Several Fall Festivals Canceled Due to COVID-19 Concerns

Multiple outdoor fall festivals in the Valley have been canceled due to increasing concerns of the spread of the delta variant.

Official notifications of cancellations of The AZCentral Wine & Food Experience, Arizona Taco Festival, Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival, and Tempe Oktoberfest have been announced.

The Arizona Taco Festival was scheduled to run Oct. 23 & 24, 2021. Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival had hoped to bring back their annual event on Oct. 29 & 30. The AZCentral Wine & Food Experience on Nov. 6, 2021 in Scottsdale and Tempe Oktoberfest was scheduled for Oct. 8-10, 2021, at Tempe Beach Park will not be taking place.


Producers for the Arizona Taco Festival cited “heightened public health concerns amid the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) and others” as the reason for the cancellation of this year’s event.

This event has been rescheduled for two weekends in 2022: a spring festival on April 9 & 10 and a fall festival on October 22 & 23, 2022.

A spokesperson said those who purchased tickets to the taco festival should receive an email by Aug. 31 with information that includes a refund options. Officials said that tickets for the 2021 event will be honored for the new festival dates.

Jason Taylor, president of USA Today Network Ventures, said the Wine & Food Experience was canceled out of an abundance of caution.

“Our priority is to ensure that we celebrate our communities in a safe environment. Given the current COVID-19 indicators, we will evaluate rescheduling in the near future,” he said.

A rescheduled date has not been announced yet.

“Given the current situation surrounding the Delta variant, potential local government restrictions, and the financial burden to produce the event, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Four Peaks Oktoberfest,” organizers said in a statement.

“We look forward to sharing live music, brats, and beer with you next year for the 50th annual Four Peaks Oktoberfest,” detailed in their statement.

As of now, Yoga in the Outfield which is scheduled on Nov. 7, 2021 and AZ Barrels, Bottles & Brews on Nov. 13, 2021, will remain scheduled as planned at Salt River Fields. Both events will enforce more social distancing between attendees.

The Phoenix Pizza Festival in downtown Phoenix is also still a go. This festival is scheduled for Nov. 13 & 14 at Margaret T. Hance Park.