This Weekend · Oct 30-Nov 1

This weekend in
Central Phoenix
& the East Valley.

12 picks for Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 1, 2026, big and small. Every one has the time, the address, the price, where to park, a map pin and the official page, so you can make plans straight from here.

This edition covered Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 1, 2026. See this weekend

Oct 30-Nov 1

Plan your weekend

1. Arizona State Fair · 2. Zombie Zoo · 3. Desert Perspectives · 4. HEX · 5. Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party 2026 · 6. Science Skele-bration · 7. Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets (Emirates NBA Cup, West Group A) · 8. Halloween Spooktacular · 9. Spooky Safari · 10. Music in the Garden: Traveler with The Howard Brothers · 11. 15th Arizona Filipino Festival Fall Edition · 12. Día de los Muertos

Free this weekend: Halloween Spooktacular · 15th Arizona Filipino Festival Fall Edition

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Numbers match the list. Pins are placed from the Maricopa County Assessor's address points. No pin for 4: no published point for that address.

1Fri-SunPhoenix

Arizona State Fair

Arizona State Fairgrounds
When
Fri and Sat 12 pm, last entry 10 pm; Sun 12 pm, last entry 9 pm. Closing weekend.
Where
1826 W. McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Cost
$20 adults (13+), $12 ages 5 to 12, $14 seniors (62+), $12 military and first responders, under 4 free
Parking
North and West lots open at 10 am; $20 per vehicle, VIP $62.74. Rideshare drop-off at the southwest corner of the West Lot (19th Ave and Encanto).

The fair's final weekend of its October 1 to November 1 run, with rides, fair food, exhibits and concerts.

  • Bags may not exceed 12 x 12 inches; medical and diaper bags exempt but inspected
  • No outside food or drink, coolers, drones or selfie sticks
  • Service animals only; pets not permitted
DirectionsApple MapsOfficial page
2Fri-SunTempe

Zombie Zoo

Tempe Diablo Stadium
When
Fri, Sat and Sun 6:30 to 10 pm (to 10:30 pm on select nights). Final weekend.
Where
2200 W. Alameda Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282
Cost
From $39.99 per car
Parking
Drive-through; one ticket per car.

A Halloween drive-through light show by World of Illumination, running September 30 to November 1.

  • Online tickets only
  • Open rain or shine
  • Sales final; free date changes allowed
DirectionsApple MapsOfficial page
3Fri-SunScottsdale

Desert Perspectives

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA)
When
Fri, Sat and Sun 11 am to 5 pm
Where
7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Cost
$16; $13 students, seniors (65+), veterans, active-duty military and educators; free ages 18 and younger

SMoCA exhibition on the desert landscape, on view September 19, 2026 to September 5, 2027, alongside Desert ArtLAB | What the Earth Keeps and alejandro t. acierto: Model Home.

  • Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
  • Discounted tickets require ID and are sold in person
  • Pay what you wish on Thursdays and second Saturdays
DirectionsApple MapsOfficial page
4Fri-SatChandler

HEX

Rawhide Western Town & Event Center Festival Grounds
When
Fri and Sat, doors 5 pm, ends 1 am
Where
5700 W North Loop Rd, Chandler, AZ 85226
Cost
See the official page
Parking
Free on-site parking; premium parking sold online.

Two-night Halloween bass music festival from Aftershock; Subtronics and INZO headline Friday, Excision and ATLiens Saturday.

  • Strictly 18+
  • Clear bags up to 15 x 15 x 5 in plus one small clutch; two sealed water bottles allowed
  • No same-day re-entry
DirectionsApple MapsOfficial page
5Fri-SatQueen Creek

Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party 2026

Schnepf Farms
When
Fri 12 to 10 pm, Sat 10 am to 10 pm. Final two days.
Where
24810 S Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek, AZ 85142
Cost
$28.95 general admission; ages 2 and under free; $15 military, veterans, police and firefighters (onsite); $15 Friday Senior Day (65+, at the gate)
Parking
Free onsite parking; accessible parking near the front gate.

The farm's annual fall festival, October 3 to 31, with rides, pumpkins, a corn maze area, train rides and fireworks Friday and Saturday nights.

  • No outside food or drink (bottled water OK)
  • Leashed pets welcome
  • Wristband for re-entry; closed-toe shoes recommended
DirectionsApple MapsOfficial pageTickets
6Fri-SatPhoenix

Science Skele-bration

Arizona Science Center
When
Fri and Sat 10:30 am to 4 pm. Runs through Oct 31.
Where
600 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Cost
Included with general admission: $22.95 adults, $20.95 seniors (62+), students and military, $16.95 ages 3 to 17
Parking
Heritage and Science Park Garage at 5th St and Monroe St; validation at the Information Zone, Ticket Counter or Membership Zone.

Halloween-themed science activities at the Science Center, October 24 to 31.

  • Costumes welcome; leave costume masks and weapons at home
  • General admission sold in person
DirectionsApple MapsOfficial pageTickets
7FriPhoenix

Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets (Emirates NBA Cup, West Group A)

Mortgage Matchup Center
When
Fri 7 pm tip-off
Where
201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Cost
See the official page
Parking
700+ on-site spaces including accessible parking; prices vary by event (Parking Office 602-379-2003).

Suns home game against Denver, an NBA Cup Nights group-play game.

  • No backpacks; bags must be within 14 x 14 x 6 in
  • Doors open 120 minutes before scheduled start
DirectionsApple MapsOfficial page
8FriChandlerFree

Halloween Spooktacular

Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, Stage Plaza
When
Fri 5:30 to 8:30 pm; costume parade 6:15 and 7:30 pm
Where
178 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler, AZ 85225
Cost
Free
Parking
Free in the City Hall, Johnathan and Alexander parking garages east of Arizona Avenue.

City of Chandler Halloween night in downtown with a catwalk costume parade, trick-or-treat stations and a DJ.

  • Costume required to walk in the parade; no registration
  • Bring a trick-or-treat bag
  • Parade route covers grass and concrete
DirectionsApple MapsOfficial page
9FriPhoenix

Spooky Safari

Phoenix Zoo
When
Fri 5:30 to 8:30 pm (final night)
Where
455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Cost
$18 per person; ages 2 and under free

Evening Halloween event at the zoo with themed candy stations, games, face painting and an hourly costume parade.

  • No toy guns
  • Tickets limited, nontransferable and nonrefundable
  • Carousel and camel rides cost extra
DirectionsApple MapsOfficial page
10FriPhoenix

Music in the Garden: Traveler with The Howard Brothers

Desert Botanical Garden
When
Fri 6 to 9 pm; headliner 7 to 9 pm
Where
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Cost
$39.95 general admission, $37.95 members

Outdoor concert during the Garden's Strange Garden fall season, with world music act Traveler and folk Americana opener The Howard Brothers.

  • 21+; valid ID required
  • Costumes encouraged
  • Food and drinks sold on site
DirectionsApple MapsOfficial page
11SatChandlerFree

15th Arizona Filipino Festival Fall Edition

Saigon Center
When
Sat 11 am to 5 pm (early entry 10 am with VIP or early admission tickets)
Where
2051 N Arizona Ave #106, Chandler, AZ 85225
Cost
Free admission; RSVP requested
Parking
Free parking.

Indoor and outdoor Filipino food and vendor festival with performances.

  • Bring cash; most vendors also take cards
  • Vendors and performances subject to change
DirectionsApple MapsOfficial page
12SunPhoenix

Día de los Muertos

Phoenix Zoo
When
Sun 9 am to 1 pm
Where
455 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Cost
Included with zoo admission: $44.95 adults (14+), $32.95 ages 3 to 13

Día de los Muertos at the zoo with altars, folklórico and mariachi performances, crafts, live radio music and an art sale.

  • Face painting $3, ages 3 and up, card only
  • Spanish-speaking cruiser rides 9:30 am to 1:45 pm
DirectionsApple MapsOfficial pageTickets
Questions

This weekend, answered

What is there to do in Central Phoenix and the East Valley this weekend (Oct 30-Nov 1)?

12 picks for Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 1, 2026: Arizona State Fair (Phoenix, Fri-Sun); Zombie Zoo (Tempe, Fri-Sun); Desert Perspectives (Scottsdale, Fri-Sun); HEX (Chandler, Fri-Sat); Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party 2026 (Queen Creek, Fri-Sat); Science Skele-bration (Phoenix, Fri-Sat); Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets (Emirates NBA Cup, West Group A) (Phoenix, Fri); Halloween Spooktacular (Chandler, Fri); Spooky Safari (Phoenix, Fri); Music in the Garden: Traveler with The Howard Brothers (Phoenix, Fri); 15th Arizona Filipino Festival Fall Edition (Chandler, Sat); Día de los Muertos (Phoenix, Sun). Times, prices, parking and directions for each are on this page.

What is free to do this weekend?

Free admission this weekend: Halloween Spooktacular at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, Stage Plaza, Chandler, Fri 5:30 to 8:30 pm; costume parade 6:15 and 7:30 pm; 15th Arizona Filipino Festival Fall Edition at Saigon Center, Chandler, Sat 11 am to 5 pm (early entry 10 am with VIP or early admission tickets).

What is happening in Phoenix this weekend?

In Phoenix, Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 1, 2026: Arizona State Fair at Arizona State Fairgrounds, Fri and Sat 12 pm, last entry 10 pm; Sun 12 pm, last entry 9 pm. Closing weekend., $20 adults (13+), $12 ages 5 to 12, $14 seniors (62+), $12 military and first responders, under 4 free; Science Skele-bration at Arizona Science Center, Fri and Sat 10:30 am to 4 pm. Runs through Oct 31., Included with general admission: $22.95 adults, $20.95 seniors (62+), students and military, $16.95 ages 3 to 17; Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets (Emirates NBA Cup, West Group A) at Mortgage Matchup Center, Fri 7 pm tip-off, price on the official page; Spooky Safari at Phoenix Zoo, Fri 5:30 to 8:30 pm (final night), $18 per person; ages 2 and under free; Music in the Garden: Traveler with The Howard Brothers at Desert Botanical Garden, Fri 6 to 9 pm; headliner 7 to 9 pm, $39.95 general admission, $37.95 members; Día de los Muertos at Phoenix Zoo, Sun 9 am to 1 pm, Included with zoo admission: $44.95 adults (14+), $32.95 ages 3 to 13.

What is happening in Tempe this weekend?

In Tempe, Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 1, 2026: Zombie Zoo at Tempe Diablo Stadium, Fri, Sat and Sun 6:30 to 10 pm (to 10:30 pm on select nights). Final weekend., From $39.99 per car.

What is happening in Scottsdale this weekend?

In Scottsdale, Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 1, 2026: Desert Perspectives at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), Fri, Sat and Sun 11 am to 5 pm, $16; $13 students, seniors (65+), veterans, active-duty military and educators; free ages 18 and younger.

What is happening in Chandler this weekend?

In Chandler, Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 1, 2026: HEX at Rawhide Western Town & Event Center Festival Grounds, Fri and Sat, doors 5 pm, ends 1 am, price on the official page; Halloween Spooktacular at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, Stage Plaza, Fri 5:30 to 8:30 pm; costume parade 6:15 and 7:30 pm, Free; 15th Arizona Filipino Festival Fall Edition at Saigon Center, Sat 11 am to 5 pm (early entry 10 am with VIP or early admission tickets), Free admission; RSVP requested.

What is happening in Queen Creek this weekend?

In Queen Creek, Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 1, 2026: Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party 2026 at Schnepf Farms, Fri 12 to 10 pm, Sat 10 am to 10 pm. Final two days., $28.95 general admission; ages 2 and under free; $15 military, veterans, police and firefighters (onsite); $15 Friday Senior Day (65+, at the gate).

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Sources

Every time, address, price, parking note and tip comes from the organizer's or venue's own page, linked on each event and checked 25 October 2026. Schedules, prices and weather calls change, so confirm on the official page before you go.

Past weekends