As September draws to a close in Phoenix, we’re reminded why we endure those scorching summers. With the arrival of cooler temperatures, the city comes alive, offering an array of fall events to celebrate the season. I’ve compiled the Top Fall Events in Phoenix for your entire family to enjoy.
Fill your weekends with an abundance of outdoor activities from pumpkin patches, to cultural immersion festivities, and wandering through a vibrant red and gold forest. And don’t forget to bring your camera to capture these memory-making moments in your family’s story.
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Visit A Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkins are the quintessential symbol of Fall, evoking a sense of nostalgia no matter your age. There’s something timeless about wandering through a pumpkin patch, whether you’re picking the perfect pumpkin for a spooky jack-o-lantern, adding festive touches to your home, or gathering the season’s staple for cozy stews and pies that carry us through Thanksgiving at the end of November.
Best Pumpkin Patches in Phoenix
Pro tip: Remember to bring your wagon to carry your loot!
Mother Nature’s farm
1663 E Baseline Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85233
In the heart of the East Valley, is Mother Nature’s Farm near Gilbert Rd. and the U.S. 60. Pick out the perfect pumpkin, take a hayride, or find your way through the Straw Bale Maze. Mother Nature’s Farm offers a variety of activities suitable for all ages.
Schnepf Farms
24810 S Rittenhouse Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142
Schnepf Farms is tucked away in the South East Valley. Enjoy a Pumpkin & Chili Party plus rides, a corn maze, and live entertainment for the whole family. End the night with a celebratory fireworks display.
Vertuccio Farms
4011 S. Power Rd., Mesa, AZ 85212
Mesa’s Vertuccio Farms welcomes cooler weather with a Fall Festival from September 17th through October 31st. Aside from purchasing pumpkins, enjoy a new Ropes Course, Pig Race Ride, and corn maze. Visit their website to learn more.
Mac Donald’s Ranch
26540 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
In North Scottsdale, Mac Donald’s Ranch hosts a variety of Fall activities to enjoy with the family. Take home the perfect pumpkin, indulge in a corn sensory pool, or visit the petting zoo. Mac Donald’s Ranch won’t disappoint with many more options for family fun.
Tolmachoff Farms
5726 N 75th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85303
Throughout October, West Valley’s Tolmachoff Farms offers a 6-acre corn maze, a large pumpkin patch, train rides, a petting zoo, plus so much more.
Explore Fall Foliage Trails
Escape the heat of Phoenix and immerse yourself in the stunning autumn scenery. Take a short adventure up North towards Sedona and Flagstaff to find vibrant red and golden hues scattered throughout the forest floors. Arizona’s fall foliage peaks at the end of September through mid-October. Whether it’s a quick day trip or a weekend getaway, these trails offer a breathtaking autumn experience.
Top Trails and Parks
West Fork Oak Creek Trailhead
Located in Sedona, West Fork is a popular trail for viewing autumn colors in Oak Creek Canyon. West Fork trail is an easy hike and 2-3 hours round trip.
Kachina Peaks Wilderness
Just North of Flagstaff offers an abundance of trails full of gorgeous views and cultural mythology. Kachina Trail is one of the most popular with moderate difficulty. This 5.2-mile hike may include bear, elk, and deer sightings as you cross the lava flow remnants of the San Francisco Peaks’ extinct volcano.
Intertwined; in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness, you’ll find Inner Basin Trailhead and Lockett Meadow Trail luxuriant with Aspen, Ponderosa Pine, and Douglas Fir Trees. These golden forest trails are more strenuous and you may encounter local wildlife.
Aspen Nature Loop
Fully immerse yourself in golden Aspens at The Aspen Nature Loop Trail, located on the western slope of the San Francisco Peaks. It’s an easy-to-moderate hiking trail that may last up to an hour, making it a perfect trail for littles to join you.
White Mountains
A 5-hour drive towards Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside will lead you to the White Mountains. Indulge yourself in breathtaking views of red, yellow, and orange.
Mogollon Rim
Take a scenic drive to Payson and through The Mogollon Rim, which spans 200 miles through Arizona and New Mexico. Tucked away from the busy main road, you’ll find gorgeous views at dizzying heights of the Colorado Plateau overlooking the forest below.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Heading East towards Superior, AZ, Boyce Thompson Arboretum is one of my favorite places to visit all year round. The best time to view the beloved autumnal colors at this location is between mid-November and early December.
Mount Lemmon
Explore southern Arizona to Mount Lemmon, a mixed conifer forest, located in the Coronado National Forest just north of Tucson. The Bear Wallow and Ski Valley areas are family-friendly hiking points known for peak autumn beauty.
Experience a Fall Festival
Phoenix, Arizona is rich in cultural heritage and over the years has become a mix of traditions from all around the world. Fall is the perfect season to celebrate diversity, indulge in seasonal food & drinks, enjoy live music, and make unforgettable memories- all with a unique Southwest flair.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Phx Fest
Indigenous Peoples’s Day (IPD) Phoenix Fest delivers an array of immersive Cultural & Art experiences spread across October 11, 12, & 14. “Amplify Indigenous Voices” through a celebration of ceremonies, art installations, live performances, music, and so much more hosted by Indigenous-led and Women-owned Cahokia.
Dia de los Muertos
End of October through the first few days of November, you can find various Dia de los Muertos activities around the valley like:
- Dia de los Muertos Festival at Mesa Arts Center October 19-20, 2024
- Danza De Muertos at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts October 26, 2024
- Mikiztli Dia De Los Muertos Festival October 27, 2024
- Dia de Muertos at the Desert Botanical Gardens November 1-3, 2024
Oktoberfest
Celebrate Munich without needing your passport. Adventure around the Valley, to the many Oktoberfest events in Phoenix this fall. Phoenix New Times has created a comprehensive list of 12 events this year.
Top Fall Events in Phoenix
Whether wandering through a pumpkin patch, witnessing the beauty of changing seasons, or immersing yourself in cultural festivities, you’ll find endless inspiration for this fall. Wherever your adventures take you, remember to take a moment to pause, be fully present, and capture a quick photo to cherish this chapter in your family’s story.
Ready to make this fall unforgettable? Schedule a session now to capture this season of life with your family.
Jasmyn Sambac Photography, is a Phoenix Portrait Photographer located in Chandler, AZ, specializes in timeless maternity, newborn, baby, family, and boudoir portraits. My bespoke photography experience is designed to make you feel beautiful, be fully present, and transform your most cherished moments into heirloom artwork that will be treasured for generations.
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Jasmyn Coleman is an award-winning Phoenix Portrait Photographer specializing in maternity, lifestyle newborn, baby milestones, family, and boudoir photography. My passion is to help women feel beautiful, be fully present, and transform life’s most cherished moments into timeless heirloom art.
