Things to do in Tucson this weekend, Nov. 12 to 15
Lanterns on the water at Yume Japanese Gardens
By Lou P. and the Tucson Loop editors. Thursday, November 12, 2026
Yume Japanese Gardens holds its floating lantern festival Friday and Saturday evenings. On Saturday the Desert Museum has an Indigenous Arts Fair and Reid Park Zoo opens Pathway to Asia. The Dusk Music Festival fills Jácome Plaza downtown on Friday and Saturday.
IF YOU ONLY DO ONE THING
Mariachi Under the Stars at El Rio Neighborhood Center
Three mariachi groups, including the youth ensemble Mariachi Estrella Juvenil, play outdoors at the El Rio Neighborhood Center. It's free, and families are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs.
Saturday at 6 pm · El Rio Center, 1390 W. Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, AZ, 85745
FREE THIS WEEKENDcosts nothing
Garden Talk: Planting Spring Wildflowers
Saturday at 11 am
Murphy-Wilmot Library
Pima County Master Gardeners cover timing, soil preparation, seed selection and simple practices for sowing native wildflower seeds. A good session if you want spring color and pollinators in your yard.
WITH KIDSbring them
Pathway to Asia Opening Celebration at Reid Park Zoo
Saturday at 10:30 am
Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court, Tucson, AZ, 85716
Reid Park Zoo opens its new Pathway to Asia with Malayan tigers, a Komodo dragon and sand cats. Weekend performances include Chinese dance, Odissi dance and martial arts. Timed tickets are required.
Craft Day with ASM: Create a 3D Paper Car
Saturday at 10 am
The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, 4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive, Tucson, AZ, 85712
After seeing the hand-painted vehicles by Native artists in Memory Lane, make and decorate your own 3D paper car with Arizona State Museum staff. It's all ages, included with admission, while supplies last.
THE WEIRD ONE with Lou P.
Tanksgiving
The Tucson Military Vehicle Museum is holding something called Tanksgiving on Saturday at 4 pm.
Saturday at 4 pm · Tucson Military Vehicle Museum, 6000 E Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85756
OUTSIDEfresh air
Jazz Under the Stars Concert Series at Tohono Chul
Friday at 5 pm; also Sat 5 pm
Tohono Chul Park, 7366 Paseo del Norte, Tucson, AZ, 85704
Local jazz musician Sheryl Ann McKinley plays the Garden Bistro at Tohono Chul, with food and handcrafted drinks. Admission is $5, and the main gardens are closed during the concert.
DATE NIGHTfor two
Sunset Supper Farm-to-Table Dinner at Tucson Village Farm
Saturday at 5 pm
Tucson Village Farm, 4210 N. Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85719
A four-course farm-to-table dinner served right on Tucson Village Farm. Tickets are $65, no tip needed, and proceeds support 4-H youth programming at the farm.
Dunces & Dragons - A Live D&D Adventure with Miami's Best Comedians
Friday at 7:30 pm
Unscrewed Theater, 4500 E Speedway Blvd, #39, Tucson, AZ, 85712
South Florida improv and stand-up comedians play a live D&D-style adventure where nobody knows what's coming. It's an R-rated show, and audience participation and cosplay are encouraged. VIP tickets include reserved seating and a cast reception.
BRING A TOTEmarkets and sales
Friends of the Pima County Public Library Community Book Sale at the Book Barn
Friday at 9 am
Friends of the Pima County Public Library, 2230 N. Country Club, Tucson, AZ, 85716
Gently used books for all ages, plus vinyl, CDs, DVDs, puzzles and collectibles at the Book Barn. Proceeds support library programs and literacy. Prices drop through the weekend, and Monday is $12 Bag Day.
Indigenous Arts Fair at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Saturday at 10 am
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85743
Up to 30 Indigenous artists sell handmade jewelry, pottery and paintings, with live demonstrations all day. Twila Cassadore speaks on Native American food traditions. Free with museum admission.
BIG SHOWSyou've heard of these
- FRI TO SATURDAYDusk Music Festival, Jácome Plaza
- FRI 7 PMJessica Kirson @ Rialto Theatre, Rialto Theatre-Tucson
- FRI 7:30 PM; ALSO SUN 2 PMBeethoven Triple Concerto : Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Linda Ronstadt Music Hall
PLAN AHEAD
WHAT DID WE MISS?
We do our best to read every calendar in Tucson, and we still miss good stuff. The church supper, the band at the corner bar, the block party your neighbor is throwing. If you know about something, tell us. Just write hello@loopcities.com. We read every note.
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