Over the heat? Get excited for these 14 fall food festivals

It’s safe to say this summer’s relentless heat has us all dreaming of fall. And event organizers are right there with us. As they’re looking forward to Phoenix’s peak event season, plans are falling into place for some of the Valley’s premier food and drink festivals.

Oktoberfests are on the horizon and pumpkin patches are more than just a daydream. Greek food, German food, pizza and Arizona-made spirits are all on the docket for the next few months. Here are 14 upcoming events to get excited for this fall.

Arizona Restaurant Week

Sept. 8-17
Multiple Locations During Arizona Restaurant Week, 180 restaurants located all around the Valley will offer menus for $33, $44 or $55, encouraging customers to try something new. A full list of this fall’s participating restaurants and their Restaurant Week menus is posted on the organization’s website.

Garlic Fest

Sept. 16-24
25062 S. Meridian Road, Queen Creek Queen Creek Olive Mill is known for its olives and oils. But for nine days in September, the focus switches to garlic. The Olive Mill will showcase five varieties of organically grown garlic, host live cooking demos and Valley food trucks, invite visitors to shop at a Gourmet Vendor Alley and sip drinks in the beer and wine garden, and more. The event’s two weekends will have the most festivities with live music and lawn games. According to the Mill, the event promises to be “a stinkin’ good time.” The event is free and food and drinks are sold separately.

Arizona State Fair

Sept. 22 – Oct. 29
1826 W. McDowell Road Some may visit the Arizona State Fair for its rides and attractions. But we go for the food. Funnel cakes and corn dogs are just the beginning of this fun-filled event. Last year, there were enormous doughnuts, bacon-wrapped turkey legs and a cotton candy burrito filled with ice cream. And with a year to think up their next big thing, the fair’s food vendors are getting ready to wow crowds this fall. The fair runs for a month, but there are five days geared toward those looking to try all the funky foods on a budget. On each Friday, excluding the opening day, fair food items are just $3 from noon to 6 p.m.

Rockin’ Taco Street Fest

Sept. 23
178 E. Commonwealth Ave. Chandler From noon until 9 p.m., the Rockin’ Taco Street Fest will take over Dr. AJ Chandler Park in Chandler. The festival includes live music from the Red NOT Chili Peppers, Mariachi Luz Del Sur and a Selena tribute show. Pair the music with tacos from 20 different restaurants and food trucks and wash it all down with margaritas, micheladas, beer and aguas frescas. For the taco-obsessed, check out the mechanical taco ride and taco eating contest. Tickets cost $15 and food and drinks are extra. Kids under 12 are free.

Downtown Chandler Oktoberfest

Sept. 30 – Oct. 1

3 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler
In downtown Chandler, two local beer giants are teaming up for a grand Oktoberfest celebration. Pedal Haus Brewery and San Tan Brewing Co. are hosting a two-day festival packed with live music, games, family fun (kids under 6 are free), German food and of course, plenty of locally brewed beer.

The Original Phoenix Greek Festival

Oct. 6-8
1973 E. Maryland Ave. After more than 60 years of celebrating, this year, the Original Phoenix Greek Festival is set to take place from Oct. 6 through 8. The weekend will be packed with “the rich history, culture, and culinary delights of Greece” according to the festival’s website. Head to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Maryland Avenue to taste the flavors of mousaka, pastitsio, dolmades and spanakopita. If you find something you love, stop by the Greek grocery market set up at the festival and grab some authentic ingredients to try and recreate the dishes at home.

Arizona Bao and Dumpling Festival

Oct. 7
4320 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale A festival celebrating all things dumplings is coming to the Martin Auto Museum in Glendale this October. On Oct. 7, around 20 different Valley dumpling and bao makers will gather to celebrate steamed buns, takoyaki and potstickers with a multitude of sweet and savory fillings. A selection of vendors will also offer boba, desserts and other Asian dishes. General admission tickets are available for $12.99. All food and museum entrance is sold separately.

Taste of Japan

Oct. 7-8
501 E. Monroe St. Indulge in the flavors of Japanese street foods at this downtown Phoenix festival. The Taste of Japan will take over Heritage Square for two days this October with vendors serving ramen, takoyaki, yakitori and frozen sweets. There will also be a beer and sake garden with sake tastings and a tuna-cutting show. Tickets are $15 each day, or $25 for the full weekend.

Four Peaks Oktoberfest

Oct. 13-15
80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe Every fall, revelers decked out in lederhosen descend on Tempe Beach Park for a weekend filled with beer, bratwurst and all things German. This fall, Four Peaks Oktoberfest is celebrating 50 years of partying with a three-day festival running from Oct. 13 to Oct. 15. Throughout the weekend, there will be a packed schedule of events including a stein-holding contest, Cardinals watch party and fan-favorite dachshund races.

Schnepf Farms’ Pumpkin & Chili Party

Oct. 5-29
24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek Gather up the family this October and head out to Schnepf Farms’ Pumpkin & Chili Party. The pumpkin-filled fall festival runs for almost the full month, from Oct. 5 to 29, meaning there’s plenty of time to enjoy the corn maze, pumpkin patch, rides, bands, dog shows, pig races and more. Enjoy a hot bowl of chili or pour it over a hot dog and get messy – after you take your family picture in the pumpkin patch of course.

Arizona Craft Beer Festival

Oct. 21
9600 W. Sportsman’s Park South, Glendale The AZ Craft Beer Awards honor the best of the best in local craft brewing. The Arizona Craft Beer Festival celebrates the awards and all our Valley brewing scene has to offer. Head to Sportsman’s Park next to State Farm Stadium in Glendale to enjoy a festival filled with more than a dozen local breweries plus vendors and food trucks serving cider, spirits, sodas, popcorn and more. General admission tickets include 15 drink samples and a commemorative cup.

Arizona Fall Festival

Nov. 4
Moreland and Third Streets The first Arizona Fall Festival was held 17 years ago and included 27 vendors, according to Local First Arizona, the event’s host. This year, more than 200 vendors will flock to Margaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix to celebrate Arizona’s small businesses and fabulous fall weather. The family and pet-friendly event will include samples from over 40 of the region’s top restaurants inviting festival-goers to taste their coffee, ice cream, hot sauce, burritos, dumplings and more at the Local Restaurant Food Court. For those over 21, there will be a beverage garden showing off the finest sips from local breweries, wineries and spirits producers. The event is free and runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Phoenix Pizza Festival

Nov. 11-12
1202 N. Third St. Get cheesy and celebrate all things sliced at the Phoenix Pizza Festival at Margaret T. Hance Park. On Nov. 11-12, around 20 of the Valley’s best pizza makers will gather their ovens for a festival full of pies. The event will also have live bands, lawn games, beer and wine, local vendors and kids activities.

AZ Barrels, Bottles & Brews

Nov. 18
7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale Fans of all things barreled, bottled or brewed gather each year at this annual festival. This fall, AZ Barrels, Bottles & Brews is celebrating its fifth year. More than 25 of Arizona’s brewers, distillers and vintners will be on hand to serve samples of their beers, wines, spirits, seltzers and meads at Salt River Fields. If all that sipping works up an appetite, head to the local food trucks on hand.