Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. The crisp evenings, late sunrise, and pumpkin everything are just a few of my favorite things. While we don’t get to experience a typical fall in Phoenix with leaves changing colors we do a pretty good job with celebrating the end to eternal days and heat waves.
So what better way to enjoy the season than with some fun fall festivals. Shopping centers, neighborhoods, and local farms offer a range of activities for families. Put on your jeans and flannel and prep for a day picking pumpkins, getting lost in corn mazes, and eating your favorite fall treats. You’ll be ready for Halloween when it rolls around in a couple weeks.
HOWL-O-WEEN
Saturday, October 25th from 4 – 6 PM
Bring the whole family including your favorite furry friend for a night of fall fun. There will be trick-or-treating for pets and children, a costume contest, and a fun Halloween craft. Don’t forget to capture the night with a green screen photo. Face painting and Kettle corn will be available also. Stick around and see Dance Academy North perform at 5:15.
Admission: FREE
More Information: The Shops at Norterra
MacDonald’s Farm Pumpkin Patch
Known as Scottsdale’s premier horse back riding stable MacDonald’s ranch is hosting a fun pumpkin patch in true western style. Train and hay rides will be available to take you to and from the pumpkin patch to pick out your perfect Jack O’ Lantern for Halloween! There will be tons of children’s activities too including:
- Pony Rides
- Petting Zoo
- Shooting Gallery
- Steer Head Roping
- Gem Mine
- Ring Toss
- Horseshoe Toss
- Duck Races
- Cow Milking Contest
Admission: $10-15 ($3 off weekend admission). Bring a canned food item to receive $1 off admission. Pony rides, pumpkins, and face painting additional fee.
Information: MacDonald’s Ranch
Tolmachoff Farms
A local favorite of my families it serves as a typical farm stand most of the year. Come October 1st it transforms into a pumpkin patch and corn maze. For those who dare they offer a terror after dark, where the corn maze transforms into a special haunted maze. It’s the perfect outing for the whole family!
- Mini Corn Maze
- Train Ride
- Petting Zoo
- Hay Pyramid
- Jumping Pillow
- Play House
- Pedal Cars.
- Chicken Feed
Admission: $9 ($1 off admission)
Information: Tolmachoff Farms
Boo! at the Zoo
Boo at the Zoo is a week long celebration this year, October 20th-26th. Activities vary depending on the day, with fun nighttime activities happening on the weekend. Join in the Boo! and Howl-O-ween fun!
- Pumpkin Patch
- Monster Midway
- Scarecrow Straw Maze
- Click or Treat Scavenger Hunt
- Spirit Week (a different costume theme everyday)
- Stomp and Chomp
- Eek-o-Friendly costume Swap
Admission: included with Zoo admission
Information: Phoenix Zoo– Checkout the site for days and times of special events.
Harvest Fest at Pioneer Village
A sleepy ghost town known for it’s rich history comes alive Saturdays and Sundays during October. The Pioneer Living History Museum hosts Harvest Fest 2014. There’s something for everyone in the family.
- Farmer’s Market
- Bounce Houce
- Pumpkin Patch
- Petting Zoo
- Hay Rides & Maze
- Pumpkin Painting
- Gold Panning
Admission: $14 (5 & under FREE!) Coupon available on website for multiple admission discount.
Information: Pioner Museum
Corn Maze & Fall Festival at Vertuccio Farms
Just off Power Road in Mesa Vertuccio Farms will be celebrating Fall through November 2nd. Admission covers access to all the fun events and attractions; pumpkins cost extra of course. There’s so much fun happening:
- 7 Acre Corn Maze
- Extreme Air Pillow
- Mule Rides (NEW)
- Grain Train (NEW)
- Giant Tube Slide
- Spider Web Rope Climb
- Rubber Duck Race
- Mini Hay Maze
- Pumpkin Patch
- Pedal Race Cars
- Barrel Train Ride
- Farm Animals
- Bounce House
- Playground
- Teeter-Totter
- Barn House Photo Op
- Educational Pizza Farm*
- and much, much more!
Admission: $9 (children under 2 FREE)
Information: Vertuccio Farms
Autumn Fest at Anthem
Open to Anthem residents and visitors Autumn Fest will take place October 25th & 26th.
- Pumpkin Patch
- Pie Baking Contest
- Parade (Saturday)
- LIVE Music (Sunday)
- Magician & Balloon Artist
- Train Rides (fee)
- Hay Rides
- Inflatbles
- Arts & Crafts Fair
- Carnival (10/23-10/26 admission applies)
Admission: FREE
Information: Anthem
How does your family like to celebrate Fall?
Thanks so much for this list we’re figuring out which one to go to tomorrow!
Lotsa fun stuff. We will definitely be checking some of these out. Thanks, Kelly!
Awesome list! Fall is my favorite time of the year! My church is also doing a community harvest festival and marketplace October 25/26 in Central Phoenix! FREE Admission, Bounce Houses, Pumpkin Patch and Pumpkin Decorating, Face Painting, LIVE Music, GREAT Food, Games, Costumes, Candy, and more!
https://www.facebook.com/ODFCraftFair