19 Halloween events around Phoenix for every kind of spooky soul

Check out these Halloween events in the Valley, perfect for family fun, haunted thrills, spooky film nights, parties, and cozy dates under the stars.

There aren’t many other times of year I love more than October. The air turns crisp, the colors deepen, and the scent of pumpkin spice drifts through store aisles. Kids everywhere are dreaming up costumes and tracing their trick-or-treat routes while adults hang cobwebs, carve pumpkins, and stock their candy bowls. Pumpkin patches come to life with first dates, families, and friendships. Scary movie marathons flicker to life, and Linus tells Charlie Brown once again about the Great Pumpkin. Whether you’re after a thrill or something warm and cozy, October in the Valley is alive with ways to celebrate the season.

For the kiddos

Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival 

When: Friday–Sunday, October 24–26; each day from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Where: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85258.

Price: Children: $17; Adults $22 per day.

The Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival is one of the most unique and exciting Halloween events in the Valley. Spend an evening (or three) under the glow of more than 20 hot air balloons, handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. Between the food and drinks, kids’ zone, costume contests, and live magic shows, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

Spooky Safari 

When: October 22–October 24; 5:30–8:30 p.m.

Where: Phoenix Zoo

Price: $18 per person; children 2 and under are free.

The zoo is always a blast, but around Halloween, it’s a boo-last! During the Spooky Safari, the zoo comes alive with glowing decorations and themed candy stations where kids can trick-or-treat. Cheer on the hourly costume parade, get crafty with some ghoulish creations, and enjoy some Halloween magic among the animals.

Brick-or-Treat: Monster Party at Legoland Discovery Center

When: September 25–October 31

Where: Legoland Discovery Center Arizona

Price: Starting at $23 per person

Calling all LEGO lovers! LEGO Monsters are taking over the LEGOLAND Discovery Center (but in the best way) for their popular Brick-or-Treat: Monster Party event. This monster party has it all: Brew up magical potions in the Potion Kitchen to take home, help build a giant LEGO pumpkin patch, grab a bite from the Halloween Café, snap a selfie with the LEGO monster band, and catch an exclusive 4D screening of “The Great Monster Chase.”

Strange Garden at Desert Botanical Garden

When: October 24–October 25; 5:30-9:00 p.m.

Where: Desert Botanical Gardens

Price: Included with general admission or membership

What better way to enjoy the cooler weather than a trip to the boo-tanical garden? Strange Garden is the perfect family outing, with glowing jack-o’-lanterns lighting the paths, live music in the desert air, and the Monster Bash inviting everyone to the dance floor. Meet a mad botanist or two, then wander through the pumpkin patch where kids can pick out their very own (free!) pumpkin. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged.

Trick or Treat at the Museum 

When: October 31; 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Where: Children’s Museum of Phoenix

Price: Free with museum admission ($19); children under 1 are free.

Halloween may be all about the candy, but who says you can’t mix in a little learning, too? Trick-or-treat your way through the Children’s Museum on Halloween while exploring three floors of hands-on fun. Dance to monster tunes, show off your creative costume, and strike a pose at the festive photo booth to capture the Halloween magic.

For the party ghouls 

Ghouls Gone Wild Bar Crawl

When: Saturday, October 25; Friday, October 31; 5 p.m.–11:30 p.m.

Where: Check in at Wasted Grain – 7295 E Stetson Dr, Scottsdale, AZ

Price: $28.52

Dress up and drink up at Scottsdale’s annual Ghouls Gone Wild Bar Crawl. This anything-but-ordinary night out is packed with thrills, chills, and handcrafted cocktails across five of Scottsdale’s best bars. Sip spooky-themed drinks under neon lights, dance to live DJs, and soak in the Halloween energy from bar to bar. Your ticket includes a welcome treat at each stop, drink specials, free cover, and access to post-crawl after-parties. And don’t rush your costume, there’s a contest, and event photographers will be capturing the fun all night long.

Phantom of the Biltmore 

When: Saturday, November 1; 7–10 p.m.

Where: Arizona Biltmore

Price: $70 for general admission, option for a premium firepit experience priced at $628 for 8 guests and a VIP experience.

Extend Halloween just one more night at the Phantom of the Biltmore Halloween Party. Experience the historic Biltmore Hotel in an entirely new and eerily glamorous way. Dress in your finest masquerade attire and prepare for an evening of mystery and allure. Throughout the night, enjoy a complimentary wine toast, dance to a live DJ, and slip away into a celebration to remember.

Phoenix Halloween Bar Crawl

When: Saturday, October 25; 4 p.m.

Where: Check in at Copper Blues at 50 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85003

Price: $9.18 + per person

Halloween bar crawls are basically the adult version of trick-or-treating, right? Enjoy the perks of being an adult at Phoenix’s annual Halloween Bar Crawl. Grab your friends, throw on your best costume, and get ready for a night of electrifying fun. Starting with a kickoff party, followed by four fang-tastic venues, and an after-party, you’ll enjoy drink and food specials all night long. Don’t forget to enter the costume contest for a chance to win a $2,000 prize and a social media shoutout.

For thrill seekers

Terror in Tolleson 

When: September 19–November 2; Friday and Saturday, 7–11 p.m.; Sunday, 7–10 p.m.

Where: 9105 West Van Buren Street, Tolleson, Arizona 85353, United States

Price: $35 for general admission

Terror in Tolleson takes fear to the next level. This six-in-one haunted house experience is not for the faint of heart. Your ticket grants access to six terrifying attractions: The Asylum, Carnevil Chaos, Urban Legends, Slaughter House, Sinister House, and the newest addition, The Crypt. As you make your way through the twisted corridors, expect to be chased, startled, and completely immersed in the horror.

Sanctum of Horror

When: September 26–November 1; times vary.

Where: 6525 East Southern Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85206

Price: $25+

The Sanctum of Horror is not for those who scare easily. With general admission, you’ll gain access to two chilling attractions: The Sanctum of Horror and The Breach. Step into the twisted mind of a little girl named Lenore and witness the haunting memories of her violent past. Then, enter The Breach, an abandoned military research facility once known for the distress signal it sent after chaos broke out and personnel turned on each other following a strange leech infection.

If jump scares aren’t your thing, The Sanctum of Horror also offers a “Lights On” experience, where you can explore each attraction without actors or scares, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the eerie details in full light.

The 13th Floor 

When: September 20–November 2; select nights

Where: 2710 W Bell Rd Ste, 1180 Phoenix, AZ 85053

Price: $25+

The 13th Floor has been named one of the top five scariest haunted houses in the U.S. So if getting scared is your thing, this one definitely deserves a spot on your list. Face your fears as you survive a town overrun with zombies, navigate a forgotten labyrinth haunted by restless spirits, and, if you make it through, step inside a decaying home filled with echoes of violence and pure evil.

Fear Farm 

When: September 27–November 2; open during select times

Where: 1475 N McClintock Dr., Tempe, AZ 85257

Price: $30+

Fear Farm is Arizona’s largest Halloween event, so if you love Halloween and love getting scared, this is the haunt for you. Experience four different “scare-tractions,” each more terrifying than the last. Begin with a descent into total darkness, where there are no signs and no exits. Next, witness a chemical-soaked clown meltdown, try to survive the rise of the Kraken, and finally, attempt to escape the bloodshed before you become the next slice of meat.

Scarizona Scaregrounds 

When: September 26–November 1; times vary on the night.

Where: 1901 N. Alma School Road, Mesa, AZ 85201

Price: $30+

There’s no better place for your scream to get lost than Scarizona Scaregrounds. For the 2025 season, you’ll have to survive three new attractions: Dr. Death’s Haunted ICU, Mayhem in the Madness, and Startled Darkness. Dr. Death’s Haunted ICU plunges you into a nightmarish medical ward, while Mayhem in the Madness pulls you into pure chaos and disorder. And Startled Darkness is just as unforgiving as its name suggests; it’s a pitch-black experience where every sound will have you jumping.

For the cinephiles

Joy Lush Halloween Party 

When: Friday, October 31; 2 p.m.–12 a.m.

Where: Joy Lush Club

Price: Free!

You’ve got Halloween plans! Stop by Joy Lush Club on Halloween anytime between 2 p.m. and midnight for a night that’s all treats and no tricks. Settle in for classic Halloween movie marathons, show off your costume in the contest, and dance to a live DJ spinning spooky beats. There will also be themed cocktails, pumpkin beer, and wine specials to enjoy all day (and all night).

Dive in Movies 

When: Fridays; September 19–October 31; 7 p.m.

Where: Camby Hotel

Price: Free

Every Friday during the fall season, The Camby Hotel hosts a poolside evening film. And as October comes to a close and Halloween creeps closer, the lineup turns spooky with screenings of “Beetlejuice” on October 24 and “Ghostbusters” on October 31. Grab a cocktail, sit back by the pool, and enjoy a laid-back night of chilling film and fun under the stars.

Frankenstein Double Feature 

When: Friday, October 31; 6–9 p.m.

Where: Phoenix Art Museum

Price: $23 per adult; special pricing for students and seniors

Sometimes seeing double is a good thing, especially when it’s a double feature of Frankenstein. The Phoenix Art Museum is hosting a special evening of classic chills with two Universal Monster masterpieces: “Frankenstein” (1931) and “Bride of Frankenstein” (1935). Watch the iconic monsters come to life on the big screen and let the flickering black-and-white suspense set the perfect Halloween mood.

For date nights

Glowing Pumpkins Phoenix 

When: September 26–November 2; Wednesday–Sunday; times vary.

Where: Riverwalk at Rawhide

Price: $20+ per person

Let your love (and pumpkins) light your path at the Glowing Pumpkins River Walk. Stroll hand in hand with your loved one through a trail of intricately hand-carved and illuminated pumpkins that transform the Riverwalk into a glowing work of art. Along the way, you can grab a bite or a festive drink from local vendors offering Halloween specials.

Black Lagoon Pop Up

When: September 26–November 2

Where: Sunny’s Lounge, Phoenix.

Price: Varies

Black Lagoon Pop-Up is your dream date. Okay, technically, it’s advertised as “the Halloween pop-up of your nightmares,” but nightmares are dreams too, right? So, like I said: dream date! This immersive cocktail experience is equal parts macabre, goth, and metal. Sip on scary-good drinks, take in the chilling atmosphere, and use every excuse to lean a little closer to your date.

Paranormal Paddle at Canyon Lake

When: Saturdays in October; 7–9:30 p.m.

Where: Canyon Lake Marina

Price: $120 per person

Everyone loves a date under the stars, but this one comes with a chill. Join a guided paranormal paddle through the Superstition Mountains, lit only by lanterns, ghost stories, and desert secrets. Your guide will share bone-chilling tales of ghost sightings, unexplained lights, and those who vanished searching for the Lost Dutchman’s gold. As your kayak drifts across the still water, listen closely; the desert has a way of whispering what it wants remembered.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Related: 10 Phoenix farms & fall fests offering pumpkins, hayrides & more