Looking for a scary good time this pre-Halloween weekend?
Friday:
A-SCARE-ium Halloween Weekend at OdySea Aquarium
OdySea Aquarium will transform for Halloween weekend, Oct. 26 through Oct. 28, for the return of its annual A-SCARE-ium event. Guests will enjoy a creepy environment, ghostly divers at SeaTREK, Halloween music, ghosts, hay bales, jack-o’-lanterns and more. There will also be a trick-or-treat trail and maze at the Kids Cove for children 12 and younger. The program is complimentary with admission.
Spooktacular Balloon Festival
The 8th Annual Spooktacular Balloon Festival is returning to Salt River Fields this Friday and Saturday from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Don't miss the dozens of glowing hot air balloon rides, trick-or-treating, nightly firework shows, live music, a pumpkin patch and a free kid’s zone. Plus, dare to stroll the Spook Trail! Tickets are $10 for kids and $15 for adults.
OdySea in the Desert Fall Festival
Guests are invited to OdySea in the Desert for its second-annual Fall Festival on Friday, Oct. 26, from 5 to 8 p.m. Attendees will be treated to music, games, prizes, children in costumes and more. Kids 16 and under and families will enjoy a “not-so spooky” costume contest, an inflatable kid’s zone area, meet-and-greets with Elsa and a Minion, face painting, make-and-take crafts and more. The costume contest will begin at 6:30 p.m. (participants will need to arrive at 6 p.m. for consideration).
22nd Annual of Pumpkins at the Peak
Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort will be celebrating the 22nd Annual of Pumpkins at the Peak on Friday, Oct. 26. The event is an annual tradition that brings community members and travelers alike together for a fun-filled Halloween experience benefitting St. Mary’s Food Bank. Glowing jack-o-lanterns, ghosts and goblins will transform the resort’s four-acre River Ranch water park into a whimsical and spirited poolside carnival. Open to the public with canned food or cash donation to St. Mary’s Food Bank for admission, guests will enjoy live music, festive treats, games and more while families can trick-or-treat their way through 20 activities and specialty craft booths surrounding the resort pool.
Creepy Candy Crawl at Tempe Marketplace
At the District Stage near Dave & Buster’s at Tempe Marketplace, enjoy free pre-Halloween festivities at the Creepy Candy Crawl from 6 to 8 p.m., packed with spooky surprises for kids and families. Trick-or-treat from store-to-store, participate in costume contests for prizes and enjoy Halloween-themed activities in a scary-but-safe environment. (Then, on the 27th, head to Desert Ridge Marketplace from 3 to 5 p.m. for the Phoenix-area Creepy Candy Crawl.)
Chandler's Halloween Spooktacular
Trick-or-treat your way through Chandler's Halloween Spooktacular Friday, Oct. 26, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park. Come dressed in your best costume and enjoy a family night of free, frightful fun! Activities include ghoulish games, haunted house, trunk-or-treat, arts and crafts, and costume contest.
Saturday:
Trick or Treat at 31 Feet
All weekend long, guests are invited to come trick-or-treat the walls of AZ On The Rocks. Come in your costume and be prepared to get goodies (while supplies last) at the top of each route throughout the gym.
Haunted Houses in the Valley
Looking for some frightful fun? Check out our picks for the best haunted houses in the Valley.
Enchanted Pumpkin Garden
The Enchanted Pumpkin Garden in Carefree takes place until Oct. 28. 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.
Sunday:
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 ends Oct. 28.
