The Arizona Capitol Museum in the historic Capitol building is always free. Explore on your own Monday–Friday 9am–4pm and Saturdays 10am–2pm (September through May), or join a free walk-in tour Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 2pm. A self-guided map and family activities are at the first-floor desk.
The contemporary art museum inside Mesa Arts Center is free to visit, with changing exhibitions. It's open Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays and most major holidays). Free guided tours run Saturdays at 1pm.
Tue–Sat 10am–5pm (closed Sun, Mon and city holidays)
Tempe History Museum
The City of Tempe's history museum tells the story of the city, and admission is free. It's open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am–5pm, and hosts events, most of them free.
Anyone in need can register at Matthew's Crossing and pick up a free emergency food box every 14 days: pantry staples plus bread, milk, meat and produce when available, enough for a family for about three days. Distribution is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8–11am and Wednesday 4–6pm (closed Nov 26–27, Dec 24–25 and Jan 1).
Verified Oct 27 · matthewscrossing.org
Catch: Valid photo ID required · Registration required (forms online or on arrival) · One box every 14 days
Wed and Fri–Sun 11am–5pm, Thu 11am–7pm (closed Mon and Tue)
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA)
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art lets visitors 18 and younger in free (adult tickets are $16). Bring the kids or a teen art fan any day it's open, Wednesday through Sunday. Adults can also pay what they wish on Thursdays and every second Saturday.
Verified Oct 27 · scottsdalearts.org
Catch: Ages 18 and under only, with valid ID; adults pay $16 (or pay what you wish on Thursdays and second Saturdays)
Tue–Sat 8am–2pm Jan–Apr; Wed–Sat 8am–2pm May and Aug–Dec; closed June and July
Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve · Phoenix
ASU's Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve protects ancient rock art on a desert hillside trail. ASU students, staff and faculty with a Sun Card, Indigenous visitors with a tribal ID, and children 6 and under get in free (general admission is $14). It's closed in June and July and keeps morning hours.
Verified Oct 27 · deervalley.asu.edu
Catch: Only for ASU students/staff/faculty with a Sun Card, Indigenous visitors with tribal ID, or kids 6 and under · Everyone else pays $14
Webster Recreation Center's annual Halloween Carnival has free games and activities plus a new trunk-or-treat. Come in costume. Friday, October 30, 2026, 5:30–7:30pm.
Trick-or-treat through Downtown Chandler and join a family Halloween night at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, with costume parades at 6:15 and 7:30pm. Park admission is free. Friday, October 30, 2026, 5:30–8:30pm.
Fri–Sun 11am–5pm (site also lists Wed–Sun; check before going)
ASU Art Museum · Tempe
Arizona State University's art museum on the Tempe campus never charges admission. Exhibitions change through the year. The site lists hours as 11am–5pm but shows both Wednesday–Sunday and Friday–Sunday, so check before a weekday visit.
Phoenix Public Library's main library holds a weekly Family Storytime for kids from birth to five and their grown-ups. Sessions are Thursdays 6–6:30pm (MACH1 room) and Saturdays 10–10:30am (Children's Place).
Phoenix Children's Hospital gives away free kids' bike helmets (while supplies last) at a library Bike Safety Rodeo, with a parking-lot obstacle course to practice the rules of the road. Bring your bike and helmet, or borrow a bike or scooter there. Saturday, October 31, 2026, 10am–noon.
Verified Oct 27 · calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org
Every Saturday at 1pm, a member of the museum's gallery team leads a free, one-hour interactive tour of the current exhibitions. Museum admission is free too, so no ticket is needed.
Volunteer Laura Hardon leads a hands-on workshop at HD South in Gilbert where you turn bags and tags into a holiday-themed altered book. Some craft supplies are provided and no experience is needed; you're welcome to bring your own drink. Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 6–8pm.
Verified Oct 27 · hdsouth.org
Catch: Registration required on HD South's event page (limited spots) · Ages 14 and up
Chicanos por la Causa offers free hearing and vision screenings for children ages 1 to 5 at Phoenix's Desert Sage Library. No registration needed. Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 10am–12:30pm.
Verified Oct 27 · calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org
Scottsdale Arts' Canal Convergence returns for its 15th year, Nov 6–15, 2026, with large-scale light artworks along the canal plus workshops, performances and live music. This year's theme is Western Nature. Daily schedules hadn't been posted yet, so check the event page for times.
Bank of America's Museums on Us program gives its cardholders free general admission to participating museums on the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of every month. Heard Museum is on Bank of America's official Museums on Us participant list. Eligibility: Bank of America cardholders. Check the program's eligibility and terms page before you go: the partner page says some venues adjust their admission procedures.
Verified Oct 27 · about.bankofamerica.com
Catch: Bank of America cardholders only · General admission only; check the venue's Museums on Us terms first
Bank of America's Museums on Us program gives its cardholders free general admission to participating museums on the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of every month. Phoenix Art Museum is on Bank of America's official Museums on Us participant list. Eligibility: Bank of America cardholders. Check the program's eligibility and terms page before you go: the partner page says some venues adjust their admission procedures.
Verified Oct 27 · about.bankofamerica.com
Catch: Bank of America cardholders only · General admission only; check the venue's Museums on Us terms first
Bank of America's Museums on Us program gives its cardholders free general admission to participating museums on the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of every month. Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West is on Bank of America's official Museums on Us participant list. Eligibility: Bank of America cardholders. Check the program's eligibility and terms page before you go: the partner page says some venues adjust their admission procedures.
Verified Oct 27 · about.bankofamerica.com
Catch: Bank of America cardholders only · General admission only; check the venue's Museums on Us terms first
The City of Mesa runs a free immunization clinic for children from birth to 18 once a month on a Wednesday evening, 5–7pm, at Superstition Springs Center. Upcoming dates are Nov 11 and Dec 9, 2026, and Jan 13, 2027. Call Mesa Fire and Medical at 480-644-3459 to ask what to bring.
Active-duty military get free general admission to the Desert Botanical Garden with a valid government ID (adult tickets start at $32.95). Open daily 7am–10pm October–December, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Free parking on site.
Verified Oct 27 · dbg.org
Catch: Active-duty military only · Valid government ID required · General admission only, not ticketed events
Phoenix Art Museum opens its general galleries free on the first Friday of each month, 5 to 8pm. It's an easy evening plan downtown on the same night as the city's First Friday art scene. Special exhibitions still need a paid ticket.
Verified Oct 27 · phxart.org
Catch: Special exhibitions need a separate paid ticket
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch (Dragonfly Ramada) · Gilbert
On the third Saturday of each month from October through March, Desert Rivers Audubon leads free, family-friendly bird walks at the Riparian Preserve with an expert birder. Binoculars are provided, and some Saturdays Liberty Wildlife brings live raptors. Groups head out from the Dragonfly Ramada starting at 8am; just bring walking shoes.
Second Friday of each month, 5:30–9:30pm (weather permitting)
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch · Gilbert
The East Valley Astronomy Club sets up telescopes at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch on the second Friday of each month, and anyone can come look at the night sky for free. Viewing begins at dusk (listed 5:30–9:30pm), weather permitting. Upcoming: Nov 13 and Dec 11, 2026.
Scottsdale Arts District (Main Street and Marshall Way)
Old Town Scottsdale's galleries open their doors every Thursday evening from 7 to 9pm for the ArtWalk, a tradition since 1975. Wander Gallery Row on Main Street and Marshall Way. In the cooler months, themed Gold Palette ArtWalks start at 6:30pm. No ArtWalk on Thanksgiving.
