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  • Event Calendar
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tucson essentials

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A long list of food resources in Tucson including pantries, pet food and more

Where to get food and how to help + a printable version linked at the end!

Everything you can do with a Pima County library card

Thousands of books, free admission to museums and more

11 hidden bars in Tucson, from underground lounges to drinks inside a former bank vault

A list of bars with speakeasy vibes

A list of all the trinket trade boxes in Tucson

Boxes of whimsy: bring a trinket, take a trinket!

A long list of crafty classes and clubs in Tucson

Junk journaling, candle workshops, drawing classes, crafting circles and more, plus local art stores!

I asked Courtney Gustafson of Poets Square Cats how she would spend her dream day in Tucson

Reading, shopping and miniatures

A long list of things to do indoors in Tucson

Indoor playgrounds, cat lounges, crafting, rock climbing and more

A list of things to do outside this summer when the sun goes down

Museums after dark, movies in the park and night hikes

The best gluten-free meals in Tucson, according to four gluten-free locals

Tucson's favorite gluten-free eats

Support Tucson Love Letter by shopping from my teensy online store

Get a mystery itinerary or a Tucson-inspired postcard

A long list of meals that are $10 or under in Tucson

Plus, lunch specials and early bird deals

I asked Don Guerra, the owner of Barrio Bread, how he would spend his dream day in Tucson

A day filled with nature and patio dining

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tucsonloveletter

🌵 explore the magic of Tucson
✨ DM your niche Tucson questions
💌 founded by journalist @gloriaeknott
🫶 est. October 2, 2025

It’s almost time for the first-ever Arizona Queer It’s almost time for the first-ever Arizona Queer Zine Fest, happening courtesy @azqueerarchives 📝🩷 The festival takes place Oct. 9-11 at @thehistoricy, 738 N. 5th Ave. The festival centers queer voices, experiences and perspectives through an open mic, a vendor market and a zine-making party!📸: zines by @ana_santos_acinas, who is a vendor at the Arizona Queer Zine Fest, photographed by @wildhoneyphotog; and a collection of zines owned by Ames Meeks, co-director of Arizona Queer Archives.🔗 Read the full story by swiping through the slides or click the link in my bio!
THIS WEEKENDDDD 👻🎃 @golfnstufftucson is organizing THIS WEEKENDDDD 👻🎃 @golfnstufftucson is organizing Monster Mash, a Halloween party with haunted mini golf, a costume contest, a pumpkin-carving contest, spooky mocktails and a trinket trade by @darbyhunterart (who is the artist behind the castle drawing on the flyer!!). Plus, get food from @wildwestmeatmarket ✨@desertgothclub and @tucsonloveletter are organizing a lil vendor market as part of the event — swipe to see who will be there and a peek at the sweet and spooky items they’ll be bringing 👀Monster Mash takes place Saturday, Oct. 10 at @golfnstufftucson, 6503 E. Tanque Verde Rd. The party is 5-10 p.m. though some activities will end at 9. Monster Mash is free to attend! Haunted mini golf is $20 per person. This is an all ages event — haunted mini golf is suitable for ages 13+ but there will be a second family-friendly golf course open :)@blancoboneboutique@bronwyn_dierssen_art@celestialmetalart@createtostaysane@st.thomasgurl@dirtyteacupdesigns@dizzycult.art@emiliaxocosmetics@eyeofthrift@ixchelfields@j.grace.s@jace_hopkins_art@momotin.studio@phatqueer@raedaystudio@thatsavage_artist@seanpaultoys@sonorantwist.treats@purgatory.eve@stubbornworn@thelovebrujita@yarnomaly@yellowbirdfarm@braidsbyileigh
Things to do in Tucson this weekend 💓 Head to tucs Things to do in Tucson this weekend 💓 Head to tucsonloveletter.com/events for more <3✨AD: Thank you to @rootedintegrativewellness for sponsoring this Reel! Their shop recently restocked for the holidays with puzzles, wellness items and gifts. Join them for their Autumnal Grounding Market on Oct. 17-18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1600 N. Tucson Blvd.📝 Arizona Queer Zine Fest by @azqueerarchives, Oct. 9-11 — vendors, teach-in, open mic at @thehistoricy🧙‍♀️ Witches Market, 5-8:30 p.m. Oct. 9 — vendors, food, tattoos at @dilunacandlestore🍬 Trunk-or-treat by @cityoftucson, 6-8 p.m. Oct. 9 — trunk-or-treat & haunted house at Quincie Douglas Center🪩 Tiny Beats, 5-7 p.m. Oct. 9 — kids dance party at @zemamsethiopiancuisine // $1🎃 Monster Mash, 5-10 p.m. Oct. 10 — haunted mini golf, rides, vendors & more at @golfnstufftucson w/ help from @tucsonloveletter & @desertgothclub🔮 Witches’ Bazaar by @inkedgoddesscreations, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Oct. 10 — 60+ vendors, readings, entertainment at @traildusttown❤️ Poets in the Park by @dirtyverbs, 4 p.m. Oct. 10 — poetry, food, music at Armory Park🌙 Barbara’s Moonlight Mercadito, 4-9 p.m. Oct. 10 — vendors, music, raffles benefitting @barbaraslegacyfoundation at Las Milpitas Community Farm👚 Kids Clothing Swap by @second.hand.sara, 12:30-3 p.m. Oct. 10 — bring/take kids clothing at @crookedtoothbrewing🗝️ Trinket Trade by @darbyhunterart, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 11 — trade trinkets at @harrisonroadantiques👜 Totes & Trinkets by @gatherandglowclub, 2-4 p.m. Oct. 11 — decorate a tote bag + enjoy elote bar at @bookmansaz Speedway // $48🕰️ Mercado Flea, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 11 — 50+ vendors w/ vintage items at @mercadodistricttucson🛍️ Slow Makers Market by @larreaskincare, 1-7 p.m. Oct. 11 — vendors w/ art, tattoos, readings at @slowbodybeer🍽️ Soul Food Sunday by @cookinwitcort, 12 p.m. Oct. 11 — soul food pop-up at @brickboxbrewery🎧 Audiobook Walking Club by @stacksbookclubaz & @tucsonloveletter, 9:30 a.m. Oct. 11 — listen to an audiobook while walking downtown, meet at @hotelcongress👻 ALL MONTH: Nightfall at @oldtucson, @terrorinthecorn, @slaughterhouse_tucson, @maranapumpkinpatch
there are a million events in october, here are 27 there are a million events in october, here are 27 of them!!!! head to tucsonloveletter.com/events for more :)Nightfall, dates through Oct. 31 — haunts, scares, shows, rides at @oldtucson / $37+@slaughterhouse_tucson, dates through Nov. 1 — haunted house w/ immersive sets & characters / $20+@terrorinthecorn, dates through Nov. 1 — scare scenes & corn maze / $35+@maranapumpkinpatch, dates through Oct. 31 — pumpkin patch w/ activities for kids / $30+Arizona Queer Zine Fest by @azqueerarchives, Oct. 9-11 — zine vendors, teach-in, open mic at @thehistoricyWitches Market, Oct. 9 — vendors, food, tattoos at @dilunacandlestoreNot Too Frightful Fridays, Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30 — rides, stunt show, characters at @traildusttownWitches’ Bazaar by @inkedgoddesscreations, Oct. 10 — 60+ vendors, readings, entertainment at @traildusttownMonster Mash, Oct. 10 — haunted mini golf, rides, vendors, activities at @golfnstufftucson w/ support from @tucsonloveletter & @desertgothclubPoets in the Park by @dirtyverbs, Oct. 10 — poetry performances, food, music at Armory ParkAudiobook Walking Club by @stacksbookclubaz & @tucsonloveletter, Oct. 11 — walk downtown while listening to an audiobook, meet at @hotelcongress@tucsonmeetyourself, Oct. 16-18 — food, performances & more from cultures through Tucson, held at Jácome Plaza@slugfestaz, Oct. 17 — live music, skate park, vintage clothes at @4thavecoalition / $32Salem Night Market by @mourningstarcurio & @bloodless.tattoo, Oct. 17 — goth & occult vendors, food, tattoosFall Festival by @townofmarana, Oct. 17 — music, movie, vendors, rides & more at Marana Heritage River ParkBoo Bash by @cityoftucson, Oct. 17 — trunk-or-treating, games, food at Lincoln ParkHall-OV-een Spooktacular by @ovparksandrec, Oct. 17 — trunk-or-treating, inflatables, crafts, food at James D. Kriegh ParkBoo at @reidparkzoo, Oct. 21-25 — characters, trick-or-treating, games / $14-$16@tucsoncelticfestival, Oct. 23-25 — Celtic music, food, games at Rillito Park / $22.24+Nightmare on Congress, Oct. 24 — music, vendors, costume contests at @hotelcongress / $12+✨CONTINUED IN COMMENTS
60 seconds of water sounds courtesy Sabino Dam 🫶 60 seconds of water sounds courtesy Sabino Dam 🫶📍5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd. $8 per vehicle to park. Sabino Dam is about 30 minutes walking from the parking lot. Take the Bear Canyon trailhead east of the visitors center. Walk the dirt path, turn right at the pavement then follow the pavement down — the dam is on your right! It’s a mostly flat walk with a few rocky areas close to the dam.#tucson #tucsonarizona #tucsonaz
@lunaysolcafe is officially open, home to the hist @lunaysolcafe is officially open, home to the historic Balloon Land building that was constructed more than five decades ago in South Tucson. The cafe is home to coffee and breakfast tortas, plus an outdoor space that will hopefully become a community hub. Luna y Sol was named after Sofia Luna and Mia Sol, the daughters of owners Selina and Abraham Barajas.📍 137 W. 29th St. 🔗 Read the full story by swiping through the slides or click the link in my bio!#tucson #tucsonarizona #tucsonaz #tucsonfood
we did a lil restock of the cereal milk candle 🫶✨ we did a lil restock of the cereal milk candle 🫶✨ when it’s gone, it might not return 👀 every purchase comes with a free lil gift from one of our favorite local businesses! get it at @dilunacandlestore, 2700 N. Campbell Ave., or at dilunacandles.com :) 16oz, $36.50!
more than 40 (!!!!) events this Halloween for adul more than 40 (!!!!) events this Halloween for adults and kids 🎃👻 and there are even MORE Halloween events on my website — tucsonloveletter.com/events then click the “Halloween” category to see ‘em all hehehehe (all events in this video are linked on my website!)this video is LONG and goes fast so pause to see the details 👀Nightfall, select dates through Oct. 31 — haunts, stunt shows, rides at @oldtucson / $37+@slaughterhouse_tucson, select dates through Nov. 1 — haunted house / $20+@terrorinthecorn, select dates through Nov. 1 — haunts & corn maze / $35+Haunted Hotel Tours, Fridays & Saturdays — haunted tour of @hotelcongress / $10+@maranapumpkinpatch, select dates through Oct. 31 — pumpkin patch & activities / $20+@tucsonghostcompany_society, select dates through Oct. 30 — ghost tours / $20@dilunacandlestore — witchy market on Oct. 9 + lots of spooky workshopsBewitched, Oct. 4 — witchy market at @monsoonmystics@hunterskittenlounge — pumpkin painting on Oct. 8, spooky movies on various dates / $25-$30Not Too Frightful Fridays, Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30 — rides, stunt show, characters at @traildusttownTrunk-or-Treat by @cityoftucson, Oct. 9 — trunk-or-treating & haunted house at Quincie Douglas CenterWitches’ Bazaar by @inkedgoddesscreations, Oct. 10 — vendors, readings, entertainment at @traildusttownMonster Mash, Oct. 10 — haunted mini golf, vendors, costume contest, trinket trade, rides at @golfnstufftucson@tucsonterrorfest, Oct 15-18 — horror con & film fest at 3 locationsHaunted Hermitage, Oct. 16 — trick-or-treating at @hermitagecatshelter / bring unopened pet foodSalem Night Market, Oct. 17 — vendors, tattoos, music at @mourningstarcurioBoo Bash by @cityoftucson, Oct. 17 — trick-or-treating, games, food at Lincoln Park@townofmarana Fall Fest, Oct. 17 — rides, movie, music and more at Marana Heritage River ParkHallOVeen Spooktacular by @ovparksandrec, Oct. 17 — trick-or-treating, inflatables, music at James D. Kriegh ParkNight at the Arizona History Museum, Oct. 17 — trick-or-treating, ghost tours, movie / $10 per family✨MORE IN COMMENTS
One year of Tucson Love Letter. A full year of com One year of Tucson Love Letter. A full year of community, bejeweled crafts, pink envelopes, color-coded highlighters and too many random video clips on my phone. A full year of curated playlists, meetings at Scented Leaf and tears caused solely by a jammed printer.I’m constantly in disbelief that this is what I get to do every day. What do you mean I get to host a Love Island watch party? What do you mean I get to trade trinkets and swap art supplies and make Harry Styles-themed candles on his album release day?I get to write about restaurants and artists and events and mutual-aid groups — for a job? I’m not sure how I got so lucky but I won’t ever take it for granted.I hope Tucson Love Letter has connected you to Tucson in some way, pointing you in the direction of your people and the things you love. I hope you’ve discovered a resource you didn’t know existed, I hope you’ve had a blast at a local event, I hope you’ve found a new favorite restaurant, I hope you’ve volunteered for a nonprofit, I hope you’ve supported a small business, I hope you’ve made new friends. Whatever it is, I hope Tucson Love Letter has helped you connect with our silly desert city.Tucson Love Letter has been nothing but a dream and I can’t wait to do it for another year, another five years, another 10. Thank you for being here. Thank you for supporting in whatever ways you do — you’re the entire reason I get to do this and I truly hope you enjoy Tucson Love Letter as much as I love putting it together every day.Tucson Love Letter is my love letter to Tucson, but more importantly, it’s my love letter to the community.Love,Gloria
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