Once again the popular Tucson Meet Yourself folklife festival in downtown Tucson will feature some Japanese cultural performances, origami and the Takoyaki Balls food truck.

Musician Paul Amiel will perform soothing shakuhachi flute on Oct.17 at 11 a.m. on the Stone Ave. stage. He studied shakuhachi in Japan for a year.

The next day Oct. 18 the dynamic Odaiko Sonora taiko drummers will be on the Church Ave. stage at 7 to 8:15 p.m.

Throughout the festival check out the global arts booths for origami folding by UA East Asian Studies Lecturer Chieko Nakano, who leads the AZ in Kyoto UA study abroad program every summer to Kyoto, Japan.

Also at Jacome Plaza at booth #9 will be the popular Takoyaki Balls food truck, in their final year as they are ceasing operation in the near future. Link to map: https://tucsonmeetyourself.org/map/

FESTIVAL MENU

-Takoyaki $6 – 6 octopus dumplings

-Gyoza $5 – 5 chicken dumplings

-Rice balls, 2 for $7

-Japanese curry rice $10

-Gyu Don beef and rice bowl $13

-Yakisoba noodle $10

-Taiyaki $3

-Unagi Eel Don $ 18

-Japanese tea and soft drinks

Don’t miss out this year! Photos by Steven Meckler for Tucson Meet Yourself.

https://tucsonmeetyourself.org/schedule

Event by Anime Wonder

Pima County Fairgrounds, Thurber Hall

October 11 10 am to 6 p.m. to October 12 11 am to 5 pm

Public  · Anyone on or off Facebook

“Join our 2-day Anime & Japanese Food / Pop-Culture Festival. The Anime Wonder experience will be showcasing the arts with Exhibitors and Artist Vendors, Anime & Video Game Voice Actors, Japanese & Asian Food, Itasha Car Displays, Guest Cosplayers, Cosplay Competitions, Activations, Main Stage Entertainment, Music, and more.

Immerse yourself in a two-day escape into the awesome world of anime!”

https://www.facebook.com/events/1009523774401230/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22home%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

Upcoming ExhibitOpening October 11, 2025

Tropical Flora of Costa Rica by Manabu Saito

Hours 7:30am–3:30pm

Buy Tickets

Zen Gallery & Meditation Room

“What more fitting way to celebrate the opening of TBG’s new Zen Gallery and Meditation Room than with a selection of works from the Gardens’ own Manabu Saito collection? Renowned botanical artist, dear friend of the Gardens, and inspiration for the new space, Saito created these lush, meticulously rendered watercolor paintings at the Wilson Botanical Garden in Costa Rica. The exhibit also features a filmed interview with Saito, as well as artifacts from his studio and home.”

Tucson Botanical Gardens is at 2150 N Alvernon Way.

Artist’s Talk: Yojiro Imasaka

October 4 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am

In Person Legacy Gallery

Register Here

This event is free with Garden Admission

“Tucson Botanical Gardens is delighted to present an exhibition of works by photographer Yojiro Imasaka, created during his artist residency at TBG in Spring 2024. The collection forms the second series in his ongoing project, Gardens, which explores botanical gardens and conservatories around the world.

Using the historical wet collodion photographic process to produce photos of landscapes from glass negatives, Yojiro seeks to present new perspectives on these unique places where plants are maintained by humans in an artificially created space, inviting viewers to reflect on their layered meanings, historical contexts, and evolving roles. In a time of accelerating environmental destruction, Gardens also serves as a quiet reminder of what these caHrefully maintained environments can teach us about preservation and our relationship with nature.”

https://tucsonbotanical.org/event/yojiro-imasaka

Imasaka exhibit ongoing from October 3 to February 1, 2026. Free reception with the artist on October 3 from 5 to 7 pm.

“Saturday, Sep 20, 2025 at 10:00 AM to Sunday, Sep 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM MDT

Tucson Marriott, 880, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States.

Tucson Poké Fest

Tucson Marriott 880 E 2nd St., Tucson, AZ 85719

September 20th-21st

Adult Admission $5 11am-6pm Saturday and 11am-5pm Sunday

Kids 12 and under are free with paid adult.

 VIP Badge-$10 (Includes Both Days)
-Early showroom access from 10am-11am Saturday & Sunday exclusively for VIP badge holders. 
-Entrance into the Saturday Trade Night Party exclusively for VIP badge holders & vendors from 6pm-8pm which includes light appetizers & cash bar.
THE FIRST 200 VIP ATTENDEES THROUGH THE DOOR SATURDAY will receive a 8 inch Pokémon Plushie or equivalent premium gift (retail value $13)

For Attendee Registration:  https://www.eventzilla.net/e/-tucson-pok-fest-attendee-registration-2138683448 

Pokémon, Pokémon, Pokémon Funko, Comics, Magic, Sports Cards, and more!”

FREE Pokémon water bottle to the first 100 Attendees each day!

GIVEAWAYS EVERY HOUR!

Vendor Trade Party on Saturday night with FREE light appetizers!