Things to Do in the East Valley in October 2026
October is the month we wait all summer for. Patios open back up, the farms go full pumpkin, and every weekend has something worth leaving the house for. Here's where I'd start.
Want every event, time and address in one place? Grab the free October guide.
Fall festivals at the farms
Photo: Mother Nature's Farm
Three local farms, three different vibes. Vertuccio Farms in Mesa has the five-acre corn maze and the barrel train. Schnepf Farms' Pumpkin & Chili Party in Queen Creek is the classic, with rides and chili. Mother Nature's Farm in Gilbert is the easy one for little kids.
Vertuccio: Oct 2 to 31 · vertucciofarms.com
Schnepf: Oct 3 to 31, Wed to Sun · tickets
Mother Nature's Farm: daily through Nov 1, 9am to 9pm · mothernaturesfarm.com
Sound Bites at Gilbert Regional Park
Photo: Town of Gilbert (Gilbert Regional Park amphitheater)
Blues Traveler and Spin Doctors, food trucks and a park full of neighbors. Pack a blanket and make it a date night or a family night.
Friday, Oct 9 · 4:30pm to 10pm · Gilbert Regional Park · Town of Gilbert
Día de los Muertos Festival at Mesa Arts Center
Photo: Mesa Arts Center
Altars, music, dancing and art across the whole Mesa Arts Center campus. One of the prettiest weekends of the year in downtown Mesa.
Saturday, Oct 24 and Sunday, Oct 25 · Mesa Arts Center · mesaartscenter.com
Halloween Spooktacular in Downtown Chandler
Photo: City of Chandler
Trick-or-treating, costumes and the whole downtown dressed up for it. Easy, free and close to home.
Friday, Oct 30 · 5:30pm to 8:30pm · Downtown Chandler · City of Chandler
New places to eat
Photo: Rosewood
Rosewood and Bad Honey are now open in downtown Gilbert, and Tacos Tijuana is coming to Barnone at Agritopia this month. The Black Lagoon Halloween pop-up at UnderTow runs through Nov 4.
That's just the start. The Arizona State Fair runs Thursdays through Sundays all month at the State Fairgrounds in Phoenix, plus Kacey Musgraves, Thomas Rhett, Oktoberfest at O.H.S.O., Flavors of Gilbert and a dozen kid-friendly Halloween events are all in the free October guide, with times, addresses and ticket links.
Planning a move in the East Valley? Whether you're buying or selling, I'd love to hear what you have in mind. Reach out anytime and let's chat about your goals.
Dana Massey · Compass · dana@danamassey.com · 480-818-7554
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