13 Things to Do in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills This Weekend, October 23–25

By Krisy Clayton, Scottsdale + Fountain Hills Realtor | Updated October 23, 2026

A festival for dogs. A concert full of ’80s favorites. Hot air balloons glowing after dark. Scottsdale and Fountain Hills have plenty going on this weekend, and you don’t need to pack your calendar to enjoy it.

Looking for things to do October 23–25, 2026? This weekend’s options include Fountain Hills Spooky Blast, Day of the Dog at WestWorld, Scottsdale Quarter’s Candy Crawl and fall concert, ADERO’s Harvest Market, stargazing, live theater, and the Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival.

I pulled together 13 local plans, plus a few easy combinations if you have a little more room in your weekend these days. Pick your favorite, send it to a friend, and call that a plan.

All times below are Arizona local time. Check organizer links for tickets, availability, and last-minute changes.

Events running across the weekend

1. Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival

Friday–Sunday, October 23–25 | 5–9 p.m.
Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale | Tickets required

Balloon glows, trick-or-treating, and costumes make this an easy pick if you want a bigger Halloween outing. Choose the night that works for you and check ticket details before leaving home.

Festival details from Salt River Fields

2. Clue at Fountain Hills Theater

Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.
Ross Collins Playhouse, 11445 N. Saguaro Boulevard | Tickets required

A little mystery, a little comedy, and a much more unusual dinner party than anything on your calendar. This is a youth production rated PG-13. Sunday’s matinee leaves you time for dinner afterward.

Timing note: The theater’s own schedule lists Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., which differs from the tourism listing. Use the time on your ticket.

Theater schedule and tickets

Friday, October 23: paint something or look up

3. Spooky Glow-in-the-Dark Painting with Joshua Gridley

5–7 p.m. | $45 per person; reserve ahead
P39 Apothecary & Gifts, 16845 E. Avenue of the Fountains, Suite 107, Fountain Hills

Try a guided Halloween painting workshop with local artist Joshua Gridley. Materials are included, so you can leave the supply shopping to someone else. Bring a friend or make it a creative evening for yourself.

Check P39’s workshop calendar

4. Star Dudes Stargazing

7–9 p.m. | Free; RSVP encouraged
ADERO Scottsdale Resort, 13225 N. Eagle Ridge Drive

Guided telescope viewing beneath the desert sky sounds like a pretty good way to close the laptop for the week. This event is weather permitting, so check for updates before heading over.

Stargazing details and RSVP link

Saturday, October 24: dogs, shopping, costumes, and music

5. Day of the Dog

11 a.m.–4 p.m. | Free
WestWorld of Scottsdale

A festival for dogs and their people. Honestly, the title does most of the convincing. Check the organizer’s information before bringing your pup so you know what to expect at the venue.

Organizer’s event information

6. Harvest Market at ADERO

Noon–4 p.m. | Free admission
ADERO Scottsdale Resort

Browse local vendors, gifts, treats, and other finds. This is a good choice when you want to get out for the afternoon without committing to a whole day of activities. Purchases are extra.

ADERO’s event calendar

7. Candy Crawl at Scottsdale Quarter

1–4 p.m. | Free general event
The Quad at Scottsdale Quarter, 15191 N. Scottsdale Road

Costumes, candy, crafts, and entertainment are on the schedule. General admission does not require registration; the optional paid Superhero VIP Experience is separate.

See Candy Crawl details

8. She Loves Me

Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. | Tickets required
Don Bluth Front Row Theatre, 8989 E. Via Linda, Suite 118, Scottsdale

Prefer a seat and a story? This musical romantic comedy gives you a different kind of Saturday afternoon. Check the theater’s ticket calendar for availability and your selected performance time.

9. Fountain Hills Spooky Blast

5–8 p.m. | Free
Four Peaks Neighborhood Park, Fountain Hills

Candy, games, costumes, inflatables, and entertainment make this a fun community Halloween stop. Bring your candy bag and check the town’s event information for the latest details.

Town event information

10. Rock Lobster at Scottsdale Quarter

5–7 p.m. | Free concert
The Quad at Scottsdale Quarter

An evening of ’80s pop and rock. You can start with the Candy Crawl earlier in the day or arrive for the music. Either way, knowing the words is strongly encouraged by absolutely no one except me.

Fall Concert Series schedule

11. Brownedog at the Taphouse

7 p.m.
Parkview Tap House, 16828 E. Parkview Avenue, Suite B, Fountain Hills

End Saturday with live music close to the fountain. The band’s event listing announces its return to the Taphouse. Check with the venue for any seating or admission details.

Sunday, October 25: a morning run or a pumpkin picnic

12. Run the Runway

5K at 8 a.m.; Kids Fun Run at 9 a.m. | Registration required
Scottsdale Airport / Volanti, 15000 N. Airport Drive

This is a chance to run at Scottsdale Airport, followed by a post-race festival. The official registration schedule also lists a 7:30 a.m. stretch. Public listings show different start times, so follow your final race instructions for arrival and check-in.

Official registration and race schedule

13. Halloween Family Picnic + Pumpkin Soccer

11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. | RSVP with the host
Horizon Park | Hosted by Peace in the Desert Church

Pumpkin soccer, crafts, lunch, and games fill this fall picnic. The event description names Horizon Park, while the listing’s address field shows the church address. Confirm the exact meeting spot directly with the host when you RSVP.

Host website

Empty nest? Make a little room for your own plans

When the family calendar changes, weekends can take some getting used to. You don’t have to fill every hour. Start with something you actually want to do.

• A simple Friday evening: Star Dudes Stargazing at ADERO, 7–9 p.m.
• A Saturday with a little variety: Browse the Harvest Market, then head to Scottsdale Quarter for Rock Lobster at 5 p.m. Leave time for the drive and dinner.
• A relaxed Sunday: Catch the 2 p.m. performance of Clue in Fountain Hills.

Go with a friend, a partner, or your own good company. Having more time for yourself can take practice, too.

Quick answers for your weekend plans

What free events are happening in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills this weekend?

Free options include Star Dudes Stargazing on Friday and Day of the Dog, ADERO’s Harvest Market, Scottsdale Quarter’s Candy Crawl, the Rock Lobster concert, and Fountain Hills Spooky Blast on Saturday. Optional purchases, upgrades, and food may cost extra.

Is Spooktacular happening all weekend?

Yes. Salt River Fields lists October 23–25, from 5–9 p.m. each night. Tickets are required.

Where is Fountain Hills Spooky Blast?

Spooky Blast takes place at Four Peaks Neighborhood Park on Saturday, October 24, from 5–8 p.m. Admission is free.

What time is Clue at Fountain Hills Theater?

The theater lists Friday and Saturday performances at 7 p.m. and Sunday performances at 2 p.m. Confirm the time on your ticket.

Which plan are you picking?

I’m always interested in what people actually enjoy around here. Leave a comment with your pick, or tell me about a local spot I should include next time.

I’m Krisy Clayton with Krisy Sells Homes, a Realtor serving Scottsdale and Fountain Hills with a focus on one-story homes and right-sizing. The home matters, and so does what you get to enjoy outside the front door.

If you’re exploring that next chapter, take a look at Fountain Hills one-story homes, or reach out with a question. We can start with what you want your days to look like.

Be Well, Krisy Clayton 🐝

Scottsdale + Fountain Hills Real Estate

Empty Nest | One Story Home Realtor

www.KrisySells.Homes | 480-227-5976

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