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Top 7 Fall Festivals in Arizona

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 Local First Arizona Fall Festival
Credit: Local First Arizona Fall Festival by localfirstaz.com

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 Annual Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party
Credit: Annual Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party by Annual Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party

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 Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival, Scottsdale
Credit: Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival, Scottsdale by srfballoonfestivals.com

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 Dia de los Muertos Festival
Credit: Dia de los Muertos Festival by mesaartscenter.com

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 Pumpkins
Credit: Pumpkins by pxhere.com

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 Annual Apple Festival, Crown King
Credit: Annual Apple Festival, Crown King by cinnamonsnow via Flickr

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

Cornucopia Fall Festival at Thorpe Park, Flagstaff Cornucopia Fall Festival at Thorpe Park
Credit: Cornucopia Fall Festival at Thorpe Park by flagcorn.com

Cornucopia Fall Festival at Thorpe Park, Flagstaff

It’s a little cooler in Flagstaff, which means you can enjoy the crisp days of fall here while attending a fun community festival! Typically held on the last weekend in September, it features carnival rides, a hay maze, a pumpkin patch and a pie-eating contest. There are also exciting carnival games with prizes, a petting zoo and a kids’ talent show. Don’t miss the giant kid’s Inflatable World and Vendor Village.

Check out the official website for more information.
Dates: September 23rd-24th, 2023

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