Arizona residents relish the fall season after summer brings sizzling temperatures to the state. While you probably won’t experience much in the way of cool, crisp air, temperatures are idyllic and the trees are highlighted in a variety of hues, which paint the Arizona landscapes with gorgeous colors. One of the top ways to celebrate this fantastic time of year in Arizona is to attend a fall festival, and these are some of the truly some of the best.
Local First Arizona Fall Festival, Phoenix
This Arizona Fall Fest is all about eating and drinking local. Hosted at Hance Park in early November, it’s a free, family-friendly celebration of all that’s local in the state. The festival features food from many of the finest restaurants around, including food samples, drinks and dishes from over 200 vendors, as well as a beer and wine garden, booths selling local items, and lots of live entertainment. There’s also a game-filled kid zone.
Check out the official website for more information.
Dates: November 4th, 2023
Annual Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party, Queen Creek
One of the most authentic traditional fall festivals in the Phoenix metro area, the annual Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party is always a good time, and it lasts throughout most of the month of October. It’s even been voted by Sunset magazine, Phoenix magazine and other publications as the very best fall family even in the Valley. Look forward to hayrides, pumpkin-picking, rides for thrill-seekers, and the popular hot chili dinner. The event also includes season favorites like a corn maze and a petting zoo, as well as unique attractions like pig races and the extreme canines stunt dog show.
Check out the official website for more information.
Dates: Every Thursday-Sunday in October beginning October 5th, 2023
Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival, Scottsdale
Salt River Fields is one of the most popular venues in Arizona for hosting big events. In the autumn season, one of the best and biggest is the annual Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival. It takes place during the lead-up to Halloween, which means there are lots of Halloween-related festivities, too, including costumes and candy. It also hosts a pumpkin patch, live music, firework shows, and a haunted trail. The highlight, as the name belies, however, is the more than 20 hot air balloons in attendance. Not only is it a sight to see, with colorful balloons filling the almost always bright blue skies, but attendees can also hop on a tethered balloon ride for an unforgettable bird’s eye view of Scottsdale and the surrounding desert landscape.
Check out the official website for more information.
Dates: October 27th – 29th, 2023
Dia de los Muertos Festival, Phoenix
Many feel that the very best holiday in the fall isn’t Halloween but Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. This Mexican celebration honors the spirits of the dead. Arizonans get to enjoy it, too, right in Phoenix’s Mesa Arts Center. The Dia de los Muertos Festival showcases hundreds of entertainers donning traditional Day of the Dead masks, and there are always fabulous multicultural dances, cultural performances, fun family activities and delicious foods.
Check out the official website for more information.
Dates: October 21st – 22nd, 2023
Fall Pumpkin Celebration, Willcox
This multi-weekend festival starts in September and is held through the last weekend of October. It’s hosted at Apple Annie’s in Willcox and offers family-fun pumpkin-picking in a huge pumpkin patch, as well as apple-picking in the orchard and gathering fall vegetables on the farm. Those who arrive early can enjoy the “All-You-Can-Eat” pumpkin and buttermilk pancake breakfast, though an Apple Smoked Burger Lunch will be served with plenty of pumpkin-related treats like homemade pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin pies and pumpkin bread.
Check out the official website for more information.
Dates: Last week of September through October 2023
Annual Apple Festival, Crown King
This annual festival in the Bradshaw Mountains is held in early October and features all of the favorite autumn festivities one could want in a small-town festival. Activities include picking from the pumpkin patch, hayrides, and an Old Fashioned Country Fair. There are even rides, dipped apples to indulge in, arts and crafts and the opportunity to tour a historic one-room schoolhouse.
Check out the official website for more information.
Dates: October 7th, 2023
