Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area

Docent Led Tour
2026-12-12 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-11-28 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-11-14 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix) | Empire Ranch, 16655 E. Empire Ranch Rd, Sonoita, 85637, United States
Docent Led Tour of the Empire Ranch House. 11 am to noon. Reservations are required by 5 pm the day before the tour. Click here to make a reservation. Free. Meet at the Visitor Contact Station.

Plant Propagation at Borderlands Restoration Network
2026-12-10 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-12-08 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-12-03 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-12-01 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-11-26 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-11-24 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-11-19 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-11-17 09:00 - 12:00 and 4 more dates | Borderlands Nursery & Seed, 42 San Antonio Road, Patagonia, 85624, United States
Spend your morning at Borderlands Nursery & Seed with a great group of plant lovers propagating native plants that will restore the landscapes of the borderlands. Bring water and be prepared for outdoor work.

Birds of Mission Garden
2026-12-10 08:00 - 09:30, 2026-11-12 08:00 - 09:30 | Mission Garden, 946 W Mission Ln, Tucson, AZ, 85745
At Mission Garden, meet at the front gate

Walk around beautiful Mission Garden with one of the garden’s expert birders. We’ll look for seasonal and resident birds and learn to identify some common calls and songs. The garden is a good place for beginning and intermediate birders to learn about many of the birds common to the greater Tucson area. Check in with the roadrunners. We always check the hummingbird feeder! Take the opportunity to learn about the history of Tucson’s agriculture and some of the crops that have been important here.

Monthly Bird Walk
2026-12-10 08:00 - 09:30, 2026-11-12 08:00 - 09:30 | Mission Garden, 946 W Mission Ln, Tucson, AZ, 85745
Walk around Mission Garden to look for seasonal and resident birds. Learn to identify some common calls and songs of the birds here. The garden is a good place for beginning and intermediate birders to learn about many of the birds common to the greater Tucson area. Check in with Kevin (the roadrunner) and our resident chickens. We always check the hummingbird feeder to see what hummingbirds are visiting it!
Walks usually last about one and half hours. Walking is easy in the garden and the paths, while not paved, are made of compacted material that is ADA compatible and suitable for wheelchairs and walkers. The length of this walk is 0.50 to 0.75 mile.

Tubac Luminaria Nights
2026-12-05 17:00 - 21:00, 2026-12-04 17:00 - 21:00 | The Village of Tubac, Arizona, Tubac, AZ, 85646, United States
Takes place on the first Friday and Saturday in December, lighting up the Historic Village with beautiful luminarias! Come enjoy delicious treats, shopping, music, and more.

Guevavi and Calabazas: Arizona's Other Missions
2026-12-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Tubac Presidio State Historic Park & Museum, 1 Burruel St, #1296, Tubac, A, 85646, United States
This presentation explores the history and significance of Mission Guevavi and Mission Calabazas, two lesser-known Spanish colonial missions in southern Arizona. It examines their role in the spread of Christianity, Spanish settlement, and interactions with Indigenous communities during the colonial period. The presentation also highlights the missions’ architecture, cultural importance, and preservation as part of Arizona’s historical heritage.
Light bites and refreshments will be provided!

Healing Herb Walk
2026-12-05 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-11-07 09:00 - 10:00 | Mission Garden, 946 W Mission Ln, Tucson, AZ, 85745
Learn about some of the 50 medicinal plants in Mission Garden’s Moore Medicinal Garden. The plants are native to the American Southwest deserts and in many cases have been used for millennia. Modern herbalists are keeping this tradition alive at Mission Garden.

Anza 250 Documentary Screening
2026-11-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Tubac Presidio State Historic Park & Museum, 1 Burruel St, #1296, Tubac, A, 85646, United States
Anza 250 is a creative expedition taken by architect, documentarian, and cyclist Luis Valle along the historic Juan Bautista de Anza Trail to mark its 250th anniversary. In the late 1700s, Anza carved a 1,200-mile route from Mexico to what would eventually become San Francisco – laying the foundation for missions, settlements, and the multicultural fabric of the American West. With a bike, a sketchbook and a deep respect for the landscapes and people along the way, Valle’s journey is an exploration of art, motion, and memory.
Light bites and refreshments will be provided!

Archaeology Day
2026-11-28 08:00 - 11:00 | Mission Garden, 946 W Mission Ln, Tucson, AZ, 85745
At our monthly (fourth Saturday) Archaeology Day, representatives of Tucson’s archaeology community come to Mission Garden to teach practical hands-on skills. Archaeology Southwest will be doing their Hands-on Archaeology program. It allows kids of all ages to try out fascinating ancient technologies. Old Pueblo Archaeology Center is represented at these events, also presenting interactive programs about things like pinch pots, pendants, and cordage. John Palacio speaks about and demonstrates making replicas of petroglyphs. Come join in any time between 8am and 11am.

Arizona Wine Founder's Day Festival
2026-11-14 10:00 - 17:00 | Sonoita Vineyards, 290 Elgin Canelo Rd., Elgin, A, 85611-8001, United States
Welcome to the Arizona Wine Founder’s Day Festival! Join us on November 14th, 2026, from 10 am-5 pm, for a day of fun, wine, and celebration at 290 Elgin Canelo Rd. Get ready to taste the latest releases from our local wineries, enjoy live music, and savor delicious food from our vendors. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to discover new favorites and mingle with fellow wine enthusiasts.
For more information, please visit this link.
Buy tickets here.

Tubac's Dia de los Muertos Celebration
2026-11-07 09:00 - 15:00 | The Village of Tubac, Arizona, Tubac, AZ, 85646, United States
Experience the unforgettable vibrant tradition of Tubac’s annual Día de los Muertos celebration, a beautiful event that brings the community together to honor those who have passed. Also known as Day of the Dead, this cultural tradition is rooted in the belief that the spirits of our loved ones return to visit us during this time.
Throughout the village, ofrendas (altars) are lovingly created and adorned with photos, favorite foods, drinks, and cherished items of those being remembered. Casa Maya de Mexico, event organizer, provides everything you need to decorate your ofrenda, booth, and procession signage, making it easy for participants to create beautiful displays. Whether you’re new to the tradition or return each year, all are welcome to take part in this meaningful and heartfelt celebration of life.
This year, the heart of the event is located at Tubac Presidio State Historical Park and Museum, at 1 Burruel St., which will host the vendor area, procession start and end points, and main performances. The procession will travel through all streets of the village.
The day includes a colorful procession, altars, offerings, a bonfire finale, pop-up vendors, food trucks, face painting, a DJ, and live music.
For more information, including schedule and parking, visit https://www.tubacaz.com/event-details/tubac-dia-de-los-muertos-2026-11-07-09-00.

Nightfall at Old Tucson
2026-10-31 17:00 - 23:00, 2026-10-30 17:00 - 23:00 | Old Tucson, 201 S Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85735-9321, United States
The darkness returns. Evil never stays buried for long, and Nightfall at Old Tucson rises again for its 34th year, running from October 1st through October 31st. Darker haunted mazes, more sinister scare zones, and live entertainment await across 22 acres of pure Halloween terror. Judge Blackwood presides and the verdict is in. Your time has come. Get your tickets now at oldtucson.com
