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As the weather cools off and the snowbirds start flocking, the short waits and summer discounts at restaurants go out the window. It’s not all bad for food lovers, though, as September marks the official beginning of the fall food festival season. There are new and old food festivals popping up just about every weekend, so here’s a list to get you started on some of our top picks for the fall.
See also: Pie Social 2014: Save the (New) Date for Chow Bella and Roosevelt Row’s Fifth Annual Event
SEPTEMBER
The Best of Italy
When: Friday, September 12 (6 to 9 p.m.)
Where: Courtyard Marriott Salt River
How much: $50 for members of the Italian Association, $75 for non-members
What to eat: Italian food from chefs including Andrea Volpi, Chris Nocosia and Gio Osso as well as wine from the several top Italian wineries.
Rockin’ Taco Street Fest
When: Saturday, September 13 (4 to 10 p.m.)
Where: El Palacio Restaurant & Cantina of Chandler
How much: $5
What to eat: The third annual festival guarantees to bring a wide variety of Mexican food, salsas, and of course, Corona.
Roosevelt Row Chile Pepper Festival
When: Saturday, September 27 (5 to 11 p.m.)
Where: A.R.T.S. Market
How much: Free admission, $2 food tickets and $5 drink tickets
What to eat: Downtown Phoenix’s biggest chile festival includes winners like Carly’s Bistro and Jobot in the past, but there are sure to be plenty of worthy competitors this year.
Scottsdale Spice Culinary Event
When: Saturday, September 27 (6 to 10 p.m.)
Where: The Venue Scottsdale
How much: $52.24
What to eat: Mild, medium and hot food from participating restaurants such as Hula’s, Kelly’s, Los Olivos, Pink Pony, and more.
OCTOBER
Greek Festival of Chandler
When: October 3, 4 & 5 (5 – 10 pm Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday)
Where: St. Katherine Church, Chandler
How much: Get two free admissions online
What to eat: Greek food including spanakopita, lamb, pastitso, moussaka, gyro and much more.
SanTan Oktoberfest
When: October 4 (3 p.m. to 11 p.m.)
Where: AJ Chandler Park, Chandler
How much: $10 at Bashas, $12 online or at SanTan Brewing, $15 at the gate
What to eat: German food, bratwursts and beer. It’s Oktoberfest!
Dish It Out
When: Sunday, October 5 (5 to 8 p.m.)
Where: Salt River Fields
How much: $75 GA, $500 VIP
What to eat: The Gladly, The Lodge, Cowboy Ciao and several other of Metro Phoenix’s top restaurants.
Oktoberfest at Tempe Town Lake
When: October 10-12
Where: Tempe Town Lake
How much: Free admission
What to eat: More German food, more bratwursts and more beer. It’s another Oktoberfest!
Octoberfest (Salt River Fields)
When: October 11 (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
Where: Salt River Fields
How much: TBA, but kids under 12 are free. Food and drink tokens cost $2 each.
What to eat: Even more German food, even more bratwursts and even more beer. It’s yet another Oktoberfest!
Taste of Cave Creek
When: Wednesday, October 15 (5 to 10 p.m.) & Thursday, October 16 (5 to 10 p.m.)
Where: Stagecoach Village, Cave Creek
How much: $10 entry, $2-5 for food and drink tickets
What to eat: Food from nearly 30 different Cave Creek restaurants, including Alberto’s, El Encanto, Tonto Bar & Grill and much more.
Arizona Taco Festival
When: Saturday, October 18, and Sunday, October 19 (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Where: Salt River Fields
How much: $12 single day, $20 weekend pass, $18 margarita package, $100 VIP, $20 Tequila Expo (Saturday only), food and drink tokens cost $2 each
What to eat: Tacos and tequila from 30 different establishments including Fuzzy’s, El Hefe and Distrito.
TASTE. Chandler’s Culinary Festival
When: Saturday, October 25 (6 to 10 p.m.)
Where: 2855 W Queen Creek Rd.
How much: $69.57 single, $138.14 couple (pre-sale only)
What to eat: Restaurants include the Sushi Room, Tom’s BBQ, Nando’s Mexican Cafe, Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion, and more.
NOVEMBER
Certified Local Fall Festival
When: Saturday, November 8 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Where: Portland Parkway in Downtown Phoenix
How much: Free
What to eat: All of Arizona’s finest local foods and drinks from the top local businesses
Chandler’s Rock the Block
When: Saturday, November 8 (11 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
Where: Downtown Chandler on Arizona Avenue between Chandler Boulevard and Frye Road
How much: Free
What to eat: A variety of food from local Chandler restaurants and vendors
Chiles & Chocolate
When: November 7, 8, & 9 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Where: Desert Botanical Garden
How much: Free with the garden admission
What to eat: Delicious chiles, chocolates, candies and other southwestern treats.
Cooks & Corks
When: Friday, November 14
Where: Four Seasons Resort at Troon North, Scottsdale
How much: TBA
What to eat: Food from the Valley’s top chefs from the finest restaurants and hotels
Fifth Annual Pie Social
When: Saturday, November 15 (2 to 5 p.m.)
Where: Downtown Phoenix
How much: TBA
What to eat: All kinds of delicious pies, duh!
Did we miss a festival? Let us know!
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