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Things To Do in Tucson: Foodie Events (May 2025)

(Photo of Darth Vader by Otto Rascon)

Things To Do in Tucson: Foodie Events (May 2025)

May 2, 20254 min read

There’s a heck of a lot of new things to do! Here are some of this month’s highlights. You can also check out our Events section on the website to see what’s going on any day of the week.

Tucson Crawfish Festival

Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3
3201 E. Presidio Rd.

Bring the whole family and join for a fun, relaxed evening full of great food, good music, and awesome company! Enjoy tasty crawfish, mussels, and shrimp with flavorful Cajun seasoning. Prefer something comforting? There will be a variety of authentic Vietnamese dishes that the whole family will love. From boba tea to cold sodas (and even a beer or two for the grown-ups), there’s drinks for everyone.

Learn more.

Antsy Nancy’s Summer Camp

Enroll Now for June and July Classes
5655 E. River Rd., #101
Antsy Nancy (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Heidi Yribar, the creative mind behind the DIY workshops, announced this year’s Summer Camps — six weeks of fun and creativity. There’s going to be cake decorating, French baking, a spa week, breakfast baking, arts and crafts, and “baking around the world” classes.

Learn more.

Kids and Teens Summer Cooking Camp in Tucson

Enrollment for classes from Monday, June 2 to Monday, July 28
1060 W. Magee Rd.
Kids and Teens Cooking Camp (Photo by Kampus Production)
Kids and Teens Cooking Camp (Photo by Kampus Production)

From Monday, June 2 to Monday, July 28, parents can enroll their kids in hands-on sessions, giving young chefs a chance to suit up in their very own chef’s hat (which they’ll get to decorate and keep). They’ll also build a recipe book throughout the week and earn a certificate at the end to show off what they’ve learned.

Each camp session is five days, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. each day, for kids between the ages of 11 and 18 years old.

Learn more.

‘May the 4th’ Events (Star Wars Day)

Sunday, May 4
Multiple Locations
(Photo by Otto Rascon)
(Photo by Otto Rascon)

This year, a few local restaurants and bars are teaming up on the holiday to bring you Star Wars deals and space-themed parties on Sunday, May 4. So, whether you’re an Ewok, a Wookiee, or just really, really hungry, you can expect to find themed environments, prizes, drink specials, and more.

Learn more.

Cinco de Mayo Specials

Friday, May 2 to Monday, May 5
Multiple Locations
Elote nachos (Photo courtesy of Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar)
Elote nachos (Photo courtesy of Redbird Scratch Kitchen + Bar)

The holiday has become widely celebrated here in the U.S., making for a fun time at bars and restaurants around Tucson. Similar to previous years, there’s plenty of food, beer, margaritas, and good old-fashioned fun happening on Monday, May 5.

HEADS UP: Cinco de Mayo is on a Monday, so many of the following events are happening during the weekend.

Learn more.

Screwbean Brewing’s Second Anniversary

Saturday, May 10
103 N. Park Ave.

“We’re turning up the desert heat for our Anniversary Party on May 10th! Two brand new beers dropping, live music, and drink specials all weekend long!”

Learn more.

Mother’s Day Brunch, Dinner, and Events

Sunday, May 11
Multiple Locations
Mother's Day (Photo by George Dolgikh)
Mother’s Day (Photo by George Dolgikh)

It’s a well-known fact that the way to the heart is through her stomach (my mom may have told me that). This Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 11), show your mom some love with a special meal at one of Tucson’s best restaurants.

Learn more.

Pizza Throwdown and Dessert Duel

Saturday, May 17
3011 E. Speedway Blvd.

Throughout the event, you’ll be able to sample unlimited slices and desserts, and then vote to crown this year’s “Pizza Throwdown Champion” and “Dessert Duel Winner.” To complement the food, Barrio Brewing will be on-site, pouring a curated selection of local brews.

Learn more.

Haiku Hike

(now until June 1)
Downtown Tucson
Haiku Hike (JJ Snyder Photography for Downtown Tucson Partnership)

The annual Haiku Hike, presented by the Downtown Tucson Partnership (DTP) and the University of Arizona Poetry Center, is a literary competition showcasing 20 winning haiku poems printed on acrylic signage in planters located on Congress Street and Stone Avenue.

Learn more.

Cinnaholic’s First Anniversary

Monday, May 19
245 S. Wilmot Rd. Suite 135

“Monday, May 19th marks Cinnaholic Tucson’s first anniversary! Cinnaholic invites the community to celebrate on 5/19 with BOGO cinnamon rolls all day long!”

Learn more.

Meet the Chefs 2025

Sunday, May 18
1100 W. Pima Mine Rd.

Tucson’s finest restaurants and chefs will gather at the Diamond Center at Desert Diamond Casino – Sahuarita on Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM, to showcase their culinary talents, sample their dishes, and compete for a spot in the 2025 Iron Chef Tucson competition.

The evening will feature top chefs from the Tucson Metro area as they present their signature dishes to attendees and compete for the Meet the Chefs Winner title. The winner will advance to the 17th Annual Iron Chef Tucson on July 26, 2025, where they will challenge reigning Iron Chef Anthony Dromgoole of Obon Sushi & Ramen Bar.

Learn more.

Discover more things to do in Tucson.

Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.

He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.

If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.

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ESPRESSO MARTINI SOFT SERVE IS HERE😍

Starting TODAY, Oct. 3, you can try the new flavor at @sisterstucson!

🌞Made with @yellowbrickcoffee
📍800 N Country Club Rd

Margarita and Piña Colada soft serve are also available. Which one are you picking?

21+ESPRESSO MARTINI SOFT SERVE IS HERE😍 Starting TODAY, Oct. 3, you can try the new flavor at @sisterstucson! 🌞Made with @yellowbrickcoffee 📍800 N Country Club Rd Margarita and Piña Colada soft serve are also available. Which one are you picking? 21+
Tucson Meet Yourself is back! The 53rd annual festival runs Oct. 16-18 in downtown Tucson, free and open to everyone, with about 50 food vendors representing cultures from across Southern Arizona and well beyond.🎉

Visit tucsonfoodie.com for the vendor list + more detailsTucson Meet Yourself is back! The 53rd annual festival runs Oct. 16-18 in downtown Tucson, free and open to everyone, with about 50 food vendors representing cultures from across Southern Arizona and well beyond.🎉 Visit tucsonfoodie.com for the vendor list + more details
Here’s a look back at what the Tucson Foodie team enjoyed during September!

Not only are these reminders of the dishes we ate, but they can also be a guide for your own decisions on what to eat here in Tucson.❤️

- @Addiewankenobi: Mesquite Half Chicken and soup @sawmillrun, French Toast @sunshine_wine_tucson, Steak & Tacos @asadataqueria, Wild Game Trio @corktucson 

- @Thebigdaneenergy: Bulgogi Beef Pizza @sisterstucson, Nom Nom Balls @uncorked_bar, Chipotle Braised Short Rib @tubacgolfresortandspa, Taste of Havana Main Course and Summer Heritage Bean Salad @mojocubankitchen 

- @Deathfreefoodie: Vegan bean pupusas @asaditoszulmyta, Vegan buffet @delcielotamal 

- @Jackie_tran_: @odddogshotdogs, @bisouburger, Catering order of canelés and cream puffs @okashi_ice_cream_confections, Kale Salad @timemarket 

- @Shanereiser: Molcajete @ameliastucson 

More on Tucsonfoodie.comHere’s a look back at what the Tucson Foodie team enjoyed during September! Not only are these reminders of the dishes we ate, but they can also be a guide for your own decisions on what to eat here in Tucson.❤️ - @Addiewankenobi: Mesquite Half Chicken and soup @sawmillrun, French Toast @sunshine_wine_tucson, Steak & Tacos @asadataqueria, Wild Game Trio @corktucson - @Thebigdaneenergy: Bulgogi Beef Pizza @sisterstucson, Nom Nom Balls @uncorked_bar, Chipotle Braised Short Rib @tubacgolfresortandspa, Taste of Havana Main Course and Summer Heritage Bean Salad @mojocubankitchen - @Deathfreefoodie: Vegan bean pupusas @asaditoszulmyta, Vegan buffet @delcielotamal - @Jackie_tran_: @odddogshotdogs, @bisouburger, Catering order of canelés and cream puffs @okashi_ice_cream_confections, Kale Salad @timemarket - @Shanereiser: Molcajete @ameliastucson More on Tucsonfoodie.com
@Pueblovida is closing its original downtown taproom this fall, 12 years after opening, and moving next door to a larger space at 121 E. Broadway Blvd.

The new taproom will seat 100+ guests and feature 14 taps, a curated wine program and, for the first time, a restaurant. Chef Scott Girod of @Anello_pizzeria will open a new restaurant in the shared space, expected to follow the taproom’s late fall 2026 opening in early 2027.

“This taproom has always been more than four walls. It’s where we’ve celebrated milestones, introduced hundreds of new beers, watched friendships grow and built a community we’re incredibly grateful for. While we’re excited about what’s next, it’s impossible not to feel sentimental about saying goodbye to the place where it all happened.” — @Pueblovida Co-founder Linette Antillon 

Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com@Pueblovida is closing its original downtown taproom this fall, 12 years after opening, and moving next door to a larger space at 121 E. Broadway Blvd. The new taproom will seat 100+ guests and feature 14 taps, a curated wine program and, for the first time, a restaurant. Chef Scott Girod of @Anello_pizzeria will open a new restaurant in the shared space, expected to follow the taproom’s late fall 2026 opening in early 2027. “This taproom has always been more than four walls. It’s where we’ve celebrated milestones, introduced hundreds of new beers, watched friendships grow and built a community we’re incredibly grateful for. While we’re excited about what’s next, it’s impossible not to feel sentimental about saying goodbye to the place where it all happened.” — @Pueblovida Co-founder Linette Antillon Read the article on Tucsonfoodie.com