Things to do in Tempe in the Fall

Fall in Tempe is Festive and Fun
As the temperatures go down in the fall, Tempe really comes to life. Enjoy the sunshine by strolling along a cactus-lined desert trail, boating at Tempe Town Lake or driving through the city on a self-guided mural tour. Try delicious pumpkin beers and sweet treats, perhaps best enjoyed on an outdoor patio. And, buy one-of-a-kind works by local makers in Downtown Tempe. Plan your visit to Tempe and see why fall is our favorite season.
Things to do in Tempe this Fall
“A” Mountain
Mill Ave. and Third St.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Arizona Mills
Arizona Mills is the state’s largest family entertainment and outlet shopping destination with more than 185 stores at savings up to 70% off every day plus great dining and entertainment options, conveniently located 10 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix.
5000 S. Arizona Mills Cir.
Tempe, AZ 85282
ASU Art Museum
The ASU Art Museum exhibits national and international contemporary artists, with a focus on Latin American art. The Museum houses the largest collection of Cuban art in the U.S. and an award-winning print collection. Exhibitions change seasonally. Admission is free. Please make a reservation prior to your visit.
ASU Tempe Campus
51 E. 10th St.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Boat Rentals of America – Kiwanis Lake
Boat Rentals of America – Kiwanis Lake offers kayaks and pedal boats for rent; no experience is required. In addition, surrey bike rentals are also available and are perfect for a leisurely ride around Kiwanis Park.
5203 S. Ash Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85283
Boat Rentals of America – Tempe Town Lake
At Boat Rentals of America – Tempe Town Lake, everyone can enjoy recreational boating. Select from a variety of watercraft: kayaks, pedal boats, electric boats, stand-up paddleboards and more. Guests can now rent surrey bikes too.
72 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Desert Botanical Garden
Discover the tranquil vibrancy of 50,000 desert plants nestled amid the red rocks of the Papago Buttes at Desert Botanical Garden. An Arizona icon celebrating 80 years, the Garden has grown into a compelling attraction and desert conservation pioneer.
1201 N. Galvin Pkwy.
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Downtown Tempe
5th St. and Mill Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Main Event Entertainment
Our 58,000 square foot center is home to 26 high quality recreational bowling lanes, laser tag, a gravity high ropes course, billiards and shuffleboard tables, more than 125 interactive games, flexible meeting and event spaces and a tempting array of food and beverages.
8545 S. Emerald Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85284
Papago Golf Course
5595 E. Karsten Way
Phoenix, AZ 85008
Phoenix Zoo | Arizona Center for Nature Conservation
Explore a world of curiosity, imagination and discovery at the Phoenix Zoo. See Sumatran tigers, Bornean orangutans, Masai giraffe and enjoy encounters such as Monkey Village and Harmony Farm. Your Zoo visit will be memorable for the entire family.
455 N. Galvin Pkwy.
Phoenix, AZ 85008
REI Co-op Experiences
The REI Adventure Center in Scottsdale offers adventures for all, including guided hiking, road and mountain biking, kayaking, rafting, and SUP tours. Experience the desert with a guide or explore on your own with a bike from the Adventure Center’s rental fleet.
17465 N. 93rd St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Singh Meadows
1490 E. Weber Dr.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Tempe Marketplace
2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Tempe Town Lake and Tempe Beach Park
80 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Enjoy Tempe’s fall events
“Wild Rising” by Cracking Art
Desert Botanical Garden
October 12, 2019 – November 8, 2020
6th Street Market
Downtown Tempe
February 14, 2021 – April 25, 2021
Lakeshore Music Series: Beth Lederman and Jazz Con Alma
Tempe Center for the Arts
December 21, 2019
Live Music at Tempe Marketplace
Tempe Marketplace
January 8, 2021 – February 27, 2021
ZooLights at The Phoenix Zoo
Phoenix Zoo | Arizona Center for Nature Conservation
November 4, 2020 – January 31, 2021
Las Noches de las Luminarias
Desert Botanical Garden
November 27, 2020 – December 31, 2020
Visit the ASU Tempe Campus
The Arizona State University Tempe Campus is welcoming, easy to navigate and hosts a variety of events.
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Tempe Events Status Updates
As we start to look forward to 2021, we are hopeful that events will return bigger and better than ever. But until then, we have curated a list of the most anticipated events in 2021 and their current standing. We will continue to add event updates on a continuous basis.

Tempe Fall Festivals You Won’t Want to Miss
With 330 days of sunshine each year and a vibrant downtown community, Tempe is the perfect festival location. Fall through spring, you will find a variety of fun festival events in our city.