Halloween marks the first of many wonderful fall and winter holiday events. It’s a great way for all ages to reveal a different side and enjoy some spooky fun. Here are 10 options to check out.
All Hallows Eve at Dusenberry-River Library
Date: October 26th, 2023
Time: 4-5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free of charge
A spooktacular celebration filled with creative paper pumpkin crafts, sweet candy treats, trick-or-treat bag decorating, and a screening of the classic film “Hocus Pocus.”
Glowing Pumpkins at Tohono Chul Park
Date: Now- October 31st, 2023
Time: Varies (check venue website for specifics)
Cost: $15-$35 per person
Glowing Pumpkins: A Jack-O-Lantern Adventure, is an outdoor Halloween event featuring over 5,000+ hand-carved art pumpkins! This one-of-a-kind walk-through experience is the must-see event of the fall season.
Explore magical pathways of lit pumpkin sculptures and displays, with music, sounds and special effects. With classic Halloween characters, dinosaurs and superheroes, movie and pop culture icons.
Marana Pumpkin Patch
Date: Now- October 29th, 2023
Time: Thursday-Friday: 3-8p, Saturday: 9a-8p, Sunday: 9a-7p
Cost: Thursday-Friday: $21* at the gate, $18* online; Saturday-Sunday: $23* at the gate, $20*online
*Plus Tax and Fees (2 & Under Free)
There are 50 acres of homegrown pumpkins (courtesy of Post Farms) so you can find your own personal favorite to take home. Walk through the patch and explore, as you find large ones, small ones, and ones that suit you just right! Other attractions include corn mazes, jumping pillow, honey bear spinner, diesel train, and much more.
Halloween Spooktacular at Oro Valley
Date: October 28th, 2023
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Cost: Free of charge
Spooktacular has quickly become a tradition at James D. Kriegh Park (23 W Calle Concordia, 85704). Enjoy themed activities, costumed staff, and games. This event features a Trunk-or-Treat by local businesses, music, jumping castles, food trucks, kid’s crafts and more!
Boo at the Zoo at Reid Park Zoo
Date: October 27th, 28th, 29th, 2023
Time: 5:30-7:30 pm
Cost: $14
Visit the Zoo for some spooktacular fun! Boo at the Zoo will feature the pirates, superheroes, princesses, and wizards inspired by your favorite characters. While you stroll through the Zoo, children will play old-fashioned games and activities while listening to live music throughout the Fall Festival Zone.
- Cackle with the whole family through silly skeleton scenes.
- For the bravest of the bunch, visit spooky scenes for a little fright in your night, sponsored by Crandall Glass.
- Get a candy bag for children as you leave the Zoo and there will be a few spots to safely trick-or-treat at candy stations inside the Zoo.
- Pumpkins galore!
Make sure to purchase tickets online to ensure a spot.
Night of Fright at Pima Air & Space Museum
Date: October 28th, 2023
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Cost: Members: $20/parking space, Non-Members: $25/ parking space. Passes are not sold at the door; admission is included with paid parking.
This is “non-scary” Halloween carnival fun for the whole family. We encourage costumes and offer family-friendly Halloween activities including trick or treating, inflatable slide and zip line, trackless train ride, performances, games, crafts, and community partner stations.
Spooky Species at the International Wildlife Museum
Date: October 26, 2023
Time: 9:15 a.m.
Cost: Free With Paid Admission
This morning event includes a story, craft, and live animal encounter. Included with regular admission; museum members are free!
Spooktacular Science at Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium
Date: October 29th, 2023
Time: 10:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Cost: $10-$12, discounts available for military, seniors, college students, and EBT cardholders.
Enjoy some hair-raising fun and spooky Halloween activities and demonstrations! This Tucson Halloween event celebrates the season with a scientific flair! Make zombie brain slime, learn about the Tarantula nebula, and enjoy chemistry curiosities. The planetarium will be open too for special, limited-run shows. Visit UArizona club tables for trick-or-treating while there!
Trick-or-Treat Extravaganza at La Encantada
Date: October 31, 2023
Time: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Cost: Free of charge
Bring the whole family for Trick-or-Treating (at participating storefronts), a costume contest (kids age 12 and under), a dance party at Center Court, and a pumpkin display.
All Souls Procession
Date: November 3rd-5th, 2023
Time: Varies by day and activity
Cost: Free of cost to attend, but donations are accepted to help support the event
The All Souls Procession is one of the most important, inclusive and authentic public ceremonies in North America today. The Procession had its beginnings in 1990 with a ceremonial performance piece created by local artist Susan Johnson. Johnson was grieving the passing of her father, and as an artist, she found solace in a creative, celebratory approach to memorializing him.
Today upwards of 200,000 participants walk the streets of downtown Tucson for a two-mile long human-powered procession that ends in the ceremonial burning of “The Urn”. The Urn is filled with the hopes, offerings and wishes of the public for those who have passed. Enjoy performers, installation art, and creatives of all kinds that collaborate to prepare their offerings for this amazing event.
I hope you enjoy these safe and varied options. Who knows, some may become a family tradition like they did in my home.
