For those of us who are familiar with Southern Arizona, Fall is one of the most anticipated times of the year. The weather is finally cooling off while the events calendar is heating up. Whether you live here year-round or are returning for the Fall and Winter, there’s always something fun to do with family and friends.

1. Fall means football. Sundays spent with the NFL and chilly mornings spent taking kids to practice. While we have the Cardinals based up north, Tucson is a college football town. We have a ton of pride in the University of Arizona and this is fully on display at U of A football games. You’ll see seas of blue and red and hear familiar chants and songs that you’ll pick up whether you went to the U of A or not. Watch the Wildcats take on the University of Oregon on October 8th. For more games, check out the full schedule.
2. For indoor entertainment, look no further than the live theaters in Tucson. The Arizona Theater Company is a local favorite with a varied, interesting season of plays. They start the 2022/23 season with a one-man show about a father/son relationship and head into the holiday season with a comedy set in Jane Austen’s world of Pride and Prejudice. Head to their website to buy tickets and to check out the full schedule. For traditional musicals and opera, Centennial Hall is the place for you. Broadway in Tucson brings back a classic this fall with Cats. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical is a favorite amongst theater fans young and old. Experience the music and unparalleled costumes with the whole family!
3. Few things say “Fall is here” more than a trip to the pumpkin patch. The Marana Fall Festival is a fun-for-all-ages Fall extravaganza. There are rides, food, and pumpkins galore. With more than 50 acres of pumpkins, there’s something for everyone to harvest. Find your favorite pumpkin, take a walk through the corn, and hop on the train to get the full scope of the farms. Grab the family and enjoy a day at the patch.
4. Southern Arizona is wine country and in Autumn, the wine season is in full swing! Take a tour of the best vineyards in the area in Willcox, Sonoita, and Patagonia. What a great day out with friends and the perfect way to explore the gorgeous wine country of Arizona. There are several vineyard tour companies in the area that will take you door to door. Enjoy the wineries with friends and don’t worry about indulging in the wine tastings!
5. Tucson Meet Yourself is also affectionately known as “Tucson Eat Yourself.” This annual festival is a celebration of local food, artisans, and performers. Experience the incredible variety of cultures and people who call Southern Arizona home. Be sure to sample as many of the incredible foods as you can. This year the festival is going green by filling up water bottles for free. By reducing plastic use and waste, they hope to keep the desert beautiful by reducing the impact of the festival. 
6. Are you a car lover? The Tucson Classic Car Show is a great family event that’s for a good cause! The Rotary Club of Tucson puts on this celebration of classic cars to support Pima JTED. Entry tickets double as raffle entries to win a 2015 Corvette! Enjoy a day out with some beautiful cars, food, and other vendors.
7. It’s almost time for Halloween! You may have heard that the Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee is haunted but what about Mile High Ranch? Some say that the abandoned miner’s cabin on the property is just quiet…but some swear it’s haunted. The property boasts a haunted house, and special effects. While the event is free, they accept donations for the Bisbee High School Drama Club! Bring your lawn chairs and the whole family for a spooky, scary Halloween spectacular!
8. There are several artisan markets to attend and you don’t have to pick just one! Enjoy the cooler (fingers crossed) Fall weather at the Oro Valley Fall Artisan Market. Get a jump on holiday gift shopping at the artisan stalls or find the perfect painting, trinket, or jewelry for yourself. Don’t miss the live performances and food trucks! Find the best of Tucson’s local artists at the La Encantada Fine Art Festival. Find paintings and photography, as well as jewelry, trinkets, and Sonoran Desert-inspired art.
9. For all your trend-watching and home improvement needs, look no further than the SAHBA Home and Garden Show. Check out all the vendors and get information about businesses that you never knew you never knew. 
   • Find products and information for indoors and outdoors:
     • Pools and spas
     • Garage, driveway, and storage
     • Grass, garden, and landscaping
     • Food preparation and kitchen storage
     • Windows, screens, and window treatments
     • Gadgets and other household hacks
     • Crafts and gifts such as towels, sheets, candles, and lotions
     • Grills and cooking instruments
     • Food such as wine, spices, and flavored oils
10. The Reid Park Zoo is encouraging everyone to slow down as they prepare to open a new Sloth Habitat! To support the exhibit, this year’s ZOOcson Gala has the theme, “Slow Down and Party.”  The gala will feature live music, auctions, animal presentations, and food from some of Tucson’s favorite restaurants. Support the zoo and experience a one-of-a-kind, wild night out at the 2022 ZOOcson Gala