4th Avenue Street Fair

Great time at the fair today! Quality businesses had booths and the police did a great job. 48 degree and rainy weather, but it was still enjoyable!

So fun and the food is awesome! If you attend the University of Arizona or live in Tucson you definitely have to check out the next street fair.

This gathering has really gone down hill. I used to love the street fair but I feel like the same goods are being sold there that were available when I went here as a kid in the ‘80s. I am not interested in a Western leather fringed pouch for my motorcycle or a batik skirt to wear with my Tevas. It made me so sad to see that the street fair is not evolving.

I just love that Tucson has this street fair twice a year. I have become customers of many of the vendors. I have to say this winters despite the cold and rain it didn’t stop people from getting out and shopping. If you haven’t gone to the street fair it’s a must. The only recommendation I have is to give out maps or publish them online or something. I hate trying to find my little spots I like to shop because they are moved every time. I guess one could say that’s part of the fun?

I really don’t know why I am even writing this review. My ambivalence comes from a mix of really believing the 4^th Ave Merchants Association knows about managing the street for an inviting place to come to on a reoccurring basis (rather than Tucson’s total neglect of figuring out what people want), and the fact that most of the booths are filled with thing I would never buy in a million years. It is crafty mix down there, but I guess it appeals to the masses, I still personally don’t get it. I hit it fro about an hour every other time or so, and it’s not a bad place to people watch. It is one place I know I can go and come back with the same amount of money in my wallet that I arrived with.
I do not want to be known as a hater, it is what it is, a crafty street fair.

This is a classic part of Tucson, there is the Spring Fair and the Winter Fair (right before Christmas, perfect for getting a gift for the holidays). There are all sorts of art, food, and entertainment to enjoy. Even if you don’t get anything, it’s something fun to do.

I hadn’t been to the 4^th ave street fair since I was a really really young kid. It’s much more interesting now as an adult. I love to see our eclectic Tucson community come together and display their different talents. Thank goodness there are 2 street fairs a year because I can’t wait for the next one!

I love the Street Fair, such a Tucson tradition. Tons of people, tons of vendors, tons of food. Great outing any time of the day, great food to choose from, and some very interesting items being sold. Check it out.

I always look forward to the street faire. They have so many different vendors selling jewelry, art, homemade items for your home inside and out and alot of food. The list goes on and on. This is truly a shoppers paradise! Can’t wait for next year!

If you ever get the chance GO!
There were a ton of face painters, booths with littel things for kids, and plenty of actual ART! Not a ton of add to mayo to make dip stuff like the ones i am used to.
Many food booths, with a variety of options, not a ton of seating, but there was so much to see it didn’t matter.
We spent a good 6 hours there, and still had to hustle at the end to see it all.
I had been told how cool it was, but until i experience it I just didn’t get it.
It was a full day thing, not a thing to do before lunch. LOL
Polite vendors, and a lot of very upscale items. The lady who makes sinks… wow. just wow. Whoever it was that stole some of her cups, shame on you, you probably don’t even Unilocal,cause you are classless.
Bring money, the ATM had a waiting line like Disneyland. Although there was no fee if you were a BofA member, which was nice.
Parking was $ 5, but close by, and not bad at all.

since moving to arizona in 2011, i’ve made it a habbit to tag along with someone in my extended family to the 4^th avenue street fair at least once a year.
i really like coming to the one during the winter because it’s not hot when you walk around, and since christmas is just a couple of weeks away, it’s a good place to look for some christmas gifts.
i heard that the wait to get on the list to be a vendor is very, very long. there are so many different tents, you can find a lot of stuff here. also, the normal 4^th avenue shops are open along the road and it’s nice that this brings them a little extra business.
there are also a lot of food trucks towards the middle of the fair to get your grub on if you’re hungry.
next time they have this, i recommend you check it out!

4^th Avenue is another Gem of Tucson and gets 5 stars when the Street Fair is over. I give 2 – 3 stars for the Fair since it is too crowded and usually too hot. The Street Fair is in April and December if you want to avoid the chaos. But please visit all the stores on 4^th Ave because there is only 1 chain (Dairy Queen) and buying local is always better. Plus, we do not want 4^th Ave to be like Mill Ave in Tempe or downtown Glendale, AZ. Gotta have the Tatoo parlors, dive bars, etc.

I always want to come to the street fair, but I always come away a bit disappointed. Sure, it’s fun. Sure, it’s a Tucson staple. Sure, the people watching is great. Sure, the «fair food» is yummy. But in all honesty, the goods to be purchased are seriously pricey and the amount of people walking up and down the venue can send you into a serious anxiety attack if you don’t like crowds!!!
I will continue to go but only because it’s a Tucson staple and because it’s a great place to get your tan on!

Love the concept. Hate the heat and crowds. I usually burn out after about an hour. This was my second visit to the spring fair. I’m hoping the December fair suits me better. (Funny, I don’t mind the crowds at the All Soul’s Procession or the Festival of Book as much.)
For me, Tubac’s February art fair is head and shoulders better in terms of venue, weather and quality art.

People come out in droves to stroll along 4^th Avenue shopping for arts and crafts, munching on food or just soaking up the great weather we take for granted in Tucson. Although the vendors seem to be largely the same every year, it never gets old just walking around drinking a nice cold beer or lemonade and people watching.
Tip: There is a new parking garage on Toole right at 4^th Ave. You can park for $ 5 and walk under the underpass right into the street fair. There is also another lot downtown where you can park and take the free shuttle to and from the street fair. The revitalization efforts in downtown are sure to help the continued success of this event.
Slather on the sunblock, grab your hat and head down there!

What a great day I had! We were really hungry and there were quite a few great choices. I had a tri-​tip sandwich. It was cooked perfectly and was amazing! There were some unique vendors and plenty of culture! So glad I went and am looking forward to the next!

Egads. The street fair is cool, but it’s also a little overwhelming, and at times outright scary. There are cool art works, some fascinating musical presentations, strange people dancing, strange people selling incense, strange people selling foods…
It’s not my bag, but a lot of other (strange) people seem to enjoy it. To each their own!

We go every time it comes to town! I love going and seeing all the people, art, entertainment and of course the FOOD!
Positive: many vendors and lots of things to choose from, great food!, Love all the entertainment, great location, lots of people buying things from local shops, great for Tucson businesses!
Negative: things are kind of expensive

Great weather! Great art! Great times!
Where’s the beef? At the 4^th Ave Street Fair of course! And trip-​tip nonetheless. This year the street fair proved to be even better than before, with amazing booths, tasty food, a great energy and some of the best weather I’ve experienced since moving here. I know people complain about the number of people, the traffic patters (lack thereof), and the inability to truly enjoy because some guy in front of you chooses to stop at every single booth-​EVERY SINGLE BOOTH, but what’s to complain about when 300,000 people pack it downtown in a weekend supporting local arts and culture. Nothing, in my book. So enjoy, you have one more day this year, and then the spring fair in a few months.

I enjoy the street fair anytime its around… Sure there is a ton of people, that why i park like a mile away, learn to walk… Its crazy drinks, weird food, most of the stuff there is too expensive and often ridiculous… but I like to hang out and look at all the wears that people have taken the time to do, and some of it is really cool…
The live street music, the mix of all people, its great… Im glad it happens…