Desert Design Week
Oct. 6-11, Scottsdale and Phoenix

Desert Design Week is a twice yearly, citywide celebration of art, design and architecture across Phoenix and Scottsdale. The Fall 2026 edition will bring together exhibitions, design conversations, studio visits, home tours and gatherings shaped by the creative energy of the Southwest. Held across Phoenix and Scottsdale, it will converge designers, architects, artists, collectors, and the design-minded community for a series of curated exhibitions, talks and gatherings. Through thoughtful programming and intentional experiences, each edition creates space for discovery, dialogue, and exchange, spotlighting both emerging talent and established voices while fostering meaningful connection across the design landscape. Event times and ticket prices vary. www.desertdesignweek.com.

Dink-tober Pickleball Tournament
Oct. 10, Electric Pickle

Join Women in Philanthropy for Dink-tober Tournament: a day of pickleball, community, and giving back. This fall fundraiser will bring together players of every skill level to learn, play, and raise money for local kids through For the Kids Foundation. Come solo and be matched with a team, bring your own doubles partner, or gather a group of friends. Admission includes buffet access, a drink ticket, and five raffle tickets. There will be childcare on site. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Kids ticket (5-12 years old), $25; spectator, $50; single player, $65; team of two, $115. www.womeninphilanthropy.com.

Uncorked AZ
Oct. 10, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

This outdoor wine festival will feature more than 100 wines and sparkling selections from around the world. Guests can sip and explore a wide range of varieties while enjoying live DJ sets, curated music throughout the grounds, and a selection of local food trucks and pop-up eateries while benefiting the Arizona Small Dog Rescue. Tickets at this 21-and-over event include all wine tasting, with food sold separately. VIP tickets include admission at 5:30 p.m., exclusive access to batting practice on the field and access to a VIP area with additional premium wineries. 7-10 p.m. VIP, $105; early admission (6 p.m.), $85; general admission. www.uncorkedwinefestivals.com.

Silver & Turquoise Ball
Oct. 17, Talking Stick Resort

The Phoenix Indian Center’s annual ball will return for an unforgettable evening celebrating Native culture, community and philanthropy. Arizona Cardinals legend and 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Larry Fitzgerald will serve as chair of this year’s event, themed Relatives Rooted in Community. Guests will enjoy an elegant evening of dining, entertainment, and fundraising in support of the vital programs and services provided by Phoenix Indian Center. Live and silent auctions will feature authentic artwork, jewelry, and clothing from Native artists. 5:30-9:30 p.m. $350. www.phxindiancenter.org.

Arizona Taco Festival
Oct. 17-18, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

This month, top chefs and taqueros will unite for a two-day celebration of tacos, agave and entertainment. There will be live cooking demonstrations, live judging and people’s choice voting, Tequila Corrido margaritas, tastings, and flights, and tacos of every variety. Chef Beau MacMillan will host the 2nd Annual Taco Fest Bar Brawl. VIP tickets include 10 drink samples. 11 a.m. VIP, $100; VIP designated driver (no samples), $60; general admission, $15. www.tacofestaz.com.

Creepy Candy Crawl: Heroes vs. Villains
Oct. 23, The District at Desert Ridge Marketplace

Desert Ridge Marketplace’s annual Creepy Candy Crawl will return with a Heroes vs. Villains theme this year. Enjoy carnival games, train rides, a kid-friendly haunted house, and the District Patch City, where attendees can purchase and paint pumpkins. Families can enjoy trick-or-treating throughout the property, while VIP experiences including Hero School and a “Bibbidi Bobbidi”-inspired experience. Proceeds from VIP tickets benefit Make-A-Wish Arizona. 5-8 p.m. Free. VIP experience, $21.05. www.shopdesertridge.com.

47th Annual Friends of Erma Bombeck Authors Luncheon
Oct. 24, Arizona Biltmore

Presented by the Arizona Women’s Board, this annual anticipated luncheon celebrates the legacy of the renowned author and humorist while raising funds for Arizona kidney patients and their families. Each year, the event features bestselling authors, book signings and inspiring conversations about literature, life and the writing craft. Books are available for purchase. Tickets can be upgraded to include one book by each author. Authors will be available after the program to sign books. Featured authors include Adriana Trigiani, who will also serve as emcee, Andrew Sean Greer, Pamela Meyer, Douglas Preston, Lisa See, and Kathryn Stockett. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $300-$2,500. www.authorsluncheonaz.org.

Heart of the House Gala
Oct. 24, Hotel Valley Ho

This gala raises critical funds to provide families with lodging, meals and everyday essentials at no cost, keeping parents close to their children who are receiving life-saving medical care. This year’s storybook-inspired theme, The Giving Tree, reflects the many ways Ronald McDonald House provides for families throughout a child’s healthcare journey. The evening will begin with a hosted cocktail reception featuring live music from Old Town Love, a silent auction, trip raffle and wine pull. Hotel Valley Ho head dhef Russell LaCasce will prepare the dinner. The program will include family stories, recognition of the Heart of the House honorees and a live auction. 5 p.m. www.ronaldmcdonaldhousecnaz.org.

Oktoberwest Festival\
Oct. 24, Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

Boots, beats and Western flair take over The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa for a lively fall celebration. Four hours of live country music set the soundtrack for line dancing, a mechanical bull, interactive photo experiences and plenty of food trucks and festive libations. Gather your crew, brush up on your two-step and settle in for an evening of country-inspired fun under the stars. 6-10 p.m. $30. www.kierlandafterdark.com.

The Joy Bus Annual Gala
Oct. 30, Arizona Biltmore

The Joy Bus will celebrate 15 years of providing nourishment and connection to Valley residents facing cancer at its annual gala. The event will honor community leaders, philanthropists and cancer survivors Derrick and Amy Hall with the Hummingbird Award. Guests will experience an inspiring program highlighting the direct impact of The Joy Bus. The evening will also feature dining, entertainment and live and silent auctions. Proceeds from the gala will directly support The Joy Bus meal delivery program, which provides free chef-inspired meals and human connection to individuals unable to shop or cook for themselves during treatment. 6 p.m. $500. www.joybus.org.

Sip, Savor, Shop
Oct. 31, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

Attendees can shop for some fall finds or holiday gifts as they taste their way through samples like pizza, tacos, local beer, and craft cocktails. Experience dozens of Arizona’s best local restaurants, top breweries, wineries, and craft cocktail purveyors, plus a curated marketplace of local retailers and artisans. Admission includes unlimited food samples and 15 drink tickets. VIP tickets grant early entry at noon. General admission, 1:30-5 p.m. VIP, $119; general admission, $99. www.atasteofaz.com.

Applause! Gala 2026: Where Dreams Begin
Nov. 6, The Phoenix Theatre Company

Phoenix Theatre Company’s highly anticipated annual gala celebrates individuals and organizations whose commitment to the arts, humanitarian causes, and community has helped shape Phoenix for generations. The evening will feature a one-of-a-kind live musical production written and directed by Producing Artistic Director Michael Barnard. Guests will enjoy preshow a cocktail hour and a post-performance New York City-themed meal with dancing in the open-air courtyard underscored by Justin & the SwingBeats. In addition to Phoenix Theatre productions, the gala will support Partners That Heal. 5:30 p.m. $1,250. www.phoenixtheatre.com.

Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships
Nov. 7, WestWorld of Scottsdale

Immerse yourself in a day packed with world-class polo, luxury, fashion, and entertainment. The polo schedule includes New Orleans Polo Club vs. Arizona Polo Club, France Select Polo Team vs. England Select Polo Team, and Army vs. Navy. Thrilling polo matches, exotic cars, luxury lounges, and an on-site sports bar are just part of the action. New this year is the expanded fashion show lineup, including Phoenix Fashion Week’s World’s Longest Catwalk, the Canine Couture dog fashion show, and the bran-new Cowboy & Cowgirl Couture: How the West Was Worn, presented by Moo Country. The new Arizona Wine Tasting experience showcases local wines. And after the matches conclude, the party moves to Riot House DayClub for a Sunset After-Party. 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. $50-$695. www.thepoloparty.com.

Italian Festival
Nov. 7-8, Scottsdale Civic Center

A beloved Italian tradition enters a new chapter at its new home in Scottsdale Civic Center, with more room to savor the flavors and culture of Italy. Explore more than 30 Italian wines, sample dishes from local favorites, browse Italian goods and enjoy live opera, music and street performances, plus bocce tournaments and family-friendly activities. Nov. 7, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Nov. 8, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $14.99 in advance; $30 at the door. www.italianassociation.org.