250th Birthday Murals Unveiling Celebration
JULY 25
Tucson is more than 250 years old, but it’s honoring those years with the unveiling of four new murals Downtown. Artists Ignacio Garcia, Camila Ibarra, Pen Macias and Joe Pagnac will all be on hand. As part of the celebration, a 1-mile walking tour will be hosted, departing every 10 to 15 minutes from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Refreshments and a no-host bar will be available. Reservations are requested.
Highwire, 30 S. Arizona Avenue, reservations required, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., bit.ly/250Mural, jcoxaz@gmail.com
“Titanic the Musical”
JULY 25
Arizona Theatre Company will take you back to the last days of the ill-fated Titanic in their production of “Titanic the Musical.” The five-time Tony Award winner is a stunning and stirring production recounting the hopes, dreams and aspirations of her passengers, from the wealthy first class to the third class dreaming of a new life in America.
The Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Avenue, $15, 6:30 p.m., 1-833-282-7328, atc.org
Tiny Treasures Sale
JULY 26
The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures will hold its annual Tiny Treasures sale for the general public. Enter through the patio door. There’s no fee to shop, but entry to the museum requires a ticket. Museum members may get a jump on things at the preview from noon to 6 p.m. July 25. Member check-in is required at the front desk and only named members and their families may shop the preview. Only cash or a check will be accepted. Organizers promise shoppers will find incredible deals on donated miniatures, including dollhouses, furniture and accessories, all at thrifty prices. Before the sale can be held, however, there must be merchandise so the museum staff is accepting donations of dolls, dollhouses, miniature furniture, accessories, kits, tools and miniatures.
The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, 4455 E. Camp Lowell Drive, Tucson, museum admission, 520-881-0606
National Day of the Cowboy
JULY 26
Each July the Empire Ranch Foundation celebrates the National Day of the Cowboy at its historic venue. The family-friendly event features vendors and non-profits, trail rides, western music, cowgirl poetry, exhibits of western traditions, historic tours and a barbecue.
Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, Sonoita, free, registration required, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., empireranchfoundation.org
Desert Summer Nights: “Wild and Cultivated Food Plants of the Sonoran Desert Food Presentation and Tasting”
JULY 26
Join naturalist Jack Dash for a culinary storytelling event focused on the wild and cultivated food plants of southern Arizona. Discover the historic and contemporary uses of several Sonoran Desert species while savoring dishes such as palo verde bean edamame, candied barrel cactus fruit, prickly pear and agave agua fresca, and mesquite crackers, all paired with wines crafted in Southern Arizona. A ticket includes two glasses of wine. Hosted by the Presidio San Augustin del Tucson Museum.
The Presidio, 196 N. Court Street, $70 members, $80 nonmembers, 4 to 6 p.m., 520-622-0594, tucsonpresidio.com
Night Ops: Photography and Arts Night
JULY 26
The Pima Air and Space Museum and the Tucson Military Vehicle Museum end their summer evening program called Night Ops. Visitors can experience both museums with discounted admission and themed activities. Orbis Flying Eye Hospital tours are included (depending on circumstances). Purchase entry at either museum upon arrival. Wristbands are provided for access to both museums.
Pima Air and Space Museum, 6000 E. Valencia Road, $15 and free for children 12 and younger and museum members, 5 to 8:30 p.m., pimaair.org
14th Annual Breeze in the Trees 5K
JULY 26
Part of the Orchard Series, Breeze in the Trees is an early-morning run, when the trees boast a full canopy of leaves. Though the pecans aren’t yet ripe for consumption, they have reached their maximum size.
Green Valley Pecan Company, 1625 E. Sahuarita Road, Sahuarita, 6:30 a.m., race starts at 7 a.m., $45, runsignup.com
Meet Your Park: “Channel Islands National Park: Treasure in the Sea”
JULY 26
Enjoy a screening of the National Park Service’s film, “Channel Islands National Park: Treasure in the Sea.” This film reveals the cultural and natural history of its five islands, Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel and Santa Barbara off the coast of California. Footage includes kelp forest and tide pool scenes, as well as the largest seal and sea lion rookeries in the world. In English with closed captioning.
Kiva Room, The National Parks Store, 12880 N. Vistoso Village Drive, Oro Valley, 11 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 1:30 p.m., 520-789-7404, wnpa.org
One Night of Queen
JULY 26
For over 20 years, Gary Mullen and The Works have been performing their world-renowned One Night of Queen live concert. In 2000, Mullen won Granada TV’s “Stars in Their Eyes” with his performance as Queen’s lead singer Freddie Mercury. He broke records for his more than 800,000 votes.
Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, Tucson, tickets start at $38, 7:30 p.m., foxtucson.com
In Person Presentation:
“Blazing a Trail of Her
Own: Becoming a Thruhiker”
JULY 31
A WNP writer, Nikki Stavile grew up as part of an underserved. Today, she has thruhiked the Appalachian and Tahoe Rim trails and section-hiked portions of the Colorado and Arizona trails. On July 31, she will discuss how she became a self-taught long-distance backpacker, barriers she overcame, and stories from her nearly 3,000 miles (and counting) of wilderness backpacking.
Kiva Room, The National Parks Store, 12880 N. Vistoso Village Drive, Oro Valley, reservations required, 6 to 7 p.m., 520-789-7404, wnpa.org
This article appears in Jul 17-24, 2025.