26 OCTOBER 2025 By Kylie de Best O ctober is packed with festive fun, from lively block parties to trick- or-treating at the zoo – there’s something for everyone this season. Browse the list below to find events happening near you! FOUR PEAKS OKTOBERF EST When: October 10-12; Friday 5 p.m.-12 a.m., Saturday 12 p.m.-12 a.m., Sunday 12-10 p.m. Where: Tempe Town Lake, 80 W. Rio Salado Pkwy. Admission: $24, free admission Sunday and free admission to ages 20 and under all weekend fourpeaksoktoberfest.com Back for its 52nd year, this outdoor Bavarian-themed festival has it all. Live music will be performed across two stages, featuring headliners Annie Bosko, Fastball, and Emily Wolfe. On October 11 is the Frank Kush Foundation’s Runnin’ for the Brats , a run around Tempe Town Lake with a 10k, 5k, and 1-mile option. Oktoberfest costumes are encouraged, and all runners get free Saturday admission. Other things to enjoy are authentic food, drinks, wiener dog races, the stein holding competition, carnival rides, and more. All ages are welcome. SWEET STREET SPOOKTACULAR When: October 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Where: Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy. Admission: Free tempemarketplace.com Tempe Marketplace gets transformed into a sweet adventure this October. Attendees can go trick-or-treating from store to store, participate in festive games, music and photo ops, enjoy a Halloween- themed FUNERGY show, and even see a Beetlejuice stilt walker. Show off your best costume for a chance to win prizes and trophies at the costume contest. SPOOKY, SCARY, SPINE-CHILLING MUSIC When: October 7, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Where: Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix Admission: $20 per person mim.org At this MIM Curator Talk, guests will learn about instruments played to ward off negative spirits, experience sounds that seem like science fiction, and explore music that’s earned an eerie reputation in popular culture. There’s also a gallery getaway tour to see related exhibits. SPOOKY SAFARI When: October 22-24, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Where: Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Pkwy. Admission: $18 per person Phoenix Zoo is calling all ghosts and goblins to attend the Spooky Safari. There will be trick-or-treating with themed candy stations throughout the park, face painting, an hourly costume parade, crafts, a carousel, camel rides and more. PEDAL HAUS BREWERY OKTOBERF EST When: October 4, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Where: Pedal Haus Brewery, 201 W. Main St., Mesa Admission: Free pedalhausbrewery.com Pedal Haus Brewery offers a day full of savory food, unique drinks, music and fun. The brewery will have a themed Oktoberfest menu and seasonal beers, including award-winning Oktoberfest Märzen, German-style Pilsner and special release Dortmunder. Live music and activities such as stein holding and sausage eating contests will take place from 4-9 p.m. If you dress in traditional Oktoberfest attire? You get your first stein for $5. F IESTA DE MUERTOS When: Saturday, October 25, times vary Where: Scottsdale Civic Center, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. scottsdalediadelosmuertos.com Part of the ninth annual Scottsdale Dia de los Muertos Fiestas, the Fiesta de Muertos invites attendees to delve into the rich cultural traditions of this celebration through musical performances and presentations. Food, arts and crafts booths, and merchants will also be on-site from 1-10 p.m. There will also be a best- dressed contest and a procession ‘desfile de los muertos’ at 7 p.m. These events are free and family-friendly. ROCKTOBERF EST When: October 3-4; Friday 4:30-10 p.m., Saturday 1-10 p.m. Where: Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler Admission: Starts at $15 for Friday; $20 for Saturday downtownchandler.org SanTan Brewing and Huss Brewing Co. are teaming up to rock Oktoberfest. This two-day event features live music, fan- favorite drinks from both breweries, and classic games such as wiener dog races and brat eating contests. SPOOKTACULAR HOT AIR BALLOON F ESTIVAL When: October 24-26, 5-9 p.m. Where: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale Admission: Adults are $22; kids are $17 saltriverfields.com Salt River Fields will have 20+ hot air balloons from all over the country filled with over 4,000 pounds of candy. Tethered balloon rides, a free kids zone with over 30 inflatable slides and attractions, a haunted trail, and fireworks are just a few highlights. There will be a costume contest with various categories, so make sure you dress in your Halloween best. PUMPKIN F EST AT THE PRINCESS When: September 13-October 31; times vary Where: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, 7575 E. Princess Dr. Admission: Starts at $33 per person pumpkinfestattheprincess.com The Pumpkin Fest is back by popular demand. Animatronics, glowing gourds and fire pits enchant, and attendees should be prepared for a night of fun at every corner! Four different areas offer amusement park rides, pumpkin patches, hay mazes, festive bites and drinks – including a cider orchard – and plenty of photo ops. OKTOBERF EST AT GREENWOOD BREWING When: October 11, 12-10 p.m. Where: Greenwood Brewing, 425 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix Admission: $15 (includes stein) greenwoodbrews.com Greenwood is going all out this year, shutting down 5th St. for its Oktoberfest Block Party, which coincides with the five-year anniversary celebration. Guests can check out brewer collabs and seasonal beer releases, food vendors and pop-ups, live music, and family-friendly activities. FOUNTAIN HILLS OKTOBERF EST When: October 3-4, 5-10 p.m. Where: Fountain Hills Community Center, 13001 N. La Montana Dr. Admission: $10 per person; kids 12 and under are free fountainhillssistercities.org Fountain Hills’ Sister Cities nonprofit is bringing German tradition to life with the 17th annual Oktoberfest. An array of authentic German foods such as brats, schnitzels, apple strudel, and hand-grated potato pancakes are cooked on-site, and don’t forget the world-famous German- brewed bier. Families can enjoy music from a band flown from Germany while kids play in the bounce houses and obstacle course. TIANYU LIGHTS F ESTIVAL When: October 24-January 4, 6-10 p.m. Where: Camelback Ranch-Glendale, 10710 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix Admission: $25 per person, $18 for ages 3-11 tianyuculture.us Tianyu Lights Festival brings more than 60 groups of handcrafted lantern displays and over 1,000 illuminated pieces to life. Using a centuries-old lantern-making technique reimagined with steel, fabric, and LED lights, the festival transforms Camelback Ranch into a glowing wonderland. Visitors can stroll through displays, try international cuisine at the food court, and shop for treasures in the marketplace. Highlights include a 200-foot dragon floating on the pond and large installations like bugs aglow, color of holidays, rainforest, and prehistoric animals. GLOWING PUMPKINS When: Through November 2 Where: Riverwalk at Rawhide, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler Admission: Adults $22.50, kids $15 glowingpumpkins.com Featuring more than 5,000 hand-carved art pumpkins, this outdoor, walk-through experience winds through pathways filled with glowing sculptures, thematic scenes, and special effects, all set to music and sound for an immersive atmosphere. The displays showcase classic Halloween figures and dinosaurs to superheroes and pop culture icons. Wicked fun this way comes