TrekUnity
When
February
Attendance
~65,000+
Admission
Free
Setting
Both
Each February, Tucson becomes the center of the mineral world for the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show — actually dozens of interlocking shows across the city that together form the largest, oldest, and most prestigious gem, mineral, and fossil event on earth, drawing collectors, jewelers, scientists, and the merely curious from around the globe.
From museum-grade specimens to bargain crystals and towering dinosaur fossils, it fills hotels, tents, and the convention center for weeks, set against the saguaro-studded beauty of the Sonoran Desert.
Want to go? Turn Tucson Gem & Mineral Show into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
Late January into mid-February (weeks of shows)
Admission
Many satellite shows free · the main show ticketed
Parking
Shows are spread across the city — a car or rideshare and the free show shuttles help.
Nearest airport
Tucson International (TUS) — ~15 min
Typical weather
Mild, sunny Sonoran-Desert winter — 60s–70s °F by day, cool nights; lovely festival weather.
Official website
Location
Tucson, AZ
Where to stay
Arizona Inn
Historic pink-adobe hotel with gardens.
Hotel Congress
Historic downtown hotel and music venue.
Show-hotel stays
Many hotels host their own gem shows.
Where to eat & drink
El Charro Café
The oldest Mexican restaurant in the U.S.
Cafe Poca Cosa
Celebrated regional Mexican cuisine.
Sonoran hot dogs
A beloved Tucson street-food specialty.
Nearby attractions
Saguaro National Park
Iconic giant cacti east and west of the city.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
A superb zoo-botanical garden-museum.
Mission San Xavier del Bac
A stunning 18th-century "White Dove of the Desert."
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + shows
- •Fly into TUS
- •Afternoon: browse satellite gem shows
- •Dinner: El Charro Café
2Main show + desert
- •Morning: the main Gem & Mineral Show
- •Afternoon: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
3Saguaro + depart
- •Morning: Saguaro National Park
- •Head to TUS
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Use the free show shuttles — the shows are spread all over the city.
- Browse the free satellite shows for bargains and variety.
- Add Saguaro National Park and the Desert Museum.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show?
Late January into mid-February — actually dozens of shows across Tucson over several weeks.
Is it free?
Many satellite shows are free to browse; the flagship Tucson Gem & Mineral Show is ticketed.
What else is nearby?
Saguaro National Park, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and Mission San Xavier del Bac.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Tucson Gem & Mineral Show or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.