Fall festival fever: 13 autumnal gatherings in Arizona
Autumn in Arizona means plenty of fall festivals. Here are 13 Arizona fall festivals worth checking out.
Fall is in full swing, and one of the perks of living in Arizona during autumn is that there are so many festivals Valley residents and visitors alike can enjoy. From the Arizona State Fair in Phoenix to Tucson’s All Souls Procession, here are 13 Arizona fall festivals that are worth your time.
Fall festivals in Flagstaff
Pumpkin Walk
Date: Oct. 26, 4 to 8 p.m.
Where: The Arboretum at Flagstaff, 3101 N Fort Valley Road
The Arboretum at Flagstaff is holding its last event of the season on Oct. 26. At the Pumpkin Walk, guests can enjoy pumpkins everywhere (naturally), food trucks, kid activities, music and beer in the backdrop of the San Francisco Peaks.
Celebraciones de la Gente
Date: Oct. 26 to 27
Where: Museum of Northern Arizona
Cost: Adult tickets cost $20 per person; kid tickets cost $9 per person; children nine and younger are free.
The Museum of Northern Arizona is hosting its annual Celebraciones de la Gente festival. Guests can look forward to a vibrant celebration honoring Mexican, Mexican American, and LatinX communities. Specifically, see ofrendas celebrating loved ones who have passed, a performance by an all-female mariachi band, and a Ballet Folklorico celebration.
Fall festivals in Metro Phoenix
Arizona State Fair
Dates: Now through Oct. 27 from Thursday to Sunday.
Where: Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Road in Phoenix
It wouldn’t be fall in the Valley without the Arizona State Fair. The fair features a wide variety of rides, attractions, and plenty of overindulgent food offerings. Some events to look forward to include the Great American Petting Zoo, a Pumpkinferno (Sept. 29 to Oct. 3), and an arm wrestling championship. See the full calendar here. While you’re at it, sink your teeth into deep-fried Oreos, turkey legs, and something called a donut sundae.
The fair also features concerts by The All-American Rejects (Oct. 12), Vanilla Ice (Oct. 18), and Big Time Rush (Oct. 25).
Phoenician Fall Fest
Date: Oct. 12 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: The Phoenician, 6000 E. Camelback Road in Scottsdale
Cost: Tickets cost $55 per person
Head over to the luxe Scottsdale resort The Phoenician for the inaugural Phoenician Fall Fest. At this festive celebration, attendees can look forward to a country Western theme, complete with live country music courtesy of The Herndon Brothers Band, line dance lessons, local food trucks, lawn games, and a mechanical bull.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, which benefits the Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Bender Performing Arts Family Fall Festival
Date: Oct. 19, 5 to 7 p.m.
Where: Bender Performing Arts, 3141 E. Beardsley Rd., Ste. 110, in North Phoenix
Cost: Free, although the Bender Performing Arts center asks that you reserve your free tickets here.
North Phoenix’s Bender Performing Arts is hosting a Family Fall Festival. Attendees can partake in games, craft, head down a giant slide, run through an inflatable obstacle course, a cake walk, “trunk” or treating, and enjoy plenty of food vendors.
Scottsdale Quarter’s Boo & Brew
Date: Oct. 26, 2 to 7 p.m.
Where: Scottsdale Quarter, 15279 N Scottsdale Rd Ste 260, Scottsdale
Cost: Admission is free
Head to the Scottsdale Quarter shopping center for its annual Boo & Brew festivities. Adults can enjoy brews courtesy of the Zinburger Beer Garden. Kids can partake in crafts, balloon twisting, face painting and character appearances. A live DJ and local rock band Rock Lobster will perform. Children can wear their best costumes and participate in a free Candy Crawl where select retailers will pass out candy. Pre-registration is encouraged.
The Maker’s Hive Market
Date: Oct. 26, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd. in Phoenix
Holiday shopping season is mere weeks away. If you’re looking to get a head start on gathering gifts for your loved ones, find goods from over 40 local vendors at The Maker’s Hive Market. Browse an array of custom clothing, handcrafted candles, and jewelry, among other items. The list of vendors will be on Desert Ridge’s website in the near future. Guests who are 21 and older can purchase cocktails and stroll around the shopping center as part of Sip & Stroll.
Healthy Fall Festival & 1,000 Turkey Giveaway
Date: Nov. 2, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Percy Julian Elementary School, 2149 E. Carver Drive in Phoenix
Cost: Admission is free.
Although not a traditional fall festival, the Healthy Fall Festival, sponsored by Equality Health Foundation, is a great way to get a free checkup. Attendees can receive free vaccines and flu shots, mammograms, breast health screenings, and diabetes testing, in addition to community resources and information. While supplies last, attendees can also get a free bag filled with fresh produce and a turkey.
Arizona Fall Festival
Date: Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Margaret T. Hance Park, in downtown Phoenix
Cost: Free
Over 200 vendors will flock to downtown Phoenix’s Margaret T. Hance Park to showcase their wares at the upcoming Arizona Fall Festival. This festival celebrates all things local. Find plenty of food, gifts, and other goods at this dog-friendly event.
Gem City Veterans Day Celebration
Date: Nov. 10, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Cider Corps, 31 S. Robson, #103 in Mesa
Cost: Free admission. Food and drinks are available for purchase.
Veteran-owned cidery Cider Corps is hosting a Gem City Veterans Day Celebration the day before the official Veteran’s Day. Attendees can enjoy Arizona-made craft beverages, meet businesses owned by veterans, enjoy cuisine from food trucks and family-friendly activities.
Fall festivals in Tucson
Oh My Gourd Fall Festival!
Date: Oct. 1 to Nov. 2.
Where: Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way
Cost: Admission for adults cost $19; admission for children three and under is free.
The Tucson Botanical Gardens goes all out for fall. From now until Nov. 2, you can experience squash, pumpkins, and flowers aplenty. You also can walk through a pumpkin tunnel and see marigolds.
On Oct. 31, parents can dress up their children ages three and younger in their best costumes for the BOO-tanical Mini-Halloween. Kids will receive a special sticker upon arrival. Children also can receive a free cookie courtesy of on-site restaurant Edna’s Eatery by Chaly’s Grill, while supplies last.
Boo at the Zoo 2024
Date: Oct. 18 to 27, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Friday to Sunday
Where: Reid Park Zoo, 1100 S. Randolph Way
Cost: Adult and children tickets cost $15 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance and will be sold via entry times.
Tucson’s Reid Park Zoo is celebrating Halloween with Boo at the Zoo. Guests can look forward to meeting and greeting characters that are all dressed up, play games in the Fall Festival Zone, walk through a pumpkin patch, and kids can trick or treat at the candy tables.
Proceeds from the event benefit the zoo’s animal care, operations and education programs.
The All Souls Procession
Date: Nov. 1 to 3
Cost: Free admission
Where: downtown Tucson
Tucson’s All Souls Procession is inspired by the Mexican holiday of Dia de los Muertos, a holiday that seeks to commemorate the loss of our loved ones. This year marks the event’s 35th anniversary. Annually, roughly 200,000 people gather in downtown Tucson for a two-mile procession that ends with a burning of “The Urn.” Get ready for a colorful celebration filled with dancing, altars and art installations.
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