Over 30 fun events happening in Tucson this week, Sept. 9-13 💗

Tucson residents have a packed calendar from Sept. 9 through 13, with opportunities to shop, eat, skate, listen to live music, celebrate heritage and explore the outdoors. This week’s lineup stretches from westside wetlands and Sabino Canyon to downtown venues, neighborhood markets and family businesses. Many events are free to attend, although several ask visitors to bring money for food, drinks, shopping or activity fees.

One ongoing option is at Yolia Botanica, 1307 W. St. Marys Road, where visitors can make four ritual candles as part of a four week journey focused on releasing, restoring, protecting and receiving. The workshop includes herbs, crystals, incense and a ritual guide. It is available from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday through Sept. 20. Food lovers can also visit more than 100 restaurants participating in Sonoran Restaurant Week, a 10 day Southern Arizona celebration offering prix fixe menus discounted by 20%.

Wednesday, Sept. 9, brings a special dinner collaboration between Zemam’s and Ceres. At Zerai’s International Bar, 2725 E. Broadway, guests can order spaghetti featuring Ethiopian sauce and pasta made with semolina and teff flour. The meal will be served from 5:30 p.m. until it sells out, with meat sauce priced at $17 and vegetarian sauce at $15. That evening also offers a chance to skate to Tame Impala at Skate Country, 7980 E. 22nd St. Admission is $5, and rental skates cost another $5.

Music and shopping take over several Tucson venues later in the week. Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St., will host The Sweetest Taboo, a Sade lounge cocktail party featuring the singer’s music and similar artists while guests sample the venue’s new drink menu. Admission is free, but attendees should plan to purchase beverages. The hotel will also present We Will Always Love You, a Dolly Parton tribute by Priscilla Priddy and the Pretty Boys. Prices are $10 for standing room, $15 for seated tickets and $20 for table seating.

Gather A Vintage Market, at 300 S. Park Ave., will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 10 to 12, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13. The free market will feature vintage and antique home and garden items. Another market, held at the Ramada by Wyndham, 777 W. Cushing St., will bring a spooky theme on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More than 70 vendors are expected, along with flash tattoos, fortune telling, food trucks and photo opportunities. Admission is free, with shopping costs extra. A separate event invites guests to wear clown outfits while enjoying DJs, local vendors, balloon animals, Odd Dogs food, photos and flash piercings. Advance tickets cost $12, or $14 on the day of the event.

Friday also marks the local 9/11 Tower Challenge at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. Participants will climb the equivalent of the 110 floors in New York’s Twin Towers to honor the people who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks, as well as first responders and military members. Stair climber registration costs $40, while spectators and other nonparticipants can attend free. The event connects Tucson to an annual remembrance observed by thousands of people around Arizona.

The Heirloom Farmers Markets will feature Hatch chile roasting by Red’s Roasters throughout the weekend. The schedule is 8 a.m. to noon Friday at Udall Park Farmers Market, 7202 E. Tanque Verde Road; Saturday at Rincon Valley Farmers and Artisans Market, 12500 E. Old Spanish Trail; and Sunday at Rillito Park Farmers Market, 4502 N. First Ave. Visitors can hear live music, find children’s activities and buy roasted chiles. Other weekend food and community events include the opening celebration for Asaditos Zulmyta’s new location at 4004 N. Stone Ave., where guests can mark Central American Independence Day with pupusas, a DJ and free aguas frescas.

Saturday offers activities for families, plant enthusiasts, performers and photographers. Green Things Nursery, 3384 E. River Road, will host plant bingo, where participants can meet other plant lovers and take home a new plant. The cost is $10, and reservations must be made by calling the nursery. At Tucson Improv Movement, 414 E. Ninth St., Pretendy Time will run from 11 a.m. to noon, giving children the chance to join improvisers onstage during a family comedy show. Celestia Collective, 1122 N. Stone Ave., will hold its Second Saturdays open mic, welcoming singers, comedians, dancers, puppeteers and poets. At Sabino Canyon, a wildlife photography lesson led by Ivy Ilkay begins with a 5:30 p.m. meeting at the parking lot. Attendees are encouraged to bring sturdy hiking shoes, flashlights, blacklights and cameras.

Food and drink events round out Saturday’s options. At the Savoy Opera House, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road, local chefs and craft breweries will pair small plates with beers, then let attendees vote for the evening’s favorite dish. The spooky market is another option for food trucks and vendors. Families can also attend a Little and Loved Studio event at Heemee Bakery, 800 E. University Blvd., designed for millennial mothers and children. The ticket includes one adult, one child and a pastry, along with friendship bracelet making, collages and Polaroid photos. Tickets cost $25, and reservations are requested through Instagram.

Sunday, Sept. 13, brings more celebrations and outdoor activities. Cookin Wit Cork will serve soul food classics at Brick Box Brewery, 220 E. Broadway, beginning at noon and continuing until sold out, with dessert vendors and live music. Los Poblanitos will celebrate Mexican Independence Day with food and dessert trucks, local vendors and live music. John F. Kennedy Park, 3357 S. La Cholla Blvd., will host another Mexican Independence Day gathering featuring music, dance, food, vendors and children’s activities. Hotel Congress will mark the holiday early with Mariachi Herencia De Corazon. Movie fans can test their knowledge at Sisters, 800 N. Country Club Blvd., for a chance to win tickets and gift card prizes.

Several recurring events continue beyond this week. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way, offers $5 admission every Friday through Sept. 25. The Sabino Canyon Crawler’s night tour returns Saturdays through Oct. 25. The Presidio Museum is also offering downtown walking tours on various dates, including the Turquoise Trail, Armory Park, Barrio Viejo, Death After Dark and Public Art and Murals tours. Prices start at $30, and advance registration may be required. Families with children who have specialized health care needs, chronic illnesses or disabilities can attend Reid Park Zoo’s private DreamNight, which includes activities and popular characters for children, parents and siblings. Another free outdoor gathering will teach residents about birds at Sweetwater Wetlands Park, reached by meeting at the Ward 1 office, 940 W. Alameda St., then biking or driving to 2511 W. Sweetwater Drive for burritos and birding.