Phoenix Valley Fall Festivals & Farmers Markets 2026

Quick answer: As temperatures finally drop below 100°F, the Phoenix Valley's outdoor season kicks back into gear. From late September through November 2026, Maricopa County hosts dozens of farmers markets returning to weekend schedules plus major fall festivals — corn mazes, pumpkin patches, harvest fairs, and food-and-music events — spread across Phoenix, Scottsdale, the North Valley, the East Valley, and the West Valley. Below is a region-by-region breakdown to help you plan your fall weekends.

Why Fall Is the Valley's Favorite Season

Once the heat breaks in late September and October, outdoor gathering spots that scaled back or moved indoors over summer come back to life. Farmers markets that shifted to early-morning summer hours return to their full winter schedules, and farms across Queen Creek, Mesa, and Gilbert open pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and nighttime "fall festival" events that run through Halloween and into November.

Phoenix

• Arizona State Fair — Arizona State Fair & Coliseum grounds, October 1 – November 1, 2026. Rides, concerts, livestock exhibits, and fair food for the whole run.
• Uptown Farmers Market — 5757 N. Central Ave. (North Phoenix Baptist Church), Saturdays year-round; returns to full winter hours (roughly 8 a.m.–12 p.m.) as fall weather sets in.
• High Street Farmers Market — North Phoenix, one of the Valley's few Sunday markets, running fall/winter hours through the cooler months.
• Arizona Fall Fest — Margaret T. Hance Park, early October through early November. A family- and pet-friendly celebration of local Arizona vendors, live music, and food.
• Roosevelt Row / Downtown Phoenix — Look for First Fridays art walks and pop-up markets picking back up as evening temperatures cool.
• Sonoran Foothills Farmers Market — North Phoenix (85085), second Sunday of the month, October–May, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Scottsdale

• Scottsdale Farmers Market — 3806 N. Brown Ave., Old Town Scottsdale, Saturdays October 5 – April 26, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. One of the Valley's longest-running markets, open since 2009.
• North Scottsdale / McDowell Mountain Ranch Community Farmers Market — 10607 E. Paradise Ln., first Sunday each month, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., 80+ vendors with live entertainment.

North Valley: Carefree & Cave Creek

• Carefree Farmers Market — 1 Sundial Circle, Carefree, Fridays, switching to fall/winter hours (roughly 9 a.m.–1 p.m.) in October.
• Cave Creek Farmers & Craft Market — hosted at the Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center in Cave Creek; check the Town of Cave Creek events calendar for fall dates and hours.
• Anthem Community Farmers Market — North Valley community market with a fall/winter schedule.

East Valley: Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler & Queen Creek

The East Valley is the Phoenix area's hub for both weekly markets and large-scale fall festivals, thanks to its concentration of working farms.

• Gilbert Farmers Market — Chandler-Gilbert Community College and the Heritage District, Saturdays, shifting back to winter hours (8 a.m.–12 p.m.) in fall; 100+ vendors.
• Downtown Chandler Farmers Market — Dr. A.J. Chandler Park West, Saturdays, October–May, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Eastmark Farmers Market — Mesa's newer market near Eastmark, Saturdays.
• Downtown Mesa Farmers Market — a block-party-style Friday market in downtown Mesa.
• Power Road Farmers Market — Mesa, open daily for produce.
• Agritopia Farm Night — Gilbert, an evening market with a working-farm setting.
• Queen Creek Olive Mill — seasonal fall festival events running in late September.
• Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party — 24810 S. Rittenhouse Rd., Queen Creek, weekends through October and into early November. Corn mazes, mini-golf, a roller coaster, and day/"spooky" train rides.
• Vertuccio Farms Fall Festival — Mesa, October 2–31, 2026. The Valley's longest-running corn maze plus fall activities; closed Mondays and Tuesdays except the last week of October.
• Superstition Ranch Market — 4755 E. Main St., Mesa.

West Valley: Peoria, Surprise, Goodyear, Buckeye, Litchfield Park & the Sun Cities

• Farmers Market at Goodyear Ballpark — select Sundays; 2026 dates include October 11 and November 15. Local vendors, food trucks, and family activities, free entry.
• Peoria/Arrowhead Farmers Market — Saturdays in the Peoria/Arrowhead area.
• Waddell Farmers Market — Sundays, Buckeye/Goodyear area, alternating Wednesdays.
• Goodyear Community Farmers Market — Litchfield Park.
• Verrado Town Square Market — Buckeye, Sundays.
• Sun City West Farmers Market & Corte Bella Farmers Market — Sun City West, weekly community markets serving the Sun Cities.
• Desert Fall Festival — 14470 W. Tierra Buena Ln., Surprise, September 25 – November 1, 2026. Thirteen acres of fall activities including a scavenger hunt, ziplines, and a giant excavator attraction ("The Big Dig"); evening hours through the run, with extended hours on Halloween weekend.
• Desert Sky Music Festival — West Valley Events Complex, October 3, 2026. A single-stage country music festival with local food and beverage vendors.

Big Valley-Wide Fall Festivals to Watch

• Hondo Rodeo & Music Fest — Chase Field, downtown Phoenix, November 13–15, 2026. Professional rodeo, a street festival, and nightly country concerts.
• USA TODAY Wine and Food Experience — Phoenix stop of a nationwide tour, October 2026, featuring local wine, beer, and gourmet food vendors.
• Water Lantern Festival — an evening lantern-launch event held at a Valley lake each fall.
• RARE Steak Championship — Salt River Fields, a steakhouse competition with tastings from 25+ Valley restaurants.

Tips for Visiting Valley Farmers Markets This Fall

• Most markets shift from summer hours (7–11 a.m.) back to fall/winter hours (8 a.m.–1 p.m. or later) starting in October — check each market's page the week you plan to go.
• Many Valley markets accept SNAP/EBT and offer Double Up Food Bucks matching; some also accept WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons.
• Pet policies vary by market — several West Valley and East Valley markets are pet-friendly, while some, like Gilbert Farmers Market's CGCC location, do not allow pets.
• Arrive early for the best produce selection, especially at markets running only a few hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do farmers markets in the Phoenix Valley switch back to fall hours?

Most Valley farmers markets move from summer hours (roughly 7–11 a.m.) to fall and winter hours (roughly 8 a.m.–1 p.m., and Sunday markets often 9 a.m.–1 p.m.) starting in early-to-mid October, once daytime temperatures reliably drop below 100°F.

What are the biggest fall festivals in the Phoenix area in 2026?

The largest 2026 fall events include the Arizona State Fair (October 1–November 1), Schnepf Farms' Pumpkin & Chili Party in Queen Creek, the Desert Fall Festival in Surprise (September 25–November 1), Vertuccio Farms' Fall Festival in Mesa (October 2–31), and the Hondo Rodeo & Music Fest at Chase Field (November 13–15).

Which farmers markets in the East Valley are open on weekends?

The Gilbert Farmers Market, Downtown Chandler Farmers Market, Eastmark Farmers Market, and Downtown Mesa Farmers Market all run regular Saturday (or Friday, for Downtown Mesa) hours through fall and winter.

Are there farmers markets open on Sundays in the Valley?

Yes. High Street Farmers Market in North Phoenix, McDowell Mountain Ranch Community Farmers Market in Scottsdale, the Sonoran Foothills Farmers Market, and the Farmers Market at Goodyear Ballpark are among the Valley's Sunday options.

What can I find at Valley fall festivals besides pumpkins?

Beyond pumpkin patches and corn mazes, Valley fall festivals typically include hayrides, ziplines, live music, food trucks and local vendors, craft and art markets, and — closer to Halloween — haunted attractions and "spooky" evening events for older kids and adults.

Event dates, hours, and vendor lineups can shift — always confirm details on the event or market's official page before you plan a visit.