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Critters at Mission Garden, an art festival and a birthday bash for our favorite desert city — you don't have to break the bank to enjoy local events in Tucson.

Here are 30 events that are free to attend this August.

Chillin at the Chul

Check out music, spirits and bites at Tohono Chul's summer series. On Saturdays, Tohono Chul has partnered with Children's Museum Oro Valley to provide family-friendly nature play.

When: 5-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 2

Where: Tohono Chul, 

Cost: Free to attend

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Free Film Fridays

Catch a poolside movie every Friday at Hotel McCoy! Upcoming movies include "Black Panther," "The Lorax," "The Breakfast Club" and "Sixteen Candles."

When: 8-10 p.m. Fridays

Where: Hotel McCoy, 

Cost: Free to attend and open to the public. Swimming is for hotel guests only, but day passes for the pool are available for $20.

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Art Corner with BICAS

Get free access to recycled bike art parts, tools and other materials and get creative! Once you're finished, you can donate your creation to BICAS or give a suggested donation to the nonprofit, if you're able to. Check in at the front counter before heading to the art area.

When: 4-6 p.m. Fridays

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Cost: Free to attend, donation suggested 

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Arizona Artfest

Hotel McCoy is transforming 15 of its rooms into tiny venues for comedy shows, fashion shows, live mural painting, concerts, a photography studio, karaoke and a silent disco. There will be food trucks, a drop-in paint experience, poolside music and a vendor market.

When: 4-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5

Where: Hotel McCoy, 

Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food and shopping. Onsite parking is for hotel guests only, but a free shuttle is available to and from the event. 

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Summer Night Fest

Moe Moe Pop-up, which organizes anime-themed events in Tucson, is hosting Summer Night Fest featuring a scavenger hunt, vendors, a cosplay contest and a DJ.

When: 5-9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6

Where: Tea Hub, 

Cost: Free to attend, bring money for shopping and tea

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Southeast Arizona Birding Festival

This birding festival, organized by Tucson Audubon Society, is hosting a big roster of activities including field trips, workshops and presentations throughout Southeast Arizona.

When: Aug. 9-13

Where: Locations across Southeast Arizona

Cost: Many events are free with registration. Field trips range in price.

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Solutions Focused Community Book Club

Journalist Caitlin Schmidt is teaming up with Tucson Tome Gnome and the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona for a solutions-focused community book club centered around "The Reading List" by Sara Nisha Adams. "This book club aims to bring together interested community members from all walks of life to bond over a shared desire to make our community better for all," organizers say.

When: 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9

Where: Community Foundation Campus, 

Cost: Free to attend. RSVP online.

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Discovery Nights at Children's Museum Tucson

Visit Children's Museum Tucson for a free night of science and art, including story times and pop-up science experiments. 

When: 5-7 p.m. Thursdays

Where: Children's Museum Tucson, 

Cost: Free to attend

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Gardening Hour

Learn about gardening and bring home clippings all while connecting with The Garden Kitchen team. 

When: 7-8:30 a.m. Thursdays

Where: The Garden Kitchen, 

Cost: Free to attend

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Free Mead Tasting 

Superstition Meadery will be at 1912 Brewing Company for a free mead tasting! Also on the agenda: live music from Flatlander Jim.  

When: Friday, Aug. 11. 4-6 p.m. for the tasting; 6-8 p.m. for live music. 

Where: 1912 Brewing Company, 

Cost: Free to attend, bring money for additional drinks

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Family Literacy Fiesta

Make Way for Books is turning 25 this year! To celebrate, the local nonprofit is hosting a Family Literacy Fiesta with literacy activities, giveaways and information about their free literacy programming.

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12

Where: Make Way for Books, 

Cost: Free to attend

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"SWEAT" Party at The Royal Room

Head to The Royal Room where DJs will spin pop, alternative, techno, electronic and house music. There will be a full bar, board games and a water bottle donation drive.

When: 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12

Where: The Royal Room, 

Cost: Free to attend, bring money for drinks. This event is for ages 21 and up.

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Art After Dark at Children's Museum Tucson

Each month, Children's Museum Tucson hosts Art After Dark with local arts groups and free admission!

When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12

Where: Children's Museum Tucson, 

Cost: Free to attend

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Tucson Repair Cafe

Need something fixed? Bring it to the Tucson Repair Cafe to be fixed for free! All items are welcome.

When: 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12

Where: Xerocraft Makerspace, 

Cost: Free to attend

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"Beyond the Lens" photography exhibition

The upcoming exhibit at Decode Gallery showcases photography include nature, still life and portraits by local and international photographers. An opening reception takes place Aug. 12.

When: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12

Where: Decode Gallery, 

Cost: Free to attend

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Ice Cream Social with Literacy Connects

Learn all about Literacy Connects' after-school program Youth Theatre and Film Collective during this ice cream social. While you're there, enjoy surprise activities and mingle with community members.

When: 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12

Where: Literacy Connects, 

Cost: Free to attend

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Second SundAZe at TMA 

Visit the Tucson Museum of Art every second Sunday for pay-what-you-wish admission. Enjoy art-making, gallery activities and family yoga.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13

Where: Tucson Museum of Art, 

Cost: Pay what you wish

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Ride with FUGA

Take a bike ride with organization FUGA, which advocates for mobility, accessibility and representation for Tucson's south-side and west-side communities. 

When: 8-10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 13; 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25

Where: Ward 1, , on Aug. 13; El Pueblo Center, , on Aug. 25

Cost: Free to attend

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Summer Cinema Club at The Downtown Clifton

Enjoy an indoor movie at The Downtown Clifton every other Wednesday! Watch "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" on Aug. 16 and "My Cousin Vinney" on Aug. 30.

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Aug. 16, Aug. 30

Where: The Downtown Clifton, 

Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food and drinks

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Critter Night

Learn all about desert animals from wildlife agencies and local nonprofits at Mission Garden's Critter Night. Stay tuned for more event details from Mission Garden.

When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18

Where: Mission Garden, 

Cost: Free to attend, donations welcome

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Celebration of All Things S-cuk s�n/Tucson

Tucson was founded 248 years ago on Aug. 20, 1775. Every year, the Presidio Museum hosts a party to celebrate. This year, the event includes mariachi, Waila music, a Chinese lion dance and community organizations.

When: 6:15-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

Where: Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum, 

Cost: Free to attend

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Movies in Marana

Outdoor movie screenings in Marana stretch all the way into the fall season. On Aug. 19, catch a screening of "Big Miracle" at the splash pad.

When: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. The movie begins at sundown.

Where: Heritage River Park Splash Pad, 

Cost: Free to attend, bring money for food trucks. Bring a towel!

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Movies on the Lawn in Oro Valley

Oro Valley only has two more outdoor movie screenings this summer, including "The Mitchells vs. the Machines" on Aug. 19.

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

Where: Oro Valley Community & Recreation Center, 

Cost: Free to attend

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A Night Under the Stars

Local nonprofit Reach For The Stars is hosting a night of stargazing. Learn about the stars and planets, all while gazing through telescopes and binoculars. 

When: 8-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

Where: Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead, 

Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted

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Family Saturdays with Watershed Management Group

Head to Watershed Management Group for Family Saturdays to learn all about composting! Every family will receive a copy of "Poo to Peaches" to take home.

When: 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19

Where: Watershed Management Group, 

Cost: Free to attend

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Traditional O'odham Agriculture at Mission Garden

Attend this event to learn about Tohono O'odham agricultural practices, including demonstrations and talks about traditional crops like corn, beans and squash.

When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 19

Where: Mission Garden, 

Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted

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Spirit Swap

Local shop Monsoon Mystics is hosting a spirit swap — a chance to gather, mingle and swap metaphysical tools like crystals, tarot decks and candles.

When: 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26

Where: Monsoon Mystics, 

Cost: Free to attend

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Sanrio K-pop Bash

Local shop Kira Kira Collectibles is organizing a Sanrio K-pop Bash which is slated to feature K-pop and anime vendors, a scavenger hunt, karaoke, a cosplay contest, a maid cafe and a photo booth.

When: 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26

Where: Ding Tea, 

Cost: Free to attend, bring money for drinks and shopping

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Archaeology Day at Mission Garden

Kids can learn hands-on archaeology skills at Mission Garden's monthly Archaeology Day.

When: 8-9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26

Where: Mission Garden, 

Cost: Free to attend, donations accepted

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Pop Swap

Pop Cycle and the Historic Fourth Avenue Coalition are hosting a community art supply swap. Bring supplies you no longer want or need and swap them for something you'd rather have in your art collection!

When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27

Where: Coalition Space, 

Cost: Free to attend

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