15 Scottsdale Events You Don't Want To Miss This Month

We’ve scoured the city for the chicest October celebrations you don’t want to miss.

Colorful balloons light up the sky at the Spooktacular Balloon Festival.

Sept. 30-Oct. 1

Railfair

All aboard: Railfair is back this fall, celebrating anything and everything trains at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. The Scottsdale Live Steamers will be providing rides on the Arboretum Railroad, and the Scottsdale Railroad Museum reopens for the fall season, showcasing a curated collection of historic artifacts alongside guided tours of the Presidential Roald Amundsen Pullman Car. therailroadpark.com

Oct. 2

33rd Annual Arizoni Theatre Awards of Excellence

Theatrical talent abounds in our city, and the Arizoni Theatre Awards of Excellence are dedicated to commemorating it. For the 33rd year, youths and adults will be honored for exceptional work in myriad categories, including acting, directing, writing, choreography, costume design and more. scottsdaleperformingarts.org

Celebrate Oaxacan culture at the Desert Botanical Garden’s Guelaguetza.

Oct. 3

Wilco

Rock out with Wilco and special guest My Brightest Diamond in the new East Bowl amphitheater at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. The band is touring Cruel Country, its latest album composed of mainly live recordings. scottsdaleperformingarts.org

Oct. 7-8

Guelaguetza

Immerse yourself in a traditional Oaxacan fiesta with Desert Botanical Garden’s Guelaguetza, an indigenous Mexican holiday started by the Zapotecs more than 500 years ago. The event features cultural eats, lively music, dancing, and eye-catching art. dbg.org/events

Oct. 12-13

3rd Annual A Women’s Art Expo

The Marshall Gallery presents the third annual A Women’s Art Expo, a curated exhibition featuring a collection of 10 women artists, including Carol Estes, Elena Goldberg and Shari Lyon. Expect live painting, complimentary cocktails and exclusive chats with the artists themselves. themarshallgallery.com

Rock out with Wilco on Oct. 3.

Oct. 13-15

Maricopa County Home Show

A veritable mecca for all things home improvement, the Maricopa County Home Show boasts a bevy of installations and activations, from free landscape consultations with Horticultural Frontiers to master gardening seminars and make-and-take crafting workshops. New this year: Drew and Jonathan Scott from HVTV’s Property Brothers will appear on Saturday and Sunday. maricopacountyhomeshows.com

Oct. 20-22

Arizona Jazz Festival

Head to High Street for this year’s Arizona Jazz Festival. The lineup is packed with premium talent, from Brian McKnight and Marion Meadows to Norman Brown, Pieces of a Dream and saxophone legend Kenny G. azjazzfest.com

Phoenix Pride is back and better than ever Oct. 21-22.

Oct. 21

8th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Hit the green at Orange Tree Golf Course for a charity tournament in support of internship and youth programs for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. Don’t care to play? You can still show your support at the Cheer the Golfer luncheon. experiencescottsdale.com

Oct. 21-22

Phoenix Pride

Support Phoenix’s thriving LGBTQ community at the 40th annual Phoenix Pride Festival. This two-day soiree features 150 thrilling performances across seven stages, 300 exhibitors showcasing a variety of fabulous wares and delicious food and beverage options. Entertainers include RuPaul’s Drag Race alums Jessica Wild and Naysha Lopez alongside Grammy Award-winning entertainer Ashanti. phoenixpride.org

Oct. 22

Salt and Lime Fiesta

From an entire row dedicated to street tacos to tasty margarita and tequila bars, the Salt and Lime Fiesta at Salt River Fields is a food festival not to miss. Alongside decadent bites and ice-cold cervezas, freestyle wrestlers and live music provide plenty of entertainment. saltlimefiesta.com

Oct. 26

Jake Owen

Country crooner Jake Own is taking the stage at Salt River Grand Ballroom in support of his seventh studio album, cheekily titled Loose Cannon. Expect new tunes alongside some of his greatest hits, including “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” and “Anywhere With You.” talkingstickresort.com

Maricopa County Home Show promises a curated showcase of high design and decadent decor.

Oct. 27-29

Spooktacular Balloon Festival

The skies are looking spooky again this year. The Spooktacular Balloon Festival is back, boasting over 20 hot air balloons hosting trick-or-treat stations with over 4,000 pounds of candy for the kids alongside tethered balloon rides, nightly costume contests and more. Boo! azspooktacular.com

Oct. 28

65 Roses Gala

Join the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Arizona chapter at the 65 Roses Gala at The Scottsdale McCormick, aptly themed Bid for a Cure. Don’t miss the event’s online auction (up for an entire week before the event) featuring luxury vacation properties, top-shelf wine and spirits, lauded gift certificates and more. events.cff.org

Oct. 28

Boo & Brew

The Quad at Scottsdale Quarter transforms into a haute Halloween paradise during its beloved Boo & Brew. Enjoy a festive pumpkin patch, live tunes, local craft brews, face painters and a crave-able candy crawl. scottsdalequarter.com

Oct. 28-29

Kierland Fine Art & Wine Festival

For two days, Main Street will transform into a sprawling art gallery and wine garden for the Kierland Fine Art & Wine Festival. Peruse thought-provoking works from over 100 international artists while sipping on a fine selection of vinos from 15 of the state’s best wineries. kierlandcommons.com/artwinefestival.com

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