They’ll help you make the most of the cooling temperatures by inviting you to dig into hearty bowls of chili, state fair funnel cakes, dozens of tacos and craft beers at food festivals of all sizes and settings.
Add these events to your calendar, and prepare for an awesome autumn.
5th Annual Fountain Hills Peach Market
Weekly through Sept. 2717130 E. Shea Blvd., Fountain HillsIt's peak peach season, which means "Arizona Fruit Lady" Yvonne Turley and her family will bring about 3,000 pounds of Utah-grown peaches, as well as nectarines, tomatoes and pears, to the Fountain Hills Peach Market at the Tractor Supply Co. This weekly Saturday market will also feature peach-ified banana bread, cinnamon rolls, smoothies, danishes, doughnuts, barbecue sauce and more. Shoppers will also find 30 vendors, including The Tamale Store, Wiki-licious Donuts and farmers market staple Noble Bread. Organizers note the market sells out each week and encourage shoppers to arrive early. The event runs 8 to 11:30 a.m. each Saturday through Sept. 27. On Sept. 20, the market will host a Children's Entrepreneur Market where vendors ages 5 to 16 will sell homemade goods.
Filipino Night Market
Sept. 131920 W. Broadway Road, MesaThis is a special night market that exclusively features Filipino food vendors. Happy Buns, Flippin' Rice, Lumpia Queen of AZ and Tambayan are among the vendors confirmed for the event, which is held in the parking lot of the shuttered AZ International Marketplace. In addition to eats, sips and treats available for purchase, a market will feature anime and retail goods. The event is free to attend, but organizers are asking guests to RSVP online.
Stock up on Queen Creek Olive Mill's best-selling roasted garlic olive oil and other garlic products at its annual Garlic Fest.
Queen Creek Olive Mill
12th Annual Queen Creek Garlic Festival
Sept. 13-14 and 20-2125062 S. Meridian Road, Queen CreekQueen Creek Olive Mill is offering garlic lovers two weekends to fill up on all things allium. Although the mill specializes in crafting olive oils, during the fall, garlic is in focus. The mill will offer a variety of garlic-inspired dishes and products, including garlic-infused olive oil and garlic-stuffed olives. The mill’s Del Piero Kitchen will serve a garlic-inspired menu and the co-owner Perry Rea will host live cooking demonstrations. In addition to food, the Queen Creek Garlic Festival will include live music, a market of local artisans, games and a garlic-themed tractor tour. Admission is free and no reservations are required.
Arizona Restaurant Week
Sept. 19-28Multiple LocationsWhile not a festival per se, Arizona Restaurant Week is one of the biggest and most customizable dining events of the fall. Throughout these 10 days, over 200 restaurants around the Valley and beyond offer prix fixe menus for $33, $44 or $55 per person, or, in some cases, per couple. Restaurants often curate these special menus around their most popular dishes or use the event as an opportunity to showcase unique specials.
Arizona State Fair
Sept. 19-Oct. 261826 W. McDowell RoadThere are countless fun, kitschy and nostalgic things to do at the Arizona State Fair. But, have you really done your visit right if you haven’t eaten something that’s on a stick, deep fried or dusted in Hot Cheetos? Arizona takes the (funnel) cake for some truly weird and whimsical dishes. Nearly 50 food vendors will be on hand to serve delicious and decadent, over-the-top eats. Last year, we tried savory Spam fries, a messy Cap'n Crunch chicken sandwich and a surprisingly fun and fresh watermelon taco. The fair runs each Thursday to Sunday from Sept. 19 to Oct. 26. Tickets are available online and are $17.50, including fees, for those 8 years and older.
Schnepf Pumpkin & Chili Party
Oct. 2-3124810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen CreekEven if it still feels a bit like summer outside, Schnepf Farms is ready to help you dive headfirst into fall with its 30th Pumpkin & Chili Party. Before you pick out a pumpkin to carve or bake, fuel up on traditional or more unique chili, including a version with pumpkin. You’ll find plenty of other food, too, including the farm’s roasted corn, a baked potato bar, tacos, funnel cake and more. The party also features more than 25 family-friendly rides and activities. Don’t miss the hay rides, petting zoo, mazes, live music or pig races. Tickets are available online and start at $26.95, plus fees. Children ages 2 and younger can get in for free.
(Left to right) Monique Moore, Talisha Rosaro, Rendell Rosaro and Matthew Moore tasted their way around FoodieLand in March.
Jeremy Chen
FoodieLand
Oct. 10-12 7602Jimmie Johnson Dr., AvondaleFoodieLand, the massive multicultural food festival, returns to the Valley this fall at Phoenix Raceway. The event was founded in Berkley, California, in 2019, inspired by Asian night markets. When FoodieLand last stopped here in March, we tried flame-torched bone marrow, whole fried squid and the viral sugar-encrusted fruit dessert tanghulu. We can’t wait to see what unique eats are in store this time. Tickets are $7 and must be purchased online.
Four Peaks Brewing Oktoberfest
Oct. 10-1280 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., TempeThe Valley’s longest-running Oktoberfest returns for three days starting on Oct. 10. The 52-year-old Bavarian-inspired brat-and-beer fest will also feature two music stages, games and carnival rides. People can earn their beer during the Runnin' for the Brats 1-mile, 5K or 10K races or blow their daily diet with a bratwurst-eating contest. The fan favorite wiener dog race and stein holding competitions are also back. Tickets are on sale now, starting at $20, plus fees. Ages 20 and under get in free all weekend, and everyone can get in for free on Sunday.
The Original Phoenix Greek Festival
Oct. 10-121973 E. Maryland Ave.Bring your appetite to the Original Phoenix Greek Festival’s 64th celebration. Sample sizzling gyros, roasted lamb shank, flaky spanikopita, creamy hummus, sweet baklava and more over this three-day fest. Pair it with Greek beer, wine, ouzo or Metaxa brandy. Shop the Agora Market for feta cheese, olives and other foods imported from Greece, along with unique jewelry, ceramics and art. Learn traditional folk dances and tour the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Admission is $5. Children under 12 are free all weekend and seniors over 60 receive free admission on Oct. 11. Free parking, with a shuttle bus, is available on 24th Street and Lincoln Drive. Attendees can also park at the church for $10.
Salsa Challenge
Oct. 11245 E. Jackson St.Salsa Challenge adds some competitive spirit and charitable giving to this evening food event. More than 20 contestants will showcase their salsas, which will range in heat from mild to hot. In addition to the dip debate, the event will feature live music and a margarita mix-off. Tickets start at $30 and benefit Arizona Bleeding Disorders.
More than 100 types of wine will be available to taste at the Uncorked: AZ Fall Wine Fest.
Shaunté Glover
Uncorked: Arizona Wine Festival
Oct. 117555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale Pair your pinot with a view of the ballpark during Uncorked at Salt River Fields. More than 100 wines from around the world will be poured at the festival's three tasting sessions. General admission includes three hours of sipping, along with a live DJ, custom photo booth and a lineup of local food trucks (whose dishes are separate from the ticket fee). Early admission gives imbibers an extra hour of tasting and special bonus pours from select wineries. Tickets start at $65 and can be purchased online. The event benefits the Arizona Small Dog Rescue.
Taco Fest
Oct. 18-197555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale Taste tacos from more than 40 makers, along with beer, margaritas and over 30 brands of tequila and mezcal. Tequila Corrido, Chula Seafood and Just Tacos and More are among the locals confirmed for Taco Fest. The event will also include multiple music stages featuring bands and DJs, lucha libre wrestling, a market and a kids zone. Single-day tickets, sold online, start at $12, and children 12 and younger get in free.
10th Annual Italian Festival
Oct. 25-26Scottsdale Waterfront Get transported to Italy by savoring pours from its wine regions at the 10th Annual Italian Festival. The two-day festival, hosted by the Italian Association of Arizona, will be held at the Scottsdale Waterfront, located on Camelback Road between Scottsdale Road and Marshall Way. Choose from more than 30 wines from Tuscany, Veneto, Sicily, Piemonte and beyond. Pair your sips with fare from Valley restaurants, including Pomo Pizzeria, Mamma Lucy, Marcellino Ristorante and Elephante. Watch live music and cooking demonstrations from the event’s two stages, and browse a market of curated Italian products. General admission tickets are $15 in advance or $25 at the door. Children aged 12 and under receive free entry to the festival.
The Kireland Fine Art and Wine Festival returns to Kielrand Commons in November.
Kireland Fine Art and Wine Festival
Kierland Fine Art & Wine Festival
Nov. 1-215205 N. Kierland Blvd., Scottsdale This two-day festival will turn Kierland’s Main Street into an open-air gallery for fine art and wine. Browse works from more than 100 artists, listen to live music and sample wines crafted by southeast Arizona vintners. Kierland Fine Art & Wine Festival is free to attend and open to all ages. Tasting tickets will be available for pre-purchase and at the festival.
SerbFest
Nov. 1-24436 E. McKinley St.SerbFest has celebrated Serbian culture in the Valley since 2003. This year’s festival returns to St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, offering two days to experience the food, music and dance of Serbia. Among the bites available for purchase during the festival are roasted lamb shank, stuffed peppers, cabbage rolls and spinach burek, a savory pastry made with a flaky dough. Try Serbian doughnuts or crepes, or sip the country’s plum brandy or Lav Pivo beer. There will be live music and folklore performances, along with a kids' zone. Entry is $5; children ages 3 and younger get in for free.
Arizona Fall Festival
Nov. 867 W. Culver St.The original Arizona Fall Festival was held 20 years ago in the parking lot of Duck and Decanter. In the two decades since, the event has grown to include more than 200 vendors who take over Margaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix. More than 40 restaurants and food trucks will come together to create a food court packed with flavor. There’s also a beverage garden with $2 samples of Arizona beers, wines and spirits. This event is family- and dog-friendly, and admission is free.
Some of Arizona's best breweries, wineries and distilleries will be in attendance at Barrels, Bottles & Brews.
AZ Barrels, Bottles & Brews
Arizona Barrels, Bottles and Brews
Nov. 157555 N. Pima Road, ScottsdaleArizona Barrels, Bottles and Brews celebrates all kinds of drinks made in State 48. Sample beer, ciders, meads, spirits and hard seltzers – including exclusive releases – from more than 25 local brewers at Salt River Fields. This 21-plus event will also feature food trucks, live entertainment and activities. Tickets start at $60 and are available online.
Copper State Whiskey Fest
Nov. 15113 N. Sixth St.Copper State Whiskey Fest is back for a second year, toasting all things whiskey. This year’s distillers haven’t been announced, but last year’s lineup included locally made Whiskey Del Bac, U.S. distillers Heaven Hill, Old Forester and Woodford Reserve and international labels Glenmorangie, Paddy’s Irish Whiskey and Nikka Whisky. The festival will also serve other spirits, craft beer, wine and nonalcoholic beverages. Guests can also expect local food trucks, live music and more. Tickets start at $65, with designated driver tickets available for $30. Proceeds benefit Beer Babes Family, which works to support women in the beer community.
Flavors on Main
Nov. 15202 W. Main St., MesaOn this self-guided culinary tour, diners can sip and savor the restaurants, breweries and bars that stretch along downtown Mesa’s Main Street. To take part, buy a $25 wristband, which will get you discounts on small bites and paired beverages at each restaurant or bar. Participating spots from the spring Flavors on Main event included Chupacabra Taproom, Goat and Ram Pizza, Espiritu, Que Chevre and more. Expect live music and activities, too. Tickets may be purchased online; those aged 12 and younger do not need wristbands to attend.
This November, chow down on some delicious bites like these slices available at the Phoenix Pizza Festival.
Jacob Tyler Dunn
Phoenix Pizza Festival
Nov. 15-161202 N. Third St.Slice, anyone? The Phoenix Pizza Festival is back this fall for its tenth year. There's plenty of pepperoni to go around. For two days, Arizona’s finest pizza makers will serve up slices at Margaret T. Hance Park alongside a vendor market, kids zone, live music stage, beer and wine bars and more. Tickets are $16 and must be purchased online; admission for kids ages 5 is free. Pizza and drinks can be purchased from vendors separately.
