Welcome to Nogales-Santa Cruz County, where vibrant culture, rich history, & exciting events await!

Every Friday and Monday

Guided bird walks are back!​ Join park rangers at the Birding Trail kiosk (next to campsite #12) for a ranger-led hike to learn about the diverse avian wildlife at Patagonia Lake and Sonoita Creek.

The event repeats each Friday and Monday at 9:00 a.m.​ For more information, please visit https://azstateparks.com/patagonia-lake/events/bird-walk-patagonia​

Every Saturday and Sunday, $7 per adult, $5 per child (13 years and under)

• 9 a.m. Avian Adventure Tour
• 10:15 a.m. Avian Adventure Tour
• 11:30 a.m. Lake Discovery Tour
• Twilight Tour on Saturdays only. Time varies.

Please call the park to make your reservation: 520-287-2791.

Boat rentals are available at the Patagonia Lake Marina. 

For more information, please visit https://azstateparks.com/patagonia-lake/on-the-water/boating

Join us for this new program with weekly hikes ranging from moderate to advanced on the Sonoita Creek State Natural Area trails. Meet at the Sonoita Creek parking lot. 

Hikes are limited to 15 people. Please call the Visitor Center in advance at 520-287-2791 for information about which hike will be taking place and to sign up.

Tubac, Arizona

from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Join the celebration in Historic Old Tubac! 

This October 23–25, Tubac will commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Anza Expedition, honoring the historic journey that began right here. Experience where art and history continue to meet up with special events, cultural activities, and living history that bring the story of Anza to life.

For more information, please visit https://www.tubacpresidio.org/anza250

Patagonia, Arizona

from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Join the magic of Spirit World in Patagonia, AZ, for the 2025 Ripton Concert Series at 295 McKeown Ave!  This three-day event brings incredible live music while supporting the 5th Annual Arizona Trail Association Fundraiser.

From Thursday, Oct 23rd through Saturday, Oct 25th, 100% of proceeds benefit the Arizona Trail Association, helping preserve and celebrate Arizona’s great outdoors. 

Tubac, Arizona

from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

You're invited to the 15th Annual International Wine Festival benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz County!

Enjoy an elegant evening filled with live music, delicious wine and food pairings, and tastings from some of our top local restaurants—all in support of a great cause.

Tickets: $75

To purchase tickets or learn more, call 520.287.3733 or visit Tumacookery at La Entrada.

Support local youth and raise a glass to a brighter future!

Nogales, Arizona 

at 4:00 p.m.

The Anza Trail Foundation invites you to a special lecture with Dr. Aaron Wright of Archaeology Southwest on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at the Santa Cruz County Complex in Nogales.

Dr. Wright will explore how Indigenous knowledge and trail systems shaped the success of the 1775–76 Anza Expedition. 

Part of the Anza250 Lecture Series, this event commemorates the 250th anniversary of the historic journey. For more information, please visit this link. 

Sonoita, Arizona 

at 6:00 p.m.

Get ready for a spooktacular evening at the Sonoita Fairgrounds Halloween Party! Families and friends are invited to enjoy an exciting lineup of activities, including games, a costume contest, DJ, cake walk, pumpkin carving/paint station, and a festive photo booth. 

Dress up, join the fun, and celebrate Halloween with the community at this fang-tastic event! 

Nogales, Arizona 

at 7:00 a.m. 

Gear up for the Nogales Bicycle Classic 2025 — presented by South32! 

Taking place on October 25th along scenic Morley Avenue in Nogales, Arizona, this premier cycling event offers 20, 40, 60, and 70 mile routes for riders of all levels. Early bird registration opens July 4th for just $60. Don’t miss this unforgettable ride through the borderlands!

Register now at www.nogalesbicycleclassic.org and scan the QR code for details.

Patagonia, Arizona 

Starting at Dusk 

Patagonia Lake State Park presents Halloween Fun at Patagonia Lake on Saturday, October 25, 2025, beginning at dusk. 

The event features a haunted house, candy stations (“spooky tables”) for kids, and a campground walk where campers dressed up in Halloween spirit distribute more treats. 

For more information, please visit https://azstateparks.com/patagonia-lake/events/patagonia-halloween

Sonoita, Arizona 

from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m

Join AZ Hops & Vines for a frightfully fun celebration of the most spooktacular holiday of the year! Guests can enjoy pumpkin chunkin’, wine and candy pairings, karaoke, and a thrilling costume contest. It’s the perfect way to celebrate Halloween with friends, laughter, and a little bit of spooky spirit—only at Hops & Vines!

For more information, please click this link.

Rio Rico, Arizona 

from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Nickel’s Diner invites the community to celebrate fall in style at the Motor Classic ’25 & Halloween Car Show. This annual event combines the excitement of classic cars with the festive fun of Halloween, creating a day full of activities for the whole family.

Car enthusiasts can admire a variety of vehicles on display, while guests of all ages enjoy live music, performances, food, giveaways, and shopping from more than 25 vendors. 

Rio Rico, Arizona 

from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

The Rio Rico Community Center invites families, friends, and neighbors to celebrate Halloween. This family-friendly event features FREE trunk-or-treating, a spooky garden walk, and costume contests with prizes. Guests of all ages can enjoy fun games, delicious food and treats from RRCC, and an outdoor Halloween movie under the stars. 

The evening will also include music, spooky vibes, and plenty of community fun for everyone to enjoy. 

Nogales, Arizona 

from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

The Nogales Police Department invites the community to its annual Trunk or Treat Event on Friday, October 31, 2025.

Families are encouraged to bring their costumes and enjoy an evening filled with festive fun, candy, and safe trick-or-treating. The event provides a secure and family-friendly environment for children and parents to celebrate Halloween while connecting with local law enforcement.

Tubac, Arizona 

at 3:00 p.m.

Join the vibrant and heartfelt celebration of Día de los Muertos in Tubac on Saturday, November 2, 2025! This beautiful tradition honors the lives of those who have passed and brings the community together through music, art, and remembrance.

Visitors can explore altars throughout the village, enjoy food trucks, over 40 pop-up vendors, live music, a Catrina Contest, and a moving bonfire finale. The day wraps with community fun, food, and heartfelt connection. 

Nogales, Arizona

at 5:00 p.m.

The City of Nogales invites the community to celebrate Día de Muertos on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Karam Park on Morley Avenue. The evening will feature traditional Altares de Muertos, live music by Grupo Musical Slack and Friends, food, a procession, and the Concurso de Catrinas. Admission is free for all to enjoy this vibrant cultural tradition.

Nogales-Santa Cruz County

from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

Join the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce for the 12th Annual Día de los Muertos Altar Tour, a beautiful self-guided journey through ofrendas across Nogales-Santa Cruz County, Arizona.

Discover vibrant altars, cultural displays, and heartfelt tributes as we honor those who came before us. 

For more info or to participate, call (520) 287-3685 or email info@thenogaleschamber.org

Sonoita, Arizona 

from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

The Empire Ranch Cowboy Festival, held in November, is the Foundation’s annual public event celebrating Arizona’s Western history and culture. 

Each year more than 3,000 visitors come to the ranch to enjoy Western heritage demonstrations, arena and livestock exhibits, cowboy cooking and Western entertainment.

For more information, please visit this link. 

Nogales, Arizona

from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

The Santa Cruz County School Superintendent’s Office invites the community to join in “Celebrating Young Artists”, a vibrant afternoon dedicated to showcasing the creativity and talent of local students. 

This inspiring community event will feature a student art exhibit, hands-on workshops, and an awards ceremony recognizing young talent across Santa Cruz County.

Patagonia, Arizona

from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Presented by the Santa Cruz Foundation for the Performing Arts, the Fourth Wall Vocal Ensemble — a Grammy Award-winning contemporary group from New York City — invites audiences to experience a truly joyful concert in Patagonia.

This innovative ensemble, dedicated to storytelling through sound and movement, brings fresh new works to life while exploring the earliest roots of vocal music.

For more information, please visit this link. 

Sonoita, Arizona

from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Sonoita Vineyards invites wine lovers to the Sonoita AVA New Release Festival, a vibrant celebration of Arizona’s winemaking tradition. Held at 290 Elgin Canelo Road, this in-person event offers the perfect opportunity to welcome and bless the newest wine releases alongside fellow enthusiasts.

For more information, please visit this link. 

Tubac, Arizona

from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

This is the famous story of the Navajo Code Talkers in the Pacific during WWII, through the eyes of Chester Nez, who like so many other Navajos, just wanted to serve his country and make his father proud. It is a truly stirring story of American patriots that we should never forget. 

For more information, please visit this link. 

Amado, Arizona

from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

The Amado Chili Cook-Off & Car Show is back, bringing the community together for one of Southern Arizona’s most anticipated annual traditions. This vibrant event has grown into a regional favorite, drawing thousands of visitors while supporting the Amado Youth Center and boosting tourism and economic development along the I-19 Corridor.

To learn more about the event or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.amadochilicookoff.org

Patagonia, Arizona 

from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Presented by the Santa Cruz Foundation for the Performing Arts, this captivating concert features a trio of gifted musicians — Kyungsun Choi, Caroline Bell, and Daniel Becker — performing masterpieces by Beethoven and Brahms.

Together, these works offer a moving exploration of the clarinet trio repertoire — a performance not to be missed.

For more information, please visit this link.

Nogales, Arizona 

from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Experience the Paul Bond Boots & Music Festival — Where the West Comes Alive! Enjoy live country music, dancing horses, food trucks, bonfires, and family fun on the ranch.

From Drew Cooper’s soulful tunes to DJ Joel’s beats, it’s a night of rhythm, tradition, and community under the stars.

For more information, please visit this link.

Patagonia, Arizona 

from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Join the 23rd annual Patagonia Art Walk on November 28-29. in downtown Patagonia, Arizona. Local artists will fill the streets with paintings, jewelry, pottery, fiber art, and more.

Kick off your holiday shopping while supporting the community, explore unique handmade gifts, meet creators, and enjoy the small-town charm of Patagonia.

For more information, please visit this link.

Tubac, Arizona

from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Luminaria Nights de Tubac takes place the first Friday and Saturday in December, lighting up the Historic Village with beautiful luminarias! Come enjoy delicious treats, shopping, music, and more. 

Shops, art galleries, and restaurants will be open late for you to explore and get some holiday shopping done. Don’t miss this magical evening!

Don’t miss this magical evening!

For more information, please visit https://tubacaz.com/luminaria-nights-de-tubac/. 

Tubac, Arizona

from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Did you survive the first time? Then come back for more! After a wildly popular Surviving in the Desert workshop, Jon Helleson of Southwest Survival returns to the Presidio for a deeper dive into primitive skills.

For more information, please click this link.

Patagonia, Arizona

from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

AZ Hops & Vines invites guests to kick off the holiday season at their 13th Annual Deck the Halls celebration! 

Enjoy a festive wine and cookie pairing featuring six of their award-winning wines matched with six delicious holiday cookies—plus a souvenir glass to take home. The event also includes live music, holiday cheer, ugly Christmas sweaters, and a special appearance by Santa himself. 

For more information, please click this link.

Elgin, Arizona

from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Elgin Community Club invites the public to celebrate the holiday season at Christmas in Elgin: A Fine Arts and Crafts Festival on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to spend the day in the beautiful Sonoita and Elgin area while enjoying an artisan showcase filled with unique gifts perfect for holiday giving.

For more information, please click this link.

Tubac, Arizona

from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Arizona has the greatest amount of diversity in natural terrain of probably anywhere in the United States, with its mountains, canyons, Sonoran Desert, grasslands, riparian areas, forests, lakes, meadows, the Petrified Forest, the Painted Desert, Sunset Crater, Meteor Crater, the buttes, mesas, and fabulous vistas of Monument Valley and Navajo Land, and of course the Grand Canyon. 

For more information, please click this link.

Sonoita, Arizona 

from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Santa Cruz County Fair & Rodeo Association invites the community to celebrate the holiday season at Sonoita Small Town Christmas on Saturday, December 14th.  

Enjoy barrel racing, team roping, jumping castles, over 40 local vendors, food trucks, yard games, and a special visit from Santa from 10 AM – Noon. 

Free admission, shop local and make holiday memories in Sonoita! For more information, please click this link.

Sonoita, Arizona 

at 10:00 a.m.

The SABRA Winter Classic 5D is coming to Sonoita Small Town Christmas on Saturday, December 13th! Riders will compete in a festive twist on barrel racing running around Christmas trees instead of barrels. 

Books and time onlies open at 10 AM, with the run starting at noon. Divisions include Youth 3D, Open 5D, Masters 2D, and Futurity 1D, with prizes for winners in each category. 

Don’t miss this exciting holiday rodeo tradition, register at sazbra.org/winterclassic!

Sonoita, Arizona 

from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Guests can enjoy a festive day filled with music and entertainment, including photos with Santa, holiday crafts, local vendors, a raffle, and delicious cookies served with seasonal beverages. The historic ranch house will also be beautifully decorated for the holidays, creating a warm and nostalgic atmosphere.

This free, family-friendly event welcomes all ages, with donations appreciated to help sustain the preservation of the historic Empire Ranch.

Sonoita, Arizona 

at 5:30 p.m.

Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the Gold Buckle Bash on Saturday, December 13th at 5:30 PM!  Enjoy live music, a delicious brisket dinner, and a cash bar while watching the 10th round of the National Finals Rodeo. 

Tickets are $40 per person or reserve a table of 10 for $500.  For more information, please click this link.

Patagonia Lake State Park

1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Patagonia Lake State Park invites families to an afternoon of festive holiday fun at the Visitor Center. Guests can take pictures with Santa, enjoy cake walks, and participate in ornament-making crafts.

Children will also delight in free boat rides hosted by Santa’s elves, with all the activities designed to spread cheer and celebrate the season in the beautiful lakeside setting.

For more information, please visit this link.

Tubac, Arizona 

from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The history of the West is not just the story of men. It is the story of men and women. This is Jack's first talk, highly acclaimed, on the fascinating story of some of the women on the Arizona frontier, and a tough and hardy bunch they were. But they would bring civilization to this land. He focuses on three, an Apache woman, a Spanish woman and a New England woman.

For more information, please visit this link.

Tubac, Arizona 

at 10:00 a.m. 

Discover the Artists of the Tubac Festival of the Arts: Get ready to be inspired by the incredible talent featured at this year’s Tubac Festival of the Arts! With a wide array of mediums—from painting and sculpture to jewelry, photography, and beyond—there’s something for everyone.

Patagonia, Arizona 

The Daydreamer is a trail running event in Patagonia, Arizona blends challenging trails, community, music, and the beauty of the Sky Island region. 

Runners may choose from three distances—50K, 30K, or 10K—each designed to explore pristine, lesser-known sections of the Arizona Trail and to appeal both to seasoned ultramarathoners and those seeking a shorter trail adventure.

For more information, please visit: https://www.runthedaydreamer.com/

Patagonia, Arizona

from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Patagonia Lake State Park invites the community to enjoy an evening of live entertainment with its Music in the Desert series, held in the Visitor Center. Local musician Steve Jones will take the stage on Thursday, February 13, and Thursday, March 6, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Guests can look forward to an intimate performance surrounded by the serene desert landscape and the natural beauty of Patagonia Lake.

Sonoita, Arizona 

at 9:00 a.m. 

On Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., participants are invited to experience a unique race set against the breathtaking backdrop of Sonoita Vineyards, Arizona’s oldest commercial vineyard and winery. 

For more information, please visit this link. 

Tubac, Arizona 

at 5:00 p.m.

Join us for an unforgettable evening hosted by the Rotary Club of Tubac, celebrating the perfect pairing of fine wine, gourmet cuisine, and lively entertainment!

Event Details:

• Date: March 15, 2026
• Time: 5 PM to 8 PM
• Location: Tubac Golf Resort & Spa
• Check back for ticket information

Don’t miss out on this fantastic evening of food, drinks, and fun – while supporting a great cause!

Tubac, Arizona 

at 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 

The Sonoran Desert, here in southern Arizona, is a special place, unique in the world, but in the Spring when it comes alive with new growth, flowers, fruit, and that brilliant display of colors, it is even more magical and unforgettable. It is truly a time to be out in the desert. In this talk Jack will enhance that experience for you by sharing what to look for as the desert emergences from its winter sleep.

For more information, please visit this link.