Spooky season is upon us, and Arizona has no shortage of events for an exciting night out or Halloween family fun. Here are some of the spooktacular events to look out for during October:
Apocalypse Rawhide
From now until November 2, thrill seekers can wander around this zombie-filled Western town with a tactical laser shotgun, eliminating threats and escaping the taken-over town. This playful adventure is for groups of four to six at 5700 W. North Loop Road in Chandler. Tours last 45 minutes and tickets start at $45. For more information, visit apocalypserawhide.com.
Desert Ridge’s Creepy Candy Crawl
On October 17 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., bring the family to Desert Ridge Marketplace for trick-or-treating, costume contests (dress in your best costume and win the trophy!), festive decorations and live entertainment. A pumpkin patch and games and activities will also be at the district stage. For more, visit shopdesertridge.com.
Boo & Brew at Scottsdale Quarter
On October 26 from 2-7 p.m., the entire family (furry friends included) can enjoy fall-inspired activities at Scottsdale Quarter, including a pumpkin patch, seasonal crafts, live music, and local brews for the grown-ups. There will also be a Candy Crawl that guides families through the Scottsdale Quarter looking for treats. For more, visit scottsdalequarter.com.
Boo’ze and Brews Bar Crawl
On October 26, Downtown Mesa welcomes guests to walk, jog, or run to more than 15 bars, with special $5 deals at each along the way. The self-guided bar crawl starts at Pedal Haus (201 W. Main St., Mesa) and has a mandatory check-in between 1:30 and 3 p.m. to receive the crawl map and wristband. For more information, visit downtownmesa.com.
Sweet Street Spooktacular
Tempe Marketplace is starting Halloween early with its Sweet Street event. Starting at 5:30, attendees can trick or treat from shop to shop, participate in the costume contest, hear boo-ti-ful tunes, and find prizes, giveaways, activities, and more. For more information, visit tempemarketplace.com.
Tempe Community Action Agency’s Spooky Garden
This charitable night is perfect for the entire family. On October 24 from 6-8 p.m. and with the donation of canned goods, families can stroll along a path at the Escalante Community Garden (2150 E. Orange St., Tempe) lined with glowing pumpkins, cobwebs and actors dressed as playful ghouls. Designed to be family-friendly, the scares are lighthearted, ensuring that even the youngest guests can enjoy the thrill without fear. For more information, click here.
Glowing Pumpkins: A Phoenix Jack-o-Lantern Adventure
Enjoy the seasonal weather with an outdoor pumpkin walkthrough. With over 5,000 carved pumpkins within a mile radius, families are invited to explore the expert crafting through the pumpkin pathway and see carvings of classic Halloween characters, dinosaurs, superheroes, movie and pop culture icons and more until November 2. To learn more, visit glowingpumpkins.com.
Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival
An impressive collection of themed hot air balloons will visit Salt River Fields from October 25 to 27 from 5 to 9 p.m. This event offers trick-or-treating, costume contests, inflatables, and a fireworks show—something fun for the whole family. Tickets start at $17. For more information, visit azspooktacular.com.
Scottsdale W Halloween Package
Escape from the scares of everyday life at the Scottsdale W with the Halloween Package. Guests are invited to stay and attend Scare Coach, an evening of thrills, music and more on October 26. With the purchase of a room from October 25 to October 28, guests will get two tickets to the event and a $40 drink credit. For more information, click here.
Hale’O Week Monster Mash – A Halloween Concert
Get ready for a spooky good time as Hale Theater conjures up the Halloween spirit with its first annual Halloween Concert, happening nightly from October 24 to November 2. Featuring an all-star band and hit songs like “Monster Mash,” “I Put a Spell on You,” and “Love Potion #9,” this show is meant for all ages. Tickets start at $41. For more, visit haletheatrearizona.com.
Cave Creek Wicked
This town-wide bar crawl on October 26 from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. will stop at eight of Cave Creek’s most popular haunts. Attendees are encouraged to wear their best costumes and prepare to drink and eat with numerous special deals at each spot. For more, visit cavecreekguide.com.
Strange Garden
Bask in the desert landscapes at the Desert Botanical Garden on October 25 and 26 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Strange Garden’s eerie and enchanting setting will be complemented by live music, interactive experiences, food trucks, and more. Each child will also receive a free pumpkin. For more information, click here.
Boo-tastic Children’s Museum of Phoenix
Bring the kids to the Children’s Museum of Phoenix on October 26, 27 and 31 for a variety of spooktacular Halloween-themed fun. The lineup includes a Fashion Fright Show and Halloween photo ops, plus activities like painting a Dia de los Muertos skull, apple stamp pumpkin paintings and more. Tickets start at $17. childrensmuseumofphoenix.org.
Halloween at Candytopia
Candytopia, located at Scottsdale Fashion Square, has transformed from a candy wonderland into a Halloween spectacular. Guests can find interactive exhibits, Halloween décor, spooktacular music, Candy Creation stations, trick-or-treating, and special surprises. Wear your Halloween costumes any day of the season and get a chance to Spin to Win exciting prizes! Halloween festivities are available through November 3. For more, visit candytopia.com.
Spooky Cinema
Skysill Rooftop Lounge at Westin Tempe will celebrate Halloween all October with haunted Hollywood classics for its Spooky Cinema series. Every Friday evening in October, the lounge will offer spook-tacular-themed treats and cocktails for the grown-ups. Haunted Mansion will play on October 18 and Nightmare Before Christmas will play on October 25 at 7 p.m. These events are free. To learn more, visit skysillrooftop.com.
Dia de los Muertos Fiestas
From October 24 to November 2, the City of Scottsdale will showcase events for the eighth annual Scottsdale Dia de los Muertos Fiestas. Events include an artwork and a photographic exhibition, “La Ofrenda” by Gus Mejia Arte and altars designed by Oaxacan artists at the Old Adobe Mission; an art installation at Scottsdale Civic Center; an authentic Día de los Muertos traditional procession with face makeup stations so attendees can fully immerse themselves; the family-friendly Fiesta de Muertos with food, vendors and arts and crafts and the Danza de Muertos performance on October 26. For more information, visit scottsdalediadelosmuertos.com.
Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Mountain View Funeral Home & Cemetery (7900 E. Main St., Mesa) is hosting its third annual Dia de los Muertos celebration, on November 2 from 4 to 7:30 PM. This year’s event invites the public to set up their own altars to remember loved ones who have passed away. These ofrendas can be decorated with food, drinks, trinkets and photographs. The celebration will feature Folklorico dancers, mariachi performances, stilt walkers, food trucks and face painting. Guests are encouraged to wear their favorite Day of the Dead costumes. The event is free and open to the public. For more, visit mountainviewfuneralhomeandcemetery.com.
