From Oktoberfest to Halloween, October in the Valley has events to please folks of every persuasion. Check them out (and thanks, as always, to About.com for the listings):
4th Friday ArtWalk
What: Photography, jewelry, crafts, paintings, sculptures and more. Live music.
When: October 23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Mesa Riverview
Arizona Cardinals Football
What: The Arizona Cardinals play professional football.
When: Home game on October 11 at 1:15 p.m.
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale
Arizona Dance Festival
What: Showcase different dance artists, including emerging artists as well as professionals from all genres and styles of dance.
When: October 8 – 10
Where: Tempe Center for the Arts - Studio
Arizona Fall League Baseball
What: After the regular baseball season is over, there are six more weeks of baseball in October and November when each of the 30 Major League Baseball teams selects 6 prospects to play in the AFL.
When: Various dates in October and November; visit http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/winterleagues/schedule/?sid=l119 for schedules
Where: At stadiums around the Valley
Arizona Irish Festival
What: Irish music, dance, craft fair, music and dance workshops, and a wee folks fair.
When: October 31
Where: At the Irish Cultural Center, located at Margaret T. Hance Park in Central Phoenix.
Arizona State Fair
What: Rides, food, competitions, concerts, exhibits – two weeks of fun.
When: October 16 - November 8 (except Mondays)
Where: Held at the Fairgrounds in Central Phoenix
Arizona's Ultimate Women's Expo
What: More than 500 exhibits of products and services including fashion, beauty, health, fitness, home, careers, financial planning, education.. A full schedule of speakers on four stages, book signings, celebrity appearances, and cooking and design demonstrations, including design experts providing amazing tips on preparing your home for the holidays.
When: October 17, 18
Where: Phoenix Convention Center
Breast Cancer Awareness Events
What: Walks and runs to raise money to fight breast cancer.
When: October 4, 11
Where: 1600 N. Priest Drive in Tempe
Chandler's Day of Play
What: An event to promote heath, wellness, and fitness for kids of all ages. Free activities will get the kids playing and their minds active, while parents can explore the various booths on health, wellness, and fitness.
When: October 17
Where: Tumbleweed Park
How much: Free admission.
Cowboy Artists of America Exhibit
What: The Phoenix Art Museum hosts this event. Paintings, drawings and sculptures.
When: October 18 – November 15
Where: Phoenix Art Museum
Crave Arizona
What: The Scottsdale food & wine community celebrates a uniquely Arizona epicurean experience. This event was formerly known as Eats 3.
When: October 22 - 24
Where: SouthBridge in downtown Scottsdale
Day of The Dead
What: Day of the Dead exhibitions, festivals, parties, and celebrations in the Phoenix area.
When/Where: Various dates in October at various locations around the Valley. Visit http://phoenix.about.com/od/events/a/dayofthedead.htm for more information.
Dogathon
What: A dog social / charitable festival. Dog competitions and contests, dog adoption, dog medium, doga, training, photo booth, charity parade.
When: October 31, November 1
Where: Scottsdale Waterfront / Southbridge
Downtown Chandler Art Walk
What: Visit more than 40 artisans set up along the streets in front of the unique shops and cafes of Historic Downtown Chandler.
When: October 7
Where: Historic Downtown Chandler
How much: Free
Earth and Space Exploration Day
What: Special science-related activities for students age 5 and up, teachers, and anyone interested in exploring Earth and space alongside real scientists. This free family event provides hands-on educational activities related to current research, as well as public lectures, a visit from an astronaut and a guided field trip to Tempe Butte. Students get a "passport" that is stamped upon completion of an activity. Free teacher resources will be available such as hand-outs, supplies, and posters.
When: October 24
Where: School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University, Tempe
Empty Bowls
What: For a donation, you select a unique, handcrafted ceramic bowl from thousands of beautiful donated bowls. The contents of the bowl, won't fill you up, but it is similar to the total amount of food consumed on a daily basis by many less fortunate around the world. You keep the commemorative bowl as a reminder that someone else’s bowl is always empty. Proceeds from the event benefit Waste Not.
When/Where: October 16 at Arizona Center and October 17 at AJ's Fine Foods (4 Locations)
Fall Concerts in the Park
What: Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Free. Food and beverages are available to purchase.
When: October 8
Where: At Gilbert's Freestone Park Amphitheater, located by the lake in Freestone Park.
Fall Plant Sale
What: The Desert Botanical Garden Plant Sale offers a large variety of arid-adapted plants, pottery and other garden accessories. Garden professionals are on hand to answer questions and assist. No admission charge to enter the Fall Plant Sale.
When: October 16 - 18
Where: The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix
Fall Rhythm Fest
What: The City of Chandler sponsors this event featuring music, food, activities and fireworks.
When: October 17
Where: Tumbleweed Park
How much: Admission and parking for the Rhythm Fest is free. There are charges for the food and beverages and the kids activities.
Family Day at the Arizona Mineral Museum
What: Demonstrations and activities for children, gold panning, mineral & jewelry dealers & mineral displays.
When: October 17
Where: Arizona Mineral Museum, 1502 W. Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007
How much: Free
Feng Shui Festival
What: Presentations by Certified Feng Shui Consultants, Asian food, demonstration of Asian exercise Tia Chi and Chi Gung. Hands on events for children, vendors and local artists.
When: October 17 - 18
Where: Home Expo Center in Scottsdale
Festival in the Desert - Music & Art
What: Live music and fine arts and crafts. More than 30 bands perform.
When: October 9, 10, 11
Where: JW Marriott Desert Ridge
Founders Day Celebration
What: Food vendors, local businesses, artist village, Bark Park, local bands, activities for citizens of all ages, history displays, Maricopa High School Band.
When: October 10 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Pacana Park, Maricopa
How much: Free admission.
Front Porch Festival
What: Arts, crafts, hands-on activities and more.
When: October 19
Where: Catlin Court, Historic Downtown Glendale
How much: Free admission and parking.
Halloween, Pumpkin Patches, Haunted Houses, Halloween Festivals and Events
What: Here are some of the best Halloween events in the area. Some of the festivals are month-long events.
When/Where: Various dates in October and various locations around the Valley. Visit http://phoenix.about.com/od/halloween/tp/Halloween.htm for more information.
Harvest Festival
What: Rosson House exhibit, face painting for children and vendors in the park displaying artisan wares such as spinning, jewelry making, photography and painting.
When: October 17
Where: Historic Heritage Square.
Hispanic Heritage Month Festivals and Events
What: Music, dance, literature, art, and more at events across the Valley celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
When/Where: September 15 through October 15 at various locations across the Valley. Visit http://phoenix.about.com/od/events/a/HispanicHeritage.htm for more information.
International Gem & Jewelry Show
What: Diamonds, silver, gold, opals, rubies, watches, earrings, necklaces, rings, settings, on-site sizing and repairs.
When: October 30 - November 1
Where: WestWorld, Scottsdale
Kokopelli Krush
What: Teams of two will compete to see how much grape juice they can make in just two minutes - with their feet. Entertainment, art display, food and wine tasting--but not the wine stomped by the teams.
When: October 23 - 25
Where: Downtown Chandler
Litchfield Park Arts in the Park
When: October 18 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Wigwam Resort Front Lawn
MACFest
What: MACFest offers a consistent, easy, and affordable way for the many wonderful artists in Arizona to expose and sell their work. Only quality, original, handmade works of art may be exhibited.
When: Every Saturday
Where: Downtown Mesa
How much: Exhibitors pay a small fee. Free to the public.
Mesa Storytelling Festival
What: Celebrates the art of storytelling, love of reading and power of the imagination. National, Regional and Youth talent gather to share a wide array of stories from folk tales to tall tales to tales from all over the globe. Food and vendor booths, live music.
When: October 23, 24
Where: Mesa Arts Center
How much: Free admission on 10/24
Monarch Butterfly Exhibit
What: See the monarch butterflies
When: September 26 to November 15
Where: Marshall Butterfly Pavilion at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix
Movies at the Museum
What: Independent and classic cinema and documentaries relating to art, artists, and works on view in the Museum, usually followed by discussion.
When: October 7, 25
Where: Phoenix Art Museum
How much: Free with paid museum admission. First come, first seated.
Music in the Garden
What: The Desert Botanical Garden concert series features a variety of music. Ticketed event.
When: October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 at 7 p.m.
Where: Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix
Music on Mill
What: A showcase of local musicians performing on the streets. Musicians and performers, covering various musical genres, will activate public space and give visitors a positive, unique experience. Musicians at Music on Mill can be identified by branded donation paint cans that will be placed at each of their locations. The public is encouraged to donate towards performances so musicians return week after week.
When: Every Thursday evening from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Mill Avenue District, Tempe
Native American Connections Parade
What: Share in the rich cultural Native American heritage as tribes from all over the Southwest showcase their traditional songs and dances on this years' parade route through downtown Phoenix. There will be a Pow Wow after the parade at the Central High School softball field.
When: October 10
Where: Downtown Phoenix
Native Foods and Craft Fair
What: Features Native American farmers and artists from various local American Indian communities. Demonstrators and vendors display their arts and crafts, including gourd crafts, saguaro cactus jewelry, pottery, herbal products. Children’s craft area. Pumpkin patch and pumpkin decorating. Adult and a children’s watermelon eating contest.
When: October 17
Where: Pueblo Grande Museum, Phoenix.
How much: Free admission. Frybread available for sale.
Oktoberfest Celebrations
What: There are several places around town where you can get that Oktoberfest spirit. Dress up in your Bavarian best, eat bratwurst and dance to the polka all day long, if you'd like.
When/Where: Various dates in October at various locations around the Valley. Visit http://phoenix.about.com/od/events/tp/oktoberfest.htm for more information.
Phoenix Coyotes Hockey
What: Our professional NHL hockey team hopes to howl its way to the Stanley Cup.
When: Various dates in October; visit http://coyotes.nhl.com/club/schedule.htm to check out the schedule.
Where: Jobing.com arena in Glendale
Phoenix Pagan Pride Day
What: Ritual demonstrations, workshops, vendors, Art Walk, children’s area, entertainment, raffles.
When: October 10
Where: Phoenix
Phoenix Suns Basketball
What: Our professional basketball team plays hoops.
When: Various dates in October
Where: US Airways Center in Phoenix
Railfair
What: Model train displays and exhibits, moon bounces, and other entertainment.
When: October 10, 11
Where: Scottsdale's McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park.
How much: Admission to Railfair is free. Train rides are $2 and carousel rides are $1 each with children age three and younger riding free with a paying adult.
Scottsdale ArtWalk
What: Every Thursday evening the Scottsdale Art District invites you to spend a casual evening walking downtown and enjoying fine art.
When: Every Thursday evening
Where: Scottsdale Art District
How much: Free
Sun Devil Football
What: Arizona State University's football team competes for PAC-10 glory.
When: Home games on October 17 at 7:15 p.m. and October 31 (Homecoming)
Where: Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe
Taste of Greece Food & Dance Festival
What: Three days of Greek folk dancing and live music, plus Greek foods and pastries prepared daily by Greek Chefs.
When: October 23, 24, 25
Where: Peoria
Uncorked & Unplugged
What: Uncorked & Unplugged is a casual yet sophisticated evening under the stars celebrating the foods from fine local area restaurants as well as fine wine and spirits. Live entertainment. A benefit for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale.
When: October 18
Where: Desert Ridge Marketplace.
Western ArtWalk
What: Western art, live entertainment, food sampling and more along Main Street, Marshall Way and throughout downtown Scottsdale. More than 100 galleries will participate.
When: October 15
Where: Downtown Scottsdale
Wickenburg Fly-In & Classic Car Show
What: Aircraft of all types flying in throughout the morning, displays, information, 75 classic cars, static airplane display.
When: October 10
Where: Wickenburg Municipal Airport
How much: Free admission
World Water Day Festival
What: This family, fun day will feature hands-on activities on water quality monitoring, aquatic insects, watersheds, water magic tricks, ground water, recycling, games and hikes! Girl Scouts can earn their Water Drop Patch, Boy Scouts work on Merit Badges. Learn water conservation tips for use at home, money saving ways for recycling and saving water, and discover the importance of wetlands.
When: October 24
Where: Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area; use 2439 S. Central entrance
How much: Free
Howl-o-ween at the Pheonix Zoo
What: Help us in our scariest endeavor to find the mysterious creature haunting the zoo; Join us for a spooky train ride that even our youngest victims will be sure to enjoy; Ride the "Scare"-ousel for a web spinning good time; Take a seat and rest in peace with our ghost storytelling; Beware of those who try to take the treasure at the Pirates of the "Scare"-ibbean; Ride the wagon to the darkest corner of the zoo where even we don't dare to venture on our own; Find out what's in the coffin dropped off in the graveyard by the funeral carriage; DJ music and much more!
When: October 30 and 31 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30pm
Where: Phoenix Zoo
How much: $6 for Phoenix Zoo members; $8 for non-members; Two years and younger are free
Did I miss one of your favorite October events? Click on the comments link below and share it with us!
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