Monster Dash 5K
Run under the lights and dodge creepy characters in costume.
23 unique & unusual Halloween events in Scottsdale and nearby.
Scottsdale's Halloween events span beyond the city limits, with happenings in Mesa and Tempe Junction. For those seeking thrills closer to home, consider the Ghosts and Gravestones Tour, or if you prefer a creative outlet, browse the local floral design classes.
Outdoor market with over 60 vendors, trick-or-treating, and costume contests.
Costume contest with a $750 prize pool across participating bars.
Haunted and storybook train rides through McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park.
Features the Thinly Veiled stage cast live with audience participation.
See all the unique and unusual Halloween events in one place.
Big festivals fill official lots by late morning, so arrive early, use the event's posted satellite lots and shuttles rather than gambling on street parking, and drop a pin on your car the moment you park. Neighborhood streets near events often carry event-day restrictions that generate real tickets. Leaving 20 minutes before the closing act beats sitting in the exit crawl.
Public tours are cheaper per person and fine for one to four people, but the math flips around six-plus: a private booking often costs about the same as individual tickets while letting you set pace, route emphasis, and scare level, and questions flow freely without strangers. Private slots on October weekends book out weeks ahead, so decide early.
The standard is 90 minutes covering about a mile at a stop-and-story pace; extended versions run two-plus hours and add interior visits. The pace is slower than a normal walk but heavy on standing, which tires people more than distance does. Plan the parking meter and babysitter around a hard two hours, and take the pre-tour restroom stop seriously, since routes rarely include one.