Chili Pear Glazed Beef Short Rib for LUNATION (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Things to do (Sept. 28-Oct. 4): LUNATION, Chorizo Festival & More


September 27, 2023
By Addie Ibarra
By Addie Ibarra

There’s a heck of a lot of new things to do! Don’t forget, you can always check out our Things to Do section on the website to check out what’s going on any day of the week.

OKTOBERFEST EVENTS IN TUCSON

Multiple Locations

You don’t have to travel more than 5,000 miles to enjoy the beer and bratwurst-laden festivities this year. As a matter of fact, many breweries and taprooms around town are bringing the Bavarian culture to Tucson along with flowing pints of beer and fun. It’s definitely not the wurst way to spend a day unless you’re planning on downing some brats. This round-up will have you enjoying the beer necessities in no time.

Check out the Oktoberfest Roundup.

MORE NEAT EVENTS

LUNATION: IMMERSIVE DINNER EXPERIENCE AT MISSION GARDEN

Friday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m.
946 W. Mission Ln.

“The intention of LUNATION is to create a meaningful experience to gather and fully take in one of nature’s most reliable awe-inspiring phenomena,” said Mark. “The Harvest Moon rise is the centerpiece of the event, and everything is being built around it.”

The dining experience will occur at 6:35 p.m. on Friday, September 29 in the lush and historically monumental setting of Mission Garden, which is one of the longest-known areas of canal-irrigated agriculture in the U.S. This dates back to at least 3,500 years ago by the Hohokam and stewarded today by the Tohono O’odham and non-profit Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace.

Learn more.

STONEY SUMMER SUPPER: CANNABIS-INFUSED DINNER WITH CHEF KEN FOY

Friday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Location TBD

Chef Ken Foy (owner of Dante’s Fire) will be presenting a five-course expertly crafted and boundary-pushing culinary adventure. By experimenting with cannabis as an ingredient, he’s taking cooking to a whole new level. But don’t worry, he’s not just throwing random buds into every dish.

Imagine the perfect balance of cannabis-infused ingredients blending harmoniously with traditional flavors, resulting in dishes that are as delicious as they are daring. Get ready to embark on a gastronomic adventure like no other.

Learn more.

VAMOS A BAILAR!: DANCE PARTY AT OWLS CLUB

Friday, September 29 from 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
236 S. Scott Ave.

There are going to be DJs spinning alternative ’80s music, Italo disco, goth, and more! Plus, craft cocktails galore at Owls Club’s bar.

Learn more.

BIRD N’ BINGO AT BAWKER BAWKER CIDER HOUSE

Friday, September 29 from 6 – 8 p.m.
400 N. Fourth Ave.

Learn about birds – how they look, what sounds they make, and win fun prizes! Come early to save your spot and to get your Happy Hour Drink (Happy Hour is 4 – 6 p.m. and all day for teachers).

Learn more.

TUCSON FOODIE PRESENTS THE HIGHWIRE COCKTAIL FACTORY

Saturday, September 30 from 5 – 8 p.m.
30 S. Arizona Ave.

The HighWire Cocktail Factory is going down on September 30, from 5 – 8 p.m., and it promises to be an evening of hands-on mixology like you’ve never seen before.

Your ticket to this one-of-a-kind event will include a tasty Welcome Cocktail and the chance to get creative as you explore four hibachi-style cocktail stations. And what’s a solid cocktail without some food to pair with it? Fear not, because Bailey’s Artisan Pizza will be on-site, serving up gourmet pizzas that will perfectly complement your crafted libations.

Learn more.

ZUMBA & BRUNCH AT TUCSON MUSEUM OF ART

Saturday, September 30 from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
140 N. Main Ave.

$15 for a two-hour class led by multiple Zumba and mixed-fit instructors. You’ll also get a free mimosa or coffee with any brunch entree purchased at Cafe a la C’art.

Learn more.

TUCSON CHINESE CHORIZO PROJECT FESTIVAL

Sunday, October 1 – Sunday, October 29
Multiple Locations

Experience the vibrant flavors of Tucson’s lost historic food at the @Chinesechorizoproject festival. Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 1, to Sunday, October 29, and join us for a month-long celebration hosted by the Chinese Chorizo Project. It’s their second annual festival, and you won’t want to miss it!

Learn more.

JAPANESE STREET FOOD PICNIC & GUIDED SAKE PAIRING IN THE MSA ANNEX

Sunday, October 1 from 3 – 5 p.m.
267 S. Avenida del Convento

Celebrate National Sake Day with Westbound, Kukai, and Blondie’s Ice Cream! Tickets are available now so buy ’em fast before they sell out.

Menu

Welcome Drink: Sparkling Sake

First Course: Sweet & Spicy Edamame paired with Kasumi Tsuru Kimoto Extra Dry Sake

Second Course: Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice paired with Hakutsuru Ukiyo-E Junmai Daiginjo

Third Course: Pork Katsu Sando paired with Umeshu Sake HighballCourse 4
Yuzu Creamsicle & Yuzu Curd Kanpai

Learn more.

AGAVE SPIRITS TASTING AT THE CENTURY ROOM

Sunday, October 1 at 4 p.m.
311 E. Congress St.

Join Francisco Terrazas, Programming Director for the Agave Heritage Festival, for an evening around the culture, craft, and process of agave spirits. This month features Uncommon Espadins. The ticket includes four ¾ ounce tastes along with traditional tasting accompaniments (orange slices, agave worm salt, and sparkling water!)

Learn more.

GUT! PRESENTS: GLOBAL FLAVORS FALL FESTIVAL

Sunday, October 1 from 5 – 8 p.m.
2201 E. Roger Rd.

The chefs of the Gastronomic Union of Tucson will be preparing fantastic fall fair foods for sampling, using ingredients harvested at Tucson Village Farm. Select teams of GUT chefs will also team up with cooks from around the world representing Iskashiitaa Refugee Network to bring bold global flavors. Live music, DJ BigNut, a silent auction, carnival games, dunk-a-chef, aguas frescas, and adult beverages will all make for a fantastic evening to kick off the fall!

Learn more.

LEFLAIVE WINE DINNER AT KINGFISHER

Tuesday, October 3 at 6:30 p.m.
2564 E. Grant Rd.

Kingfisher presents Olivier Leflaive —  an exclusive French wine dinner featuring, oysters, caviar, and plenty of bubbles. One of the dishes is the Dover Sole – stuffed with scallops, shrimp, crab, spinach, peppers, leeks, mushrooms, onions, cabbage, kale, tomato, and broccolini.

Learn more.

WINE CLASSES AT TAP & BOTTLE NORTH

Wednesday, October 4 at 5:30 p.m.
7254 N. Oracle Rd.

Tap & Bottle’s wine director Arielle DeSoucey will be leading these seated, guided wine tastings and she is excited to introduce you to some of her favorite bottles.⁠ ⁠Arielle is a Certified Specialist of Wine with the Society of Wine Educators and has her WSET Advanced Certification. She’s ready to answer all of your wine questions.

Learn more.

Discover more things to do in Tucson.

Tucson Foodie is a locally owned and operated community. Thanks to our partners and members, we are able to offer paywall-free guides and articles. We value your support and invite you to become a Tucson Foodie Insider today.

Upcoming Events

View all events
Double-click this headline to edit the text.
This is a block of text. Double-click this text to edit it.
Double-click this headline to edit the text.
This is a block of text. Double-click this text to edit it.
Double-click this headline to edit the text.
This is a block of text. Double-click this text to edit it.

Article By

Addie Ibarra, native Tucsonan, is a fierce lover of adventure, travels, and food. Addie has her Masters in Legal Studies and hopes to one day apply that towards helping people (and animals) around the globe, while traveling and tasting along...

Related Stories