Marana is the place to be in Southern Arizona for all things fall!
Marana's Top Annual Events
Will you be attending some of Marana's top events this year?
Well-known for outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, and golf, Marana also offers a calendar full of exciting festivals and events! These top events are great to plan your trip to Marana around, and there’s something to enjoy for every season.
Desert Bluegrass Festival
In early March, some of the best Bluegrass musicians and most passionate fans in the southwest come to Marana for a weekend-long celebration. Enjoy Bluegrass music performances, instrument and songwriting workshops, a band scramble, jamming sessions, crafts, kids’ activities, and local food. Friday afternoon at the festival is always free, and you can camp at the festival grounds for the weekend.
Founders' Day Parade & Festivities
Celebrate Marana’s birthday on the third Saturday of March at the Marana Founders’ Day Parade & Festivities in Downtown Marana! The day kicks off with “The Biggest Little Parade in Arizona” down Marana Main Street and Civic Center Drive, and then features an entire day of live music and dance performances, local food trucks, historical exhibitions, inflatables and other kids’ activities, a car show, and more, all celebrating the culture and heritage of Marana.
Star-Spangled Spectacular -- July 4, 2026
Celebrate the 4th of July at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park! In the late afternoon and evening, enjoy live music from local bands, fun kids’ activities including the park’s splash pad, a car show, over 30 local food trucks, and more. It’s all capped off by the largest fireworks display in Southern Arizona, which starts at 9 PM. Bring your lawn chairs and celebrate America’s birthday with your family, friends, and neighbors.
Southeast Arizona Birding Festival
Southern Arizona is one of the top locations for birding in the United States, owing to its location at the intersection of several bird migration routes. Every August, the Tucson Bird Alliance (formerly the Tucson Audubon Society) hosts the Southeast Arizona Birding Festival, with four days of expert-guided field trips, workshops, demonstrations, an expo, and many more things related to the birding hobby.
One of the locations visited is Marana’s El Rio Preserve, an oasis along the Santa Cruz River, whose lush, green, wetland environment supports 260 species of birds.
Dine & Discover
Each summer we team up with the Marana Chamber of Commerce for a rewarding challenge called Dine & Discover Marana. Locals and visitors are challenged to eat at four eateries, coffee shops, or food trucks to get custom Marana merch! It’s a fun way to support local and find new spots to dine!
Nighttime is the Best Time
Major attractions in the area like the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Old Tucson, and the Reid Park Zoo offer evening events for families. It’s a great way to get outside during those cool summer hours. Plus, the reduced rates at local resorts and hotels can’t be beat! Watch our events calendar for more information and make Marana your home base for fun!
Marana Fall Festival -- October 16, 2026
Enjoy an evening on the farm at Marana Heritage River Park in mid-October! There will be carnival rides, live music, a sunflower field, dozens of food trucks and vendors, an arts & crafts market, rodeo demonstrations, a beer garden, spooky Halloween activities, and a family movie as part of the Movies in Marana series. Don’t miss the Mutton Bustin’ competition! It’s all a big celebration of Marana’s agricultural past and present.
Marana Pumpkin Patch -- Generally Opens in early October
Nothing says “fall” quite like a trip to the pumpkin patch! Spend a day on the farm with activities for the whole family, including the quarter-scale diesel train ride, bakery & restaurant, pedal tractors, jumping pillows, a themed corn maze, pig races, petting zoo, and of course, hunting for the perfect pumpkin! Enjoy a zipline, rock wall, pumpkin/apple cannons, and a paintball shooting gallery for a small extra charge.
Terror in the Corn -- Generally Opens in early October
Southern Arizona’s scariest attraction is right here in Marana! Brave a variety of “haunts” and Halloween fun including zombie paintball, axe-throwing, and an escape room, all connected by a totally-immersive and totally-terrifying cornfield. When darkness falls and the moon comes out, so do the screams and surrounding terror!
Nightfall at Old Tucson -- Generally Opens in early October
A haunted house meets an old western town at Nightfall at Old Tucson! Experience 20+ acres of terrifying haunts, mazes, scare zones, magic shows, musical theater performances and stunt shows that are equal parts hilarious and terrifying, family-friendly attractions, and delicious food and drink.
Black Friday Shopping
If shopping on Black Friday is a holiday tradition in your family, then you’ll want to check out the expansive outdoor shopping bliss at the Tucson Premium Outlets at Marana Center. The Tucson Premium Outlets bring designer brands and deep savings to Marana. In addition to the savings on the top brands, you can also grab a bite to eat at the Market Hall and enjoy the outdoor areas with plenty of shade, seating, a kids’ play area, nursing lounges, and device charging stations.
Marana Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting -- December 5, 2026
Make the holidays magical in and around Marana with a variety of holiday events! On the first Saturday in December, Marana kicks off the holiday season with its annual Holiday Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting at the Ed Honea Marana Municipal Complex in Downtown Marana. The family-friendly festival features festive music and dance performances from local groups, a meet-and-greet and free photos with Santa, a local craft market, and dozens of local food trucks. The highlight of the show is the lighting on the 45-foot-tall Town Christmas Tree, the largest municipal tree in Arizona! The tree and over 150,000 lights in the surrounding landscape are synchronized to holiday music, in a show that continues nightly throughout December.
Guided Hikes & Rides
Marana is home to an amazing trails system that is perfect for hikers, bikers, and those who like to take in the vistas with their equine companions.
Explore the spectacular Tortolita Mountains on a guided hike with Marana Parks and Recreations knowledgeable and safety-conscious guides. Their guides will lead participants along well maintained trails while talking about the unique features and creatures of the Sonoran Desert. For a full list of opportunities you can check out our events page.
Fourth Ave Winter Street Fair
The Fourth Avenue Street Fair is a Tucson tradition bringing in artisans from all over the world. Uncover an array of handmade items from over 350 artists and craftsmen. Enjoy a lively atmosphere with talented performers, delectable bites, local vendors, and eye-catching art. The event also happens in the spring!