Update: Come see our recent 2009 post for updated fall events!
It’s nearly October in Arizona and along with fall foliage, Halloween tricks and treats and cooler temperatures, there are lots of family-friendly activities happening all over the state. Here’s a list of the best fall activities for families in Arizona:
1. Prescott-area: Young’s Farm Annual Pumpkin Festival…October 7-9, 14-16 and 21-23 in Dewey – Young’s Farm Young’s Farm is closing–don’t miss this final year’s fall event! Pick your very own Halloween pumpkin right out of the patch. Hayrides and activities start around 9:00 a.m. and go until 4:00 p.m. The restaurant will be open until 8:00 p.m. on Friday and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Kids can enjoy games, wagon and train rides, pumpkin bounce, pony rides, a petting zoo and so much more. Dozens of beautiful craft booths for your shopping convenience, home-cooked meals of BBQ chicken, and beef, plus our oven-baked pies, breads and desserts. Stroll around our Produce Stand while you listen to live music and sample some of our fresh apple cider. $4 per person. (928) 632-7272; www.youngsfarminc.com/Events/PumpkinFestival
2. Sedona – The Annual Safe and Fun Trick or Treat…October 31 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm – This annual event is held on Halloween along Sedona’s Main Street. Uptown Merchants welcome all good ghouls and ghosts to visit their stores along Hwy 89A in Uptown for little tricks and great treats! These merchants have a seventeen-year tradition of good will, providing this safe and free Halloween tradition for the entire community.
3. In Clarkdale, between Sedona and Prescott – Haunted Halloween Express on the Verde Canyon Railroad…October 31 at 12:00 pm – Ghosts and goblins, witches and warlocks – pint sized and full grown – are invited to join in the Verde Canyon Railroad’s frighteningly good fun. In addition to the specatcular fall foliage, a costume contest will be featured. Prizes will be awarded for the best, funniest and scariest costumes worn by a child and adult. Special Tuesday train ride! For more information: (800) 293-7245; www.verdecanyonrr.com
4. Phoenix-area – Fall Starlight Concert Series…October 1-31 – Arizona is known both for its stunning night skies and as a great venue for outdoor concerts. Stop by Arrowhead Meadows Park to take in songs and starlight. (480) 782-2735; www.chandleraz.gov
5. Phoenix-area in Scottsdale – Mariposa Monarca…October 1-November 1 - Come meet some monarchs…butterflies, that is. Monarch butterflies, arguably the most recognized, studied and loved of all insects; command attention from scientists and naturalists alike. Learn more about these inspiring insects at this exhibition featuring live monarch butterflies, tagging demonstrations and interpretive displays about the life cycle, migration patterns, environmental threats and conservation of monarchs. Desert Botanical Gardens (480) 941-1225; www.dbg.org
6. Phoenix-area in Queen Creek – 11th Annual Schnepp Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party…October 1-31 – Join the fun at one of Arizona’s best family festivals while helping out local charitable clubs and organizations. This five-weekend festival features live entertainment, outdoor family movie nights, hayrides, marshmallow roasts, scarecrow creations, a roller coaster, petting barn, chili and chicken dinners and the famous Hillbilly Bob’s pig races. (480) 987-3100; www.pumpkinandchiliparty.com
7. Between Prescott and Sedona in Jerome – 4th Annual Jerome Ghost Walk…October 7 – Jerome airs its dirty—or spooky—laundry in this walk through haunted brothels, a murder on “spook hill” and more in a reveling nod to its one-time reputation as the “Wickedest Town in the West.” Bring a flashlight along on this tour suited for older children and adults. (928) 634-1066; www.jeromehistoricalsociety.org
8. In the Prescott-area in Chino Valley – Chino Valley Haunted House…October 12-14, 19-21 and 26-28 – Old Home Manor Haunted house, live music, concessions stand and spooky photo booth (have your picture taken with the actors). Admission: $6, discount coupons available at Fry’s grocery stores and www.cvhaunt.com
9. In Prescott – Eighth Annual Ghost Walk…October 28 – Sharlot Hall Museum Guided trips through tales from Prescott’s folklore, told by costumed storytellers. Co-sponsored by West Yavapai Guidance Clinic and the Prescott Fine Arts Association. Tickets are for walks beginning at 6, 7, 8 and 9 pm. 928-445-3122; www.sharlot.org
10. In the Prescott-area in Chino Valley – Trick or Treat Tailgate Party and Fall Fest…October 31 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm – Old Home Manor Photo booth, Dr. Ooze Slime Laboratory, wacky maze, treasure hunt and haunted hay ride. Event is free to public; 
www.chinoaz.net
Hello – great post, and great blog! Don’t know if you were looking to add any more “Pumpkin Festivals” to the roster but we have a great one in Page/Lake Powell that apparently holds a record for the most lit pumpkins in one place! It’s on October 28th, for more info visit http://www.harvestentertainment.org I also have a Grand Canyon news, events, random thoughts etc. blog. Check it out at http://news.grandcanyon.com
Thank you for the quality content you bring to our industry.
Thanks, Alley! I added Grand Canyon News to our list of favorite blogs!
Sedona is must do in October as well.
[...] to everyone, but they’re new to me and since they weren’t part of our hugely popular Fall 2006 post, I’m gonna go ahead and assume you’d like to hear about them, [...]