Fun Fall family activities in and around Fountain Hills, AZ

Fountain Hills, Arizona is just 33 minutes Northeast of Scottsdale and 46 minutes from Phoenix. The town is just around 18.2 square miles and as of 2018 the population was less than 25,000 people. Fountain Hills, AZ is home to the world’s 4th tallest fountain, which sprays for 15 minutes at the top of every hour from 9am-9pm. 

In Autumn, Fountain Hills generally enjoys temperatures ranging from 65°F to 88°F, which are amazing conditions to enjoy family activities and events without overwhelming heat. When it comes to year-round activities and fun that people can enjoy in this town, some include going to Fort McDowell Adventures, Saguaro Lake Ranch Trail Rides, Adventures Out West Segway Tours, Desert Belle Paddle Boat Tours, Wayward Wind Tours, and Desert Dog Hummer Adventures.

If you have recently moved to the Fountain Hills area, you’ll discover that your new area has so much to do! Here is a list of things that can give you a few fun family activities to be involved in. 

October

In Scottsdale

• Tour De Scottsdale - October 13 - 5AM-7AM - https://www.tourdescottsdale.net/

This is a bicycle experience that is like the Tour De France, but in Scottsdale. There will be a race and you can sponsor the cyclists and watch them as they speed along the course and race to the finish!

• Scottsdale Philharmonic Concert - October 13, 4PM - https://www.scottsdalephilharmonic.com/

A free performance which will allow your family to enjoy a bit of an orchestra experience.

• Arizona Taco Festival - October 12-13 – https://aztacofestival.com/

This is a festival for people who enjoy all things taco! They will have a hot sauce tent, a Lucha Libre arena, tequila expo (for the adults and parents needing a break); there is a chihuahua beauty pageant, hot chili pepper eating contest, music and a DJ, plus many other things. And there will even be a Day of the Dead Wedding!

In Phoenix

• Pumpkin Patch and Haunted Corn Maze at Tolmachoff Farms - Friday-Sunday in October and Thursday-Sunday in November - http://www.tolmachoff-farms.com/corn_maze_pumpkin_patch_glendale_arizona.html

Also included will be a petting zoo, train ride, hay pyramid, corn box, adult/child pedal cart track, and jumping pillow.

• Corn Maze and Fall Festival at Vertuccio Farms – September 30 - November 3 -https://www.visitmesa.com/includes/events/vertuccio-farms-annual-fall-festival-%26-corn-maze/23634/

Admission includes many activities including a corn maze, mini-golf, mini zip line, giant tube slide, train ride, animal area, and much more!

• Arizona State Fair October - 4-27- https://azstatefair.com/

This is a time to ride different fair rides, play fair games and eat and eat and eat all kinds of delicious types of carnival and fair types of foods.

• Phoenix Greek Festival - October 11-13 - http://phoenixgreekfestival.org/

Join a big cultural experience where you and your family can enjoy authentic Greek foods, do some shopping, and experience Greek dancing and music. Plus, they have a “kid’s zone”, so the kids get food and fun that is a bit more their speed.

• Salt River Fields Balloon Spooktacular – October 25-26 5PM-9:30PM - https://www.visitphoenix.com/event/salt-river-fields-balloon-spooktacular/107351/

Over 20 Hot Air Balloons will be on display, over 4,000 pounds of candy for trick-or-treaters will be passed out, live music, food and beverage, a Kid’s Zone, vendor market, tethered balloon rides, a haunted Spooky trail, fireworks and much more.

• Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party - October 3-27 - https://schnepffarms.com/event-list/pumpkin-and-chili-party/?v=7516fd43adaa

Here you will find all kinds of food, games, corn mazes, bonfires, and many other family-friendly activities.

November

In Fountain Hills

• Fountain Festival of Arts & Crafts – November 8-10 - http://www.fountainhillschamber.com/fountain-festival/

This is a free experience to see over 500 artists, artisans, and gourmet food providers. It’s also a chance to eat some food, buy some art, shop for the holidays, and enjoy some music.

In Scottsdale

• ArtFest of Scottsdale- November 23-24 – 10am-5pm -http://www.888artfest.com/artfest-of-scottsdale/

Featuring 150 artists from all over the country, unique art, live music, tasty foods, and kids’ activities. Free parking and admission; pet-friendly.

In Phoenix

• American Lebanese Festival - November 1-3 - http://www.americanlebanesefestivalaz.com/

A chance for you and your family to experience and enjoy Lebanese foods, music, and culture. There is a kids’ area as well.

• Dia de Los Muertos Celebration at Desert Botanical Garden - November 2-3 – 10am-5pm - https://dbg.org/events/dia-de-los-muertos-celebration/ The kids can make crafts and get their face painted and there is jewelry for your perusal; in addition, there is an Ofrenda Exhibit created by local artists, which is an offering created to remember and honor the memory of ancestors and loved ones that have passed.

• St. Mary's Basilica's Dia de Los Muertos Festival - November 3- 11am-5pm - https://saintmarysbasilica.org/dia-de-los-muertos-festival/

This is a free festival where the family can enjoy mariachi bands, Folklorico dancers, a car show, face painting, food trucks, arts and crafts, and balloon animals.

• Mesa Music Festival - November 14-16 - http://mesamusicfest.com/

A free admission music and arts festival that will showcase over 300 emerging musicians and artists from around the world.

• NASCAR Semi-Final Race Weekend - November 8-10 - https://www.ismraceway.com/Events/Fall-Race-Weekend.aspx

Enjoy a great experience and see the cars, feel the wind as the cars zip by during a race, and eat food with other NASCAR fans.

• Arizona Harvest Festival - November 10 – 9am-4pm -https://www.arizonaharvestfest.com/

You and your family will enjoy Autumn activities which include a pumpkin toss, pumpkin pageant, games of cornhole and a pie-eating contest. There is a kid’s zone area as well.

• Downtown Donut Fest - November 17 10am-3pm - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/downtown-donut-festival-2019-tickets-64175573869

Who wouldn’t love a donut dedicated festival? Remember to bring cash as this is a cash-only payment experience. Kids under 5 are free.

• Phoenix Pizza Festival - November 16 – 11am-5pm - https://www.phoenix.pizza/ 

If you and your family love pizza this is the event for you! 20 pizza makers, an eclectic variety of toppings, live bands, lawn games, kids’ zone, and local award-winning craft brews from Arizona Wilderness Brewery.