Yuma’s October event guide: Fall Fest, Día de los Muertos and Halloween

Fall Fest, Día de los Muertos and a Halloween trick-or-treat event give Yuma families three options for October outings. The details below were checked against official event listings and ticket pages as of Oct. 8, 2026. All times are local.

Budget for the right ticket: Fall Fest admission and carnival wristbands are separate purchases. Día de los Muertos uses special-event pricing and takes place at Colorado River State Historic Park, although its announcement appears on the prison museum’s website.

Fall Fest: Oct. 16–18

The fifth annual Fall Fest runs Friday through Sunday at the Yuma County Fairgrounds, 2520 E. 32nd St. Gates open at noon each day.

The fairgrounds advertise admission at $9 for ages 13 and older, $7 for ages 6–12 and free for children 5 and younger. The official online admission page currently displays $9.72 and $7.56 for the two paid categories. It does not itemize that difference on the selection page; check the final total before purchasing.

Presale carnival ride wristbands are listed at $35, or $55 with front-of-line access. Each is for one person on the day redeemed, not the entire weekend. The ticket page lists all three dates as available. The fairgrounds website explicitly says wristbands cover rides only and entrance tickets are sold separately.

Scheduled main-stage performances are Eve 6 at 8 p.m. Friday, The Millennium All Stars at 8 p.m. Saturday and Tropicalisimo Apache at 7 p.m. Sunday. Sunday’s demolition derby starts at 5 p.m.; the listing warns that grandstand seating is limited.

Saturday’s Paint & Take classes are at 1 and 3 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building, with first-come seating limited to 30. Pumpkin carving is Sunday from 2–4 p.m. next to the Theatre Building, also first come, first served. Food and commercial vendors and strolling acts are listed. Featured entertainment and activities are included with entry; ride wristbands remain separate.

For families using the carnival, the ride operator’s rules say height requirements apply and some rides prohibit open-toed footwear or single riders. Food, games and other purchases should be budgeted separately from admission and ride wristbands.

Closing times need confirmation. The fairgrounds calendar ends the weekend listing at 10 p.m. Sunday, while the ride-ticket site displays midnight closing for all three dates. Contact the fairgrounds for the nightly gate and carnival schedule: 928-726-4420 or ycfi@yumafair.com.

Día de los Muertos: Oct. 24

The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area’s sixth annual Día de los Muertos celebration is Saturday, Oct. 24, from 5–10 p.m. at Colorado River State Historic Park, 201 N. Fourth Ave. Use that park address rather than the prison museum address shown in the event page’s header.

The official Zeffy ticket page lists $15 general admission and $10 youth admission for ages 4–17. Both categories were available when checked. The youth ticket description includes face painting and arts and crafts. Admission for children younger than 4 is not specified in the reviewed event or ticket information; ask the organizer before assuming it is free. Regular museum admission rates are different from this event’s prices.

The announced program includes the Chavez Family Band, headliner Amor Prohibido, folklórico dancers and mariachi performances. An altar contest, Catrina costume contest, community mural and local art exhibits are also listed. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Individual performance times and contest entry procedures were not provided in the reviewed listings.

The state’s park facilities page confirms accessible restrooms at the venue. It does not establish accessibility arrangements for temporary event seating or activities. For event questions, contact the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area at 928-373-5198 or yumacrossing@yumaaz.gov. The park’s listed phone number is 928-329-0471.

Scary & Safe: Oct. 31

A third option is Scary & Safe, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31, from 5–8 p.m. at the Yuma County Fairgrounds. Those hours also appear on the City of Yuma calendar. The fairgrounds listing gives admission as $1 per person or a $5 fast pass for access to the front of the line.

The Halloween event features booths and candy, and attendees are invited to wear costumes. The listing says entrances are off 32nd Street. It does not specify an age exemption or an advance-ticket purchase link. Contact the fairgrounds at 928-726-4420 for ticket arrangements and accommodation questions.

Parking, access and changes before you go

The fairgrounds facilities page identifies north and south parking lots, but the reviewed event listings do not specify parking fees, designated accessible parking or an event parking map. Event-specific parking arrangements for Día de los Muertos were also not confirmed. Contact the appropriate organizer for arrival instructions, accessible routes, seating and restroom access before your visit.

The fairgrounds admission purchase policy says sales are final unless the fair explicitly provides otherwise or the law requires a refund. It says bad weather and performer changes do not qualify for requested refunds; if the fair cancels or reschedules an event, alternative arrangements or refunds may be offered at its discretion. The carnival ticket page separately states no refunds.

The Día de los Muertos listings reviewed do not publish a weather, cancellation or refund policy. Confirm those terms with the organizer before buying. Recheck the official event pages for schedule changes close to your visit; the guide is a selection of verified October outings, not a complete calendar for Oct. 8 through Nov. 6.