Friday

Halloween Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival

The Salt River Fields at Talking Stick has a special Halloween celebration in store this Friday, Oct. 25, and Saturday, Oct. 26. Admire over 20 hot air balloons as they illuminate the Arizona skies during the Halloween Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival. The event will also include live music and a costume contest to ring in the Halloween spirit. The festival starts at 5 p.m., and ticket prices start at $10.

Desert Botanical Garden’s Strange Garden

Boo! The Desert Botanical Garden presents their Strange Garden event. Take a stroll through the preposterous plants set up by ghostly botanists. Guests will also be able to check out creepy carved pumpkins, a Monster Mash dance party, and other eerie activities. Celebrate Halloween early this Friday, Oct. 25, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets start at $12.95.

Howl-O-Ween at The Phoenix Zoo

From spine-chilling scenes to a sweeter selection of activities, The Phoenix Zoo wants to trick-or-treat with you at Howl-O-Ween. A spooktacular dance party, farmhouse maze, and Pirates of the “Scare”ibbean are just a few of the many forms of entertainment. Tickets start at $12.95, and the event runs from 6 to 10:30 p.m.