featuring sushi and sashimi, with a 10 percent discount available for people who share their experience. Community Gardens Tucson and The Coronet Restaurant are also teaming up for a five course dinner built around locally grown ingredients. That evening includes a garden tour, cocktails, drink pairings, appetizers, dessert and a raffle.

Animal lovers have two notable options. The new eastside Pima Animal Care Center adoption site will celebrate its grand opening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, with free adoptions for all pets, food trucks, music, a scavenger hunt, inflatables and giveaways. At Lucky Strike Bowl, 4015 E. Speedway, bowlers can support rhino conservation efforts in Africa and Indonesia. Each ticket includes 90 minutes of bowling, shoe rental, a large pizza and a pitcher of soda, with proceeds directed to conservation.

Families can also visit John F. Kennedy Park, 3357 S. La Cholla Blvd., for a free community event featuring live music, vendors and food. At Park Place mall, the 520 Card Show will bring together Pokémon cards and other collectibles, along with a Pikachu photo opportunity, photo booths and games. Keep Tucson Crafty will celebrate its first anniversary at Sigfus, 3264 N. Country Club Blvd., with activities including wand making, junk journals and charm bracelets, plus drinks from Confia Coffee. The Discovery Nights program at Children’s Museum Tucson, 200 S. Sixth Ave., offers a free evening of science and art with story times and pop up experiments.

The calendar also includes recurring arts, recreation and nightlife activities. Handcrafted by Care’s art cart returns to Tucson Hop Shop, 3230 N. Dodge Blvd., every Thursday in September from 6 to 8 p.m., offering crafts such as Shrinky Dinks, crystal bracelets and decorated handkerchiefs. Each craft costs $15, or two cost $20 when reserved through Eventbrite. The Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild welcomes artists of every experience level to bring supplies for an open studio morning, while Catalyst Creative Collective, 4500 N. Oracle Road, Suite 110, offers music and instruction in painting techniques. Snakes & Lattes, 988 E. University Blvd., will bring late night music, hosted games, prizes and craft cocktails, with free admission.

For outdoor options, the Sabino Canyon Crawler’s night tour is returning on Saturdays through Oct. 25 at Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road. Sunset Yoga takes place at the MSA Annex, and a slower paced four mile run club meets Thursdays at Sixth Avenue and Seventh Street, passing murals and the Rattlesnake Bridge before stopping at a bar for drinks. The Presidio Museum has a rotating schedule of downtown walking tours, including the Turquoise Trail, Armory Park, Barrio Viejo, Death After Dark and Public Art and Murals tours. Prices start at $30, and preregistration may be required.

Other low cost choices include $5 Friday admission to Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way, through Sept. 25. The Loft Cinema and Bookmans are launching a Silver Screen Reading Club centered on The Shining. Participants can buy the book at Bookmans, read it, then attend a Loft screening followed by a moderated discussion of the film adaptation. A free fire themed event, a community gathering at the park, and other listings round out the 35 event calendar, giving Tucsonans plenty of ways to make the most of the week before September ends.