Cool Nights, Hot Spots: Discover Tucson’s Top After-Dark Attractions & Events

The scorching summer heat in Tucson isn’t deterring the city’s top attractions from extending their hours. Here’s a roundup of places you can visit this season:

Mission Garden (946 W. Mission Ln.) is organizing Summer Sunsets every third Thursday of the month from 6-9 p.m. Visitors can enjoy games, live music, and a variety of food truck offerings.

The Children’s Museum Tucson (200 S. 6th Ave.) hosts Discovery Nights every Thursday from 5-7 p.m. On July 11, children can create a sun catcher using contact paper and pressed flowers and leaves.

The Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium at the University of Arizona (1601 E. University Blvd.) presents Science at Sunset: Into the Past with JWST on Friday, July 12, from 6-9 p.m. The event will celebrate the James Webb Space Telescope, featuring a talk from Dr. Kevin Hainline, planetarium shows, special activities, and telescope stargazing.

Tohono Chul (7366 N. Paseo del Norte) invites visitors to Chill at the Chul every Friday and Saturday until August 31 from 6-9 p.m. On Friday, July 12, Erik Grillo will perform live music. Saturdays offer games organized in collaboration with the Children’s Museum Tucson. This spot is cooler by about 10 degrees under the garden’s trees.

The Pima Air and Space Museum (6000 E. Valencia Rd.) will hold Night Wings on Saturday, July 13 and Saturday, July 27 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Astronomy Night will be the theme on July 13, while Photography Art Night will be featured on July 27. These evenings will offer aircraft exploration and special activities for children.

In addition, the Children’s Museum Tucson holds Art After Dark from 5:30-7:30 p.m. every second Saturday of the month. On Saturday, July 13, the Drawing Studio will be the featured guest, offering art-based play for kids.

The Reid Park Zoo (3400 Zoo Court) continues its Summer Safari Nights every Saturday until August 10. Reptiles take the spotlight on Saturday, July 13, with live music by Mamma Coal. The zoo remains open until 8 p.m., featuring keeper chats, animal encounters, giraffe feedings, carousel rides, and games. Children can enjoy face painting and glitter tattoos, while adults can savor dinner and drinks at the Flamingo Grill restaurant, with live music adding to the ambiance.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (2021 N. Kinney Rd.) offers Cool Summer Nights every Saturday until August 24. On Saturday, July 13, the event is branded as Caturday Night Live. Bring a flashlight to explore the museum grounds until 9 p.m., which boasts an aquarium, animal exhibits, a gallery, gift shop, and a restaurant.

Night tours with Sabino Canyon Crawler (5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd.) are available every Saturday evening from 7:30 p.m. through October.

Watershed Management Group (1137 N. Dodge Blvd.) hosts Family Saturdays every third Saturday of the month from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, July 20, is Monsoon Night, featuring monsoon-oriented activities, song, and story time in both English and Spanish, as well as information about the Santa Cruz River. Online registration is required.

Lastly, the Happy Hive Market (2727 W. Club Dr.) will show “Star Wars: A New Hope” during Movies on the Lawn every second Sunday of the month from 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, July 14, the event includes lawn games, a bounce house, food, drinks, and more, with every ticket accompanied by a BBQ meal.