Check out these all-year-round events:
Guided Birding Walks at Patagonia Lake State Park
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
Boat Tours at Patagonia Lake State Park
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
Explore Sonoita Creek State Natural Area with a Ranger
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.
Your 2025 Calendar Starts Here: Festivals & Events Not to Miss
Christmas Pictures with Santa at Copper Mountain Air
Nogales Arizona
from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Copper Mountain Air invites families to a festive Christmas Pictures with Santa event on Thursday, December 12 at the Nogales International Airport! Kids can write letters to Santa, take holiday photos, and enjoy the magic of the season in a warm and welcoming setting.
Guests will also enjoy free hot chocolate and free cookies from Santa, making it the perfect afternoon of holiday cheer for children and families across Nogales-Santa Cruz County.
Jack Talk: Arizona's Animals
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.
2nd Annual Paul Bond Boots & Music Fest
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.
2025 Sonoita Small Town Christmas
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.
SABRA Winter Classic 5D
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!
Holiday Magic at the Historic Empire Ranch
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.
2025 Santa's Garden Of Lights
Rio Rico, Arizona
Starting at 5:30 p.m.
The Rio Rico Community Center is bringing the magic of the season to life with Santa’s Garden of Lights! ✨ Families are invited to enjoy a festive evening filled with holiday cheer, complete with photos with Santa, warm hot cocoa, and delicious cookies.
Join the community on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at 391 Avenida Coatimundi in Rio Rico for a joyful celebration that lights up hearts of all ages.
The Santa Cruz Foundation For The Performing Arts - El SurCo
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.
Community Ugly Sweater Party at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
Sonoita, Arizona
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.
Santa Claus & Holiday Festivities at Patagonia Lake State Park
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.
The Molino: Food, Family, and Cultural Survival in Southern Arizona
Tubac, Arizona
from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m
Tucson author Melani Martinez shares the story of her family's 70-year-old tamal and tortilla factory through her memoir The Molino, revealing how food anchors community and preserves cultural identity in the desert borderlands.
For more information, please visit this link.
Caracú Latin Steakhouse’s New Year’s Eve Party
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!
Experience the Best of Santa Cruz County – 2026 Events & Festivals
Jack Talk: Women on the Arizona Frontier
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.
67th Annual Tubac Festival of the Arts
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.
The Daydreamer - 50k, 30k, and 10k trail races.
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/
The Santa Cruz Foundation For The Performing Arts - Bin Hu & Jing Xia “Duo
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.
Music in the Desert at Patagonia Lake State Park
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.
The Crux Duo – A Benderly Concert Event
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.
2026 Taste of Tubac
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.
2026 Taste of Tubac
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!
Jack Talk: The Desert in Springtime
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.
Ear Palace Trio – A Benderly Concert Event
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.
Grupo Arizona – Classical and Jazz Fusion Chamber Ensemble
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.
Brahms Piano Quartet – A Benderly Concert Event
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.