Mid-October is one of the best weeks of the year to get out and explore Arizona. This week’s lineup includes Wild West history, a folklife festival, Greek food and dancing, Route 66 nostalgia and a wine festival in high-desert vineyard country. Events are listed alphabetically by city or town, with nearby attractions for each. Most of the action falls on the weekend of October 16–18.
Please note: Event dates, hours, prices and details can change without notice, especially for community-run events and outdoor festivals affected by weather. Before you go, confirm all information directly with the event organizer or official website. This guide is for general information only, and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of third-party schedules.
Kingman: I Love 66 Fest
When: Friday, October 16, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, October 17, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Lewis Kingman Park, 2201 E Andy Devine Ave, Kingman
Cost: Free for spectators, with free public parking in the lot next to the park at Andy Devine Avenue (Route 66) and Fairgrounds Avenue
This festival is a centerpiece of the Route 66 Centennial and celebrates the history and culture of America’s Main Street. Visitors will find live bands, a craft beer garden, food and craft vendors, a classic car show, a vintage trailer show, Route 66 displays and live art demonstrations. The car and trailer shows make this a natural fit for anyone who remembers road trips on the Mother Road.
While you’re there: The Route 66 Museum and the Powerhouse Visitor Center are both within walking distance of the festival. The Mohave Museum of History and Arts and the murals of downtown Kingman are also nearby, and the cooler air of Hualapai Mountain Park is a short drive away.
Phoenix: 65th Annual Phoenix Greek Festival
When: Friday, October 16 through Sunday, October 18. Final 2026 hours were not posted at press time. Last year the festival ran 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1973 E Maryland Ave, Phoenix
Cost: Last year, admission was $5 per day, children under 12 got in free, and seniors over 60 were admitted free on Saturday from opening until 3 p.m. Parking at the church lot was $10, with a free shuttle running all weekend from the southwest corner of 24th Street and Lincoln Drive. Confirm 2026 pricing before you go.
This long-running Valley tradition offers Greek favorites such as gyros, souvlaki, spanakopita and baklava, along with traditional dancing and live music. Desserts are made from scratch by the parish’s own “Yia-Yias,” the Greek word for grandmothers. For a quieter break from the crowds, the cathedral is open for self-guided tours and has one of the largest stained glass window displays in Arizona.
While you’re there: The Desert Botanical Garden and Papago Park are about 15 minutes east, and the shops at Biltmore Fashion Park are just to the west.
Sedona: Howl-O-Ween Doggie Costume Parade at Tlaquepaque
When: Sunday, October 18. Check tlaq.com for the start time.
Where: Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village, 336 AZ-179, Sedona
Cost: Free to watch
This lighthearted event is a fun outing for pet lovers and grandparents alike. Tlaquepaque and BowWow Sedona are hosting the fifth annual parade on behalf of the Humane Society of Sedona. It starts on Calle Independencia and finishes at Tlaquepaque North.
While you’re there: Tlaquepaque’s galleries, courtyards and restaurants are worth an unhurried afternoon. Live music is also scheduled at Patio de las Campañas from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sundays through Tuesdays until October 24. The Chapel of the Holy Cross is a few minutes south on SR 179.
Tombstone: 97th Annual Helldorado Days
When: Friday, October 16 through Sunday, October 18. Last year, events ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Tombstone Historic District, Allen Street
Cost: Free
Helldorado Days is Tombstone’s biggest special event weekend of the year. It is held the third weekend of October and features gunfight reenactments, street entertainment and the annual parade. The celebration began in 1929 to mark the 50th anniversary of the town’s founding. Allen Street can get crowded, so plan to arrive early for good parking and a seat along the parade route.
While you’re there: Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park, the Bird Cage Theatre, the O.K. Corral and Boothill Graveyard. Bisbee is about 30 minutes south.
Tucson: Southern AZ Fall Home Show
When: Friday, October 16 through Sunday, October 18, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Tucson Convention Center, 260 S Church Ave
Cost: Free parking in lot B; check the show website for admission discounts. At last year’s show, tickets dropped to $2 for the last two hours of each day.
The show has more than 200 professionals in home improvement, interior design, landscaping and outdoor living. Celebrity guests include contractor Matt Blashaw of HGTV’s Yard Crashers and barbecue pitmaster Sloan Rinaldi. The show is indoors and air-conditioned, which makes it a good choice for anyone planning a downsizing, accessibility remodel or yard project.
While you’re there: The convention center sits just a few blocks from Tucson Meet Yourself, so it is easy to do both in one day.
Tucson: 53rd Annual Tucson Meet Yourself
When: Friday, October 16, starting at 11 a.m., through Sunday, October 18, closing at 6 p.m. Last year the festival ran until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Where: Downtown Tucson, around Jácome Plaza near the Joel D. Valdez Main Library
Cost: Free and open to the public
This free, three-day folklife festival brings more than 500 artists, tradition bearers, musicians, dancers and cooks to share the food, music, crafts and stories of their communities. It is now in its fifth decade and is one of the longest consecutively running folklife festivals in the nation. The festival is known locally as “Tucson Eat Yourself,” and it features more than 50 food vendors, 5 stages and 8 cultural micro-pavilions. Organizers describe the festival as accessible.
While you’re there: The Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum and the Tucson Museum of Art are within walking distance, and Mission San Xavier del Bac is a 15-minute drive south.
Willcox: Willcox Wine Country Fall Festival
When: Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18. Last year’s festival ran from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
Where: Historic Railroad Park, 157 N. Railroad Avenue, Willcox
Cost: 2026 prices were not posted at press time. Last year, presale tasting packages ranged from $20 to $35 and included a commemorative glass and either 5 or 10 tasting tickets, and gate prices were $10 higher. A Saturday benefit dinner with four courses paired with Willcox wines was $60 presale. Tickets are available through Willcox Wine Country.
This annual event brings together award-winning local wineries, food trucks, live entertainment and more than 50 artisan vendors. Willcox Wine Country produces most of Arizona’s wine grapes. Buy tickets in advance to save money and skip the gate line.
While you’re there: The Rex Allen Museum and Cowboy Hall of Fame is downtown, and Chiricahua National Monument, with its rock formations and scenic drive, is about 40 minutes southeast. Many area wineries also have tasting rooms open through the weekend.
Yuma: Yuma County Fair Fall Fest
When: Friday, October 16 through Sunday, October 18
Where: Yuma County Fairgrounds
Cost: One event listing shows admission tickets at $5 to $7; confirm with the fairgrounds before you go
This fall festival offers live music, entertainment, carnival rides, food vendors and a demolition derby. Commercial vendors sell handmade crafts and products, and there are paint-and-take classes and pumpkin carving. The event was created in 2021 as a thank-you to the community after the pandemic postponed the Yuma County Fair.
While you’re there: Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, Colorado River State Historic Park and the shops and restaurants of historic downtown Main Street.
Before You Go
Dates, times, admission prices and event details listed here were gathered from organizer websites and public event listings and are subject to change. Several events had not yet posted final 2026 hours or pricing at the time of publication, and some figures listed are from last year’s event. Always verify information with the event organizer before traveling, and check local weather and road conditions, especially for outdoor events and long drives.
Sources:
Explore Kingman: I Heart Route 66 Fest
Happening Next: 65th Annual Phoenix Greek Festival
KTAR: Phoenix Greek Festival
Tlaquepaque event brochure
KOLD: Helldorado Days
Visit Arizona: Helldorado Days
Downtown Tucson: Southern AZ Fall Home Show
Tucson Meet Yourself
KXCI: Willcox Wine Country Fall Festival
City of Willcox: Fall Wine Festival
TheCraftMap: Yuma Fall Fest