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

at 5:00 p.m. 

Majestic works of Southwestern Art will be examined as we travel from the Taos Pueblo in 1893 to Tucson’s Barrio in 2022. Along this journey, we will encounter the colors, landscapes, people, and cultures portrayed by three distinct groups of artists: The Taos Society of Artists, The Tucson 7, Tucson Barrio Painters. The comradery within each group contributed to their unique artistry. 

For more information, please visit this link. 

Tubac, Arizona

at 5:00 p.m. 

Exhibit will run through December 27, 2025.

Members’ Juried Exhibition: A juried exhibition for members of the Tubac Center of the Arts. All works are originals creations by the artists. Juror: Violet Rose-Arma

Elisabeth Geel: Take a Walk on The Weird Side: Surrealist Elisabeth Geel delves into the realm of the subconscious, unleashing her fantasy and embracing the nonsensical.

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.

Tubac, Arizona 

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

Students will use stamping images and watercolor techniques to design notecards for any occasion. The creativity is a gift to the designer and to the card recipient.

Type: In Studio

Skill: All Welcome

Medium: Stamping with Watercolor

Members: $90.00

Non-Members: $100.00

For more information, please visit this link.

Tubac, Arizona 

at 7:00 p.m.

Singer-songwriter/guitarist Elisabeth Geel and bassist Patrick Morris present a selection of originals from Elisabeth’s four solo albums.

Members: $35.00

Non-Members: $40.00

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.

Patagonia, Arizona

from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Award-winning concert harpist Ben Albertson will grace our venue with a program that is unique and perfectly paired with the elegant tonality of the harp. Included in the program are works by Faure, Debussy, Bach, Hindemith and a new composition that was premiered in 2025 “Brain Storms” by Chelsea Komschlies.

Solo harp recitals are rare. Make your reservations soon.

For more information, please visit this link. 

Rio Rico, Arizona

from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Join the Rio Rico Rotary for the 3rd Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 29th, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Garrett’s Plaza!

Bring the whole family for an afternoon and evening full of festive holiday fun! 

Enjoy a festive lineup featuring Santa Claus, delicious food and treats, holiday crafts, live music, an ugly sweater contest, shopping with local vendors, and so much more!

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, Arizona

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

Would you like to experience the music of Patagonia, Argentina up close and personal in Patagonia, Arizona? You won’t have to travel far. Join us for a performance by Maxi Larrea, Diana Peralta, Jenni Grubner and Andrés Pantoya plus their special guest Esteban Hernandez Parra.

For more information, please visit 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.

Nogales, Arizona 

Starting at 8:00 p.m.

Ring in 2026 in style at Caracú Latin Steakhouse’s New Year’s Eve Party! 

Enjoy an elegant dining experience, dance the night away, and toast to new beginnings surrounded by great company.

Reservations now open: 520-470-7803 | 520-415-1087

Make this New Year’s Eve one to remember at Caracú Latin Steakhouse, where flavor, rhythm, and celebration come together!

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 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

“Resonant Wood and Vibrating Strings” performed by Bin Hu (European classical guitar) and Jing Xia (Chinese guzheng). West meets East with this unique pairing of instruments in a dialogue exploring the emotional depth that binds classical musically globally. Featured on the program are works by Granados, Assad, Nakanishi, Morel, Duplessy and Manuel de Falla.

For more information, please visit this link.

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.

Patagonia, Arizona 

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

Embark on a musical journey through time, place, and spirit with Fanya Lin and Jackie Glazier as the piano and clarinet take center stage. 

The Crux Duo’s program of French classics from the 20th century moves seamlessly to the 21st with an exciting new clarinet concerto. A concert worth the trip! Make your reservations soon.

For more information, please visit this link. 

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. 

Patagonia, Arizona 

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

Internationally acclaimed Canadian violinist Gregory Lewis, member of the prestigious Callisto Quartet, joins pianist Mari Tomizuka and double bassist Ken Marrs for this concert. The program will include violin sonatas by Mozart and Schumann, as well as works by Haitian composers, and the Arizona premiere of “Tremulous”, a work that evokes the quaking of the Aspen leaves.

For more information, please visit this link. 

Patagonia, Arizona 

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

With unique arrangements and a deep respect for the rich traditional music of Mexico and Latin America, these super talented musicians who make up Grupo Arizona pay homage to the original composers while performing their works with amazing creative flair.

This is a new foray into the world of classical fusion. Mark your calendar for this event.

For more information, please visit this link. 

Patagonia, Arizona 

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

Our Benderly Concert series 2025-2026 ends with the quartet of Elaine Chao, Juan Mejia, Rafael Lizama and Fanya Lin, presenting a thoughtfully curated program – the muse and the artist – two works by life long devoted friends, Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms, whose mutual respect and admiration became legendary.

For more information, please visit this link.