As the days cool off and nights get longer, Glendale ushers in the autumn with family-friendly festivals and fun. From pumpkin patches to trunk-or-treat events, these fall celebrations make Glendale the place to be.
Tolmachoff Farms
The ultimate destination for fall fun, Tolmachoff Farms’ dedicates the entire month of October to its fall festival. Families can pick pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, navigate the 6-acre, themed corn maze (there’s also a mini-maze for little ones) and visit the petting zoo. The farm also has a barrel train ride, pyramid of hay, pedal cart track and other rides.
Hours vary, with doors opening at 1 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tolmachoff Farms is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Tickets cost $20 each (children under two are free) and cover most activities, including the corn maze. The train ride, tomato cannon, food and pumpkins chosen from the patch cost extra.
AZ Field of Screams
From 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Tolmachoff Farms’ corn maze becomes AZ Field of Screams as costumed actors jump out of the corn stalks and recreate terrifying movie scenes like Friday the 13th’s Jason Voorhees standing on his front porch. Expect some gore and maybe a nightmare or two.
AZ Field of Screams is recommended for families with children over the age of 13 and operates on Friday, Saturday and Halloweens nights only, October 2 through 31. Tickets cost $30 for all ages.
Front Porch Festival & Old Towne Marketplace
Historic Downtown Glendale celebrates the season with the Front Porch Festival & Old Towne Marketplace on Saturday, October 10. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Historic Catlin Court and Old Towne districts’ shops will offer fall-themed gifts and décor for sale as well as make-and-take crafts while eateries expand their menu to include seasonal specials.
Additionally, artisans will demonstrate their craft, and many of the retailers will display decorated seasonal scarecrows at their front doors or on their porches as part of the much-anticipated Scarecrow Stroll. Visitors participating in the Downtown Glendale Charm Bracelet can add an Autumn charm. (You can also start a new bracelet if you don’t have one already.)
Halloween ComicFest
On October 17, Drawn to Comics—downtown’s source for comic books and collectibles—and Glendale’s Velma Teague Library welcome comic book fans of all ages to the Glendale Civic Center for Halloween ComicFest. The free event runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will feature local comic book artists, comic book vendors, games, crafts and a free comic to take home.
Come dressed as your favorite character and don’t be surprised if a special guest or two make an appearance. Free parking is available in the parking garage at 5835 W. Palmaire Ave.
Ghosts & Goodies
Take trick-or-treating to the next level at Westgate Entertainment District. On October 23, kids will receive a free treat bag (while supplies last) that they can fill with candy and other goodies from participating Westgate restaurants and retailers. There will also be interactive games, costume contests and local vendors. At 7 p.m., animal expert Corbin Maxey will host a live animal show, followed by a meet-and-greet and photo ops with his creepy-crawly friends.
Trick-or-treating begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. Attending Ghosts & Goodies is free.
St. James Fall Festival
For a smaller-scale community event, try St. James Roman Catholic Parish’s fall festival. The church kicks off its program on October 13 with a pumpkin patch that runs Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. until October 31.
The festival takes place October 23 through 25 and features inflatables, Trunk-or-Treat, a costume contest, dance contests on Friday and Saturday nights, raffles and food. Tickets do not include the bouncy houses or food.