16 Things To Do This October In Phoenix

These are 16 things to do this October in Phoenix:

1. Scream your lungs out at this Haunted House in Tempe

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The Sanctum of Horror is open again in Tempe, and it looks as scary as always. This year’s experience is following the mind of Lenore, a girl with a violent past.
Where: 📍6555 East Southern Avenue

2. Walk the Desert Botanical Garden with your best friend

🔥 Desert Botanical Garden – Phoenix, Arizona pic.twitter.com/9kBbCOS4Ec

— Nature is Lit (@Nature_Is_Lit) September 28, 2021

Yes! Dog days are the Desert Botanical Garden are back. Check their calendar and schedule and walk the trails with your pup.
Where:📍1201 N Galvin Pkwy

3. Have brunch at an airport hangar with your friends

Network is up! Best eatery: Hangar Cafe, Chandler, AZ Airport. #MotoChat pic.twitter.com/kN2QzlEVUr

— D. Brent Miller (@dbrentmiller) March 12, 2014

Have you heard about the Hangar Café in Chandler? This is a true hidden gem. The vintage café is located in an aircraft maintenance hangar on the northwest side of Chandler Municipal Airport. Their menu includes eggs, burritos, pancakes, waffles, and other boozy options.
Where: 📍1725 E Ryan Road, Chandler

4. Celebrate the Autumn Moon at the Japanese Friendship Garden 

There is no better way to welcome the new autumn season than relaxing and absorbing the moon’s energy at the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix. This October, the garden invites all nature lovers to their annual Moon Viewing Exhibit on October 8 and 9.

Where:📍 1125 N 3rd Avenue

5. Take your family to this sunflower field

This fall experience goes well beyond the pumpkin patch. The Rocker 7 Farm Patch will open its sunflower field on October 13. Make your admission reservation on their official website.
Where: 📍19601 W Broadway Road, Buckeye

6. Don’t miss Dia de Muertos at the Desert Botanical Garden

Join this tradition and experience it at this two-day festival hosted by the Desert Botanical Garden. “Dia de Muertos” will be filled with Mexican music, dance, storytelling, and more.

7. Walk between butterflies at the Butterfly Wonderland

Butterfly wonderland 🦋 pic.twitter.com/rRAKADA5s2

— Ali£a (@aquino2_aliza) June 30, 2019

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to walk among thousands of butterflies? Get to know how it really feels at the Butterfly Wonderland at the Arizona Boardwalk.
Where: Arizona Boardwalk📍 9500 East Via de Ventura

8. Enjoy the annual Arizona State Fair

The Arizona State Fair is back! 🎡🎠 @azstatefair pic.twitter.com/4NM5E1ldfB

— Ian Schwartz (@SchwartzTV) October 3, 2021

The Arizona State Fair has kicked off this weekend and will be featuring different events throughout the month. Get on the carnival rides, participate in the fair games and eat like a king at the food stands. Yum!

Where: Arizona State Fairgrounds 📍 1826 W. McDowell Road

9. Learn more about dinosaurs at the “Dinosaurs in the Desert” experience 

This October, journey back in time at the Phoenix Zoo with Dinosaurs in the Desert. Immerse yourself in a world where colossal dinosaurs and other ancient beasts dominate the landscape in this not-to-be-missed prehistoric experience that is making its way back after five years.

10. Experience breathtaking music by candlelight

Calm your mind and experience fantastic music in a new light with these sensational concerts by candlelight in some of Phoenix’s most beautiful venues. Here are some of the ones that will take place this month: 

• Candlelight Open Air: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics

11. Get ready to rock at this Stevie Nicks concert

Ready to rock? Stevie Nicks just announced a concert in Phoenix this October, and she’s bringing Vanessa Carlton as a special guest. The legendary singer will be coming to the valley on October 6.

12. Have a spooktastic October at this new “Glowing Pumpkins” event 

The creators of the famous “Slaughterhouse” will open “Glowing Pumpkins” this Halloween, an immersive 35-55 minute pumpkin walk with more than 5000 hand-carved pumpkin designs that will deliver a unique spectacle of art, light, costumed characters, and themed stops along an outdoor trail. Here’s everything you need to know. 

13. Celebrate International Sake Day at Sake Haus

October 1 marks the start of brewing season in Japan, which means worldwide, we get to celebrate one of the country’s greatest offerings: Sake. In honor of International Sake Day on Saturday, October 1, Sake Haus on Roosevelt Row is celebrating with a special deal for guests and a signature drink that’s made for sharing.

Starting at 4:00 pm on Saturday, guests will receive a complimentary glass of sake with the purchase of any omakase plate (bronze, silver, or gold) on the menu. To keep the festivities going, gather a few friends and enjoy the Happy Sumo Cocktail made with a sake sangria blend, kung fu cordial of blueberry, shiso, mint, lemongrass, yuzu, and herbs.

14-16. Relax with your friends at these happy hours in Roosevelt Row 

Happy hours are making a comeback in Phoenix as workers begrudgingly return to their offices. These boozy deals, most common between the hours of 5 and 7 pm, aren’t just about cocktails. Get ready for jello shots, nigiri, and maki rolls!
Here are three places with a happy hour in Roosevelt Row:

• Lucky’s Indoor Outdoor
• Sake Haus
• Kähvi Coffee + Cafe

Featured image by Gregory E. Clifford from Shutterstock.