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.

Nogales, Arizona 

at 6:30 p.m.

Santa Cruz Advocates for the Arts invites you to An Evening with Mr. T—a night of smooth tunes, great food, and unforgettable vibes! 

Join the celebration on Saturday, August 9, 2025, from 6:30 PM to midnight at the VFW in Nogales, AZ. Enjoy dinner, live music, and a no-host bar—all for just $40 per person.

Tickets available now at mingusproject.com.

Tubac, Arizona

from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 

Step into the layered history of Tumacácori, one of Arizona's most enduring landmarks, in this dynamic presentation by public historian Alex La Pierre.

This talk explores the indigenous roots of the Santa Cruz Valley and the impact of Jesuit and Franciscan missionaries, tracing Tumacácori’s journey. 

For more information, please visit this link.

Patagonia, Arizona

from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Celebrate the season of renewal with Borderlands Restoration Network at our Monsoon Mixer! Join us for a casual evening gathering where you can connect with BRN staff, board members, and fellow supporters who care deeply about restoring and protecting the borderlands.

Let's raise a glass to rain, resilience, and restoration. We can't wait to see you there! For more information, please visit 

www.borderlandsrestoration.org.

Nogales, Arizona

from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Mark your calendars! The City of Nogales and Nogales Police Department invite the community to National Night Out—an evening dedicated to building stronger police-community partnerships. Join the fun on August 28, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Teyechea Park in Nogales, AZ.

Enjoy family-friendly activities, community resources, and a chance to connect with those who keep our city safe.

Tubac, Arizona

from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m

The event is the 110th Labor Day Rodeo Unleash your creativity at Stamped & Styled: Tote Decorating with Nature! Dive into a hands-on workshop where you'll transform leaves and natural treasures into vibrant stamps, turning a plain tote bag into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Whether you’re an artist or just love nature, get ready for a fun, colorful adventure you won’t forget

For more infomration, please visit this link.

Sonoita, Arizona 

The event is the 110th Labor Day Rodeo at the Sonoita Fairgrounds—an annual three‑day celebration of Western heritage, competition, and community spirit in Sonoita, Arizona.

Over 700 entries, with top competitors earning cash and buckles—a highlight of the Southwest rodeo circuit and dubbed the “Best Little Rodeo in Arizona.”

Merchandise and food concessions are available throughout the event. 

For more information, please visit https://www.sonoitafairgrounds.com/labor-day

Sonoita, Arizona 

at 9:00 a.m. 

Saddle up for the 25th Annual Sonoita Ranch Rodeo & Ranch Horse Competition—a beloved western tradition returning to the Sonoita Fairgrounds on Saturday, September 6, 2025! 

Celebrate Arizona’s rich ranching heritage with a full day of competition and cowboy camaraderie. 

More information can be found at this link. 

Tubac, Arizona 

at 4:00 p.m.

Step into the rich tradition of tortilla making at the Tubac Presidio! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to make both corn and flour tortillas from scratch. All materials and ingredients will be provided — just bring your enthusiasm and your appetite!

For more information, please visit this link.

Sonoita, Arizona 

at 7:00 p.m.

Get ready for high-octane thrills at Sonoita Smash, happening Saturday, September 13, 2025 at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds!

This Demolition Derby kicks off at 7 PM and is FREE with Fair Admission! Watch as drivers go bumper-to-bumper in action-packed events across multiple classes including Street Stock Car, Limited Weld Pro Stock, and Truck/SUVs. 

More information can be viewed at this link. 

Sonoita, Arizona 

from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Join the fun at Sonoita Fairgrounds for three unforgettable days of family fun, food, farming, and festivities.

This year’s theme, “Let the Good Times Grow,” sets the stage for everything from heart-pounding demolition derby action and thrilling rides on the Ferris wheel, to livestock shows, ag exhibits, and Western events like the Ranch Rodeo.

Bring the whole family & make memories that will last a lifetime!

For more information, please visit this link.

Tubac, Arizona

from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Bring your creativity to life in our Fiesta Crafting Workshop!

Learn to make vibrant papel picado banners, beautiful tissue paper flowers, and fluffy pom-poms like the ones pictured here. These festive decorations are perfect for parties, celebrations, or simply brightening up your space.

For more information, please visit this link.

Patagonia, Arizona 

at 10:00 a.m. 

Join Borderlands Restoration Network & Nursery for a tour of the BRN Seed Lab to learn about our operations and programs, then head out to the beautiful San Rafael Valley to learn about native grasses and our ethical seed collection protocols.

Participants will help collect seeds that will be used in a local ecological restoration project to mitigate erosion and revegetate the landscape to support healthy habitats.

Please visit www.borderlandsplants.org/events. 

Patagonia, Arizona 

at 10:00 a.m. 

Join Borderlands Restoration Network & Nursery to shop our selection of native plants, organically grown from locally sourced seed, in person, with vendors and music. 

​

Enjoy a 10% discount on all plants and seeds, and a 20% discount for Restoration Partners & Founders Circle members.

For more information, please visit www.borderlandsplants.org. 

Tubac, Arizona 

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

Join us for a powerful storytelling workshop that delves into one family’s journey through the U.S.-Mexico borderlands and how one family member captured that history, which is more relevant than ever today! 

For more information, please visit this link.

Nogales, Arizona 

at 8:00 a.m. 

Discover the rich heritage of Rio Rico and Nogales on Saturday, October 4, 2025, with the Rio Rico Historical Society’s Fall Bus Tour! 

Led by Nogales native Olivia Gutierrez Garino, this immersive day-long journey includes guided tours of the Rio Rico History Museum, Calixtro Produce Company, the Nogales 1904 Courthouse, Wittmer Museum, and the exclusive Holler & Saunders Hacienda and antique collection.

More info at: www.RioRicoHistoricalSociety.org

Tubac, Arizona

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

Long before Arizona became part of the United States, Basque settlers: soldiers, ranchers, and miners left a lasting imprint on the Arizona-Sonora borderlands. From their role in Spanish colonial expeditions to the development of ranching traditions that still endure today, the Basque influence runs deep in the region's history. 

For more information, please visit this link.

Tumacacori, Arizona

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

Join the Santa Cruz Humane Society on Saturday in Tumacácori for an unforgettable evening of food, fun, and furry friends. 

Enjoy live music by the Angel Perez Project and delicious bites catered by Wisdom's and Tubac Jack’s, with support from Grumpy Gringo Fine Cigars and Art of Beauty Salon.

For tickets, call 520-287-5654 or visit www.santacruzhumanesociety.org.

Patagonia, Arizona 

Celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Patagonia Fall Festival — a vibrant weekend of art, music, and community fun! 

Taking place October 12 & 13, 2024, at Patagonia Town Park, this beloved tradition features over 150 artisans, 12 food trucks, live performances, kid-friendly activities, a beer garden, and more. Free admission and something for everyone in the heart of beautiful Southern Arizona!

For more information, please click this link. 

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 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.

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.

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-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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.