Temperatures slowly dropping and leaves changing color — the fall season is upon us and in Southern Arizona, cooler weather means getting outdoors! Your outdoor experience will feel a lot more comfortable without the heat that summer packs on. And, there’s plenty of fun fall festivities going on throughout the community to enjoy and get involved in!
1. Mount Lemmon Oktoberfest
Date: First Two Weekends in October
Celebrate all things German at Mount Lemmon’s Oktoberfest in Coronado National Forest. Enjoy the changing fall colors of the surrounding forest as you clink glasses of freshly brewed German-style beer with friends and delight in delicious, authentic German foods. There will be music, dancing, children’s games, and — of course — spectacularly great views. During the event, you can still take the sky ride up the mountain for a scenic overlook.
2. Apple Annie’s Fall Pumpkin Celebration
Date: Only on Weekends from October 2nd – October 31st
Bring the family out for a fun-filled day of picking pumpkins and produce, going for hayrides, and getting lost in corn mazes at Apple Annie’s Orchard! This 12.5-acre land with over 600,000 stalks of corn makes it the largest corn maze in Arizona with two levels of difficulty. After that, purchase tickets for a hayride that will take you to the pumpkin patch where an abundance of produce awaits for your choosing. Plan a day and have fun on the farm!
3. Tucson Meet Yourself Festival
Date: October 8th – 10th
The Tucson Meet Yourself Festival is an annual celebration of Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico’s diverse and rich cultural history. Discover hundreds of artisans, dancers, musicians, and special exhibits amongst the community. Come out to celebrate the traditional arts and expressions of the Arizona-Sonora region — authentic food guaranteed.
4. Patagonia Fall Festival
Date: October 9th – 10th
At the heart of Patagonia’s Fall Festival is the historic town square, its charming gazebo and lovely tree-shaded park. In the beautiful backdrop of their community, the town of Patagonia has been showcasing its extraordinary talent, artistry, activities, and food for over 30 years. This year, there will be a variety of music genres, from bluegrass to rock, delicious food truck treats, and interactive entertainment for all!
5. Tombstone Helldorado Days
Date: October 15th – 17th
Tombstone’s Helldorado Days, known as Arizona’s famous “Western Town” and gunfight reenactment shows, is celebrating its 92nd anniversary this year complete with a brand new Scavenger Hunt that encourages visitors to head to various places in town to find hidden objects. It’s free to play, and you have a chance to win some wonderful prizes! Beyond that, there will be continuous entertainment from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., including dancing, gun twirling, roping, whip cracking, old west storytelling, and the grand Helldorado Parade.
6. Boo at the Zoo & Spirits at the Zoo — Reid Park Zoo
Date: October 21st – 24th and October 30th
Enjoy a ghoulish night out at Reid Park Zoo for Boo at the Zoo, from October 21st through the 24th, where you can bring your whole family out for trick or treating, costumed characters, and spooktacular decorative scenes. Spirits at the Zoo is on October 30th and is a 21+ extravaganza for the adults to suit up for a costume party, drinks, and dancing in the jungle. Tickets are needed for both events and they will go fast! Find out more about Boo at the Zoo and Spirits at the Zoo.
7. Marana Pumpkin Patch & Farm Festival
Date: October 2nd – 31st
Love picking pumpkins, visiting farm animals, and other festive fall activities? The Marana Pumpkin Patch & Farm Festival is just the place where memories are made. Admission to the 50-acre farm is $15. Fun attractions include a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, pig races, and so much more! Tractor rides, train rides, pumpkin cannons, zip line, and pony rides are also available for an additional fee.
8. Buckelew Farm’s Terror in the Corn Maze
Date: Select Days from October 1st – 31st
Enter if you dare — Terror in the Corn Maze is a frighteningly fun and unique experience with plenty of haunted attractions, including three themed areas of scares: Circus of Horror, Shady Acres Asylum, and Field of Screams. Weave through the cornfield and try to avoid the creeping creatures who lurk in the dark. Buckelew Farm has been voted Tucson’s best haunted attraction for years. Think you can handle it?
9. Gaslight Theatre Showing of Frankenstein
Date: October 1st – November 7th
The Creature comes alive this time every year. Celebrate the Halloween season with the Gaslight Theatre’s rendition of Frankenstein. This take on Frankenstein is a comedy that will keep you laughing all night long. The classic tale tells the story of a gifted scientist, Victor Frankenstein, who succeeds in giving life to a being of his own creation. However, this is not the “perfect specimen” he imagines that it will be, but rather a hideous creature who is rejected by Victor and mankind in general.
10. All Souls Procession
Date: November 5th – 7th
The annual All Souls Procession may not be committing to a large-scale procession at this time, however, they do invite guests out to enjoy a weekend of events and opportunities to connect with the community and commemorate their lost loved ones. The 2-hour procession spans 2 miles through downtown Tucson, featuring altars, performers, art, and ends in the ceremonial burning of a large Urn. Altogether, this ceremony is a beautiful celebration of life.
The activities in Arizona during the fall cannot be beaten. Not to mention, the beautiful landscape and weather. If you’re considering making a permanent move or settling down around Tucson, you’ll need to find the best land with the best views. I’m Rick Sack, an experienced land lot specialist in Tucson for over 30 years. If you need help finding a place to put down roots, I can help! Let’s get started — call 520-918-5477 or email rick@buytucsonlots.com today.
