If you still haven't figured out your trick-or-treating plan, don't worry, it's not too late. In fact, if you're looking for a trick-or-treating alternative, there are plenty of trunk-or-treat options to explore all around the Valley.
Trunk-or-treating is a great way to give the kids a trick-or-treating experience without running up to strangers' doors and asking for candy and many of the places putting on these trunk-or-treats also include other fun activities like face painting or train rides.
There are plenty of trunk-or-treating options scattered across metro Phoenix including a candy crawl at Desert Ridge Marketplace and a spooky safari at the Phoenix Zoo. Here are all the places you can trunk-or-treat for Halloween 2026.
Halloween Spook-Track-Ula 2026
The Paradise & Pacific
Railroad at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is transforming into a delightful haunted park. Running from Oct. 10 to 31, this family-friendly event features a slightly spooky train ride designed for kids of all ages. Other fun activities include carousel rides and more.
Details: 6 – 9:30 p.m., Oct. 1 – 31. Paradise & Pacific Railroad, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. $15 per person; free for children under two. therailroadpark.com.
Heroes vs Villains Candy Crawl at Desert Ridge Marketplace
Throughout The District at Desert Ridge Marketplace, kids will be able to participate in various activities for the annual Halloween event that includes trick-or-treating from the shops in The District, plus there's a costume contest, carnival games, train rides, haunted house, live e ntertainment and more.
Details: 6-8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23. Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. Free. 480-513-7586, shopdesertridge.com.
BooFest at Paseo Highlands Park
This free, family-friendly event features live entertainment, a costume contest, plenty of candy and treats, plus inflatables to play on, a children's train ride and other fun Halloween-themed activities.
Details: 6-9 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24. Paseo Highlands Park, 3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix. Free. 602-262-3111, phoenix.gov.
Ghosts & Goodies at Westgate Entertainment District
Bring your kids to Westgate Entertainment District to partake in their annual Ghosts & Goodies Halloween festival where they can compete in a costume contests, play games and fill up their trick-or-treat bags with plenty of candy and other treats from the Westgate restaurants and retailers.
Details: 5-10 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23. Westgate Entertainment District, 6770 North Sunrise Blvd, Glendale. Free. 623-266-6693, westgateaz.com.
Spooky Safari at the Phoenix Zoo
If you're looking for a great two-for-one special you can take the kiddos to the Phoenix Zoo to mingle amongst the animals while also participating in an hourly costume parade, face painting, glow parties, camel rides and more.
Details: 5:30-8:30 p.m., Oct. 28-30. Phoenix Zoo, 455 North Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix. $18, children ages 2 and under are free. 602-286-3800, phoenixzoo.org.
Downtown Mesa Haunting on Main
Downtown Mesa's annual Haunting on Main Halloween event invites the community to come out and enjoy treats from the downtown merchants while also enjoying themed games, activities and crafts all located on Macdonald and Main Street.
Details: 10a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24. Downtown Mesa, 1 North Macdonald, Mesa. Free. downtownmesa.com.
Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival at Talking Stick
Bring the kids to the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick to trunk-or-treat at over 20 hot air balloons from around the country plus they can enjoy tethered balloon rides and a spooky costume contest.
Details: 5-9 p.m. Oct. 23-25. Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. $25.21 for ages 13 and up, $19.57 for ages 3-12. azspooktacular.com.
Halloween Monster Bash in Peoria
Come out to Peoria's annual Halloween Monster Bash at the City Hall Campus and Centennial Plaza which promises even more activities, entertainment and fun for guests for 2026. Kids can wander through glowing pathways, Halloween-themed attractions and interactive booths offering treats and games, plus there will be live entertainment, a costume contest, a sensory-friendly zone and plenty of food trucks.
Details: 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. City Hall Campus and Centennial Plaza, 8401 West Monroe Street, Peoria. Free. 623-773-7000, peoriaaz.gov.
Creepy Candy Crawl in Avondale
Come dressed up and ready to trunk-or-treat with the city of Avondale's Creepy Candy Crawl at Alamar Park where kids can collect candy from various booths, enjoy themed rides and activities like face painting, participate in a costume contest and choose from a variety of food trucks to indulge in.
Details: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. Alamar Park, 4155 South El Mirage Road, Avondale. Free. 623-333-1000, avondaleaz.gov.
Chandler Halloween Spooktacular
Downtown Chandler is hosting its annual Halloween Spooktacular party, where you’ll find trick-or-treating through decorated trunk stations, carnival-style games like musical headstones, pumpkin sack races, as well as two catwalk costume parades. Make sure to bring your own bag to collect all the candy.
Details: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. Dr. A.J. Chandler Park Stage Plaza, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler. Free. chandleraz.gov.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 10 fun trunk-or-treat events for families to try in metro Phoenix
