It is, understandably, not a very popular time of year to visit the desert regions of Arizona. Many of the big crowd-drawing events happen fall through spring. While it gets a bit quieter here, there are still things happening outside of the heat of the day.
Meanwhile, in Northern Arizona, there are outdoor concerts, markets, and festivals going on.
As always, there also are events you can join in online whatever the weather is like in your neck of the woods.
So here’s my handpicked list of intriguing things going-on throughout the state – as well as some you can join in anywhere! Stars* highlight discounts, extras, and other goodies!
Updated May 2025. Originally posted November 2017.
Over 30 Arizona museums and attractions offer free passes to local library card holders through the Culture Pass program!
“G’s Horn” sculpture of bronze and living plants by Robert Wick at Tucson Botanical Gardens.
What is a Culture Pass?
Culture Passes are a limited number of free admissions to cultural, historic, and other educational sites in Arizona that libraries make available to patrons. It was created by Act One, a 501(c)3 charitable organization.
Culture Passes from 2017 (old design)
Libraries that offer Culture Passes have a certain number available for each museum, etc. Different libraries have a different selection and number of Culture Passes that they offer.
Great Reading Room at Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix
About 175 libraries statewide and the library districts for 11 out of Arizona’s 15 counties participate in this program.
Desert Botanical Garden pathway
Who Can Check Out a Culture Pass?
To check out a culture pass you must…
Be a current cardholder for a participating library.
Live in the district (or be a member of the community) that library serves.
Be 18 or over.
“Measures of Separation” sculptures by Nazafarin Lotfi at Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson
How to Use a Culture Pass
Each pass is good for free general admission for two people on one visit.
It’s time for the next installment of our occasional series of absurd, puzzling, and/or just plain silly reviews I found online! This time, the reviews are for four different things. I share excerpts from each review (with slight edits), comment on it, and include screenshots of the original posts.
We often think of pink with Valentines Day. But if you take a couple shades that go well together – like blush and salmon – then balance it out with green, it becomes an all-spring color scheme.
In this case, I’m thinking of minty, sea foamy greens. In the neighborhood of a lighter, warmer teal. Like the tones you find in sea glass. Or eucalyptus leaves.
