Arizona Budget Halloween: Spooky Fun Without Scary Spending
Stephanie Beasley
October 5, 2025
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Halloween on a Budget
Arizona offers plenty of Halloween fun without frightening your wallet, from free events to creative DIY solutions.
Costume Strategies
Look great for less:
- Thrift store finds: $5-15 complete costumes
- DIY from closet items with creative thinking
- Costume swaps with friends/neighbors
- Dollar store accessories and makeup
- After-Halloween sales for next year (80% off)
Free Halloween Events
Arizona offerings:
- Trunk-or-treat events at churches, schools
- Mall trick-or-treating (safe, free candy)
- Zoo Boo at Phoenix Zoo (free with admission)
- Downtown Halloween street festivals
- Neighborhood haunted houses
- Library Halloween story times and crafts
Budget Decorating
Spooky on the cheap:
- Dollar Tree for basic decorations
- DIY from cardboard, trash bags, cotton
- Printable decorations from Pinterest
- Natural elements: branches, leaves, pumpkins
- Reuse and store decorations yearly
Candy Deals
Stock up smart:
- Buy at Costco/Sam's for best per-piece price
- Watch for BOGO at drugstores
- Generic brands taste similar, cost less
- Buy after Halloween for next year (freeze chocolate)
- Non-candy alternatives: stickers, pencils, small toys
Budget Party Ideas
Host affordably:
- Potluck style with themed assignments
- DIY games: mummy wrap, apple bobbing
- Halloween movie marathon
- Costume contest with small prizes
- Outdoor bonfire gathering (where permitted)