Free Halloween events for families around Phoenix (2026)
Listings last checked · Covers Oct 16 – Nov 1, 2026 · Past events drop off automatically
Quick answer: We list 16 free family Halloween and fall events around Phoenix for Oct 16 – Nov 1, 2026, in Scottsdale, Carefree, Tempe, Mesa, Fountain Hills, Chandler, Phoenix. This weekend (Fri, Oct 16 – Sun, Oct 18): Scottsdale Sparkle Halloween Market and Scottsdale Fall Festival.
Every event on this page lists free admission on its official page. Some have optional extras, like food, carnival games or VIP add-ons, and we note those where the organizer mentions them. Events that are free only with paid museum admission aren't included here.
Free events
Scottsdale Sparkle Halloween Market
- When
- Sat, Oct 17 · 10am–4pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
60+ craft vendors plus free kids' face painting, costume characters, trick-or-treating and costume contests.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Scottsdale Fall Festival
- When
- Sat, Oct 17 · Starts 5pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Free trick-or-treating, carnival games, hands-on arts & crafts, live band & DJ and food trucks.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Cauldron Catapults (Halloween STEM) — Appaloosa Library
- When
- Tue, Oct 20 · 3:30pm (60 min, space limited)
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Ages 6-11 · Indoor
Build a DIY Halloween catapult and launch candy pumpkins and stretchy skeletons.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
YMCA x Carefree Trunk or Treat
- When
- Fri, Oct 23 · Starts 5:30pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Trick-or-treat from decorated car trunks along Easy Street, plus costume contests, face painting, music, a fall photo booth and the Carefree fire truck.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Tempe's Family BOO Bash
- When
- Fri, Oct 23 · 6–10pm · 6:30 costume parade · 7:30 movie
- Cost
- Free (food & carnival games extra)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Train rides, face painting, dance party, costume contest & parade, then Toy Story 5 (PG) on the lawn.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Día de los Muertos Festival at Mesa Arts Center
- When
- Sat, Oct 24 – Sun, Oct 25 (Oct 24 & 25) · Sat noon–10pm · Sun noon–5pm (relaxed hour 11am both days)
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Live music, ballet folklórico, community altars, art-making and a Sunday procession.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Candy Crawl at Scottsdale Quarter
- When
- Sat, Oct 24 · 1–4pm
- Cost
- Free (optional $18 Superhero VIP for kids)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Trick-or-treat at participating stores, character appearances, crafts, face painting, balloon twisters and a pumpkin-carving demo.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Fountain Hills Spooky Blast
- When
- Sat, Oct 24 · 5–8pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Inflatable slides, obstacle courses, a corn maze, 20+ candy and activity booths and a costume contest.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Halloween Family Fun — Arabian Library
- When
- Mon, Oct 26 · 5:30pm (45 min)
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Ages 0-8 · Indoor
Costumed kids welcome for family-friendly Halloween games and activities.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Halloween Family Fun — Mustang Library
- When
- Mon, Oct 26 · 5:30pm (45 min)
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Ages 0-8 · Indoor
Costumed kids welcome for family-friendly Halloween games and activities.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Halloween Family Fun — Appaloosa Library
- When
- Tue, Oct 27 · 5:30pm (45 min)
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Ages 0-8 · Indoor
Costumed kids welcome for family-friendly Halloween games and activities.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Halloween Family Fun — Civic Center Library
- When
- Tue, Oct 27 · 5:30pm (45 min)
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Ages 0-8 · Indoor
Costumed kids welcome for family-friendly Halloween games and activities.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Cauldron Catapults (Halloween STEM) — Civic Center Library
- When
- Wed, Oct 28 · 4pm (60 min, space limited)
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Ages 6-11 · Indoor
Build a DIY Halloween catapult and launch candy pumpkins and stretchy skeletons.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Chandler Halloween Spooktacular
- When
- Fri, Oct 30 · 5:30–8:30pm · parades 6:15 & 7:30
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Trunk-or-treat stations, carnival games, catwalk costume parades and a Little Monsters Zone for ages 5 and under.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Red Mountain Halloween Extravaganza
- When
- Fri, Oct 30 · 5:30–8:30pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
30+ trick-or-treat booths, each with a game or activity, plus a DJ and free photo booth.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Día de los Muertos Festival at St. Mary's Basilica
- When
- Sun, Nov 1 · 11am–5pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Mariachi, ballet folklórico, food trucks, kids' activities, car show and a community ofrenda.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
What free Halloween events are there for kids near Phoenix this weekend?
For Fri, Oct 16 – Sun, Oct 18: Scottsdale Sparkle Halloween Market (Sat, Oct 17, Scottsdale, Free); Scottsdale Fall Festival (Sat, Oct 17, Scottsdale, Free).
Are these events completely free?
Admission is free for all of them, according to the organizers. Some have optional paid extras: Tempe's Family BOO Bash (Free (food & carnival games extra)); Candy Crawl at Scottsdale Quarter (Free (optional $18 Superhero VIP for kids)).
Are there free trick-or-treat events in Scottsdale?
Scottsdale Sparkle Halloween Market (Sat, Oct 17, Scottsdale, Free); Scottsdale Fall Festival (Sat, Oct 17, Scottsdale, Free); Candy Crawl at Scottsdale Quarter (Sat, Oct 24, Scottsdale, Free (optional $18 Superhero VIP for kids)).
How does Little Outings check these listings?
Every event here was checked on the organizer's official website or calendar, and each listing shows the date we last checked it and links to that source. Past events drop off the page automatically. Dates, times and prices can change, so confirm on the official page before you go.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website or calendar and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site. Price levels without a source are our estimates. Read how we verify listings.