Sales & Special Events
Tohono Chul offers a diverse array of special events, classes/workshops, daily tours and eco-stations, children’s events, and Ed-Ventures year-round. From the beloved Holiday Nights to the iconic Bloom Night, there is always something going on. Check out what’s happening now as well as upcoming art exhibitions, sales, and events.
Click here to see the full calendar of events.
THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY
Agave, Arte y Alebrijes Festival
A brand new cultural celebration event brought to you in partnership with the Agave Heritage Festival!
Friday, April 19
& Saturday, April 20
9 AM – 4 PM
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
$5 Member Admission
$20 General Public
Explore a delectable fusion of flavors and traditions at the premiere Agave, Arte y Alebrijes Festival, a vibrant collaboration between Tohono Chul and the Agave Heritage Festival. Immerse yourself in a multicultural celebration honoring the extraordinary agave plant—featuring folk art, smooth mezcal, live music, local cuisine, special presentations, botanical wonders, and so much more!
TRUNK SHOW & SALE
Terry DeWald: Southwest Basketry & More | Trunk Show, Presentation, & Sale
Wednesday, April 17
& Thursday, April 18
10 AM – 3 PM | Presentation 12 pm
Garden Pavilion
Free with Admission
Join us on Wednesday, April 17th, and Thursday, April 18th for a special Trunk Show and presentation with Terry DeWald. Mr. DeWald is an expert in the field of American Indian art. A comprehensive overview of historic and contemporary basketry from Arizona, the Southwest region, the Great Basin, and extending to Northwest and Alaskan indigenous basketry will be on display. Numerous examples of all types will be for sale ranging in price, and ranging in date from the late 1800s to contemporary pieces created in 2024. Learn about their materials, warps, wefts, designs, techniques, and functionality, all of which played a huge part of the lives of the Native makers and their families – from their survival to their metaphysics.
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
Sonoran Cinema Presents: Mary Poppins
Friday, April 19
Gates open 6:30 PM
Showtime 7 PM
Garden Pavilion
$4 General Admission
$2 Member Admission
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Join us for a magical screening of the beloved 1964 Disney musical classic, Mary Poppins, at Sonoran Cinema. Concessions will be available for purchase, and seating is provided. Please arrive early to claim your favorite spot. Reserve your tickets now at the link below.
SPRING CONCERT SERIES
Sundays in the Garden | Spring Concert Series
Sundays | 1:30 – 3 PM
Performance Garden
Free with Admission
Through April 28
Sundays in the Garden has all the good vibes of spring! Picture this – a wonderful afternoon outdoors, a glass of wine in hand, and the sounds of live music filling the air— the perfect way to unwind and embrace the joys of spring. Mark your calendar, grab a seat under the canopy of the Performance Garden, and join us for a Sunday filled with good tunes and great vibes.
This concert series is brought to you in part by our friends at the Tucson Guitar Society.
Please note: Seating is limited, so please arrive early for your preferred seat. Performers are subject to change.
JAZZ NIGHTS
Jazz Under the Stars
Fridays & Saturdays
5 – 8 PM at the Garden Bistro
Through May 11
FOOD. DRINKS. JAZZ.
Join us at the Bistro from 5 to 8 pm for craft cocktails, local brews, and a rotating menu of tasty bites while you soak up the smooth sounds of local jazz musicians. Oh, and did we mention? No cover charge!
ARTIST TALK
William Lesch | A Continuous Trail
Artist Talk with William Lesch
Wednesday, April 24
12:00 pm
Garden Pavilion
Free with Admission
Through May 6, 2024
Exhibit House Main Gallery
For the past 45 years Tucson and William Lesch have grown together. It can be argued that there is no one around Tucson that knows, understands, and appreciates Tucson’s beauty better than Lesch. Calling Tucson home since the mid-seventies, the place has been a major factor in the development of Lesch’s distinctive aesthetic and skill set. An encyclopedic knowledge of photography – its history, science, techniques, and processes – pushes him through every trailblazing twist in turn he creates – on purpose or by accident.
Lesch is never idle, he is always moving, shifting gears, exploring new materials, ideas, techniques, equipment, technology, and subjects. Lesch is never simply ‘taking’ a picture – he is ‘MAKING’ an image, creating something that has an otherness to it in terms of concept and intent and an objectness to it in terms of its presence and physicality. A Continuous Trail explores Lesch’s career – where he’s been, where he is now, and where he’s going.
Image (cropped): William Lesch
FREE EVENT
Water Ways: Water, Land & Life | Panel Discussion
Thursday, April 25
6 – 8 PM
Garden Pavilion
FREE EVENT – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Water Ways: Water, Land, Life is a free educational forum event sponsored by the Unesco Chair in Environmental History in partnership with the Public History Collaborative at the University of Arizona.
Join us for an enlightening panel discussion about the historical connections between native plants, water sustainability, communities, and pollinators. Botanist Carianne Funicelli will discuss native plants and a Tucson Water representative will share the history of where water comes from in Tucson. Tohono Chul staff will be on hand to present on the history of Tohono Chul. This event is FREE and open to the public, please register in advance to secure your seat.
MEMBERS RECEPTION
Members Reception 2024
Saturday, April 27
9 AM – 12 PM
Free for Members
Free with Admission for General Public
As the spring sun warms the Sonoran Desert, Tohono Chul invites you to join us to celebrate Arbor Day on Saturday, April 27th, from 9 am to 12 pm at the 2024 Members Reception. During this special event, you’ll have the chance to learn more about the work Tohono Chul does and how you can get involved in the community!
The State of the Garden Address will provide an exciting opportunity to hear from Executive Director, Jamie Maslyn Larson. She will discuss future plans for Tohono Chul and how we aim to beautify, diversify, and address the region’s climate concerns.
Various tables will be set up featuring information about our activities, events, programs, and displays from our partners and staff. Attendees can enjoy live music in the Performance Garden, purchase delicious food & drinks from local vendors and the Garden Bistro, get to know other members, and so much more! This special event is open to the public and is free with admission.
BIO-BLITZ
BioBlitz: City Nature Challenge
April 26th – April 29th
8 AM – 5 PM
Come to Tohono Chul anytime during the City Nature Challenge and make observations on the iNaturalist app in the designated BioBlitz Zones!
Pima County Master Naturalists is hosting the 2024 City Nature Challenge in Pima County, AZ. Be a part of this community science project by participating in this worldwide effort to document the amazing biodiversity of our region!
April 26th through April 29th: Search for WILD plants, animals, and other creatures to see how many species you can find and show the world how diverse our region is. Add your observations to the iNaturalist app and they’ll automatically be included in the project.
Download the iNaturalist app and sign up for the Intro to iNaturalist class on Monday, April 22nd, and learn everything you need to know about making the most of your observations!
FREE LECTURE SERIES
Curiosity Talks | Caretakers of the Land – A Story of Farming & Community in San Xavier
Thursday, May 2
5:30 – 7:30 PM
FREE and open to the public
Embark on an intellectual journey with a social twist at Tohono Chul’s latest event series, Curiosity Talks. In partnership with Arizona Humanities, this free lecture series invites you to explore a rich tapestry of topics such as sustainability, indigenous cultures, LGBTQ history in Arizona, and more. Each lecture is designed to spark your curiosity and deepen your understanding of the human experience. The first installment is with Dr. Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan, a doctoral candidate in American Indian Studies at the University of Arizona, for a program about land, water, and community in San Xavier.
After the lecture, mingle with fellow attendees for drinks and lively conversation. Share insights, exchange ideas, and harness your understanding of the fascinating subjects explored during the presentation!
This free program is made possible by Arizona Humanities.
FLAMENCO CONCERT
Flamenco in the Garden
Sunday, May 5
6:30 – 8:30 PM
Performance Garden
Tickets $40
Join us for an unforgettable evening of music and dance at Flamenco in the Garden, a lively concert event set amidst the enchanting ambiance of Tohono Chul’s lush Performance Garden. Blending tradition with modern flair, this special Flamenco performance will transport you to the streets of Spain with its stunning costumes, expressive movements, energetic footwork, captivating guitar rhythms, and moving vocals.
Get your tickets today at the link below and prepare to be swept away by the passion and energy of Flamenco in the Garden at Tohono Chul!
This concert is brought to you in part by our friends at the Tucson Guitar Society.
EXHIBITS
Gerry Quotskuyva
Open through May 6, 2024
Exhibit House Welcome Gallery
Gerry Quotskuyva is a member of the Bear Strap Clan from the Second Mesa Village of Shungopavi. His Hopi name, Lomahongva, means “reed standing tall and healthy”. Gerry started carving ice for banquet centerpieces when he worked as a chef before he tried his hand at Katsina carving. By his mid-30s, he began pursuing art as a profession and found that a passion had been awakened inside him. Initially working as a carver, he began painting 18 months later. Today he also creates works in bronze. Gerry’s attention to detail and unique interpretation of traditional Hopi symbolism reflects his rich and expressive heritage.
EXHIBITS
10 x 10 | A Fundraiser
Open through May 26, 2024
Exhibit House Entry Gallery
10 x 10 is an invitational exhibition with the many artists who make Tohono Chul’s galleries such a unique experience. 10 x 10 features a wide range of sculpture and paintings, prints, photographs, and mixed media works no larger than 10 inches in any dimension. Each artwork is priced at $100 and can be taken home immediately upon purchase. Artwork on display will change periodically over the course of the exhibition, with new works constantly being revealed. 50% of all sales from 10 x 10 | A Fundraiser fund programs at Tohono Chul. (Image: clockwise from left (details): Amber Vanhatala Stene, Heather Bentz, and C.J. Shane)
DAILY TOURS
Daily Tours
Available year-round
Butterflies and Their Flowers, Reptile Rample, and Birds of Prey are just some of the seasonal daily tours you can attend to learn more about the nature and wildlife of the Sonoran Desert! Visit our daily tours page for more information.