Frida’s Garden
ONGOING
Tucson Botanical Gardens’ “Frida’s Garden” Exhibit is dedicated to the iconic visual artist Frida Kahlo. Inspired by Kahlo’s garden in Mexico City, called “La Casa Azul,” the space features a scaled-down version of the Aztec-inspired pyramid and Toad Pond and plant life that honors the original — with some Southwestern additions.
Tucson Botanical Gardens,
2150 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, various pricing, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., tucsonbotanical.org
Arte del Oeste Americano
ONGOING
Translating to “Art of the American West,” the Arte del Oeste Americano exhibit at the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block will be available through Feb. 8, 2026. The collection features various contemporary paintings, sculptures, works on paper, photography and other media from the past 200 years — representative of artists who live or are inspired by the American West. Drawing on artistic traditions and innovations that span the Southwest, Plains, and Rocky Mountain regions, the exhibition reimagines realist “cowboy art.”
Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block, 140 N. Main Avenue, Tucson, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $15 general admission, $12 senior and educator, $10 student, tucsonmuseumofart.org
Tucson Holiday Ice
DEC. 24 to JAN. 4
Tucson’s Ice Rink will be available through the entire holiday season in front of the Tucson Convention Center — and is made of real rather than synthetic ice. Purchase of a ticket online includes a pair of rental skates for a 90-minute session. The skate size starts at a size 8 and goes as large as men’s 15. Socks are required for skating and gloves are recommended as well. The skating rink will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas day.
Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Avenue, Tucson, for pricing and skate times, visit tucsonaz.gov
Festive Fridays
DEC. 26
Weekly through the holiday season, Trail Dust Town hosts its Festive Friday event — free to attend for the community. The celebration features hot cocoa, as well as various holiday drinks and snacks. For $8, attendees can purchase a wristband that will grant them unlimited rides on the train, carousel, and Ferris wheel. Additionally, holiday music will fill the air and the Pistoleros will perform from 7 to 8 p.m.
Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road, Tucson, free admission, $8 wristband, 4 to 8 p.m., traildusttown.com
Brian López
DEC. 26
Latin psych-rocker Brian López is set to perform at new arts, music and entertainment venue La Rosa on Friday, Dec. 26 with special guest Enid Gay. A classically trained musician with indie-rock roots, López recorded his fourth album, “IIDAL,” at his own Dust and Stone Studios in Tucson. His work bridges various genres of music, featuring combinations of indie and art rock, Americana, psychedelia, folk, cumbia and chamber pop.
La Rosa, 800 N. Country Club Road, Tucson, $21.82 general admission, 7:30 p.m., larosatucson.org
Zoo Lights: Holiday Magic
DEC. 26 to JAN. 4
The Reid Park Zoo has set up a festival of lights and colors for patrons to enjoy through Sunday, Jan. 4. Presented by Tucson Electric Power, Zoo Lights: Holiday Magic will feature various displays of illuminated animal sculptures. New to this year’s festivities will be a 33-ft showcase tree that will change colors to music. Fan favorite attractions, such as interactive light elements, a giant gingerbread house and walk-through, kaleidoscopic light tunnels will return as well. Holiday sweet treats and hot cocoa will be available for purchase as well.
Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Court, Tucson, various pricing, 6 to 8:30 p.m., reidparkzoo.org
An Evening with Bruce Hornsby
DEC. 31
The Fox Tucson Theatre is celebrating the anniversary of its reopening in 2005 after a major renovation. Renowned folk singer and piano man Bruce Hornsby will perform for the occasion, having become a kind of tradition at the theatre. In addition to a ticket to Hornsby’s show, patrons can purchase an add-on for $20 that will grant them access to a New Year’s Eve after-party with DJ Logan Phillips through midnight.
The Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress Street, Tucson, tickets start at $58 all in, 8 p.m. foxtucson.com
Songs of the Silver Screen
DEC. 31
The Century Room is celebrating New Year’s Eve, centering Old Hollywood and the music of the 1930s, ’40s, ’50s and ’60s. Each live jazz number will be accompanied by a movie clip of the film the selection was featured in. Acclaimed vocalist Sarah Taylor will perform alongside Brice Winston, Matt Mitchell, Angelo Versace, Scott Black and Arthur Vint. Each of the three available showtimes will feature a champagne toast and mirror ball drop as well.
The Century Room, Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress Street, Suite 1811, Tucson, tickets start at $45, 6:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 11 p.m., hotelcongress.com
It’s Midnight Somewhere
DEC. 31
The Tucson Botanical Gardens is hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration, featuring hot cocoa and Auld Lang Syne. The family friendly event coincides with the gardens’ “Lights Up — A Festival of Illumination.” The New Year’s Eve event will include a countdown, ball drop and festive, non-alcoholic refreshments. Admission is included with a New Year’s Eve “Lights Up” ticket.
Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, various pricing, 6 to 9 p.m., tucsonbotanical.org