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This season, Arizona’s creative energy is in full motion—and we’re proud to share what’s ahead.
At the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance, we believe the arts should be part of everyday life. That vision is driving a full slate of new opportunities and programs that celebrate creativity, connection, and community.
Artist applications are now open for several exciting projects, including the SAACA 2025–2026 Festival Season; Jury #1 deadline for booth vendors is June 30. Other opportunities include local Public Art Call to Artists, a powerful wearable art exhibition supporting cancer awareness, a bold temporary art installation at Phoenix Raceway during NASCAR season,Pima County 1% for Public Art Opportunities, and the National Veterans Creative Arts Competition.
We’re also bringing back community favorites like the Cruise, BBQ & Blues Car Show, and launching new events such as the Sahuarita Oktoberfest and the Park Place Plein Air Painting Festival—blending public space, commerce, and creativity.
At the Catalyst Creative Collective, new STEAM camps are launching for youth, alongside Arizona Public Media film screenings, and a free community fiber art workshop.
These experiences are more than entertainment—they reflect our mission to make the arts essential, and our commitment to building stronger, more vibrant communities across Arizona.
Your support helps make this possible. With a donation today, you can help us expand access to creative programs for all ages—fueling innovation, joy, and connection across the state.
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ORO VALLEY CONCERT SERIES
SUPPORTING LOCAL MUSICIANS WITH SIGNATURE ORO VALLEY PERFORMANCES
The Town of Oro Valley and the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance have partnered to bring live music to residents for over 20 years. The Oro Valley Concert Series supports local musicians with the opportunity to perform monthly throughout the community of Oro Valley at alternating venues. The series supports a range in music genres, from country to rock and jazz to classical. The Oro Valley concert series truly has something for every taste of music.
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Sunday, June 29
Brett Dooley (Americana)
6 PM – 8 PM
Wildfire Wings & Grill
15318 N Oracle Rd #180, Catalina, AZ 85739
Saturday, July 12
Febbo, Fuentes & O’Connor (Americana/Latin)
6 PM – 8 PM
Tap & Bottle North
7254 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704
Friday, July 18
Dawn Krachey (Country)
6 PM – 8 PM
The Hoppy Vine
12125 N Oracle Rd #137, Oro Valley, AZ 85737
Friday, July 25
The Hanshaws (Country)
6 PM – 8 PM
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
7315 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85704
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Friday, August 8
Miguel Melgoza (Pop/Soul)
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Stacks Book Club
1880 E Tangerine Rd, Suite #140 Oro Valley, AZ 85755
Tuesday, August 19
Tesoro (Flamenco)
5 PM – 7 PM
Saffron Indian Bistro
7607 N Oracle Rd, Oro Valley, 85704
Saturday, August 30
Desert Museum Family Band(Edutainment)
10 AM – 12 PM
National Parks Store
12880 N Vistoso Village Dr, Oro Valley, AZ 85755
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SUMMER STEAM CAMPS FOR KIDS
by the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
July 7 through August 1, 2025
Ages 8 – 14 at the SAACA Catalyst Creative Collective at the Tucson Mall
The Mini Time Machine Musuem of Miniatures is holding week-long summer camps for ages 8–14 this July in CATALYST! Them themed camps incorporate hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) concepts in a fun environment designed for campers to build, explore, and create.
The weekly, half-day summer camp sessions take place Mondays through Fridays from 9 am–12 pm or 1 pm–4 pm from July 7 through August 1. Each session explores a different theme and all materials and supplies to complete each project are provided.
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Odyssey Storytelling
July 10, 2025
7pm at the SAACA Catalyst Creative Collective at Tucson Mall
Get ready for a night of drama, dark humor, and delicious payback! Join Odyssey Storytelling at CATALYST as we plunge into the world of grudges—petty, powerful, and painfully relatable. From epic beefs to tiny annoyances that just won’t quit, our storytellers are spilling the tea on betrayal, scorekeeping, and the fine art of not letting it go.
We believe in the transformative power of stories and their ability to connect people across different walks of life. Every month, we gather to celebrate this craft, offering a stage where novices and seasoned storytellers alike can share their experiences. Our volunteer staff is dedicated to providing ongoing training and guidance, helping each storyteller polish their skills and deliver their tales with impact.
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Kid’s Night In/Parent’s Night Out at Art Mixer
July 11, 2025
5:30pm at Art Mixer studio inside of the SAACA Catalyst Creative Collective at Tucson Mall
Drop your child off at the Art Mixer studio inside of CATALYST and go have an evening for yourself! We’ll provide pizza for dinner, we’ll watch a movie and we’ll create a super fun and fabulous art project to the theme of the movie! In our safe and clean, adult monitored space, your kids will have a blast, while meeting new friends and socializing with old friends. Open to ages 6-12 yrs. Instructors have years of experience, teaching children and have a fingerprint clearance card.
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AZPM FILM SCREENING Human Footprint: The Honey Trap
July 11, 2025
6:30 pm at the SAACA Catalyst Creative Collective at Tucson Mall Free Admission
BEES DO MORE THAN MAKE HONEY — THEY KEEP ARIZONA BLOOMING!
Join AZPM for a special screening of Human Footprint: The Honey Trap at CATALYST!
Discover the essential role bees play in keeping Arizona’s ecosystems thriving. After the screening, stick around for a panel discussion led by Arizona Illustrated producer David Fenster, exploring how bees power our environment — and what’s at stake if they vanish.
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Desert Artisans Market
July 12, 2025
12pm – 5pm at the SAACA Catalyst Creative Collective at Tucson Mall. Free Admission
Desert Artisans is a once a month indoor market inside CATALYST Creative Collective. Experience the comfort of shopping indoors from a variety of Tucson’s finest Artisans and small businesses. Shop local and support Tucson artisans! Join us for the Christmas in July market!
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Modern Style Acrylic Painting Class: A Love Letter to Tucson with Angela Soliz
July 19, 2025
10am at the SAACA Catalyst Creative Collective
Join artist Angela Soliz for a workshop in modern style acrylic painting. In this workshop you’ll learn about acrylic painting, brush techniques, composition, design principles, the rules of courageous creativity and color theory. Expect some spontaneous dance breaks, meditation and a lot of joy. All genders, abilities and levels of experience welcome. Participants will gain hands on experience with acrylic painting while engaging sensory motor skills, eye-hand coordination, creativity and visual thinking. Cultivate a deeper connection with self and intuition, build resilience and paint with acrylics. Open to people ages 8 to 100.
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Community Craft Closet: crochet event
July 19, 2025
3:30pm – 6:30pm
Free and Open to All at the SAACA Catalyst Creative Collective at the Tucson Mall
Led by Tina Howard and Caroline Gardner—collectively known as —the Community Craft Closet is an open and inclusive fiber arts initiative designed to make textile-based arts accessible to everyone.
Drop in to pick up free materials, donate supplies, or enjoy live demonstrations of weaving, spinning, knitting, crochet, felting, and visible mending. Whether you’re a seasoned fiber artist or just starting out, this is a space to learn, create, and connect with others in a welcoming environment.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2025
Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge
El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort
Over 700 enthusiastic attendees gather to celebrate the power of food, art, and community at one of Southern Arizona’s most flavorful summer festivals. The Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge is more than a culinary competition—it’s a dynamic celebration of culture, creativity, and connection.
Attendees cast their votes for the region’s best handcrafted salsas, tacos, and tequila cocktails, prepared by renowned chefs and mixologists. The event ignites the senses with live music, artist demonstrations, and thrilling Lucha Libre wrestling—all reflecting the bold spirit and diverse heritage of Arizona.
Anchored in SAACA’s mission to make the arts essential to everyday life, this vibrant festival brings together food, performance, and visual art to strengthen community bonds, uplift local creatives, and generate lasting economic and cultural impact.
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Park Place Plein Air Painting Festival
Park Place Mall, Tucson, AZ
Experience the Park Place Plein Air Painting Festival, where artists of all ages transform Tucson’s most iconic shopping destination into a living canvas—both indoors and out. In line with SAACA’s mission to make the arts essential to everyday life, this event celebrates the power of creativity to animate public spaces, foster connection, and reflect the rhythms of community. From palm-lined plazas to skylit corridors, discover how art can inspire, heal, and energize the places we gather. It’s not just a painting festival—it’s a bold celebration of creativity in motion.
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025
Echoes of Innovation
The Ventana Gallery at Roche Tissue Diagnostics 1910 E Innovation Park Drive
5pm-7:30pm
Join us for Echoes of Innovation, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Roche Tissue Diagnostics (RTD) — that’s 40 years of driving diagnostic certainty through automated tissue diagnostic tests and the instruments that run them. Patients are at the heart of everything RTD does, and their diagnostic solutions touch approximately 41 million lives annually.
You’ll experience a first-of-its-kind wearable art gallery exhibition along with a choreographed runway fashion show, both inspired by colorful RTD histology stains. The creations you’ll observe, from abstract to avant-garde, feature the work of professors and students from Arizona colleges and universities, which will showcase the powerful intersection of health, innovation, and design.
As you mingle through the gallery spaces on your way to the main fashion event, you’ll nosh vibrant culinary creations, sip signature cocktails, and immerse in intimate live music.
Proceeds support programs that ensure the arts continue to enrich our local culture, fostering a deeper understanding of the world around us.
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2025
Sahuarita Art on the Lake
Sahuarita Lake Park
5pm-8:30pm
Raise a stein to community, culture, and creativity at the Sahuarita Oktoberfest Celebration at Sahuarita Lake Park! Experience the flavors of Germany with authentic brats, pretzels, gingerbread, and regional beer, surrounded by immersive art installations inspired by Germany’s vibrant regions.
It’s a one-of-a-kind, family-friendly festival blending traditional Oktoberfest charm with Southern Arizona flair.
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OCTOBER 11 & 12, 2025
Patagonia Fall Festival
Patagonia Town Park
Sat 9am–5pm | Sun 10am–4pm
This vibrant mountain arts festival attracts 15,000+ visitors to Patagonia’s scenic Town Park. Presented by the Sky Islands Tourism Association and SAACA, the event was founded over 35 years ago and today features fine art, craft vendors, live music, food and drink, a beer garden, and the Patagonia Library book sale—all set amid fall colors and rich biodiversity.
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OCTOBER 25 & 26, 2025
Oro Valley Fall Foodie & Art Festival
Oro Valley Marketplace
Sat & Sun 10am–4pm
Kicking off the art festival season, this juried event features 125 artists, live music, art demos, food vendors, and fall-themed activities at Oro Valley’s bustling outdoor shopping center, with plenty of parking and mountain views.
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PARK PLACE DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATION
NOVEMBER 8, 2025
Free & Open to the Public
Ofrenda – October 29 installation, up through November 8
Special Event – Saturday, November 8 from 11am-2pm
Join us for an immersive cultural experience as Park Place and the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) present the Día de los Muertos Celebration — a joyful and reverent tribute to life, love, and memory. This two-day event honors the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos while creating space for community expression, family connection, and collective celebration.
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NOVEMBER 8–9, 2025 • JANUARY 17–18, 2026 • MARCH 28–29, 2026
La Encantada Fine Art Festival Series
La Encantada Shopping Center
Sat 10am–5pm | Sun 11am–4pm
Held across three weekends, this juried fine art festival highlights local painters, sculptors, and jewelers. No tents allowed. Artists must transport displays via dolly; art must be removed overnight. Live music and art demos in partnership with the Southern Arizona Artists Guild.
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DECEMBER 6 & 7, 2025
Oro Valley Festival of the Arts & Holiday Tree Lighting
Oro Valley Marketplace | 135 Exhibitors Max
Sat 10am–5pm | Sun 10am–4pm
A beloved holiday tradition, this event welcomes 30,000+ guests for seasonal shopping, local art, food, performances, and family activities. Saturday night features a 35-foot tree lighting and Santa parade.
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JANUARY 10, 2026
Sahuarita Art on the Lake
Sahuarita Lake Park
10am–4pm
This intimate one-day festival offers immersive experiences with live music, interactive art, plein air painting, and a chalk mural competition along the scenic lake path.
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JANUARY 31, 2026
Downtown Glendale Arts & Culture Fest
5750 W Glenn Dr, Glendale, AZ
A vibrant celebration featuring a classic car show, BBQ competition, mural painting, Pinewood Derby, live music, kids zone, trolley tours, and artisan vendors. Presented in partnership with the City of Glendale.
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FEBRUARY 7, 2026
Cruise, BBQ & Blues Festival
Oro Valley Marketplace
Sat 10am–3pm
This February, the Cruise, BBQ & Blues Car Show rolls back into Tucson—and it’s more than just a car show. It’s a full-throttle celebration of craftsmanship, culture, and community.
Presented by the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA), the event puts the art of the automobile front and center, spotlighting the intricate design, engineering, and creativity behind custom and classic cars. From the flawless chrome to the stitched leather interiors, every detail is a work of art. With over 30 award classes—including Best Paint, Best Engine, and People’s Choice—this is a festival where form and function share the spotlight.
Fuel up on mouthwatering BBQ from local legends, groove to live blues music, and bring the whole family for a day of hands-on activities, high-octane creativity, and community fun.
Every dollar raised supports SAACA’s mission to make the arts essential to everyday life in Arizona—funding cultural programs, artist opportunities, and creative experiences that transform public spaces, healthcare environments, and local economies. Because at SAACA, we believe that art isn’t just on the canvas—it’s in the garage, the stage, the street, and the heart of every community. Special thanks to Hughes Federal Credit Union for underwriting our efforts to bring this beloved event back to our community.
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MARCH 7 & 8, 2026
Oro Valley Spring Festival of the Arts
Oro Valley Marketplace
Sat & Sun 10am–4pm
Get ready for a weekend that bursts with creativity and community! With 150+ local and regional artists, interactive experiences, and a family-friendly creativity zone, there’s inspiration around every corner. Sip and stroll through the wine and beer garden, savor flavors from Tucson’s favorite food trucks, and watch the magic unfold with live mural painting right before your eyes. This festival invites everyone to experience the energy of the arts in action.
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APRIL 10-12, 2026
Tucson Folk Festival
Downtown Tucson
Sat 12–7pm | Sun 11:30am–7pm
One of the country’s top folk music festivals, this family-friendly event includes 150+ music acts, 6 stages, and a curated vendor market. SAACA partners with TKMA to manage the 40-vendor marketplace, interspersing artisans, nonprofits, and businesses along Church Ave.
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