Updated September 22, 2026

Best Events This October

October is when Phoenix fully shakes off summer. The heat finally breaks for good, evenings turn crisp, and the Valley’s biggest fall traditions take over the calendar. The Arizona State Fair opens its gates, pumpkin patches and haunted houses set the mood for Halloween, and the festival scene kicks into high gear with Oktoberfest, tacos, and Greek pastries. Here’s what’s happening in the Phoenix area this October.

Dinosaurs in the Desert – Phoenix Zoo
When: Sept 26–Apr 30
More than 60 life-size dinosaurs are back on trails across the Zoo this fall, with fossil digs, photo ops, and educational signage throughout. A fun outing for dino-loving kids all season long.

Fear Farm Haunted Fairgrounds – Scottsdale
When: Select nights, Sept 19–Nov 14
Arizona’s largest Halloween attraction returns with four haunted houses, food trucks, and live entertainment. Best suited for teens and thrill-seekers looking for a scare.

Arizona State Fair – Phoenix
When: Oct 1–Nov 1 (Thu–Sun)
The Valley’s favorite fall tradition returns with midway rides, deep-fried fair food, livestock shows, and a Coliseum concert series. A classic outing for the whole family.

Rocktoberfest – SanTan Gardens, Chandler
When: Oct 2–4
SanTan Brewing hosts three days of live music, craft beer, and classic Oktoberfest competitions — stein holding, a brat-eating contest, and wiener dog races — at its new Uptown Chandler home.

Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party – Queen Creek
When: Thu–Sun in October
Pick your own pumpkin, take a hayride out to the patch, and warm up with a chili dinner at this East Valley farm tradition. Corn mazes, pig races, and bonfires round out the fun.

Sound Bites Music & Food Festival – Gilbert Regional Park
When: Oct 9
One night of live music paired with the Valley’s best food trucks and craft drinks under a desert sunset. Kids 11 and under get in free with a ticketed adult.

Four Peaks Oktoberfest – Tempe Town Lake
When: Oct 9–11
This 53-year Tempe tradition brings German food, beer gardens, polka, carnival rides, and the beloved wiener dog races to the shores of Tempe Town Lake.

NASCAR Fall Race Weekend – Phoenix Raceway, Avondale
When: Oct 16–18
The championship Chase heats up as the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and Craftsman Truck Series all take on Phoenix Raceway in one high-speed weekend for race fans.

Original Phoenix Greek Festival – Phoenix
When: Oct 16–18
Now in its 65th year, this beloved festival at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral serves up gyros, baklava, and live traditional dancing under the Arizona sky.

Arizona Taco Festival – Salt River Fields, Scottsdale
When: Oct 17–18
Arizona’s tribute to all things taco returns with dozens of local chefs and food trucks, premium tequila and mezcal tastings, and live music. Kids 12 and under get in free.

Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival – Salt River Fields, Scottsdale
When: Oct 23–25
More than 20 hot air balloons double as trick-or-treat stations at this family Halloween tradition, with costume contests and tethered balloon rides for a one-of-a-kind night out.

MIKIZTLI: Día de los Muertos PHX Festival – Downtown Phoenix
When: Oct 24
This free, family-friendly celebration at Arizona Center features traditional dance, live music, an artist mercado, and the city’s largest community ofrenda honoring loved ones.

Spooky Safari – Phoenix Zoo
When: Oct 28–30
Trick-or-treat through the Zoo with themed candy stations, face painting, and an hourly costume parade — a not-too-scary Halloween outing for younger kids.

Best Pumpkin Patches

Mortimer Farms – Dewey
When: Weekends in October
An 80-acre working farm near Prescott with a 15-acre pumpkin patch, a 25-acre corn maze, hayrides, pig races, and a Friday night barn dance. A fun day trip with cooler fall air.

Mother Nature’s Farm – Gilbert
When: Sept 27–Nov 2
Pumpkins ranging from one ounce to 500 pounds, plus a hayride, adventure maze, spider web crawl, and petting zoo, all included with admission.

Tolmachoff Farms – Glendale
When: Oct 1–31
A 5-acre family corn maze, a mini maze for little ones, and a haunted corn maze for the brave, plus a petting zoo, train rides, and a jumping pillow.

Vertuccio Farms – Mesa
When: Oct 3–Nov 2
A 5-acre corn maze, mini golf, a zip line, pumpkin bowling, and a petting zoo round out this East Valley fall festival, plus a farmers market for fresh produce and flowers.

MacDonald’s Ranch – Scottsdale
When: Oct 4–31 (closed Tuesdays)
An Old West-style pumpkin patch with gold panning, a hay-bale maze, pony rides, and a petting zoo of miniature ponies, pigs, goats, and sheep.