Top fall events and things to do around Phoenix
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Children celebrate at Mesa's Día de los Muertos Festival. Photo: Courtesy of Slaven Gujic via Mesa Arts Center
Welcome to fall — when the temperatures cool down (slightly) and outdoor events return to metro Phoenix.
Zoom in: These fun things to do will surely get you in the autumnal spirit!
🎃 Pumpkin patches
Pumpkin picking isn't enough for these Phoenix farms — here are some of the other festive attractions they're offering:
Mother Nature's Farm: Hayrides, straw bale maze, corn pit and a mega-slide.
- Gilbert; through Nov. 2
Vertuccio Farms: Train rides, carnival games, petting zoo and mini-golf.
- Mesa; Oct. 3–Nov. 2
Schnepf Farms: Pig races, famous chili and amusement rides.
- Queen Creek; Oct. 3–Oct. 31
MacDonald's Ranch: Pony rides, hay bale climbing and a mechanical bull.
- Scottsdale; Oct. 4–31
Tolmachoff Farms: Scarecrow-shaped corn maze, petting zoo and a pedal cart track.
- Glendale; through Oct. 31
Desert Fall Festival: Apple cannon blaster, zip line and a scavenger hunt.
- Surprise; through Nov. 1
Spooky Side Patch: Fall photo-ops and pumpkin painting.
- Desert Ridge Marketplace in Phoenix; Oct. 13–26
🍻 Oktoberfests
Prost! Beer drinking is but one of the idyllic fall offerings at these events:
Four Peaks Oktoberfest: Live music, ice-cold German beer, dachshund races, carnival rides and more.
- Tempe Town Lake; Oct. 10–12
Downtown Chandler Rocktoberfest: Brat eating contests, stein holding competitions and more.
- Dr. A.J. Chandler Park West; Oct. 3–4
🧟 Haunted houses
Ahhhh! Get the bejesus scared out of you at these horror houses:
Apocalypse Rawhide: Assume the role of a deputy sheriff and make your way through a zombie-infested Western town with "realistic laser shotguns."
- Chandler; Oct. 3–Nov. 1
Fear Farm: Arizona's legendary fright farm moved locations but kept the hair-raising horror.
- Scottsdale; through Nov. 2
Scarizona Scaregrounds: New attractions include a haunted ICU and total darkness experience.
- Mesa; through Nov. 1
👻 Ghost Tours
Say hello to the ghosts who frequent these historic Phoenix buildings:
Hotel San Carlos: Guests of this 97-year-old hotel claim they've seen spooky spirits roaming the rooms. Go see for yourself with a late-night tour.
- Downtown Phoenix; Saturdays through December
Orpheum Theatre: Go behind the curtain to learn about the Orpheum's mysterious past.
- Downtown Phoenix; Oct. 17–18, 25 and 31
🇲🇽 Día de los Muertos
Celebrate Day of the Dead with these cultural expos across the Valley:
Scottsdale Día de los Muertos Fiesta: Folklórico performances, art installations and more.
- Scottsdale Civic Center; Oct. 23–26
Día de los Muertos Festival at Mesa Arts Center: Performances, face painting, art exhibits and community altars.
- Downtown Mesa; Oct. 25–26
Mikiztli Día de los Muertos Festival: 8-foot-tall animated skeleton puppets, mariachi music and crafts.
- Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix; Nov. 1
Día de los Muertos at Desert Botanical Garden: A moving sunset procession, face painting, Oaxaca artwork and outdoor altar.
- Phoenix, Nov. 1–2