From too-cool pumpkin carvings to some serious trick-or-treating opportunities, pack up the fam for a fun and festive fall weekend (Oct. 19 to Oct. 21).
Friday:
Enchanted Pumpkin Garden
Oct. 19 kicks off the 10-day Enchanted Pumpkin Garden in Carefree. Guests are invited to wander four acres of Carefree Desert Gardens to view the whimsical carvings from master pumpkin carver, Ray Villafane. Handmade, organic scarecrows will also be a highlight, along with a pumpkin patch, arts and crafts, music, autumnal treats, food trucks, merchandise, harvest market, costume contests and more.
Image courtesy of Visit Phoenix.
Arizona State Fair
Corn dogs, cotton candy and carousels, oh my! The Arizona State Fair is back with crazy fair food, rides, games and exciting events at the Grandstand and Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The fair kicks off Oct. 5 and ends Oct. 28.
Saturday:
Walmart Transportation Touch-A-Truck
The city of Glendale’s annual Walmart Transportation Touch-A-Truck event returns to Westgate Entertainment District on Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Located in the east parking lot, families will have the opportunity to explore commercial and industrial vehicles firsthand, including a dump truck, a tow truck, a sanitation vehicle and an 18-wheeler. The free event will also feature plenty of activities for kids, including a sand play area, Tiny Tot Drivers miniature roadway with toy vehicles and The Big Dig zone, plus more.
Gelato Festival America
Gelato’s biggest international celebration is back in America—and stopping in Scottsdale this weekend at Kierland Commons. Gelato Festival America will spread awareness of real Italian artisanal gelato through a contest in which gelato artisans and chefs will compete with original gelato flavors they have created for the event. The ticket is an all-access pass to all of the activities and reserved events of Gelato Festival America 2018. Tickets are $30 for adults; $25 for seniors (65-plus); $25 for kids (3 to 12 years old); and free for children under 2 years old. (Tickets are discounted if purchased online prior to the event.)
Chandler Mayor’s Day of Play
Chandler Mayor’s Day of Play returns Saturday, Oct. 20, turning Tumbleweed Park into a playground for all. From 8 a.m. to noon, children of all ages can revel in free family fun as they play life-size board games, enjoy sporty inflatables, take part in interactive activities and receive giveaways. Families can also buckle up with Chandler Fire, Health and Medical’s car and booster seat checks. Plus, USA BMX returns this year challenging kids to show off their wheels and practice bike safety.
Celebrate Mesa
Celebrate Mesa is a free family event that brings the community together to enjoy games, carnival rides ($5 for a wristband), entertainment, food trucks, giveaways and more. This year’s event takes place Oct. 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Red Mountain Soccer Complex.
Seventh Annual Fall Concert Series at Scottsdale Quarter: Rock Lobster
Unwind at Scottsdale Quarter for the seventh-annual Fall Concert Series, a free concert series taking place in The Quad. Live music from the band Rock Lobster can be enjoyed from 5 to 7 p.m. and will run at the same time every Saturday through Oct. 27 (a different music group will be showcased each week).
Sunday:
Ghosts & Goodies
Westgate Entertainment District will be hosting Ghosts & Goodies on Oct. 21 from 3 to 6 p.m., featuring games, entertainment, costume contests and the ultimate candy crawl with goodies from participating Westgate restaurants and retailers. The little goblins won’t be the only ones going home with bags full of delicious treat; adult trick-or-treaters will be gifted with several discount cards from more than 15 participating Westgate businesses. Costume contest participants will have the opportunity to win tickets to the Playstation Fiesta Bowl and a Dave & Buster’s gift basket. Attendees can also participate in Halloween-themed activities. This is a free event.
The Outbreak at Schnepf Farms
Have teens looking for a fright? Guests enter Base Camp Ray at Schnepf Farms and are intensely immersed in the training against the zombie infestation. A team of soldiers will create an unforgettable experience for new recruits while they board war rigs and embark on top-level missions across unknown zombie wasteland to help save Schnepf Farms and the human race. Each recruit will be issued a Tippmann 98 custom paintball gun to suppress the onslaught of zombies. Tickets are $22; The Outbreak at Schnepf Farms takes place every Thursday through Sunday, from Oct. 4 to Oct. 28 from 7 to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m.
Verde Canyon Railroad.
See Fall Leaves in Arizona
Back a sweater and buckle up—take a day trip to Northern or Southern Arizona to enjoy some fall leaf-peeping. Here’s where to go.
