The summer months can be a slower time, when locals want to stay in their homes and avoid the hot weather. Old Tucson seeks to get people out in the evenings to support local artisans through the Saguaro Sunset Night Markets. The last market of the season will take place on Saturday, Aug. 23. It is free to attend.
Built in 1939, Old Tucson is both a movie set and theme park. Over 500 TV shows and films have been shot on the Old West-themed grounds, including “Tombstone,” “Three Amigos,” “El Dorado,” “Gunsmoke” and “Little House on the Prairie.” It offers daily Hollywood in the Desert tours, as well as nighttime ghost tours on select evenings. Special seasonal events include Nightfall around Halloween and Yuletide during the holiday season.
Tony Sanders, Old Tucson’s general manager, said they started putting on night markets last summer.
“We had several of them last year, and they were a big hit. So, we brought back the markets for this year,” he said. “We added an additional night, so we’re going to do a total of five markets for the summer. They’ve been very successful.”
Sanders said the markets have drawn around 3,000 to 4,000 people each time.
“It’s just a way for us to connect better with the community. The community is asking for things to do on the evenings in the summer. We thought, ‘We can accommodate so many vendors. Why not have all the vendors that you can get in one place?’” Sanders said.
Sometimes, special entertainment is offered during the markets. At the Aug. 9 market, for example, guests enjoyed live music and line dancing with a country band.
Sanders said the markets usually have around 40 to 50 vendors, including food trucks, artists and commercial services such as plumbing and landscaping businesses.
“We have just a huge variety of vendors…We have quite a few of the same vendors, but we have new ones, it seems, every week. I think the popularity of it has just drawn in others each week,” Sanders said.
Old Tucson offers entertainment for different ages, including gold panning, train and stagecoach rides, a historic carousel, an old-time photo studio, a calf-roping attraction, carnival games, mini golf, a car-convoy ride and a horseback ride on a track. Bars, restaurants, rides and other attractions at the park are open during the night markets.
The petting zoo is a popular attraction, featuring animals such as goats, chickens, a potbellied pig and two highland cows.
Sanders said their offerings add to the experience for visitors.
“It almost feels like a family fun fair because the rides are going. Games are going. We even have some of our retail open. We have our food locations and our bars all open,” he explained. “People are having a great time, and they’re staying. A lot of times at markets, they’ll come to a market, walk around the market and leave. Because we have all the attractions, the rides, the food and the games, people are staying the whole time.”
Throughout the evening, roaming stunt performers and saloon ladies will interact and take photos with guests. Inside the Grand Palace Saloon, the Cowboy Crooners will perform.
“They’re an internal group that we have. Essentially, they sing Old West country ballads and songs. It’s usually a quartet of guys, and they sound really great. They’re really fun to watch,” Sanders said.
During peak times of the year, the saloon also has musicals, can-can revues and magic shows. Old Tucson hosts stunt shows and other performances outdoors.
Sanders said that many families have been coming to Old Tucson for multiple generations. “We feel that we appeal to almost everyone. In the spring, we’re all about the Wild West and the cowboy life. And then in the fall, we’re all about Halloween. That’s more of a teenager, young-adult atmosphere. And then at Christmas, we’re all about the family.”
Until Sept. 1, Old Tucson is offering a season-pass deal for $99 plus fees, which comes with two bring-a-friend tickets. The passes include unlimited admission to events such as Nightfall and Yuletide, preferred parking and food and beverage discounts.
Saguaro Sunset Night Market
WHEN: 6-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23
WHERE: Old Tucson, 201 S. Kinney Road, Tucson
COST: Free entry and parking; fees for rides and games
INFO: oldtucson.com
This article appears in Aug 14-21, 2025.