Homeschool & family fun around Phoenix & the Valley

Halloween LEGO activities, character meet-and-greets and seasonal decor.

• When: Oct 1–31, 2026
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Starting at $23
• Ages: Kids
• Booking: Not listed on source

A riverwalk lined with carved, handmade pumpkin art (some displays nearly 20 feet high), with music and soundscapes.

• When: Oct 1–Nov 1, 2026, evenings (timed entry)
• Time: Evenings; timed entry
• Price: Ticketed
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Six-acre corn maze, petting zoo and a working farm. The separate haunted maze (AZ Field of Screams) is for older kids.

• When: Oct 1–31, 2026 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
• Time: Varies by day
• Price: Ticketed; kids 1 and under free
• Ages: All ages (haunted maze for older kids)
• Booking: Not listed on source

The 30th annual Pumpkin & Chili Party: rides, farm attractions, live entertainment and fall food.

• When: Oct 1–31, 2026
• Time: Hours vary by day
• Price: General admission starts around $28.95
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Halloween train ride with trick-or-treating and Halloween activities at the park.

• When: Oct 1–31, 2026
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: $15 per person; kids 2 and under free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Giant corn maze, tube slides and outdoor farm games.

• When: Oct 2–31, 2026
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Ticketed; kids 2 and under free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Old West pumpkin patch with hayrides, a petting zoo and cowboy-themed fun.

• When: Oct 3–31, 2026
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Ticketed; kids 1 and under free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The garden transforms after dark with glowing installations and spooky-beautiful desert nights.

• When: Oct 22–31, 2026, evenings
• Time: Evenings
• Price: Ticketed; member discount
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

More than 20 glowing hot air balloons double as trick-or-treat stations, plus a free Kids Zone with 30+ inflatables and the Spook Trail.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Oct 23, 2026; Sat, Oct 24, 2026; Sun, Oct 25, 2026

• When: Fri Oct 23–Sun Oct 25, 2026
• Time: 5–9 p.m.
• Price: Ticketed
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Free Halloween character carnival at Arizona Boardwalk. A free outdoor movie (Minions & Monsters) follows 5–8 p.m.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026

• When: Sat Oct 24, 2026
• Time: 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Kids
• Booking: Not listed on source

Town of Fountain Hills Halloween festival with trick-or-treating at 25+ booths, inflatables, food trucks, magic shows and a costume contest.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026

• When: Sat Oct 24, 2026
• Time: 5–8 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Evening Halloween event with trick-or-treating, face painting, an hourly costume parade and activities. No toy guns. Carousel ($4) and camel rides ($8) cost extra.

Upcoming dates: Wed, Oct 28, 2026; Thu, Oct 29, 2026; Fri, Oct 30, 2026

• When: Wed Oct 28–Fri Oct 30, 2026
• Time: 5:30–8:30 p.m.
• Price: $18 per person; children 2 and under free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Buy tickets on the zoo page.

Downtown Halloween night with carnival games, a costume parade (6:15 and 7:30 p.m.), a prize wheel, a Little Monsters Zone for kids 5 and under, and trunk-or-treat candy stations with 300+ lbs. of treats. Bring a bag.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Oct 30, 2026

• When: Fri Oct 30, 2026
• Time: 5:30–8:30 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: No registration.

Free family Halloween bash to end spooky season.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 31, 2026

• When: Sat Oct 31, 2026
• Time: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Families
• Booking: Not listed on source

A morning for homeschool families and groups: STEM learning stations, animal interactions and science careers (bat surveying, big cat identification, conservation projects). Full access to zoo paths for the rest of the day. Later dates: Feb 24 and Apr 28, 2027.

Upcoming dates: Wed, Oct 28, 2026

• When: Wed Oct 28, 2026 (also Feb 24 and Apr 28, 2027)
• Time: 9 a.m.–noon
• Price: $25 general; $12 members (includes admission)
• Ages: Best for learners 5–17; all ages welcome
• Booking: Buy tickets on the zoo page.

Hands-on science for homeschool students in grades 1–12, every Tuesday and Thursday for a month, with a new theme each unit. Take one session or the whole month. Separate grade bands.

Upcoming dates: Tue, Nov 3, 2026; Thu, Nov 5, 2026; Tue, Nov 10, 2026; Thu, Nov 12, 2026; Tue, Nov 17, 2026; Thu, Nov 19, 2026; Tue, Nov 24, 2026

• When: Tuesdays and Thursdays in November 2026
• Time: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Price: 1 session $70 ($65 members); 4 sessions $270 ($250); 8 sessions $530 ($490)
• Ages: Grades 1–12 (by grade band)
• Booking: Register by grade band on the Center's page.

⚠️ Confirm the exact session dates on the registration page; the Center lists Tuesdays and Thursdays for the month.

Maricopa County Parks homeschool workshops on Arizona geology, prehistoric peoples and archaeology, and desert mammals. Small groups of up to 20 start at 9:00, 9:40, 10:20, 11:00 and 11:40 a.m.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Nov 5, 2026

• When: Thu Nov 5, 2026
• Time: 9 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
• Price: Free with the park entry fee
• Ages: Homeschool students
• Booking: No pre-registration; slots are first come, first served.

Drop-in gallery activities, docent-led spotlight tours, custom gallery guides and optional choice-based art workshops for Pre-K–12 homeschool students. Next date after this: May 5, 2027.

Upcoming dates: Wed, Nov 18, 2026

• When: Wed Nov 18, 2026 (also May 5, 2027)
• Time: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Price: $4 per student (free 5 and under); one free adult per family, extra adults $4; workshops $5 per student
• Ages: Pre-K through 12th grade
• Booking: Fill out the Home School Days request form on the museum page.

Year-round homeschool discount: life-size dinosaurs, Dinosaur Mountain, a three-story flash-flood waterfall, geology and ancient cultures. Adults serving as educators or chaperones get the discount too.

• When: Tuesday–Friday, year-round
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: Homeschool rate: $6 per person (see source)
• Ages: Homeschool students 6–16 and their adult educators
• Booking: Show the affidavit at Guest Experience.
• Proof of homeschool: Bring a copy of your filed Arizona affidavit of intent to homeschool.

Field trips with a museum tour, free-choice learning, music making in a hands-on gallery and downloadable educator resources, tied to state standards in music, geography, science and social studies.

• When: By reservation
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: $8 per student
• Ages: School groups
• Booking: Request a field trip on the MIM page.

Free monthly family night downtown with entertainment, kids' art activities and a free gallery show of local artists.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Nov 6, 2026; Fri, Dec 4, 2026

• When: First Fridays: Nov 6 and Dec 4, 2026
• Time: 6–10 p.m. (event header lists 7 p.m.)
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

On the second Tuesday of every month, pay what you can ($5, $10, $15 or any amount) to explore the garden's desert trails.

Upcoming dates: Tue, Nov 10, 2026; Tue, Dec 8, 2026

• When: Second Tuesday of every month (Nov 10 and Dec 8, 2026)
• Time: Garden hours (7 a.m.–10 p.m. Oct–Dec)
• Price: Pay what you can
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Get tickets on the garden page.

City of Phoenix family nature festival at the Rio Salado habitat area.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Nov 14, 2026

• When: Sat Nov 14, 2026
• Time: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: Families
• Booking: Not listed on source

Annual festival celebrating Indigenous culture with family activities and performances, presented with the S'edav Va'aki Museum.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Nov 21, 2026

• When: Sat Nov 21, 2026
• Time: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Always-free state history museum with family activities and a self-guided map at the first-floor desk, plus the America 250 exhibition. Walk-in tours Mon, Wed and Fri at 2 p.m.

• When: Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Time: Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Price: Free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: No registration for walk-in tours; groups of 10+ can pre-schedule.

Pay what you wish on Wednesday afternoons and evenings and on First Friday evenings.

• When: Wednesdays 3–8 p.m.; First Fridays 5–8 p.m.
• Time: Wed 3–8 p.m.; First Fridays 5–8 p.m.
• Price: Pay what you wish
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Rides, concerts, fair food and family attractions, with Halloween-themed nights like the Día de los Tíos & Tías Halloween Boogie on Oct 31.

• When: Oct 1–Nov 1, 2026
• Time: Varies by day
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Seasonal kid cooking activities: Three Sisters Corn Cakes (Nov 5), Wild Rice Harvest Cups (Nov 12), Sweet Potato Pie Energy Bites (Nov 19) and Harvest Grain Stuffed Squash (Nov 23). Museum closed Nov 7 and Nov 26.

Upcoming dates: Thu, Nov 5, 2026; Thu, Nov 12, 2026; Thu, Nov 19, 2026; Mon, Nov 23, 2026

• When: Thu Nov 5, 12, 19 and Mon Nov 23, 2026
• Time: 10 a.m.–noon (Nov 23: 1–3 p.m.)
• Price: Included with admission ($19; members free; under 1 free)
• Ages: Young kids
• Booking: No RSVP required.

Opening weekend of a signature exhibition of ancient Chinese musical instruments from the Southern Kingdoms.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Nov 6, 2026; Sat, Nov 7, 2026; Sun, Nov 8, 2026

• When: Fri Nov 6–Sun Nov 8, 2026
• Time: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The 30th anniversary Veterans Day Parade, on a new route this year. Check the parade map and street closures on the organizer's page.

Upcoming dates: Wed, Nov 11, 2026

• When: Wed Nov 11, 2026
• Time: 11 a.m.
• Price: Free to watch
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Annual harvest festival with a historic hayride through the Encanto Park neighborhood. $2 off per canned food donation (up to 2 cans) for St. Mary's Food Bank.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Nov 21, 2026; Sun, Nov 22, 2026

• When: Sat Nov 21 and Sun Nov 22, 2026
• Time: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Price: $17.60 + tax festival only; $8.28 + tax seniors 55+; $33.90 + tax with unlimited rides
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

The zoo's holiday light show. Most animals are off exhibit during ZooLights.

• When: Nov 25, 2026–Jan 15, 2027
• Time: Not listed on source
• Price: General $35; members $30; Member Mondays $10; 2 and under free
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Buy timed tickets on the zoo page.

Thousands of luminarias light the garden paths, with Sonoran Santa and Mrs. Claus. Select nights: Nov 27–29; Dec 4–6, 11–13, 16–23, 26–31; Jan 1–3.

Upcoming dates: Fri, Nov 27, 2026; Sat, Nov 28, 2026; Sun, Nov 29, 2026; Fri, Dec 4, 2026; Sat, Dec 5, 2026; Sun, Dec 6, 2026; Fri, Dec 11, 2026; Sat, Dec 12, 2026; Sun, Dec 13, 2026

• When: Nov 27–29; Dec 4–6, 11–13, 16–23, 26–31, 2026; Jan 1–3, 2027
• Time: 5–9:30 p.m.
• Price: Adults $39.95–$44.95 (members $37.95–$42.95); kids 2–17 $18.95 (members $16.95)
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Timed tickets on the garden page.

Downtown Glendale holiday lights, starting with a lighting ceremony at Murphy Park on Nov 27 at 5:30 p.m. and a two-night kickoff Nov 27–28.

• When: Nov 27, 2026–Jan 1, 2027 (kickoff Nov 27–28)
• Time: 5–10 p.m.
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Confirm kickoff details on the City of Glendale events page.

Hundreds of thousands of lights, gardens and nativity displays, plus an International Nativity Exhibit with over 200 nativities at the Visitors' Center.

• When: Nov 27–Dec 30, 2026, nightly
• Time: 5–10 p.m.
• Price: Free admission and parking
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Downtown Tempe's holiday kickoff: vendors and live music, then a 6 p.m. parade of floats and holiday characters down Mill Avenue and the tree lighting. Viewing is first come, first served.

Upcoming dates: Sat, Nov 28, 2026

• When: Sat Nov 28, 2026
• Time: 4–8 p.m. (parade 6 p.m.)
• Price: Not listed on source
• Ages: All ages
• Booking: Not listed on source

Hands-on art and creativity museum for kids; the museum also posts free admission days on its events page.

• When: Tue–Sat 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sun noon–4 p.m.
• Time: Tue–Sat 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sun noon–4 p.m.
• Price: $12 per person; members and under 1 free
• Ages: Kids and families
• Booking: Not listed on source