7 Fall Food and Drink Festivals in Metro Phoenix You Can Buy Tickets For Right Now

Fall is just around the corner, and with the change in the season (if not the weather) we can expect enough food and drink festivals to keep you full and fully entertained until winter. So, while you might not be dreaming about spending hours outdoors right now, you do want to be prepared when festival season hits. 

Here are seven fall drink festivals in metro Phoenix you can buy tickets for right now. 

Brat Haus’ Oktoberfest
When: Saturday, September 17, from 4 to 11 p.m.
Where: Brat Haus, 3622 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
Cost: $8 in advance online

Bust out your lederhosen for Brat Haus’ Oktoberfest, which will take place on Saturday, September 17, from 4 to 11 p.m. Make sure to come not clean-shaven as the event includes a "Badass Beard Contest," as well as a brat-eating contest, lederhosen and dirndl contest, and, of course, a stein-holding contest. The beer-filled festivities will also include live polka music, beer garden games, and a special firkin tapping of Oktoberfest beer. This is a 21-and-over event, and presale admission costs $8 online. Tickets will cost $10 at the door, though admission is free to anyone who come decked out in their lederhosen or dirndl.

Rockin’ Taco Street Festival
When: Saturday, September 17, from noon to 9 p.m. 
Where: Dr. AJ Chandler Park, 125 East Commonwealth Avenue, Chandler
Cost: $8 in advance online

Rockin’ Taco Street Festival’s fifth annual fest is going down on September 17 and is moving to downtown Chandler this year. With the new location, you can expect even more tacos, beer, margaritas, and entertainment, which will include lucha libre wrestling and chihuahua races. Gates will open at noon, and general admission costs $8 in advance or $10 at the door. Children 12 and under will be admitted for free with paid admission of accompanying adult. 

Tour de Fat
When: Saturday, October 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Where: Tempe Beach Park, 620 North Mill Avenue, Tempe
Cost: $10 in advance online 

Tour de Fat returns to Tempe this year on Saturday, October 1. This is one of the biggest cycling events in the Valley, during which New Belgium Brewing brings bike and beer lovers to Tempe Beach Park. The parade will run from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by a celebration with plenty of eclectic entertainment — everything from musical acts to yo-yo performers, plus a bike contest and beer (duh). Tickets range from $10 for general admission to $20 for tickets including gifts with purchase. Kids 12 and under are free. And don’t forget to read the Tour de Fat’s 10 commandments before you head out. 

San Tan Brewing’s Oktoberfest 
When: Saturday, October 1, from 3 to 11 p.m. 
Where: Dr. AJ Chandler Park, 125 East Commonwealth Avenue, Chandler
Cost: $12 in advance online

And if one Oktoberfest a year isn’t enough — because, really, it isn’t — there’s also San Tan Brewing’s Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 1, from 3 to 11 p.m. This event will be full of German food, craft beer, brat-eating contests, and more lederhosen. The ninth annual event will offer beer games for the grown-ups and a family zone for the little ones. Tickets range from $12 for general admission to $75 for VIP tickets, which include six alcoholic beverages along with re-entry privileges and more. 

Phoenix Pizza Festival
When: Saturday, November 19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Where: Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 North 3rd Street
Cost: $10 in advance online 

The second annual Phoenix Pizza Festival moves to Margaret T. Hance Park this year on Saturday, November 19. Expect a pizza paradise featuring approximately 15 pizza vendors, dessert food trucks, related food vendors, and a full, park-filled festival with lawn games, live bands, and kid’s zone. Pizza makers will serve slices for $2 to $4, full pies, and everything in between. Admission costs $10 and children 3 and under are free. Participants will include Fabio on Fire, La Piazza Al Forno PHX, Dang Brother, Dough Mama, Fireside Pizza, Lacy & Wendy’s, Nicastro’s, SuperFarm SuperTruck, Vicious Circle, and Whiskey Ranch. Expect beer and wine stations to help wash down all that cheese and bread. 

Arizona Taco Festival
When: Saturday and Sunday, October 15 and 16, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
Where: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 North Pima Road, Scottsdale
Cost: Tickets start at $12 in advance online

Taco lovers, mark your calendars for the seventh annual Arizona Taco Festival on Saturday and Sunday, October 15 and 16, at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale. The event features $2 tacos, including a variety of chicken, pork, beef, seafood, veggie, dessert, and anything-goes combinations. And don’t worry — that's not all; the fest also will celebrate salsa, guacamole, and other Mexican fare. As far as entertainment, expect live lucha libre wrestling, a tequila expo featuring more than 30 brands, and the crowd favorite contest for prettiest chihuahua. General admission tickets cost $12 online or $15 at the gate. General admission two-day passes cost $20 online. VIP tickets cost $100 and include drinks from the VIP bar, taco tokens, and private restroom facilities. 

Rock The Guac
When: Friday, September 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. 
Where: Sands Ballroom at Hotel Valley Ho, 6850 East Main Street, Scottsdale
Cost: $40 in advance online

Held in conjunction with Arizona Taco Festival on Friday, September 16, this event is in celebration of National Guacamole Day. A $40 ticket will get you into the Sands Ballroom at the Hotel Valley Ho and includes unlimited access to the chefs’ creative guacamoles, live music, and two drink tickets for the bar featuring Patron cocktails, Corona, and more. Tickets will only be available online before the event and are limited. Participating chefs include Doug Robson from Otro Cafe & Gallo Blanco, Bernie Kantak of Gladly & Citizen Public House, Jennifer Russo from The Market by Jennifer’s, Stephen Jones of The Larder + The Delta, and Jacob Cutino of Homeboy’s Habanero, to name a few.