Here’s 34 fun events happening in Tucson this week, Sept. 16-20 🌻

Tucson residents have a wide range of ways to spend the week of Sept. 16 to 20, whether they want to make art, hear live music, watch movies under the stars, shop from local vendors or meet up with neighbors. The schedule stretches across downtown, the south side, the west side, Marana and the foothills, with many events offering free admission or low cost options. Several activities are family friendly, while others are aimed at adults, nightlife crowds, creatives and people looking for community.

Art and craft events are especially plentiful. Handcrafted by Care’s art cart returns to Tucson Hop Shop, 3230 N. Dodge Blvd., from 6 to 8 p.m. every Thursday in September. Participants can make Shrinky Dinks, crystal bracelets and decorated handkerchiefs. Each craft costs $15, or two cost $20 when registered through Eventbrite. Hunter’s Kitten Lounge, at 5319 E. Speedway, is also hosting a hands on watercolor class focused on creating a cat themed painting. At the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild, artists of all skill levels can bring their own supplies for a relaxed open studio morning in the gallery. Catalyst Creative Collective, 4500 N. Oracle Road, Suite 110, offers another opportunity to unwind with music while learning painting techniques from professional artists.

Tucson’s nightlife calendar leans heavily into nostalgia and themed gatherings. Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St., will host a dance party built around throwback songs from Nickelodeon shows including Victorious, iCarly and SpongeBob SquarePants. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 on the day of the event. Artsy Babes Club is organizing a 2000s pop diva themed junk journaling event, with a scrap pack, photo booth picture and free drink included with admission. Gather and Glow Club will hold another junk journal meetup at La Suprema Works, 319 W. Simpson St., this one featuring stickers and supplies inspired by The Office. Poppin’ Off Pop Culture Gifts & More, 4570 E. Broadway, also has creative workshops, trivia nights and other events scheduled throughout September.

For people seeking a more theatrical evening, Hotel Congress will host a drag and burlesque showcase created with the Sonoran Institute. The event celebrates the Dragonsly Festival and the Sonoran Desert and Santa Cruz River. Advance tickets are $15, rising to $25 on the day of the show. Desert Goth Club is planning a Bridgerton themed Goth High Tea at Hotel McCoy, 720 W. Silverlake Road. Guests are encouraged to dress in Regency era clothing and can expect parlour games, small desserts and champagne. Snakes & Lattes, 988 E. University Blvd., will offer late night music, hosted games, prizes and craft cocktails, with free entry and food and drinks available for purchase.

Several events provide opportunities to support local makers and food businesses. EcoGro is hosting a free night market with food, shopping and music, while the Desert Haze Market returns monthly to the Hotel Congress patio. A vintage market at La Rosa, 800 N. Country Club Blvd., runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, with multiple vendors and music. Foothills Mall, 7325 N. La Cholla Blvd., will have a free market featuring yard art, home decor, jewelry, baked goods and other merchandise. St. Philip’s Plaza, 4280 N. Campbell Ave., hosts local makers and live music from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays and Sundays, with several eateries nearby. A bake sale hosted by influencer Carmen Quiere Comer runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the 4th Avenue Coalition Space, 311 E. 7th St., featuring treats prepared by local vendors.

Cultural celebrations are also part of the week’s lineup. Park Place is marking Hispanic Heritage Month with a fiesta that includes live music, performances and crafts. Hotel Congress will host an afternoon of live music, vendors and traditional Puerto Rican food. Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 on the day, while children 16 and younger enter free. Casa Marana, 8225 N. Courtney Page Way, is planning an Oktoberfest with food from Haus of Brats, live music, a costume contest, a pretzel throwing contest and a stein holding contest. Entry is free, although attendees should plan to pay for food and drinks.

Outdoor activities range from relaxed family outings to organized fitness events. Ward 5 will screen GOAT at Silverlake Park, 2420 S. Kino Parkway, with free admission and food available for purchase. Marana will show Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade at the Ed Honea Marana Municipal Complex, 11555 W. Civic Center Drive. Guests are invited to dress as their favorite hero, and the movie is free, with food available for purchase. The Planetary Science Institute, 1700 E. Ft. Lowell Road, is hosting a family night with telescope views of the moon, STEM activities and chances to ask planetary scientists questions. The Children’s Museum Tucson, 200 S. Sixth Ave., will offer a free Discovery Night featuring science and art, story times and pop up experiments.

Residents looking for movement and wellness can attend a free yoga class from Studio Fuerza and Park Place Mall from 9:45 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. The class is open to beginners and experienced participants, but online registration is required. Another wellness event includes Pilates, a dance performance and class, a sound bath and local vendors. Sunset Yoga takes place Tuesdays at the MSA Annex, 267 South Avenida del Convento, with instruction from Joanna. The Sunnyside Foundation’s Burrito Run is a family friendly 5K run and walk at Mission Manor Park, 6100 S. 12th Ave. Participants receive a burrito at the finish line. Registration costs $20, and runners 17 and younger participate for free.

The week also offers recurring ways to explore Tucson and connect with others. A Thursday run club meets at Sixth Avenue and Seventh Street for a slower paced four mile route passing murals and the Rattlesnake Bridge, followed by drinks at a bar. Queer Hearth Tucson hosts Third Friday Game Nights from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Coalition Space, 311 E. 7th St., where participants can bring games or use the provided collection. Catalina Nights at Catalina State Park features a guided one mile hike on the Nature Trail after dark on the first and third Fridays of the month. The Sabino Canyon Crawler’s night tour returns Saturdays through Oct. 25. Tucson Botanical Gardens offers $5 admission every Friday through Sept. 25 at 2150 N. Alvernon Way. The Presidio Museum’s walking tour calendar includes the Turquoise Trail, Armory Park, Barrio Viejo, Death After Dark and Public Art and Murals tours, with prices starting at $30 and preregistration potentially required. Di Luna Candles, 2700 N. Campbell Ave., is also holding creative workshops throughout the month, including creative writing and book bedazzling events.