Where to trick-or-treat and see spooky houses
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Make the most of Halloween weekend with a route through Mesa's spookiest homes and busiest trick-or-treating neighborhoods.
Why it matters: Pick the route closest to you for over-the-top decorations and plenty of candy.
🎶 Southeast Mesa: Watch more than 10,000 lights synchronized to songs selected by passersby at the Halloween Light Show, 9758 E. Thornbush Ave., 6:30-8:30pm nightly.
- Walk down the block to the Jurassic Park House, 9705 E. Thornbush Ave., where dinosaurs, fog and sound effects take over the yard 6-9:30pm.
- Finish with door-to-door candy in Cadence, which Reddit users say gets busy.
💡 Augusta Ranch: Start with about 100,000 synchronized lights at the Halloween Block Party Light Show, 2203 S. Boca, 6-10pm nightly.
- End at MulScary Manor, 10327 E. Naranja Ave., for homemade props, an outdoor movie and treats.
🦴 Santa Rita Ranch: aka Halloween Town, south of Guadalupe Road between Crismon and Signal Butte roads, goes all out — though crowds can be intense, and even "a little overwhelming" for kids, as one parent wrote online.
- Finish at the Skeleton House, 11106 E. Raleigh Ave., featuring skeletons, inflatables and lights, 6:30-9pm Friday and Saturday.
🍬 Gilbert and McKellips: Some Reddit users suggest going by homes behind Eos Fitness at 1954 E. McKellips Road.
- "We usually average 4 Costco bags of candy per year. Tons of decorations. Well-lit neighborhood. And some streets are blocked off to cars" in the evening, from about 6 to 10 pm to keep children safe, one user wrote.
🎃 Eastmark: Also known for busy Halloween streets and plentiful candy. Start near The Deck skate park, 9362 E. Point Twenty-Two Blvd., then walk the surrounding areas after sunset.
The bottom line: These are private homes. Stay on public walkways and don't block driveways.