International Day of Peace
Every September, the International Sonoran Desert Alliance hosts students from the Tohono O’odham Nation and the state of Sonora, Mexico for a tri-national gathering in celebration of the shared values and shared ecology of the Sonoran Desert. Youth from neighboring communities come together to play music, march in parade, dance and celebrate relationships that transcend political, cultural and linguistic boundaries.
Red & White Weekend
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to reconnect with friends from high school and basically take over your hometown for a weekend? For a committed cohort of Ajo High School graduates, this dream becomes a reality every October. Graduates descend upon Ajo to revisit their old stomping grounds and celebrate together. Didn’t graduate from Ajo High School? No worries! With a festival, car show, and a blowout dance party, there is plenty to keep everyone entertained.
Christmas Eve (aka Magical Night)
Ajo has the sweetest and most unique small town Christmas celebration around. From the single firework announcing Santa’s arrival in the cupola of the Curley School, to the sleigh ride to the Plaza and the culminating visit to Santa’s workshop, this is truly a Magical Night.
Ajo Food Festival
Every spring, the Ajo Center for Sustainable Agriculture and the Ajo Regional Food Partnership host a fun exploration of the tastes of Ajo and the surrounding region. Come out for free tastings, demos and workshops, as well as local farmers, bakers, food producers and arts and crafters. You will not leave this event hungry!
Artisans Mercado
There is no better way to experience the creative community of Ajo than to stop by the Artisans Mercado in the Plaza. With artists, makers and creatives from all over the region, you can find everything from handmade javelina pillows to delicious baked goods. Markets are held every Saturday 9am to noon October-March and every 2nd Saturday of the month (9am to noon) April - September. The Artisans Mercado is independently organized by a group of local creatives in collaboration with Art Under the Arches Gallery & Gifts.
Play it Forward
Every April, Ajo musicians--both current and past--reunite in the Plaza to play together and raise money for a good cause. Not only can you catch some excellent music, but you can also raise money for music education at the local school.
Ajo Arts Weekend (biennial)
Each Spring of odd numbered years, Ajo hosts a series of arts activations in the town center. The centerpiece of the weekend is a massive co-creative mural installation called the Ajo Street Art Happening. During this event, local, regional and international muralists adopt a section of previously blighted space to transform with a patchwork of individual and collaborative works. With a performance group in residence, gallery openings and a critical mass of creative energy, Ajo Arts Weekend is a transformative experience you don’t want to miss.
Sonoran Shindig (biennial)
On alternate years from the Tri-national Symposium hosted on the Curley School Campus, the Cabeza Prieta Natural History Association hosts a ‘get to know your public land manager’ event called the Sonoran Shindig. During the Shindig, representatives from parks, monuments and wildlife refuges from across the Sonoran Desert share the incomparable natural and cultural resources with their constituents.
