DTPHX Hallows' Eve

DTPHX Hallows' Eve takes over the Arizona Center on Thursday, October 29, from 6 PM to 9 PM. It's a family-friendly Halloween festival put on by Downtown Phoenix Inc., and the whole point is to show up in your best costume. If you've got kids or a pet that loves dressing up, this is the night to get them into something.

The evening is built around a series of costume contests decided by guest judges, with separate categories for kids 12 and under, families in group costumes, and leashed pets. Beyond the contests, there's a long list of things to do: sweet treats, a petting zoo, giveaways, a live DJ, market vendors, a make-and-take craft station, a Fauxto booth, temporary tattoos, a Little Monsters Play Zone, yard games, face painting, and plenty of photo opportunities. It's the kind of setup where you can spend the whole three hours drifting from one activity to the next, or just pick a few and call it a night.

Because it's geared toward families, you'll find a mix of things that work for different ages—the play zone and face painting for the little ones, the craft station and yard games for older kids, and the costume contests for everyone. The petting zoo and the live DJ keep it moving, and the vendors give you something to browse while you're there. It's a full evening of Spooky Season celebration right in the middle of downtown.

Admission is free, so you can just show up and hang out. The festival runs from 6 PM to 9 PM on Thursday, October 29, at the Arizona Center, 455 N. 3rd St., Phoenix, AZ 85004.