Arizona Festivals and Events: Dated Calendar for 2026-2027

Arizona's big events follow the weather. In the desert south and in Lake Havasu City they cluster in winter and spring, and in Flagstaff and on the Navajo Nation in summer and early autumn. This guide lists only recurring events with an organiser page, with the next dates the organiser has published as of November 6, 2026. If an organiser hasn't announced next year's dates, the guide says so.

Calendar at a glance

Winter in the south and west

Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. The nonprofit Tucson Gem and Mineral Society runs this show, which it calls the most admired gem and mineral show in the world. It says the show has had international stature since the 1970s. The 2027 show is at the Tucson Convention Center:

• Dates and hours: Thursday February 11 to Saturday February 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday February 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Tickets: $15, including a $1 convention-centre ticket tax, or $26 for a two-day ticket. Children 14 and under enter free with a paying adult.
• Discount day: Friday February 12 is Military and Senior Day, with $2 off for active and retired military and people 62 and over.

Tucson Rodeo, La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Founded in 1925, the rodeo runs for nine days each February. Its organisers call it the largest outdoor winter rodeo, with PRCA and WPRA athletes competing. The 2027 dates are February 20–28. Gates open at 10 a.m. on rodeo days. The organisers say you'll be in direct sun for several hours unless you are in a VIP area. They suggest coming early, since events start well before the 2 p.m. pro rodeo, and say drinks can't be taken to the parking lot.

Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair. Lake Havasu City's tourism bureau calls it one of the city's signature winter events. The 2027 festival runs January 21–24 and is the 16th. Balloons launch from the festival field and around town, flying over the Bridgewater Channel and the London Bridge. The tourism bureau lists the venue as Windsor 4 at Lake Havasu State Park. For questions, the festival store answers on 928-505-2440, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Friday.

Fiesta de Tumacácori. NPS has held it every year on the first full weekend of December for more than 40 years. It celebrates the cultures of the Santa Cruz Valley with about fifty food and craft booths, live music and family activities, and it is free. Parking is very limited, and most people end up parking along the Frontage Road. Pets are not allowed on the fiesta or mission grounds.

Summer and autumn in the north

Heritage Festival of Arts and Culture, Museum of Northern Arizona. This festival honours the Native traditions of the Colorado Plateau, with Indigenous artists selling their own work, dances and music. In 2026 it ran June 26–28, with the art market open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum has not yet posted 2027 dates.

Navajo Nation Fair, Window Rock. Navajo Tourism calls it the largest American Indian fair in the United States, held in the first week of September. It includes an All-Indian Rodeo, a contest powwow, Navajo song and dance, the Miss Navajo Nation pageant and a parade. The 2026 fair ran September 8–13. Navajo Tourism advises arriving very early on parade morning, because Highway 264 fills up with spectators. Window Rock runs on Navajo Nation time, which follows daylight saving.

Flagstaff Festival of Science. Held every September, this 10-day festival offers more than 100 free science activities for all ages.

Route 66 at 100. Route 66 turns 100 on November 11, 2026, and the Museum of Northern Arizona is marking the anniversary with a talk by the travel writer Roger Naylor. Kingman, which calls itself the "Heart of Historic Route 66," has its own centennial programme.

Autumn in Phoenix, Tucson and Tombstone

Arizona State Fair. The 2026 fair runs October 1 to November 1 at the State Fairgrounds in Phoenix, open Thursdays to Sundays, under the theme "A State of Wonder." The fair's own site was blocked when we checked, so these details come from two news reports quoting it (ABC15 and Copper Courier). Check azstatefair.com for 2027.

Tucson Meet Yourself. Held since 1974, the festival brings the food, music, dance and crafts of southern Arizona's cultures to downtown Tucson. It is free and outdoors. UNESCO's page on Tucson says it draws more than 100,000 people a year. The 2026 festival ran October 16–18.

Helldorado Days, Tombstone. The City of Tombstone's events site says Helldorado is held on the third Friday, Saturday and Sunday of every October. It has gunfight re-enactments, street entertainment, fashion shows and food and craft vendors, and the city lists it as free. The 2026 event ran October 16–18, so the next is due October 15–17, 2027. Tombstone's Christmas Ball, at historic Schieffelin Hall, is on December 12, 2026.

Planning tips

• Book rooms early if you plan to visit Tucson in Gem Show or Rodeo week, or Lake Havasu City on Balloon Festival weekend.
• Bring sun protection. It is needed even at winter events. The rodeo warns of "a heat wave with 100 degree temps" in some Februaries.
• Respect Native events. At tribal fairs and festivals, ask before photographing people. The Navajo Nation requires permission, and the Hopi ban all recording around their villages.
• Check the date close to the event. Organisers can change dates, especially for 2027 events not yet announced.

Details checked November 6, 2026.