Fall in the Southwest doesn’t always arrive with a chill in the air. Sometimes in the desert (well, oftentimes), it’s still 90 degrees outside, but that has never stopped us from celebrating.
Across the region, farms roll out the pumpkins, corn mazes tower overhead and thousands of jack-o’-lanterns begin to glow after dark. From apple country in Arizona to a sprawling Colorado corn maze, these fall festivals prove fall season is a state of mind, and sweater weather is optional.
Pumpkin & Chili Party | Queen Creek, Arizona
For 30 years, Schnepf Farms has been bringing a little slice of autumn to the Arizona desert. The annual Pumpkin & Chili Party runs throughout October with a 10-acre corn maze, hayrides, pumpkin picking, amusement rides, pig races and more than 25 included attractions. And come hungry because chili, roasted corn and seasonal sweets are part of the tradition. After sunset, bonfires and the Spooky Train Ride keep the party going.
Learn more at pumpkinandchiliparty.com.
Derrick Neill, Dreamstime
Fall Pumpkin Celebration at Apple Annie’s | Willcox, Arizona
Arizona does, in fact, have apple-picking weather, you just have to head south. Apple Annie's You-Pick Orchard in Willcox is where cooler temperatures meet a full-fledged harvest season. From Sept. 26 through Oct. 31, Apple Annie’s celebrates with pumpkins, hayrides, sunflowers and a massive 12.5-acre corn maze. On weekends, start at the orchard with pumpkin pancakes, then make room for pumpkin pie and warm apple cider doughnuts.
Learn more at appleannies.com.
Anderson Farms Fall Festival | Erie, Colorado
If the goal is celebrate fall in its most classic sense, Anderson Farms is the place to go. Its Fall Festival runs Sept. 23 through Oct. 31 with wagon rides to the pumpkin patch, a 25-acre corn maze, barrel train, trike track, jump pads and live entertainment. Visitors can even reserve a private campfire for an evening that feels appropriately autumnal.
Learn more at tickets.andersonfarms.com/p/fall-festival.
Magic of the Jack O Lanterns Denver
Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns | Denver, Colorado & Los Angeles, CA
If you’re the type who can’t wait for holiday lights, this is your place with a Halloween twist. Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns transforms an evening stroll into a glowing Halloween spectacle, with thousands of intricately carved pumpkins creating larger-than-life displays. It’s less pumpkin patch, more pumpkin art show, and an easy way to trade daytime fall adventures for something a little more magical after sunset. There are two locations to join in both Colorado and California for a fall spectacular near you.
Learn more at magicofthejackolanterns.com.
Mesilla Valley Maze | Las Cruces, New Mexico
At Mesilla Valley Maze, getting lost is rather the point. The Las Cruces farm celebrates its 2026 season Oct. 3–25, with its annual Fall Festival kicking things off Oct. 3–4 with hayrides, contests and a pumpkin pie-eating contest. Later in the month, the New Mexico Pumpkin Festival adds live music and the Tour de Maze, an adults-only tricycle race through the farm.
Learn more at mesillavalleymaze.com.
Fall may take its sweet time reaching the Southwest, but the region has never needed falling temperatures to get into the spirit. Grab the pumpkins, cue the hayrides and, perhaps, leave the chunky sweater at home.