Unlike last Halloween, monsters and ghouls are free to roam as more venues, restaurants and shops have re-opened for in-person performances and events.
Looking for the re-animate your undead social life? You won’t have to wander much farther than downtown Phoenix for Halloween fun. Check before you go for COVID-19 precautions and other requirements.
Haunted Hotels & Inns of Arizona
When: Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 6 – 7 p.m.
Where: WebEx virtual event
Cost: Free
Ghost stories aren’t just for kids: The Phoenix Public Library is hosting an event with author Debe Branning about haunted hotels in Arizona.
For more information and to register, visit the Phoenix Public Library website. You won’t need a webcam or microphone to participate.
90th Commemoration of the Trunk Murders
When: Saturday, Oct. 16 at 6 p.m.
Where: 2947 N. 2nd St.
Cost: $65
The infamous trunk murders carried out by Winnie Ruth Judd took place on Oct. 16, 1931. Come to the place where the murders happened for a screening of “Murderess: The Winnie Ruth Judd Story” and for an opportunity to tour the house, hosted by Hip Historian Marshall Shore.
For more information and to get tickets, visit Eventbrite.
Book O’Clock: Online Book Discussion for “My Best Friend’s Exorcism” by Grady Hendrix
When: Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 6 – 7 p.m.
Where: Virtual WebEx event
Cost: Free
Join Phoenix Public Library librarians and local readers for a book club discussion about “My Best Friend’s Exorcism” by author Grady Hendrix.
Ghost Poetry Show
When: Thursday, Oct. 21. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show runs from 7 – 9 p.m.
Where: FilmBar at 815 N. 2nd St.
Cost: $7 before the day of the show, $10 the day of the show
This all-ages show will feature 12 poets judged by a panel of judges randomly selected from the audience.
If you would like to perform poetry, email ghostpoetryshow@gmail.com with “Sign Up” in the subject line.
Want tickets? Visit this website.
Horror and the Formula of Violence with Gabino Iglesias
When: Saturday, Oct. 23 at 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: Zoom event
Cost: $49 regular, $29 for students
This is a horror and thriller writing workshop featuring author Gabino Iglesias.
For more information and to register, visit the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing website.
In Our Own Words: BIPOC Open Mic
When: Saturday, Oct. 23 at 7 – 9 p.m.
Where: Palabras Bookstore at 906 W. Roosevelt St.
Cost: Free
This event will feature Black, Indigenous and people of color, or BIPOC, performers showing off scary stories, poetry and art. All are welcome to attend.
Want to perform? The deadline for BIPOC performers to email a short introduction and a description of what they would like to share to events@palabrasbookstore.com is Wednesday, Oct. 20.
For more information, visit Palabras Bookstore’s Instagram account.
Myth and Magic Festival
When: Sunday, Oct. 24 at 1 – 5 p.m.
Where: Irish Cultural Center at 1106 N. Central Ave.
Cost: Free for adults who pay $10 for child attendance. Kids under 12 months are free.
Throw yourself into medieval times with a knighting ceremony and a fire-breathing dragon, in addition to other activities and fun giveaways.
For more information and to register for this event hosted by Enchanted Dream Parties, visit Eventbrite.
Haunted Letters: A Writing & Zine-Making Workshop with Susan Nguyen
When: Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 5:30 – 7:30 p.m
Where: Zoom event
Cost: $39 regular, $25 for students
If attendees register at least two weeks before the workshop, they can receive physical materials for their zine creations.
For more information and to register, visit the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing website.
Horror Halloween Trivia
When: Thursday, Oct. 28 at 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Greenwood Brewing at 425 E. Roosevelt St.
Cost: Free
Horror movies, ghost stories and spooky music? Oh my! During this trivia night hosted by Quinton Gregory, prizes will be awarded to the winners and the best dressed. The trivia starts at 7 p.m.
Want more information? Visit Greenwood Brewing’s event page.
The Nash Vocal Ensemble Howlin’ Halloween
When: Thursday, Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Nash at 110 E. Roosevelt St.
Cost: $25, or $10 for students (25 and under with ID)
Watch The Nash Vocal Ensemble perform music by Lennon & McCartney, George & Ira Gershwin, Chick Corea, Johnny Mercer, Rodgers & Hart, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Jon Hendricks to get you in the Halloween mood.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit The Nash’s event page.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” Four Course Interactive Dinner
When: Friday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m.
Where: FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel at 1100 N. Central Ave.
Cost: $59
What’s on the menu? First up is Dr. Frank-N-Furter Under The Sheets: a spicy bratwurst and asparagus wrapped with bacon in a puff pastry, house aioli and spicy sriracha aioli. Next, expect bloody orange salad: fennel, pickled red onions, arugula, quinoa, goat cheese and bloody orange poppyseed vinaigrette. Next up, meatloaf, complete with mac-n-cheese stuffed shell, fried dill potatoes and red pepper jam. For dessert, there will be a rocky road ice cream sandwich. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the ticket price.
There will also be a costume contest.
For more information and to get tickets, visit the Eventbrite ticketing page.
2nd Annual Dog Costume Party
When: Saturday, October 30 @ 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: Greenwood Brewing Courtyard at 425 E. Roosevelt St.
Cost: Free
Booze or boos? The small dog (<30 pounds) costume party starts at 1 p.m., and the big dog (>30 pounds) starts at 3 p.m. Dogtopia be available for photos and prizes throughout the day.
Want more information? Visit Greenwood Brewing’s website.
Beyond the Grave: Honoring Our Ancestors
When: Saturday, Oct. 30 at 3 – 6 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Cemetery at 1317 W. Jefferson St.
Cost: $50
Get to know Phoenix history by walking through one of its many cemeteries during this event hosted by Hip Historian Marshall Shore. People will be graveside in character telling the story of those buried in the cemetery.
For more information and to get tickets, visit the Eventbrite ticketing page.
John Holmberg’s “Night of The Singing Dead”
When: Saturday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m.
Where: Copper Blues at 50 W. Jefferson St.
Cost: $25+
Copper Blues is paying tribute to dead rock singers and bands. “Night of The Singing Dead” will feature music from Soundgarden, Linkin’ Park, Motorhead and The Cars, performed by DJ John Holmberg of “Holmberg’s Morning Sickness,” and his band.
Doors open at 6 p.m., and the performance begins at 8 p.m.
For more information and to get tickets, visit Copper Blues’ ticketing website.
Zombie Paradise at LUSTRE Rooftop Bar
When: Saturday, Oct. 30 at 7 – 11 p.m.
Where: Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix at 2 E. Jefferson St.
Cost: $25 per person
Celebrate the undead with ‘spirits,’ a costume contest, a live DJ and more on the third floor of the hotel. Hotel guests will be treated to two tickets to Zombie Paradise, as well as check-in and late check-out on Sunday, Oct. 31.
For more information and to get tickets, visit the Visit Phoenix website.
Dining with the Dead
When: Saturday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.
Where: Hotel San Carlos at 202 N. Central Ave.
Cost: $100+ per person
During this event hosted by the Phoenix Palate and Dashing Spirits, enjoy a 6-course dinner with drink pairings. There will also be a ghost tour.
For more information and to get tickets, visit Eventbrite.
Monsters Ball
When: Saturday, Oct. 30 at 7 – 11:30 p.m.
Where: Alwun House at 1204 E. Roosevelt St.
Cost: $20 for general admission, $250 for a reserved table for 4
Blood Feud Family Singers, a Phoenix-based quartet, will be performing after DJ Rebot opens up the night. VaVaVoom Productions will take the stage with their burlesque AKA Ghoulesque Show. The Monsters Menagerie exhibit will also be on display and available for viewing during the event.
This event is 21+.
Each reserved table comes with a complimentary bottle of champagne and trick-or-treat swag bags.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Eventbrite ticketing page.
KJZZ Halloween Party
When: Sunday, Oct. 31 at 3 – 5 p.m.
Where: The Nash at 110 E. Roosevelt St.
Cost: Tier 1 is $45, Tier 2 is $40, Tier 3 is $35, student tickets in Tier 3 are $16
This Halloween-themed performance will feature Blaise Lantana on guitar and vocals, Mary Petrich on saxophone, Stan Sorenson on guitar, Ioannis Goudelis on piano and John Lewis on the drums.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit The Nash’s event page.
Witches Moon: Night Yoga in the Garden
When: Sunday, Oct. 31 at 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Greenwood Brewing at 425 E. Roosevelt St.
Cost: $5
On All Hallows Eve, check-in upon arrival with the bartender for payment and to sign in for Night Yoga.
For more information, visit the Greenwood Brewing event page.
Ongoing
Old MacDonald’s Pumpkin Patch
When: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 1-31
Where: Great Arizona Puppet Theatre
Cost: $0-$12 per person, depending on membership and age
Tickets must be purchased ahead of time online or by phone.
Creature from the Black Lagoon
When: Select shows Oct. 1-30
Where: Playhouse on the Park at Central Arts Plaza across from Phoenix Theatre at 1825 N. Central Ave.
Cost: $50+
All Puppet Players bring this 17+ puppet performance to downtown Phoenix for their tenth season. Expect to get wet!
VIP tickets include priority seating in the front two rows and happy hour pricing at the bar. VIP cocktail table seats include a private high-top table with seats for 2, a complimentary bottle of wine, and happy hour pricing at the bar for all drinks.
For more information and to get tickets, visit the Phoenix Theatre Company website.
FilmBar showings
When: All month
Where: FilmBar at 815 N. 2nd St.
Cost: Ticket costs vary
Throughout October, FilmBar will be showing classics such as Halloween (1978), Nightmare Before Christmas, Rocky Horror and more. Check out the lineup and buy tickets.
Orpheum Ghost Tours
When: Oct. 22-23, 29-31 at 6 p.m.
Where: Orpheum Theatre Phoenix at 203 W. Adams St.
Cost: $25-$45
Explore the ghost stories from the historic Orpheum Theatre.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the ticketing website.
Nightmare: Dreaming Reality
When: Oct. 22-23, various times
Where: Phoenix Center for the Arts at 1202 N. Third St. and via livestream
Cost: $18-$45
CaZo Dance Theatre is hosting a horror performance of various dance sequences, including those from “Remember When…” and “Tough As Nails.”
For more information and to get tickets, visit the Eventbrite ticketing page.
Spooky Science
When: Oct. 23-31
Where: Arizona Science Center
Cost: Free with membership or general admission ticket, kids under 3 are free
Learn the science behind Halloween. Due to limited capacity, Arizona Science Center recommends reserving tickets in advance.
HalloWeek
When: Oct. 25-31
Where: The Theodore at 110 E. Roosevelt St., Suite C
Cost: Free
The Theodore has an exciting week-long lineup of events. On Monday there will be a movie night featuring Halloween movies and snacks. On Tuesday, there will be Ray’s Rumble: Choose Your Fighter, a wrestler drawing competition. On Wednesday there will be Wine & Craft. On Thursday there will be Halloween trivia. On Friday, there will be a Roosevelt Row Trick or Treat. On Saturday, there will be a Haunted Bike Tour. On Sunday’s Halloween night, there will be a costume contest.
For more information, visit The Theodore’s Facebook event.
Contact the reporter at mailport@asu.edu.
Michelle Ailport is a graduate student at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. In addition to being arts and entertainment editor for Downtown Devil, she also writes Downtown Digest, a weekly column with things to do.
