Photos: Tucson’s Día de San Juan Fiesta Celebrates Tradition Amidst a Touch of Rain

On June 24, Tucson celebrated the annual San Juan Fiesta, honoring the patron saint of water and inviting the summer rains. This year, just hours before the festivities began, the monsoon graced the valley with a few drops, although rainfall was far from certain.

Pima County Supervisor Andrés Cano remarked, “I’m told that we got a little bit of rain today, and so that legacy continues.” The event, now in its 27th year, took place at Mission Garden, basking in the glow of sunset at the foot of Sentinel Peak.

Chairman Austin Nuñez of the Tohono O’odham Nation initiated the ceremony with a prayer, combining water from the Santa Cruz River with holy water blessed by Father Marcos Velásquez. Tucson Mayor Regina Romero addressed the crowd of around 100 attendees, emphasizing the significance of water.

“The blessing of the water during el Día de San Juan is a powerful symbol of the renewal of life,” she stated, marking not just the onset of monsoon season but also the shared history and essential role of water in the community.

Adding a unique twist, City Councilmember Lane Santa Cruz read from Carole Lindstrom’s book “We Are Water Protectors,” telling the story of a young girl defending her people’s water source from harm. Following the speeches and blessings, the evening transitioned to festivities, with children excitedly breaking a piñata and Mariachi Luz de Luna filling the air with lively music after sunset.

Reflecting on the significance of the celebration, Santa Cruz remarked, “El Día de San Juan reminds us that monsoon season is more than just a shift in the weather. It’s a ceremony—a time to pause, give thanks, and remember our place within the earth’s cycles.”

Above Mount Lemmon, cotton-like cumulus clouds began to form, signaling that summer rains were on the horizon. The community of Tucson stands ready for the seasonal shift, embracing both tradition and nature.