Halloween library events and storytimes for kids (Phoenix area, 2026)
Listings last checked · Covers Oct 16 – Nov 1, 2026 · Past events drop off automatically
Quick answer: We list 14 Halloween-season library programs for kids for Oct 16 – Nov 1, 2026: 5 in Phoenix, 6 in Scottsdale, 2 in Mesa, 1 in Cave Creek. 8 are aimed at kids 8 and under.
Public libraries are some of the easiest Halloween outings for little kids. Most programs are short, and many are free. This page lists the Halloween and Día de los Muertos programs we found on the Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa library calendars. If a listing doesn't show a cost, the library didn't state one, so check the calendar link.
Phoenix libraries
Día de los Muertos exhibit & scavenger hunt — Burton Barr Library
- When
- Fri, Oct 16 – Mon, Nov 2 (On display during library hours) · During library hours
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Community altar, nichos and papel picado, plus a scavenger hunt with a prize on the 5th floor.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Room on the Broom art activity — Burton Barr Library
- When
- Mon, Oct 19 · 10:30am–noon
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- Ages 0-5 · Indoor
Little witches and wizards stamp a bubbling cauldron potion painting.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Family Movie Night: Hotel Transylvania — Burton Barr Library
- When
- Wed, Oct 21 · 4–6pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- Ages 0-5 · Indoor
Silly, spooky family movie night in the 4th-floor Lecture Room.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Spooky Sponge Ghosts — Burton Barr Library
- When
- Fri, Oct 23 · 10:30am–noon
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- Ages 0-5 · Indoor
Sponge-stamp friendly ghosts, a giggly Halloween craft for tiny hands.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Harvest Festival at South Mountain Community Library
- When
- Thu, Oct 29 · 5:30–6:30pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Stories, games and crafts for Halloween, Día de los Muertos and Diwali. Costumes optional.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Scottsdale libraries
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
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
Mesa libraries
Halloween Boo! at Mesa Express Library
- When
- Thu, Oct 22 · 6:30–8pm (outdoors)
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Evening of eerie crafts, activities and a touch of trick-or-treating. Wear your costume!
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Toddlertime: Halloween Boo StoryWalk
- When
- Thu, Oct 29 · 10–11am
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- Ages 0-5 · Outdoor
Dress up, grab a treat bag and trick-or-treat along a Halloween StoryWalk with City of Mesa departments.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Cave Creek libraries
Trick, Treat & Pumpkin Fun — Desert Foothills Library
- When
- Thu, Oct 29 · 10:30–11:15am · registration required (closes Oct 28, 9pm)
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages (kids with an adult) · Indoor
Costume parade through the library collecting treats, then decorate and color pumpkins. Adults stay with their kids.
✓ Checked Oct 17, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
Are library Halloween events free?
6 of the 14 programs listed say they're free on the library's official calendar. The rest don't state a cost, so check the linked calendar page.
Which library Halloween programs are for toddlers and preschoolers?
Room on the Broom art activity — Burton Barr Library (Mon, Oct 19, Phoenix); Family Movie Night: Hotel Transylvania — Burton Barr Library (Wed, Oct 21, Phoenix); Spooky Sponge Ghosts — Burton Barr Library (Fri, Oct 23, Phoenix); Halloween Family Fun — Arabian Library (Mon, Oct 26, Scottsdale, Free); Halloween Family Fun — Mustang Library (Mon, Oct 26, Scottsdale, Free); Halloween Family Fun — Appaloosa Library (Tue, Oct 27, Scottsdale, Free); Halloween Family Fun — Civic Center Library (Tue, Oct 27, Scottsdale, Free); Toddlertime: Halloween Boo StoryWalk (Thu, Oct 29, Mesa).
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.