What is there to do near Chaparral Park in Scottsdale in the fall? Quite a lot, and almost all of it is close. On Saturdays, the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market runs 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the City Hall lot (3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.). On Saturday, October 17, the free Scottsdale Fall Festival takes over Scottsdale Civic Center from 5 to 9 p.m. A week later, on Saturday, October 24, the free Scottsdale Día de los Muertos Fiestas fills the same Civic Center from 1 to 10 p.m.
Living in 85250 puts all of it a short drive away, typically 5 to 10 minutes to Old Town depending on your street. Add the park itself, which comes back to life once the heat breaks, and fall is the season this zip code makes its best case.
Event note: Dates, times and locations come from the organizers' published 2026 listings (Old Town Scottsdale / City of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Arts and Scottsdale Día de los Muertos) as of October 13, 2026. Confirm details with the organizer before you go, since schedules can change.
Saturday Mornings: The Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market
This is my favorite way to start a fall weekend. The market has been running since 2009 and opened its 2026–27 season on October 3 at a new home, the City Hall surface lot.
- Where: City Hall surface lot, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale
- When: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (October through April)
- What you'll find: More than 100 local growers and specialty food producers, including fresh produce, meats, artisan breads and jams
- Local tip: Go early for the best selection and easier parking, then head back north before the day warms up
For buyers comparing neighborhoods, this is the kind of detail that matters. A real Saturday routine, close to home, is a quality-of-life feature you won't find on a listing sheet.
Saturday, October 17: Scottsdale Fall Festival
The city's family-friendly fall tradition returns to the renovated Scottsdale Civic Center, with a bigger footprint and an extra hour compared to previous years.
- Where: Scottsdale Civic Center, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
- When: Saturday, October 17, 5 to 9 p.m.
- Cost: Free
- What to expect: A live band and DJ, local food trucks, a cocktail garden for adults, trick-or-treating, carnival games, and hands-on arts and crafts
- Good to know: Costumes are encouraged, and City of Scottsdale departments and community groups host booths
If you have kids, this is an easy early-evening outing. You can be home in time for bedtime, which is exactly the point of living this close.
Saturday, October 24: Scottsdale Día de los Muertos Fiestas
This year marks the event's 10th annual celebration, and it is one of the most meaningful cultural evenings on the Scottsdale calendar.
- Where: Scottsdale Civic Center, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
- Festival hours: Saturday, October 24, 1 to 10 p.m.
- Cost: Free community event
- Highlights: Music throughout the day, food, arts, crafts and merchants; the Catrina Fashion Contest and Fashion Show; the Desfile de los Muertos procession at 7 p.m.; and a performance by GRAMMY®-nominated artist Lupita Infante at 8 p.m.
- Art installations: Large-scale Day of the Dead installations and altars are listed throughout the Civic Center October 22–25, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Plan ahead: Organizers suggest arriving early and allowing extra time for parking in Old Town
The procession is the part I'd plan around. It's a beautiful tradition honoring loved ones, and it's best experienced in person.
Why 85250 Makes Fall Weekends Easy
The events are in Old Town. The lifestyle is in 85250. That combination is why so many of my buyers end up here.
Close, Without Living Inside the Noise
Chaparral Park sits at 5401 N. Hayden Road, just north of Old Town. You get easy access to the festivals, restaurants and galleries without living on top of the crowds on a busy Saturday night. Read more in Living Minutes From Old Town Scottsdale.
The Park Itself
Fall is also when Chaparral Park is at its best. The park's dog park, lake, inclusive playground and paths along the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt get busy again once the heat breaks.
- Morning: A walk or run on the greenbelt
- Mid-morning: The farmers market
- Afternoon: The park or a patio lunch
- Evening: A festival at the Civic Center, then home in minutes
For the full tour, see A Local's Complete Guide to Chaparral Park.
“As a Chaparral Park resident, fall is when I'm reminded why I chose this neighborhood. Saturday starts at the farmers market, the afternoon is at the park, and the evening is a festival in Old Town. I'm home before the crowds even start to thin. When buyers ask me what living in 85250 really feels like, I tell them to come spend a fall Saturday here.”
— Elizabeth Vijan, Tackett Team, eXp Realty
FAQ: Fall Near Chaparral Park
What is there to do near Chaparral Park in Scottsdale in the fall?
The park itself is busy again, and a short drive south you'll find the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market on Saturdays, the free Scottsdale Fall Festival on October 17 and the free Scottsdale Día de los Muertos Fiestas on October 24, both at Scottsdale Civic Center.
Where is the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market now?
For the 2026–27 season, it's at the City Hall surface lot, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. It runs Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., October through April.
Are the Fall Festival and Día de los Muertos free?
Yes. Both are listed as free community events at Scottsdale Civic Center.
How far is Chaparral Park from Old Town Scottsdale?
Depending on where you are in 85250, Old Town is typically a 5- to 10-minute drive.
Want to See What Living Here Feels Like?
The best way to judge a neighborhood is to spend a Saturday in it. Let me put together a custom fall weekend tour: coffee, the farmers market, a walk through Chaparral Park, and a curated list of the 85250 homes for sale that fit your budget and must-haves. Already living here? Ask me for a private valuation and I'll show you how your home compares with what's on the market right now.
Elizabeth Vijan | Tackett Team, eXp Realty Chaparral Park Resident & 85250 Real Estate Expert
Request My Custom 85250 Home List Get My Home Valuation Call or Text 602-885-7752
