Veterans Day falls on Wednesday this week, and parades in Phoenix and Tucson honor those who served. The weekend brings one of the Southwest’s largest art festivals, sunrise balloon launches over the Colorado River, and a wine festival in Southern Arizona’s wine country. In-person events are listed alphabetically by city or town, with nearby attractions for each. A second section lists free online and phone programs from nonprofit and community organizations, including help with Medicare open enrollment, which ends December 7.
Please note: Event dates, hours, prices and details can change without notice, especially for community-run events and outdoor festivals affected by weather. Before you go, confirm all information directly with the event organizer or official website. This guide is for general information only, and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of third-party schedules.
In-Person Events
Elgin: Arizona Wine Founder’s Day Festival
When: Saturday, November 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Sonoita Vineyards, 290 Elgin-Canelo Road, Elgin
Cost: Tickets range from $10 to $30. One listing shows general admission at $30 and designated driver tickets at $12. The festival is for ages 21 and up.
Visitors can taste the latest releases from local wineries, listen to live music and buy food from vendors. Some listings call the event the Sonoita AVA New Release Festival, with wines from both the Sonoita and Willcox growing regions. Sonoita Vineyards is a fitting host, since its founder, Gordon Dutt, was a pioneer of Arizona’s modern wine industry. The open grasslands around Elgin make for one of the prettiest drives in Southern Arizona.
While you’re there: Other Sonoita and Elgin tasting rooms are a few minutes away. Patagonia, with its shops and cafes, is about 20 minutes south, and Patagonia Lake State Park is a little farther.
Fountain Hills: Fall Fountain Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts
When: Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, November 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Downtown Fountain Hills, along Avenue of the Fountains and Saguaro Boulevard
Cost: Free admission. The town offers free parking throughout the festival.
This juried show is one of the largest arts and crafts events in the Southwest, featuring nearly 500 artists and artisans. It has been held since 1974. Visitors will find paintings, metal art, custom jewelry, stained glass, handmade pottery and handmade furniture, along with food booths and live music. It is a popular stop for holiday shopping. Guests are asked to leave pets at home, and several roads are closed during the event, so check the town’s parking map before you go.
While you’re there: Fountain Park and its famous fountain sit right next to the festival. McDowell Mountain Regional Park and Saguaro Lake are both a short, scenic drive away.
Phoenix: Phoenix Veterans Day Parade
When: Wednesday, November 11, 11 a.m.
Where: New route for 2026. The parade starts at Third Street and McDowell Road and travels north on Third Street to Indian School Road.
Cost: Free
The parade is presented by the nonprofit Honoring America’s Veterans. It has honored veterans from World War II to the present since 1997. Seniors should note the new route this year, which is different from past years’ route along Central Avenue. Bring sunscreen, water and a folding chair, and arrive early for a good spot along Third Street.
While you’re there: The parade ends near Steele Indian School Park, a pleasant, shaded park with walking paths. The Heard Museum is close to the parade route on Central Avenue.
Tucson: Tucson Veterans Day Parade
When: Wednesday, November 11. The parade has traditionally stepped off at 11 a.m. Check with the organizers for this year’s start time and route.
Where: Downtown Tucson. Last year’s parade was centered near the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Avenue.
Cost: Free
Tucson’s Veterans Day parade is one of the longest-running in the country, with last year’s parade marking its 106th year. It is presented by American Legion Post 7. Streets downtown close early for staging, so plan to park a few blocks away and arrive ahead of time.
While you’re there: The Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum and the Tucson Museum of Art are a short walk from the parade route.
Yuma: Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival
When: Friday, November 13 through Sunday, November 15, with sunrise balloon launches each morning
Where: Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex, 1700 E. 8th Street, Yuma
Cost: Last year, admission to the morning launches was a non-perishable food item. Check with the Caballeros de Yuma for this year’s admission for evening events.
This three-day festival features mass ascensions of hot air balloons over the Colorado River and Sonoran Desert, along with the evening Desert Balloon Glow, family activities and local vendors. It is presented by the Caballeros de Yuma, and proceeds fund scholarships and local initiatives. Mornings can be cool, so bring a jacket for the sunrise launches.
While you’re there: Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park and Colorado River State Historic Park are both close by, and historic downtown Main Street has shops and restaurants.
Online and By Phone: Free Help for Seniors
The programs below are run by nonprofit or community organizations and are free. Most did not post specific dated sessions for this week at press time, so check each program’s schedule for current classes.
Medicare Open Enrollment Help (SHIP Counseling)
When: Medicare’s annual open enrollment ends December 7. During this period, you can change Part D drug coverage, enroll in or switch Medicare Advantage plans, and change Medigap plans.
Cost: Free
Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) that offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling. In Arizona, it is provided through the regional Area Agencies on Aging. In Pima County, the nonprofit Pima Council on Aging is the local SHIP office. It provides Medicare presentations, workshops and one-on-one consultations at no charge and does not sell Medicare plans. Pima County residents can call the PCOA Medicare SHIP Helpline at 520-546-2011 on weekdays. Readers elsewhere in the state can find their local Area Agency on Aging at arizonaaging.org. With about four weeks left in open enrollment, now is the time to book an appointment before calendars fill up.
Senior Planet from AARP: Free Online Technology Classes
When: Live online classes are held throughout the week, with about 50 classes on the schedule each week.
Cost: Free, with no AARP membership required
Senior Planet is a nonprofit affiliated with AARP that teaches older adults to use technology. Its interactive online classes are offered in English, Spanish and Chinese. Topics include using Zoom and video chat, finding low-cost internet, smartphone apps, online safety, and fitness classes such as Morning Stretch and Tai Chi. Classes often have as few as 12 to 15 people and most last about an hour, which makes it easy to ask questions. Visit seniorplanet.org or call 1-888-713-3495 to find a class.
AARP Virtual Community Center: Tech Help
When: Ongoing schedule of live online classes
Cost: Free
The Tech Help area of the AARP Virtual Community Center offers free classes taught by instructors from Senior Planet and AARP state offices. Most run 45 to 60 minutes and cover popular apps and tools such as Google Calendar. The Virtual Community Center can be found at aarp.org.
Before You Go
Dates, times, admission prices and event details listed here were gathered from organizer websites and public event listings and are subject to change. Some events had not yet posted final 2026 hours, routes or pricing at the time of publication, and some figures listed are from last year’s event. Always verify information with the event organizer before traveling, and check local weather and road conditions. For online programs, confirm class times and registration directly with the sponsoring organization. Medicare open enrollment is a busy season for scams, so be cautious of anyone who calls, emails or texts claiming to be from Medicare, and use only official program phone numbers.
Sources:
Sonoita Vineyards: Arizona Wine Founder’s Day Festival
Sonoita Vineyards: Sonoita AVA New Release Festival
Pour Trail: Arizona Wine Founder’s Day Festival
This Is Tucson: Festival at the Farm and Arizona Wine Pioneers
Experience Fountain Hills: Fountain Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts
Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce: Festival History
Experience Fountain Hills: Fall Festival 2025 Visitor Notes
KTAR: Phoenix Veterans Day Parade Route and Map
Raising Arizona Kids: Phoenix Veterans Day Parade
Bear Essential News: Tucson Veterans Day Parade
KGUN: Tucson Veterans Day Parade
Visit Arizona: Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival
Caballeros de Yuma: Balloon Festival
Caballeros de Yuma: 2025 Schedule of Events
Yuma Sun: Balloon Festival Moves to Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex
Arizona Daily Star via InsuranceNewsNet: Medicare Open Enrollment
This Is Tucson: Pima Council on Aging Medicare Workshops
ASURA: Area Agency on Aging and SHIP
AARP: Senior Planet and AARP Online Classes
AARP: AARP Joins With Nonprofit to Teach Tech
SeniorNavigator: Senior Planet Free Online Classes