Discover Tucson’s Earth Day Festivities: Join the Community Celebration!

Earth Day festivities are set to kick off early in Tucson, with a series of family-friendly events planned from April 18 to April 27. This celebration aims to engage the community in environmental awareness and activities.

The Arizona State Parks will host various events across several parks. Catalina State Park will feature a Star Party on April 18, offering attendees the chance to use telescopes provided by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association to explore the night sky. Additional Earth Day events will be held on April 19 at Red Rock State Park and April 22 at Lyman Lake State Park, both starting at 10 a.m. These gatherings will include hikes, hands-on crafts, and educational talks.

On April 19, the Children’s Museum Tucson will hold an Earth Day Festival from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will expand beyond museum grounds to include activities on 6th Avenue and Armory Park. Over 40 exhibitors will present topics ranging from gardening to recycling, with organizations like the Flandrau Science Center and Saguaro National Park participating. The festival will also feature minor bike repairs from Living Streets Alliance, encouraging attendees to cycle to the event. Four food trucks will be available to offer a variety of culinary options, and admission is based on a pay-what-you-will model.

Also on April 19, Tucson Botanical Gardens will host an Earth Day Celebration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission grants access to activities designed for children, including scavenger hunts and arts and crafts. The event will also feature docent-led tours focusing on the Gardens’ sustainability efforts. In addition to these activities, live performances will enhance the atmosphere, including a meditation session and music from a local Balinese gamelan orchestra. Ticket prices vary from $10 to $19 depending on age and status.

For those looking to cultivate green skills at home, the Pima County Public Library offers open-pollinated and heirloom seeds for borrowing at no cost. This initiative allows residents to start indoor herb gardens that can thrive year-round.

Community involvement is further encouraged through Tucson Clean & Beautiful, which is organizing three events to commemorate Earth Day. These include a Ward 2 Wash Clean Up on April 18 at 8 a.m., a Pop Up Clean Up and Volunteer Appreciation event at Reid Park on April 19 at 8 a.m., and a planting day at Fort Lowell Park on April 22 at 8 a.m. Participants can RSVP via the Tucson Clean & Beautiful website.