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Halloween Parties, Costume Contests & More in Tucson

(Photos courtesy of Hotel Congress and Canva)

Halloween Parties, Costume Contests & More in Tucson

Oct 12, 20237 min read

It’s time to enjoy this gourd-geous weather with boos, pumpkins, costumes, and more. We’ve rounded up the best spooky events happening throughout this month. In this list, you’ll find things to do ranging from family-friendly parties to costume contests.

We’ll update this list as events continue to pop up and make sure to pay attention to the dates (some of these are happening sooner than others).

Halloween Events All Month Long at Casa Video

Now until Tuesday, October 31
Casa Video & Film Bar, 2905 E. Speedway Blvd.

Sure, we’re already a few days in but there’s still a lot more to partake in from now until Tuesday, October 31. For example, they’re ending the month with another Halloween-themed trivia night, there are 10 days of Alfred Hitchcock films, and double features on Mondays. 

Learn more.

Glowing Pumpkins at Tohono Chul

Now until Tuesday, October 31
Tohono Chul, 7366 Paseo del Norte

Glowing Pumpkins: A Jack-O-Lantern Adventure, is an outdoor Halloween event featuring over 5,000+ hand-carved pumpkins. Immerse yourself in a Halloween wonderland featuring Dinosaur Land, Under The Sea, Superheroes, a gift shop, and tons of other “Instagram-able” moments for all to enjoy. Plus, they have bistro bites, cocktails, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Learn more.

Not Too Frightful Fridays at Trail Dust Town

Fridays from October 13 – October 27
Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd.

Trail Dust Town is excited to bring you Not Too Frightful Fridays! Join the fun from 5 – 8 p.m. on Friday, October 13, 20, and 27. The celebration includes $8 unlimited ride wristbands good for the train, carousel, and a Ferris wheel. You will also experience the Not-Too-Spooky train ride, trick-or-treating at the rides, Halloween window displays, the Pistolero’s pirate-themed stunt show The Curse of Captain Cutthroat, and fall-themed drinks and snacks. Costumes are encouraged!

Learn more.

Halloween Bar Bazaar at Downtown Clifton Hotel

Saturday, October 14 at 6 p.m.
Downtown Clifton Hotel, 485 S. Stone Ave.

If your Halloween costume includes drinkin’ boots, come on down and sample the spookiest cocktails from around town with haunted in-room pop-up bars and special guest bartenders, including Tucson’s 2023 Bar Fight and Knife Fight champions! Boogie down with DJ Han Cholo, get a tattoo from Brainwave Tattoo, take in a car show, and enjoy some tasty bites in our intimate courtyard and lounge. Rooms are available at special rates by calling (520) 623-3163.

Learn more.

Ghost Bar at the Savoy Opera House

Friday, October 20 from 8 – 11 p.m.
Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd.

You are cordially invited to a frightfully good time at Ghost Bar. It’s an elegant and eerie evening of spirituous cocktails, bewitching snacks and dessert, live music, and spine-tingling activities in the Savoy Opera House at Trail Dust Town. Mamma Coal will be playing haunting country tunes for both the living and the dead.

Everyone is encouraged to dress in black or their finest funeral attire out of respect for the specters, for this is a party in their honor. Tickets are $50 per person and include two cocktails, charcuterie, desserts, live music, and activities.

Learn more.

A Sinfully Spooky Soiree at Sky Bar

Friday, October 20
Sky Bar, 536 N. Fourth Ave.

The party will have performances by Bea Trouble, Doxy Dvine, Freckles Fatale, Mistress Ceratops, Magnolia Tarte, and Alotta Von Cheekz. Tickets are $10 per person.

Learn more.

Oro Valley Fall Artisan Market

Saturday, October 21
Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N. Oracle Rd.

The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is hosting the third annual Oro Valley Fall Artisan Market on Saturday, October 21 and Sunday, October 22 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (both days). Food Network star Matt Harper (he competed in “Halloween Wars” in 2019) will be showing his take on artistic pumpkin carving both days. Funny Foot Farms petting zoo will be there with a few furry friends, pumpkin painting will be hosted by Lucky Cat Social, and get your face painted by Petunia and Pals.

Learn more.

Halloween Pub Crawl

Saturday, October 21
Multiple Locations near Downtown

This event is close to being sold out so grab tickets before it’s too late! The list of participating bars will be revealed after you buy tickets.

Learn more.

Satin vs. Leather Costume Party at HighWire

Friday, October 27 at 8 p.m.
HighWire, 30 S. Arizona Ave.

The costume contest winner will score a $300 grand prize! The party starts at 8 p.m. and the costume contest begins at midnight.

Learn more.

Vixens & Villians Halloween Party at Jackrabbit Lounge

Friday, October 27 from 6 – 10 p.m.
Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave.

The bar and restaurant is hosting an early Halloween party filled with DJ sets, go-go dancers, specialty drinks, cash prizes during the costume contest, and a pop-up tattoo shop.

Learn more.

Nightmare on Congress Street

Friday, October 27 at 7 p.m.
Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St.

Kickoff Halloweekend right at downtown’s biggest Halloween Party: Nightmare on Congress Street in the haunted Hotel Congress. Celebrate with your friends and enjoy live music, costume contests, DJs, vendors, and spooky food and drink specials.

Learn more.

Howl at the Museum

Friday, October 27 from 6 – 10 p.m.
Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave.

At the Tucson Museum of Art, you’ll find an evening of music, interactive performances, drinks, light bites, and revelries, along with Whiskey Del Bac’s Showdown, a cocktail competition premiering creations by Tucson bartenders. Tickets are $50 each and $45 for museum members.

Learn more.

Halloween Night Market at Rozet Nursery

Saturday, October 28 from 7 – 10 p.m.
Rozet Nursery, 7707 E. 22nd St.

Dress up in your favorite costume and head on down to the nursery for palm readings, local artists, live medium readings, live music, food by Sparky’s Cantina, and drinks by Tucson Kava Bar.

Learn more.

Beer, Bikes, and Boos!

Saturday, October 28 from 7 – 10 p.m.
Multiple Locations

Grab your Ghouls and join us for Beer, Bikes, and Boos! A spooky collaboration with Pueblo Vida Brewing, Dragoon Brewing, and Tap & Bottle Downtown. Take a self-guided bike ride in your Halloween costume on Saturday, October 28 between noon – 5 p.m. You can start at any of the three locations: Pueblo Vida Brewing, Dragoon Brewing, or Tap & Bottle Downtown. Tickets are $15 and include a route map, a beer at each location, and fun times.

Learn more.

Kids Eat For Free on Halloween!

Tuesday, October 31 from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Pita Jungle, 7090 N. Oracle Rd. # 128

Pita Jungle is offering a FREE kids meal with the purchase of an adult entrée on Halloween. A great excuse for kids (and adults) to enjoy a healthy meal and help balance out all the sweet treats! Valid for dine-in and call-in orders only on Tuesday, October 31 at participating locations. Limit three per table. 

Learn more.

For more events happening in town, check out our Things To Do page.

Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.

He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.

If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.

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