OXDX Clothing is hosting its Scary Saturday Halloween Popup Market on October 31, 2026, from noon to 6 p.m. at 1821 N. Scottsdale Road in Tempe. The organizer lists more than 20 Indigenous artisan vendors, live screen printing, food trucks and trick-or-treating. Costumes are encouraged, and visitors who want screen printing should bring a blank clothing item. Eventbrite lists free admission; purchases and screen-printing prices are not specified. Check the organizer’s ticket page before heading over.
Source: OXDX Clothing / EventbriteThe Tempe skyline. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Siphonophora · CC BY-SA 4.0
Tempe Marketplace’s holiday tree lighting takes place November 25, 2026, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on The District Street at 2000 E. Rio Salado Parkway. The tree lights at 7 p.m., with performances at The District Stage and free Santa photos available until 8 p.m. The center lists free holiday activities; toys and a separate VIP experience are additional purchases.
Source: Tempe MarketplaceThe Tempe skyline. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Siphonophora · CC BY-SA 4.0
Tempe Tardeada is scheduled for Sunday, November 1, 2026, from noon to 8 p.m. at the Tempe Community Center Complex. The free festival celebrates Tempe’s Hispanic heritage with music, dancing, arts and crafts, face painting and inflatables for children. Mexican food is also part of the event; free admission does not mean food is included. Check the linked Tempe Tourism listing for updates before attending.
Source: Tempe TourismThe Tempe skyline. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Siphonophora · CC BY-SA 4.0
The fall Tempe Festival of the Arts runs December 4 to 6, 2026, on historic Mill Avenue. The organizer lists hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free and dogs are welcome. The festival brings artist booths, local music, a Kids Block and food options to downtown Tempe. Check the festival’s official site for the map, parking information and program updates before visiting.
Source: Tempe Festival of the ArtsThe Tempe skyline. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Siphonophora · CC BY-SA 4.0
Orkesta Mendoza performs Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway. Led by Sergio Mendoza, the Arizona band blends cumbia, mambo and ranchera with psychedelic rock. Downtown Tempe Authority lists the concert on its event calendar. Check the venue’s ticket page for current prices and availability; a finish time is not confirmed here because the district and venue calendar listings differ.
Source: Downtown Tempe AuthorityThe Tempe skyline. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Siphonophora · CC BY-SA 4.0
Tempe’s Veterans Day Parade takes place Wednesday, November 11, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon, according to Downtown Tempe Authority. The route begins at ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., and heads north on Mill Avenue to Tempe Beach Park. Local marching bands, veterans groups, scouts and community members are among the listed participants. Check the organizer’s page for updates before heading downtown.
Source: Downtown Tempe AuthorityThe Tempe skyline. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Siphonophora · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Arizona Animal Welfare League’s Walk to Save Animals takes place Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 8 a.m. to noon at Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway. The fundraiser brings together people and pets, with Halloween trick-or-treat stations listed by Downtown Tempe Authority. Maricopa County Animal Care and Control plans to bring adoptable dogs. Check the organizer’s registration page for current participation details and pricing before attending.
Source: Arizona Animal Welfare League / Downtown Tempe AuthorityThe Tempe skyline. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Siphonophora · CC BY-SA 4.0
Meet Me on Mill runs Friday, October 23, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m. in downtown Tempe. Free music stages at Hayden Flour Mill and Flower Power Park anchor an evening of buskers, mobile art galleries and guided tours. The lineup includes The Sugar Thieves and Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra, with a 6:30 p.m. presentation honoring The Pistoleros at the Hayden Flour Mill stage. Food and drinks are sold by participating businesses; check the organizer’s schedule and tour RSVP details.
Source: Downtown Tempe AuthorityDrinks pictured in Phoenix New Times' restaurant coverage; not a photograph of an awards ceremony. Image source: Phoenix New Times
Yelp's annual ranking of the 25 best new restaurants in the country put Filthy Animal on Mill Avenue at No. 1, Phoenix New Times reports. The jungle-themed restaurant from Pretty Decent Concepts took over the former P.F. Chang's space at the bottom of the Mill Avenue district and cooks over an open fire, with a menu that pulls from Asian, Mexican and tropical flavors. Yelp called it a "serious dining destination."
Source: Phoenix New TimesRusso's New York Pizzeria publicity photograph accompanying the opening announcement. Image source: What Now Phoenix
Russo's New York Pizzeria is now open at 521 S. College Ave., its second Arizona location, What Now Phoenix reports. Local franchisees Kristina and Christian Alvarez serve giant New York slices, a 28-inch Giant Party Pizza, fresh pasta, chicken parmesan and Italian sandwiches. The dough ferments for 24 hours and the kitchen cooks with no seed oils.
Source: What Now PhoenixThe Tempe skyline. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Siphonophora · CC BY-SA 4.0
Living Faith Pumpkin Patch, 1945 E. Guadalupe Road, runs Oct. 21 to 31 and is free, with a scavenger hunt and yard games, according to Raising Arizona Kids' 2026 pumpkin patch guide.
Source: Raising Arizona KidsThe Tempe skyline. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Siphonophora · CC BY-SA 4.0
Fear Farm at 1475 N. McClintock Dr. says its Field of Fear Maze officially opens Saturday, Sept. 26, with haunts running select nights through Nov. 14. This year's lineup includes Beyond the Veil, Mr. Tasty's Funhouse and Sirens Wake, plus carnival rides. Tickets are sold online.
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