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Things to do in the Phoenix area this weekend: Oct. 14-16

By and May Phan
Updated  October 14, 2022 5:08pm MST
Things to Do
FOX 10 Phoenix

Need plans this weekend? From pride parades to Italian festivals to musical instrument exhibits, here's a few fun events in the Phoenix metropolitan area to check out for Oct. 14-16:

Note: Some events could be canceled due to heightened storm chances tomorrow.

Avondale

Off-Road Expo

"The RideNow Off-Road Expo presented by General Tire, features an impressive collection of industry-leading sand sports, dunes and off-road companies, including parts manufacturers, equipment suppliers, gear producers and industry experts/insiders.

"New product reveals and demos will take place all weekend, showcasing the latest and greatest creations in the off-road and sand sports world. Attendees will also be able to chat with industry experts and those "in the know.""

Chandler

Halloween Town Pumpkin Patch

"Halloween Town Pumpkin Patch is back for its fourth year in Arizona. The family-friendly pumpkin patch offers carnival rides and games, festive foods, family photo opportunities, a mini hay maze, face painting, arts & crafts, and of course, a pumpkin patch."

  • Through Oct. 31
  • Open Monday - Friday, 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
  • Chandler Fashion Center
  • $5 admission, free for kids 2 and under
  • https://halloweentownaz.com

Gilbert

Gilbert Oktoberfest

"Lace up your dirndl, throw on your lederhosen and grab a stein to celebrate the Gilbert Oktoberfest. Kicking off the autumn season with bratwurst, pretzels and refreshing Bavarian suds from some Gilbert’s finest local craft breweries and other traditional beers."

Glendale

22nd Annual West Valley Health and Wellness Expo

"The West Valley Health and Wellness Expo is the premier health and wellness expo. Meet the people and companies transforming our whole approach to staying healthy and keeping fit at home and at work. Learn from wellbeing experts in the Seminar Theatre, browse the show floor and join in the activities."

LiVE! @ Murphy Park

"We have FREE LiVE! Entertainment every Thursday-Saturday in October. Bring a chair or blanket and all your friends and join us in Murphy Park! Shows begin at 7 p.m. each night and free parking can be found on the street and in both garages."

Oktoberfest at Heritage at Sportsmans Park

This celebration in Glendale features Oktoberfest-theme contest, live entertainment, lawn games, a football watch party and more.

Mesa

Rydables Ghost & History Tour

Take a deep dive into the ghost stories of Mesa's past. "Join us on a spooky adventure & tour some of the oldest buildings in the state (and hear about plenty of unexpected ‘guests’)!"

Frights in the Lights and Scarizona Scaregrounds

Check out a one-mile Halloween drive-thru light show and three haunted houses. 

The Thompson Event Center [TEC] says Frights in the Lights is for all ages, while Scarizona may be too intense for young children and is not recommended for children under the age of 12.

Peoria

1st Annual Pokefest 

"Please join us and 50 of our amazing friends and vendors from Arizona, Utah, California and Las Vegas as we bring to Peoria a taste of Aloha!

"We will have a Keiki Zone, Shave Ice, Live Entertainment, Raffle Prizes, Local Food and our very own Poke Contest sponsored by Aloha Shoyu with a chance to win cash and various prizes totaling $1000!"

Phoenix

Pirate's Day

Enchanted Island Amusement Park at Encanto Park is holding a Pirate's Day celebration with circus acts, treasure hunts and buccaneer-themed games for the whole family.

Phoenix Pride Festival

"This year’s Phoenix Pride Festival will continue to be a two day celebration designed to bring our diverse LGBTQ+ and allied communities together for a weekend of camaraderie and celebration of our past, present and future, while raising funds for the Phoenix Pride Community Programs and educating the public about the existence and continuing civil rights battle facing our community. 

"The Phoenix Pride festival features over 150 entertainment performances on 7 stages and over 300 Exhibitors showcasing a huge variety of food options, shopping opportunities, and community resources."

Phoenix Pride Parade

"The Phoenix Pride Parade to brings our diverse LGBTQ+ and allied communities together for a weekend of camaraderie and celebration of our past, present and future. The Parade brings over 2,000 individual participants with decorated vehicles, colorful floats and thousands of walkers. 

"With over 15,000 spectators, the Parade features our Grand Marshals, local luminaries, music, and fun along the 3rd Street route from Thomas to Indian School. The Parade concludes at Steele Indian School Park, the home of the Phoenix Pride Festival."

Treasures: Legendary Musical Instruments

"MIM’s newest exhibition, Treasures: Legendary Musical Instruments, celebrates some of the world’s most notable musical moments, performance traditions, and musical instrument developments. Eighty exceptional instruments fill the Target Gallery, including some of the finest from MIM’s collection and more than twenty loans from renowned museums, private collections, and musicians around the world."

Scottsdale

Maricopa County Home & Garden Show

Check out one of Arizona's largest home show events, "featuring contractors, landscapers, remodelers, crafters, artisans, home decor, designers, "as seen on TV" products, DIY experts, seminars, workshops & so much more!"

OktoberWest

"Join us for a unique twist on Oktoberfest with a modern country-western festival. Don't miss this one of-a-kind experience!"

Sidewalk Surfer's 45th Anniversary

"Come celebrate Arizona’s Original Skateshop – Scottsdale Sidewalk Surfer’s 45 years of serving the Arizona Skate Community. Sidewalk invited AZPX to co-celebrate 20 years of rippage! A feat few independent skate labels accomplish.

Taste of Italy & Music Festival

"Come by on Saturday or Sunday and enjoy the beautiful Arizona fall weather while savoring a plate of pasta, a slice of pizza, a panini with a glass of imported Italian wine, and topping it off with a cannoli or tiramisu."

Amid rain forecast, response differs amongst event organizers

With weather forecasts showing a chance for rain this weekend, event organizers are reacting to the potential of a disruption to their events due to inclement weather conditions.

Some organizers, like those behind the Taste of Italy & Music Festival in Scottsdale, say they are committed to the event.

"We’re committed," said Italian Association of Arizona Executive Director Francesco Guzzo. "Whether it rains or shines, this is happening."

Guzzo says he is keeping a sunny outlook.

"I’m visualizing sunshine or partly sunny for the whole day," said Guzzo. "It will rain after we’re done, and be finished Sunday morning."

Jeremy Helfgot with the Phoenix Pride Parade and Festival says the group has a few weather plans for the LGBT+ event.

"We’re looking to move forword with a full weekend of festivities, but if there are any safety concerns, obviously we will revisit that, and we are on constant watch and keeping constant contact with our safety partners as well," said Helfgot.

Helfgot, however, says they are not going to let anything rain on the parade.

"It’s happening, rain or shine," said Helfgot. "This community has been through a lot of struggles in the past four decades. A little rain isn’t going to keep it down."

Some events, however, have been postponed as a result of the potentially bad weather.

"Due to a weekend rainstorm coming to the Phoenix area on Saturday, we regret to inform you that Phoenix Fashion Week at Chateau Luxe 2022 has been postponed due to weather conditions out of our control," read a portion of a statement released by Phoenix Fashion Week Director Brian Hill.