Spring Happenings: March – May 2026

The Happenings List

This is my handpicked list of intriguing things going-on throughout Arizona – as well as some you can join in anywhere!

view of purple lupine, Mexican gold poppies, and other desert wildflowers at Picacho Peak State Park

What to know…

  • *Stars highlight discounts, extras, and other goodies!
  • Pricing listed is typically the approximate price for 1 adult, single-day general admission.

$ = under $25
$$ = $25-74
$$$ = $75-149
$$$$ = $150-299
$$$$$ = 300 and up

  • While the list focuses on Arizona events, I highlight several ways to participate ANYWHERE.

Anniversaries and Commemorations

  • March is Women’s History Month.
  • April is National Poetry Month, Global Volunteer Month, and Arab American Month.
  • May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders Heritage (AANHPI) Month, as well as Jewish American Heritage Month.

For more Heritage and Awareness Months, check out the American Alliance of Museums list.

“An artery of transportation, an agent of social transformation, and a remnant of America’s past, [Route 66] stretches 2,400 miles across two-thirds of the continent.”

–National Park Service Travel Route 66: Essay Series

  • Route 66 Centennial – Route 66 turns 100 this year, and there are celebrations all along the iconic highway – some of which are on this List! We’ll also have more for you coming up on the art and local flavor along the so-called “Mother Road!”
  • U.S. Semiquincentennial – a.k.a. the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence or America250. Branching off of that are initiatives like Vote250, which encourages voter registration, as well as Trails250 and Birding250, which promote spending time outside.

 

Embroidery that says
Embroidery by Badass Cross Stitch

ANYWHERE

Intro to Embroidery Workshop with Badass Cross Stitch

online via Zoom
March 7, 12pm MST

Small group, no-pressure workshop where you’ll learn about embroidery materials, how to get set up, working with patterns or designing your own pieces, and how to backstitch.

  • Instructor: Shannon Downey a.k.a. Badass Cross Stitch
  • Register via Eventbrite
  • Fee is pay-what-you-can

 

“More Than Human World” Workshop Series with Miller

online via Zoom
March 9, 16, 23, 30 at 5pm MST

Interactive workshops over Zoom that will include both guided exercises within your own space and opportunities to share with the community. Specifically designed for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, these workshops will offer ways to connect to elements of the natural world and feel more grounded when life seems overwhelming.

  • Free. Registration required.

Continue reading “Spring Happenings: March – May 2026”

All the Holiday Markets in Southern Arizona….

Made in Tucson Market booths set up along a blocked-off street

…that I could find!

After scouring the internet, soliciting suggestions, and searching down information spotted on banners and little roadside signs, I found around 100 upcoming pop-ups across a large swath of Arizona south of Picacho Peak.

Some are traditional holiday season markets and others are part of larger events or part of events that just happen to occur in November or December. Most of them are free. Many not only fundraise for the participating artists and crafters, but for other causes, community groups, schools, or organizations.

Where I could, I’ve included a few more details about what types of things you can find at the market and what other activities may be happening there. I tried to only include markets with handmade items for sale, but that’s not always clear.

Continue reading “All the Holiday Markets in Southern Arizona….”