Tucson Events

Major League Baseball Spring Training All Month   (Tucson) Major League Baseball warms up for the regular season as the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, and other pro teams play ball practically every day in March. Two sites: Tucson Electric Park (520-434-1111)and Hi Corbett Field (327-9467, http://www.cactus-league.com/fields/rockies.html) Metro Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau, (800) 638-8350.

Beauty & the Beast March (Tucson) Enchanting and whimsical opera features human topiaries and feathered creatures frolicking in a storybook garden as the sweet and virtuous Beauty saves her Beast. Tucson Music Hall. Arizona Opera, (520) 293-4336.

Spring Tucson Artists' Open Studios March (Tucson) Artists working in a variety of media open their studios for a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse at the creative process in action as part of free, self-guided tour., (520) 319-2322.

Wildflower Festival April  (Tucson) Enjoy springtime desert wildflowers, with benefit fundraiser and silent auction featuring entertainment and food, shopping for unique gifts, and guest speakers at in-town desert oasis. Tohono Chul Park, 520-742-6455.

Spring Home & Patio Show April (Tucson) Building, landscaping, and home decorating ideas at Tucson Convention Center. Southern Arizona Home Builders Association (SAHBA), (520) 795-3025.

Oro Valley Festival of the Arts April (Oro Valley) Outdoor fun, with more than 75 juried art booths, art demonstrations, live music and dance performances, children's activities, food and free admission, at Canada Del Oro Riverfront Park. The Greater Oro Valley Arts Council.

Arizona International Film Festival (Tucson) Citywide festival features worldwide contemporary cinematic diversity, with opportunities to meet the filmmakers at workshops, seminars and presentations at various venues around Tucson. The Screening Room, (520) 622-2262.

Waila Festival May  (Tucson) Traditional social dance music ("chicken scratch") of the American Indian/Alaska Native (Tohono O'odham or "Desert People"), featuring acoustic fiddle bands. Bear Down Field, University of Arizona, Arizona Historical Society (520) 628-5774.

Senior Bowling Tucson Open June (Tucson) Pro Bowlers Association presents bowling tournament featuring senior bowlers; open to the public. Golden Pin Lanes, (520) 888-4272.

Summer Saturday Evenings Aug.   (Tucson) Enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the Sonoran Desert at night, Saturdays after 5 p.m. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, (520) 883-1380.

Tucson Sidewinders Baseball All Month   (Tucson) All summer long, AAA affiliate of Arizona Diamondbacks plays baseball at Tucson Electric Park, with give-aways and special events, such as fireworks displays. Tucson Sidewinders, (520) 434-1021.

Fall Gem Shows Sept.   (Tucson) Our world-famous, winter "gem show" has spawned a smaller cluster of "fall gem shows," including both wholesale gem and lapidary shows and open-to-the-public bead shows. For more information, go to visitTucson.org, under Visitor/What to Do/Events/Major Events, or click on the following link. Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase, (520) 624-1817.

Sonoita Labor Day Rodeo Sept.   (Sonoita) Old-West rodeo, with timed events, barrel racing, a wild horse race, and team roping events, and mutton busting and pee-wee events for little cowpokes. Sonoita Fairgrounds, (520) 455-5553.

Buckelew Farm Pumpkin Festival & Corn Maze Oct.   (Tucson) Open the last three weekends in October. Horse-drawn wagon rides, U-Pick-It experience (Sat & Sun, days); 15-acre corn maze, haunted corn field (Fri. & Sat. nights). 17000 W. Ajo Way, (520) 822-2277.

Juan Bautista de Anza Days Oct.   (Tubac) Celebrate Arizona State Park's 50th anniversary at Arizona's first state park, Tubac Presidio, during this living history presentation and festival focusing on Southern Arizona's multicultural heritage, with demonstrations of frontier life and re-enactments by Los Tubaquenos in period costume, folklorico dancers, childrens' activities and food. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, (520) 398-2704.

All Soul's Procession Nov.   (Tucson) In recognition of All Soul's Day, a solemn, non-motorized procession through downtown Tucson with costumed participants. Tucson Puppet Works, (520) 770-1533.

A Southwest Nutcracker Dec.   (Tucson) With music by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and guest dancers from the San Francisco Ballet, this original, full-length ballet translates the classic Nutcracker to 1880s Tucson. Tucson Music Hall, (520) 885-0862.

Children's Festivals of Light All month   (Tucson) Family-friendly, weekend festivals featuring holiday music, dance, stories, and fine- and folk-art traditions from around the world. Tucson Children's Museum, (520) 792-9985.

Feria Navidena (Christmas Market) All month   (Tucson) Mexican Christmas market, with figurines and items for nativity scenes and holiday decor; weekend events include visits from "Pancho Claus." El Centro Cultural de Las Americas, (520) 629-9536.

Las Posadas Dec.   (Tucson) Since 1936, hundreds of schoolchildren have participted in this nativity pageant commemorating Mary and Joseph's Christmas Eve search for shelter; music and food, 6-7 p.m., procession 7 p.m. Carrillo Magnet School.