10 Phoenix farms & fall fests offering pumpkins, hayrides & more
The days are shorter and the wind is crisper. This can only mean one thing: It’s time to welcome the fall in Phoenix with hayrides, pumpkin patches, and more.
Phoenix and the surrounding cities are notoriously hot until post-Halloween, but that makes it all the more fun to take an evening stroll on the town to explore all the fall-time fests. From mazes to pumpkin patches, petting zoos to trick or treating, these 10 fall fests will have you wanting to hit the hay … rides that is. Grab those Ugg boots, apple candles, pumpkin spice lattes, and ghoulish-themed kitchen towels, get into your coziest getup, and get ready to celebrate the best of fall in Phoenix.
10 fall fests around Phoenix
1. Schnep Farms
Join the annual Pumpkin and Chili Party at Schnep Farms. For 25 years, this farm has been bringing in the heat—or chill—with chili, hay rides, corn mazes, live entertainment, petting zoos, scavenger hunts, pig races, and more. It is a family favorite across the state and worth the time, travel, and tradition. Transformed into a harvest wonderland, the events cater to many different crowds, and the offering of a u-pick pumpkin patch is bound to be a family event that you’ll cherish for years.
Where: 24810 S Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek
Dates: Oct 3 – Oct 31
Times: Wed 5 – 9 p.m., Thurs 12 – 9 p.m., Fri 12 – 10 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Cost: $26.95/person with discounts available
2. MacDonald’s Ranch Pumpkin Patch
Open for the month of October, MacDonald’s Ranch Pumpkin Patch is an annual family fall fest complete with a petting zoo, hay and corn mazes, Old-West themed activities, and of course, a pumpkin patch! While entry costs $15/person and includes various activities, keep the wallet in hand for nominally priced extras, including the mechanical bull, pony rides, train rides, and some delicious BBQ. MacDonald’s Ranch has been a community staple since 1956, so it is completely fair to say you’re going to Old MacDonald’s! E-I, E-I, Oh.
Where: 26540 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale
Dates: Oct 4 – Oct 31
Times: Wed – Mon, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cost: $15/person
3. Mother Nature’s Farm
Check out a celebration where the activities are endless, the theme is fall, and concessions are cash only—a romantic reprieve from the modern world. The modest entrance fee includes a “Wizard of Oz” pumpkin to take home, hayrides, hay mazes, animals, spider web crawls, bounce houses, pedal cars, bull roping area, tire mountain, corn pit, play houses, a giant slide, and a human hamster wheel! That’s right, you can run in place while making the family laugh! All of this for $17 seems like an amazing way to spend a day making memories and snapping some fun candid photos to line your hallway. Gilbert is already noted as a large family-friendly city, so it makes sense that Mother Nature’s Farm has proudly become a Children’s Discovery Farm. Check out the website for fun stats, such as the largest Arizona-grown pumpkin.
Where: 1663 E Baseline Rd, Gilbert
Dates: Sept 27 – Nov 2
Times: Mon – Sun, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Cost: $17/person
4. Vertuccio Farms Fall Fest
Vertuccio Farms has been at it for 25 years with a happening fall fest complete with the annual Cooler Days in the Corn Maze. This corn maze spans 5 acres and is sure to delight! If the idea of getting lost in corn is a little too midwest for your southwest liking, check out some of the other attractions, which is included with entry. Attractions include a pig race ride, ropes course, petting zoo, super mega slide, carnival games, barrel train ride, a giant jump pad, a playground, mini golf, and more! All of this for just $17 seems like a steal, but if you bring in a can or nonperishable food item to donate, entry is lowered to $15. A fall fest with a purpose is certainly admirable. Note: the pumpkin patch is open to the public without entrance to the fest.
Where: 4011 S Power Rd, Mesa
Dates: Oct 3 – Nov 2
Times: Wed-Thurs 3 – 9 p.m., Fri-Sat 9 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun 12 – 7 p.m.
Cost: $17/person
5. Tolmachoff Farms Pumpkin Days & Corn Maze
Whether you are looking for a good ol’ fashioned corn maze or a spooky good time, Tolmachoff Farms is the place to be! Not only do they offer a 6-acre corn field maze, but they also have a haunted version for the spooky lovers and so many more attractions. Other attractions include a petting zoo, a train ride, a hay pyramid, a corn box, an adult/child pedal cart track, a jumping pillow, and so much more. This fall fest west of Phoenix is worth adding to the Spooktober agenda.
Where: 5726 N 75th Ave, Glendale
Dates: Oct 1 – Oct 31
Times: Wed-Th 1 – 8 p.m., Fri 1 – 10 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Cost: $20; $37 if you want to combine with Haunted Maze
6. Gilbert Harvest in the Heritage District
Vegas locals celebrate fall by looking at the decadent displays in the Bellagio. Valley locals do the same by heading over to the Heritage District of Gilbert, where fall comes to life through interactive streets. Join locals in the Great Gourd Hunt, a scavenger hunt that is completed via whimsical pumpkin displays and an online tracker, enjoy live music on select dates, appreciate handmade pumpkin origami, or participate in one of the many workshops all about fall. This fall celebration is completely free and open to anyone!
Where: Heritage District, Gilbert
Dates: Sep 26 – Nov 2
Times: All day
Cost: Free
7. Spooky Bash Carnival at Desert Ridge Marketplace
Beginning in October, the Spooky Side Pumpkin Patch sets up shop next to the AMC in the Desert Ridge Marketplace. Here, families can purchase a pumpkin and paint it on site. On October 17, the 7th annual family-friendly Spooky Bah Carnival creeps in to celebrate with all the little boos and ghouls. This kids’ carnival is complete with costume contests, carnival games, giveaways, a haunted house, and a free candy trail. Rumor has it that there is to be a “Stranger Things” theme, too. It might just leave you feeling upside down.
Where: 21001 N Tatum Blvd, Phoenix
Dates: Oct 17
Times: 5 – 8 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
8. Scary Skelebration
The Arizona Science Museum loves Halloween and all the spooky and surprising science that goes on behind it! In this six-day special known as Scary Skelebration, patrons get to experience, witness, and learn all about the science behind everyone’s favorite spooky day. Brace yourself for the dad jokes, though, as foretold by the name of the exhibit.
Where: Arizona Science Center, 600 East Washington Street
Dates: Oct 25 – 31
Times: Tues-Sun 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: Adult entry starts at $29.95, youth entry at $23.95
9. Halloween Spooktacular
If you are looking to take the kiddos—your little ghouls and goblins—to a family-centric trick or treat celebration, look no further than Chandler’s Halloween Spooktacular. Here you can dress up with the kids and go trunk-or-treating, join a costume parade, play carnival games, and get to know the friendly Chandler community. This is great for the whole family and sets the stage for a safe yet traditional trick-or-treating experience.
Where: Dr. A.J. Chandler Park: Stage Plaza 178 E. Commonwealth Ave.
Dates: Oct 31
Times: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
10. Arizona Fall Festival
Margaret T. Hance Park has become an epicenter of local culture within Phoenix. Throughout the year, this park hosts many large-scale gatherings and events, including the Arizona Fall Fest. This festival celebrates all things fall in Phoenix by bringing in over 200 local vendors, food trucks, and a dedicated kids zone. Although it began 20 years ago with only 27 vendors, Arizona Fall Fest has since become recognized as the largest community event in Phoenix. Making a stop here in November means ushering in fall, celebrating Phoenix culture, and supporting locals.
Where: Margaret T. Hance Park, 67 West Culver Street
Dates: Nov 8
Times: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: Free entry
Continue the celebration
Despite the warmer weather, the Grand Canyon state is full of people who absolutely love fall. Outside decor comes to life, trees develop new hues, communities gather, children pull light-hearted pranks, and the general sense of spook spikes some mischievous fun in the air. Adding a fest or two to your calendar of celebration is worthwhile, but there are more ways to celebrate to enhance the season.
My in-laws—from out of state—take an annual weekend trip each September to see the leaves change color. As part of a relaxing weekend complete with yummy treats, this is an excellent way to welcome autumn and appreciate nature. Camping is another complement to this approach. On the other hand, old college friends swore that the fall wasn’t complete without haunted houses. If this seems kitschy and you would rather attempt the real deal, then try my aunt’s old tradition of staying overnight in a notoriously haunted hotel.
No matter how you choose to celebrate the cooler weather and shorter days, don’t trip and have a great fall.
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