Our Top 9 Picks for Autumn Activities in Arizona

Pumpkin spice and everything nice—Autumn is officially here! Make the most of the beautiful weather and fun seasonal sights this year.

As temperatures drop in Arizona, now is the time to head outside! Keep reading to discover a unique way to observe Veterans Day, weekly science events for the kids, and more.

Here are The Copper Courier’s picks for where to take in Arizona’s beautiful fall colors.

Spooky Halloween Splash Bash

When: Sunday, October 31

Where: Lylo Swim Club

400 West Camelback Road

Cost: $20

From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. enjoy spooky decor, themed cocktails, and music from DJ Hndsmboiz. Make sure to wear your best costume! Winning the costume contest could get you a one-night stay at Rise Uptown, a cabana reservation at Lylo, or a $100 gift card. Tickets are available here.

Candlelight Día De Los Muertos: Celebrating the Day of the Dead

When: Monday, November 1st

Where: Nile Theater

105 W Main St

Mesa, AZ 85210

Cost: $55

A performance of some haunted classical music like you’ve never seen before. Savor the music in a uniquely romantic atmosphere created by flickering candlelight and the other classical music lovers. Sit back and be taken into the clouds with classics from Día De Los Muertos: Celebrating the Day of the Dead. You’ll be hearing selections from the best-known composers in history in a magical setting! Tickets are available here.

Discovery Nights

When: Every Thursday Night

Where: Children’s Museum Tucson

200 South 6th Ave.

Tucson, AZ 85701

Cost: Free

Discovery Nights include an interactive blend of bilingual science and art activities in the evening, providing flexibility for working caregivers to experience the Museum for free admission. Activities include bilingual Storytime, interactive pop-up science experiments like cloud in a bottle, ooblek, catapults, or robot hands, and art projects like nebula spin art, pumpkin playdough, or sound sandwich. CMT’s exhibits are fully accessible and provide the backdrop for creative exploration.

Solar Spotlight at the Anthem Veterans Memorial

When: November 11th at 11:11 a.m.

Where: 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway

Cost: Free

The Anthem Veterans Memorial is a monument dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of our country’s armed forces. At precisely 11:11 a.m. each Veterans Day, the sun’s rays pass through the ellipses of the five Armed Services pillars to form a solar spotlight on the glass mosaic of The Great Seal of the United States. The 2021 Veterans Day Ceremony will be held at 10 a.m., which is also the 10th anniversary of the Anthem Veterans Memorial. You can read more about the memorial’s engineering here!

Fall Harvest Festival

When: October 28th-30th

Where: Queen Creek Botanical Gardens

25002 South 206th Street

Queen Creek, Arizona 85142

Cost: $8 for ages 3-17, $13 for adults. Prices increase by $2 if purchased at the door. Queen Creek Botanical Gardens is hosting its first annual Fall Festival! Join them for hayrides, bounce houses, a petting zoo, lawn games, food trucks, and more. For the best price, we recommend purchasing tickets for the family online here.

Vertuccio Farms Annual Fall Festival & Corn Maze

When: October 19th-31st

Where: Vertuccio Farms

4011 S Power Rd

Mesa, Arizona 85212

Cost: $12. Discounts available for Military and First Responders with ID.

Mesa-based Vertuccio Farms celebrates this time of year by offering ‘Cooler days in the Corn Maze,’ part of the outdoor fun available during the farm’s annual Fall Season Event. The event will be packed with family-friendly games, food, and the Valley’s longest-running corn maze! Tickets are available for purchase here.

Ignite the Garden

When: October 2nd-November 30th

Where: Tucson Botanical Gardens

2150 North Alvernon Way

Tucson, AZ 85712

Cost: $0-$15 for non-members, Free for members. Well-known local signmaker Jude Cook will exhibit, on loan from Ignite Sign Art Museum, his unique neon signs. Jude Cook spent more than 40 years in the design and sign industry, first establishing his business in Iowa, and then moving to Tucson. About nine years ago, he began to restore Tucson’s iconic neon signs! This exhibit is included with garden entry. You can purchase tickets online here.

Scottsdazzle

When: November 27th-December 31st

Where: Old Town Scottsdale

Cost: Varies per activity. This 6th annual month-long celebration includes festivals, concerts, local shopping, drinks, and more. Meet Santa at the Farmers Market, take a stroll through art exhibits, or watch the tree lighting ceremony while sipping on hot chocolate! View the official calendar of events here.

Petrified Forest

When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Daily

Where: Petrified Forest National Park

1 Park Road

Petrified Forest, AZ 86028

Cost: $25 for one vehicle’s 7-day pass. Nestled in northeastern Arizona, the Petrified Forest National Park offers more than 50,000 acres of beautiful wilderness. The park features numerous fossils, petrified trees, and deposits of clay-rich soil and sedimentary rocks. This fall is the perfect time to visit and enjoy the rich colors and crisp weather. Plan your visit here!