Artwork: "Gates Pass" by local artist Lauri Kaye
This event took place Saturday, August 29, 2026
Saturday, August 29 · 5–10 PM · Tohono Chul
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A one-night-only celebration
Desert Magic is a celebration of the Sonoran Desert — a sunset gathering honoring its culinary and medicinal gifts through food, herbalism, music, and journeys of healing. Wander lit pathways through the Gardens at Tohono Chul as the desert cools into evening.
What to expect
Stations wind through the gardens, where nine of Tucson's most celebrated chefs each serve a 3–4 oz plate inspired by native desert ingredients — chiltepin, mesquite, prickly pear, native corn, squash.
The lineup
Stations wind through the gardens — chefs serving plates built around native desert ingredients, and practitioners offering plant-medicine experiences and ceremony. Browse everyone confirmed so far.
Every food and wellness experience is included with your ticket unless a card says otherwise.
Chefs
Christian Padilla
Chef at Copper Ash Culinary in Tucson, Christian Padilla cooks across pop-ups, collaborations and multi-course dinners. At Desert Magic 2025 he served cured aloe vera nigiri with burnt tortilla ash sushi rice and a matcha and hierba buena atole.
David Marks
Chef at Tohono Chul Garden Bistro, David Marks cooks Desert Magic on his own grounds. At the 2025 edition he served pecan-smoked pork and local squash braised in prickly pear juice with borracho tepary beans. He took…
Devon Sanner
Chef at S + P Creative, co-owner of Zio Peppe, and a founder of the Gastronomic Union of Tucson, Devon Sanner is an Iron Chef Tucson finalist who has represented the city abroad, cooking in Parma, Italy with Tucson City of Gastronomy.
Gabriella Alba
Executive Chef at Sonoran House Sam Hughes, Gabriella "Gabby" Alba brings a background in scratch baking and a passion for regional flavors to her cooking. Rooted in technique, discipline, and respect for local…
Gracie Soto
Gracie Soto is the third generation behind Anita's Street Market, the Barrio Anita institution her grandmother Grace Soto opened more than 40 years ago. She has carried the tortilla and burro counter forward since 2020,…
José Contreras
Chef at Amelia's Mexican Kitchen and a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist, José Contreras cooked at the James Beard Foundation Platform dinner in August 2026. He is expanding with Carrizal Molino + Cocina, a nixtamal-focused project.
Ken Foy
A two-time Tucson Iron Chef winner in 2022 and 2023, and newly named Executive Chef at Tanque Verde Ranch, Chef Ken Foy brings his award-winning culinary talent, scratch-cooking style, and deep desert roots to our event as a featured guest chef.
Mateo Cancio
Serving as a Chef Ambassador for Tucson, Mateo Cancio blends his local upbringing with training in Mexican, Italian, and French culinary traditions. A global advocate for Tucson’s UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation,…
Obie Hindman
Executive chef at the Mountain Oyster Club and representing Tucson City of Gastronomy at the event, Obie Hindman is a founding figure in the Gastronomic Union of Tucson. Tucson Foodie profiled him in 2022 as an old punk…
Pablo Valencia
Chef and co-founder of Scratching the Plate with Katherine Carbone, Pablo Valencia builds his cooking around live fire. "Our specialty really is the life of the campfire and how that can actually integrate into our…
Wellness Practitioners
Alicen Grey
I'll be selling mini 1:1 SymbolSpeak Guidance Sessions ($50 for 30 minutes), copies of my book SYNCHRONICITIES: THE SIGNS ALL POINT TO YOU, and my free "bowl of symbols" divination game where you pick a random symbol…
Awakened Wombs
Somatic therapy · Chiropractic alignment
Free pelvic and spine screenings throughout the event.
Not included with your ticketOptional 20-minute womb care session, $40
Common Sense Astrology, LLC by Readings by Beth W.
Astrology readings
Whole body, client-centric astrology readings
CuraVida Bodywork
Massage therapy · Sound healing · Herbal energy cleansing
Table massage and copal limpias, rotating throughout the event with sound healing on crystal singing bowls.
Dharma Wellness Center
Massage therapy · Somatic therapy · Sound healing · Astrology readings · Breathwork · Ayurveda
Hila will be offering mini Dosha reading, a simple introduction to your unique Ayurvedic constitution and the elements that influence your natural rhythms and well-being. She will also have a curated collection of…
Dr. Kori's Dispensary
Reiki · Herbal energy cleansing
In the spirit of Desert Magic, explore the wisdom of your body through muscle testing and more than 200 gem and flower essences, intuitively selected to support energetic flow and balance across body, mind, and…
Ease Bodywork and Coaching
Massage therapy · Somatic therapy · Spinal Flow
SpinalFlow is a soothing, gentle hands-on experience that uses light touch around the spine to help you feel more relaxed and “unwound.” You’ll stay fully clothed, lying comfortably while the practitioner guides slow,…
Emma Vasseur Wellbeing Coach & Evolutionary Astrologer
Astrology readings
Just as every desert plant evolved to thrive where it is, we each carry patterns that shaped us, and openings to grow beyond them. A 10 to 15 minute Soul Pattern Reading uses your birth date, time and place to surface one theme you're working with now.
Healing Spirit Soaks
Massage therapy · Sound healing · Herbal energy cleansing · Guided tea meditation
Mini Healing Retreat Experience Step away from the energy of the market and into a peaceful sanctuary designed to restore your mind, body, and spirit. Our 20-minute Mini Healing Retreat offers a calming, immersive…
Heart Nectar
Reiki · Somatic therapy · Sound healing · Cacao ceremony · Breathwork
Take a few moments to pause, breathe, and come back to yourself. Marie of Heart Nectar will be offering short breathwork sessions to help the community release tension, calm the mind, and feel more centered.
Inner Bliss Energetics
Reiki · Sound healing · Human design readings
Feeling tired, burned out, or directionless? Come cozy up with Jamie of Inner Bliss Energetics. Whether you're curious how you make decisions and use your energy, or want to be held through Reiki or sound, her space is a moment of calm. ✨
Jessi Kyte Bodywork
Massage therapy
15-minute hand massage.
Medicine Within
Herbal energy cleansing
A sacred spiritual bath, or herbal cleansing. As a group you are gently sprinkled with water infused with the essence of each plant, carrying an intention for your highest good. Expect aromatic desert plants in the air and a cooling sensation in the heat.
Monsoon Mystics
Aura photography
A unique reading of your aura energy field. Learn about your aura color spectrum. Our Aura system provides a one of a kind snapshot; including a chakra chart, color guides and a deep dive into the unique map that is your Aura.
Moroso Medical Center
I will offer a variety of hands-on wellness experiences designed to introduce participants to natural health practices in an approachable and engaging way. Planned offerings include mini acupuncture treatments, herbal…
Readings by Zev
Clairvoyant reading and healing
Short-form, single-question clairvoyant readings, each ending with a healing. Zev trained at Psychic Horizons in San Francisco and has offered readings and meditation training since 2009.
Rosa 🌹Dragona 🐲
Ambient music medicine
Dr. Bangoura is an integrative family medicine physician practicing in Tucson since 2008. She offers full spectrum family medicine services at Tucson Family Medicine since 2012. Over the last two decades, she has…
Sonoran Rosie & Arizona Poppy
Herbal salve demo
Sonoran Rosie creates herbal skincare, self care and haircare out of sustainably foraged desert plants like creosote bush & prickly pear cactus. Rosie is the owner of the local gift shop Arizona Poppy that offers…
Sugar Me Love Aesthetics & Wellness
Naturopathic medicine and Bowen Therapy
Tastings of herbal remedies (Teas & Tinctures) with recipe cards to make at home blends.
The Gathering Point Community Acupuncture
Acupuncture · Auriculotherapy
I will offer information about acupuncture and my clinic. I will also do auricular ear seeds for those interested. I will have a box of needles with me and can do demos on what acupuncture feels like for those who have never tried it.
The Healing Hub
Somatic therapy · Sound healing · Crystals and jewelry
At our station, guests will be able to explore a curated selection of jewelry and crystals, learn more about the different pieces, and enjoy a relaxing sound bath experience featuring crystal singing bowls and other resonant instruments.
The Somatic Sound
Massage therapy · Somatic therapy · Sound healing · 13 Moon Calendar Readings
I will be offering Vocal Sound Healings with a guided meditative journey and somatic touch.
Toe-Rific Touch Reflexology
Reflexology
I'll be offering mini-reflexology sessions: ten to thirty minutes, whatever you desire.
Not included with your ticketBy donation, no one turned away
Building something for the lineup? Get notified when applications open
Music & sound
Live music, sound healing, and guided somatic experiences as the light goes down.
Ambient music from:
- Tucson Modern Jazz Quartet
- Rosa 🌹 Dragona 🐲
- LaDev 🌟
Event map
Search any chef, practitioner or maker by name and the map moves to them — plus restrooms, the bar, check-in and both stages.
Know before you go
- Where
- Tohono Chul · 7366 N Paseo Del Norte, Tucson, AZ 85704
Get directions - When
- Saturday, August 29, 2026 · 5–10 PM MST
- Accessibility
Stations are spread through the gardens along lit, unpaved desert pathways after sunset.
With our partners
Tohono Chul · Salus