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.
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 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
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.
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
A free, family-friendly Día de Muertos celebration on the Chandler Center for the Arts terrace with live music, storytelling, cultural activities, art, a community altar, vendors and a food court. The city links an optional "Reserve Your Spot" page. Sunday, November 1, 2026, 12:30–3:30pm.
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.
Verified Oct 27 · scottsdalearts.org
No catch
Free itemsFree (worth about $50)Eligibility applies
A free 90-minute workshop at Red Mountain Park's Falcon Ramada with stations on picking, planting and caring for shade trees; participants go home with two desert-adapted trees. Run with Trees Matter. Saturday, November 7, 2026, in a 9am or 11am time slot.
Verified Oct 27 · mesaaz.gov
Catch: Mesa residents only · Sign up for a 9am or 11am time slot
A free community celebration at Heroes Regional Park with a giant group pickleball lesson, a 1K fun walk, a 5K fun run and a ninja-warrior obstacle course. It runs 9am–3pm on Saturday, November 7, 2026. The city's page doesn't say whether the 5K needs sign-up.
Chandler's free Diwali celebration in the City Hall courtyard has traditional and contemporary Indian dance and music, cultural tables, hands-on activities and food vendors. Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 10am.
A free family morning with Arizona PBS, Valley Metro and Phoenix Public Library: storytime, a live DJ, take-and-make crafts, a photo booth, the unveiling of a new Alma's Way Valley Metro bus and photos with Alma. Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10am–noon.
Verified Oct 27 · calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org
ASU professors emeritus Duane and Maureen Roen lead a free, hands-on workshop at HD South in Gilbert where you make simple percussion instruments from everyday items and play them. Saturday, November 7, 2026, 1–2:30pm.
Glendale's LiVE! @ Murphy Park series brings the West Valley Youth Symphony to downtown Glendale for an evening of orchestral music under the stars. Gates open at 6pm and the music starts at 7pm. Bring a chair or blanket.
Families can get fitted for a free bike helmet from Phoenix Children's, learn safe-cycling tips and practice on a bike rodeo course with Mesa Police officers and cadets. Bikes and scooters are provided for kids 11 and under. Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 10am–noon.
The East Valley Veterans Day Parade, "Nifty 250 Freedom Ain't Free," runs down Center Street in downtown Mesa. That day the Arizona Museum of Natural History is free for veterans and active military plus up to six guests. Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 11am–1pm.
Certified instructors from East Valley Martial Arts teach physical self-defense and street smarts at HD South in Gilbert on Thursday, November 12, 2026, 6:30–7:30pm. Open to kids 7 and up, teens and adults; wear loose, comfortable clothing.
Verified Oct 27 · hdsouth.org
Catch: Registration required · Ages 7 and up; children need a parent or guardian present
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, November 14, 2026, 9–11am.
Verified Oct 27 · calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org
Catch: Free helmets while supplies last
Kids & familyFree (worth about $10)Eligibility applies
Kids stitch a holiday-themed wall hanging on muslin, taught by Louise Kircher, at HD South in Gilbert on Saturday, November 14, 2026, 10am–noon. All supplies are provided and each child takes the finished piece home.
Verified Oct 27 · hdsouth.org
Catch: Registration required; class size limited · Recommended for ages 8 to 14
Author-illustrator Jenifer Tull-Gauger reads from The Calm View Karate Kid, her book about cooling anger, at HD South in Gilbert on Saturday, November 14, 2026, 1–3pm. Geared to ages 5–10 but all ages are welcome; light refreshments are served.
Verified Oct 27 · hdsouth.org
Catch: Registration required · Children under 14 must come with a parent or guardian
The sixth annual Tempe Jam brings free live music from Joey Gutos Band, Goldwax Revival and The Hourglass Cats, dance battles, a drone show, stilt-walkers, hands-on art and food trucks to Tempe Sports Complex. No entry fee. Saturday, November 14, 2026, 6–10pm.
Twice a year Phoenix Art Museum holds an all-ages Family Funday with free access. The next one is Sunday, November 15, 2026. Check the museum's site for the day's hours and activities.
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, November 21, 2026, 10am–noon.
Verified Oct 27 · calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org
Gilbert Classical Academy's AP teacher Karen Maas and her students run hands-on STEM activities at HD South in Gilbert: 3D pens and printers, Tinkercad design and Makey Makey with fruit. Saturday, November 21, 2026, 1–2:30pm.
Verified Oct 27 · hdsouth.org
Catch: Registration required; closes at noon the Friday before
Mesa opens its month-long Merry Main Street holiday festival with a holiday market around the city Christmas tree, a holiday program and the tree lighting. Friday, November 27, 2026, 5–10pm.
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, December 5, 2026, 10am–noon.
Verified Oct 27 · calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org
Downtown Chandler lights its famous Tumbleweed Tree, with music, Letters to Santa, free photos with Santa at Santa's House and the Parade of Lights (6:45–8pm). Saturday, December 5, 2026, 4:30–9pm.
Peoria's free all-ages holiday festival lights up downtown with twinkling lights, festive activities and seasonal surprises, alongside that month's 2nd Saturdays art and music festival. Saturday, December 12, 2026, 5–9pm.
Glendale's chocolate festival fills the Glendale Civic Center area on Valentine's weekend, February 13–14, 2027, 10am–5pm both days. Admission and parking are free; the treats themselves are sold by vendors.
Verified Oct 27 · glendaleaz.gov
Catch: Admission is free; food and chocolate are sold by vendors
First Friday of each month, 5–9pm (none in Nov 2026 or Jan 2027)
Children's Museum of Phoenix
The Children's Museum of Phoenix opens free to everyone on the first Friday of each month, 5–9pm. Upcoming free nights: Dec 4, 2026, then Feb 5, Mar 5, Apr 2, May 7 and Jun 4, 2027 (no free night in November or January).
Goodyear's synthetic ice rink at Civic Square is free for residents and non-residents, skates included (toddler 7 to adult 15). Drop in for 30-minute sessions at 5, 6, 7 and 8pm, first come, first served. Open Fridays–Sundays in December from Dec 5 (except holidays) plus January 2–3, 2027. Bring socks.
Four days of free live music, Native dance and artist demonstrations, morning art walks and hands-on family art activities at the Heard Museum, 10am–2pm daily, December 26–29, 2026. The courtyard event is free; the exhibitions need regular museum admission.
Verified Oct 27 · heard.org
Catch: Free event only: museum exhibitions need paid admission
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.
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.
Downtown Peoria fills with local art, live music, artisan vendors and hands-on activities on the second Saturday of each month, October through April, 5–9pm. 2026–27 dates: Nov 14, Dec 12 (with the Holiday Festival), Jan 9, Feb 13, Mar 13 and Apr 10.
St. Vincent de Paul hands out food boxes to anyone in need from its main campus north volunteer lot on the second and fourth Saturday of each month. It runs like a drive-thru giveaway, using surplus food from its warehouse and urban farms. October–March 7:30–9:30am (April–September 6:30–8:30am), or until food runs out.
Verified Oct 27 · svdpaz.org
Catch: Arizona government ID showing your address required
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