It's Spooky Season!
Published on September 18, 2026
We've got Halloween fun for everyone at the library! Over 20 spine-tingling events await, including Halloween ComicFest, Día de Muertos, Heroes of Halloween, Boo Bash, Not Beary Scary, Haunted Cemeteries, all manner of creepy crafts, and so much more!
Please note that due to the Velma Teague Library's temporary closure, their programs will be taking place at the Glendale Civic Center (5750 W. Glenn Dr.) or the Civic Center Annex (5752 W. Glenn Dr.)
All Ages
Halloween ComicFest @ the Glendale Civic Center!
Saturday, October 17, 5-8 p.m.
Glendale Civic Center
(moved from Velma Teague Library)
Drawn to Comics (5801 W. Glendale Ave.), downtown Glendale's source for comic books, gaming, and collectibles, is teaming up with the Velma Teague Library once again to treat you to a spooktacular all-ages Halloween celebration at the Glendale Civic Center! Choose from an assortment of free comics, meet local comic book artists, shop with cool vendors, pose with your favorite cosplay characters, and enjoy fun games and crafts. There might even be a very special guest or two! Costumes are encouraged. Due to the temporary closure of the Velma Teague Library, activities will take place just around the corner from the library at the Glendale Civic Center (5750 W. Glenn Dr.) and at the Drawn to Comics store. Free parking will be available in the nearby downtown parking garage (5835 W. Palmaire Ave.).
Día de Muertos/Day of the Dead Community Altar
October 19 through November 4
Main Library
Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican and Mexican-American observance which celebrates the spirits of our dearly departed. Honor the memory of your loved ones with our community ofrenda, or altar. Contribute to our ofrenda by adding photographs, messages, and symbolic items. Please do not bring anything valuable or irreplaceable. Please speak with library staff if you need a photo printed or copied to be placed on the ofrenda.
Heroes of Halloween
Thursday, October 29, 5-7 p.m.
Heroes Regional Park Library
Get ready for a spooktacular adventure! Celebrate Halloween while honoring our local heroes as we take on crime, monsters, and other creepy challenges through fun crafts and activities. Meet local heroes who will be on hand to celebrate and help make this Halloween a heroic one. Costumes are encouraged for this festive day of fright, fun, and community!
Art Is for Everyone: Paint Splatter Monsters
Thursday, October 29, 6-7:30 p.m.
Foothills Library
Join us once a month for fun, expressive art making! This multigenerational program encourages everyone to try something new. Bring clothes you can get messy in, and we’ll bring the supplies. Projects will vary every month. This program is for all ages. Families and multigenerational community members are welcome. This month we will create splatter art and use it to make creepy monsters. Registration is requested, but walk-ins are welcome as space and supplies allow.
Register for Paint Splatter Monsters
Families
Family Storytime: Spooky Monsters!
Thursday, October 1, 6:30-7 p.m.
Foothills Library
Join Miss Holly for a Halloween-themed family storytime session, open to kids ages birth to 5 years. Engage in interactive activities such as stories, songs, and props. Explore the joys of reading while having fun with the family!
Pumpkin Patch
October 17 through October 31
Heroes Regional Park Library
Welcome to our pumpkin patch! Families and kids can stop by the Youth Area to decorate a paper pumpkin for our community pumpkin patch wall. Help us grow a colorful patch this fall!
Boo Bash!
Monday, October 26, 4-5 p.m.
Foothills Library
Celebrate the Halloween season in the Foothills Youth Department and Patio for some scary cool fun! Come dressed in your Halloween best and take part in games and crafts that the whole family can enjoy.
Family Night: Felt Zombie Friends
Monday, October 26, 6-7:30 p.m.
Main Library
Zombies aren't typically cute and snuggly, until now! We're breaking out the felt and buttons to create some adorable little "walkers." Registration is required. Please register all family members who will be attending. This program is for a parent or person over 18 in attendance with a child, ages 8 and up.
Register for Felt Zombie Friends
Adults (18+)
Heroes Art & Craft Workshop: Spooky & Soft - Halloween Felt Friends
Thursday, October 8, 6-7 p.m.
or
Wednesday, October 14, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Heroes Regional Park Library
Craft your own Halloween companion! Using quilting, sewing, and felting techniques with soft plush fabric and stuffing, you will create a one-of-a-kind stuffed character, perfect for festive decor or a handmade gift. All skill levels are welcome. Registration is required. Please register for only one session. This program is for ages 18 and older.
Register for Halloween Felt Friends: Session One
Register for Halloween Felt Friends: Session Two
Adult Craft: Spiderweb Embroidery
Tuesday, October 13, 2-4 p.m.
Foothills Library
This month, we will use embroidery techniques to create spiderweb art. Registration is required. Space and supplies are limited for this program, so please register each participant individually.
Register for Spiderweb Embroidery
Adults & Teens (12+)
Monsters and Pathogens
Monday, October 26, 6-7 p.m.
Main Library
Ever wondered why we’re terrified of monsters … and germs? Join Professor Dave Engelthaler, Executive Director of ASU Health Observatory, for a spine-tingling dive into the creepy connection between pathogens and pop culture monsters. From werewolves to Dracula, mummies to … yes, zombies, early fears of infectious diseases gave birth to the monsters we love to fear. Prepare for scares, science, and a few “eww, germs!” moments. Your monsters might just be … microscopic. This presentation is designed for both adults and teens, ages 12+.
Arizona Haunted Cemeteries
Thursday, October 29, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Foothills Library
Join Arizona author and paranormal researcher Jethro Blanch for an engaging presentation drawn from his book Haunted Arizona Deadly Graveyards. This talk explores true stories connected to Arizona cemeteries, weaving together local history, documented events, and reported paranormal experiences. This presentation is designed for both adults and teens, ages 12+.
Teens (12-18)
Fright Fight
Throughout October
Heroes Regional Park Library
It’s time for the ultimate showdown of screams! Stop by the Teen Space and vote each week in our Fright Fight bracket as your favorite horror characters go head-to-head. Who will survive until the end?
Teen Makers: Light-up Haunted Paintings
Monday, October 19, 6-7:30 p.m.
Foothills Library
Come explore different gadgets! Face building challenges, play with cool tech toys, and learn to use maker tools. Each month features a new project. This month, you'll create haunted paintings and use LED string lights to make your artwork shine.
Register for Light-up Haunted Paintings
Embroidered Felt Calavera Hangers
Thursday, October 22, 6-7:30 p.m.
Main Library
Create your own felt calavera hangers, colorful representations of life and celebration for Día de Muertos. Choose your materials and create your calavera while learning basic hand-sewing techniques. All materials will be provided for this program.
Teen Craft: Potion Bottles
Saturday, October 31, 1-2:30 p.m.
Heroes Regional Park Library
Come concoct a potion totally your own! Mix, fill, and decorate to design a potion that fits your unique vibe. Registration is required.
Register for Potion Bottles
Teens & Kids (10-18)
Ghost Pumpkin
Thursday, October 15, 6-7:30 p.m.
Civic Center Annex
(moved from Velma Teague Library)
Give your pumpkin a haunted makeover! Use air-dry clay to cover and sculpt your pumpkin into a spooky, silly, cute, or creepy ghost.
Register for Ghost Pumpkin
Kids
Crafty Kids: Recycled Monster Rolls!
Thursday, October 8, 4-5 p.m.
Main Library
Create your own monster using various craft supplies. This first-come, first-served program is geared toward school-aged children, ages 5-11. Younger children are welcome to join with the assistance of their adult.
Tween Art-repreneurs: Sewn Pocket Monsters
Thursday, October 8, 6-7 p.m.
Foothills Library
Looking to get artsy? Join us monthly to try out new projects, whether it's painting, crafting, or something unique! This month, learn basic sewing techniques and design your very own pocket monster out of fabric scraps. This program is open to ages 9-11. Registration is requested as space and supplies are limited. Please register each tween individually.
Register for Sewn Pocket Monsters
Collage Jack-o'-Lanterns
Thursday, October 8, 6-7:30 p.m.
Civic Center Annex
(moved from Velma Teague Library)
Create a goofy grinning gourd to celebrate spooky season! This program is intended for ages 3-12. Registration is required. If registering more than one child, please sign up each one individually.
Register for Collage Jack-o'-Lanterns
DIY Flying Bat Mobile
Thursday, October 15, 4-5 p.m.
Main Library
Celebrate Bat Appreciation Month with a fun, hands-on workshop! Design and build your own bat mobile hangers while discovering cool physics concepts like tension, equilibrium, and counterweights. This program is designed for ages 9-12. All materials will be provided.
Tween Craft: Ghost Garland
Wednesday, October 21, 2-3 p.m.
Heroes Regional Park Library
Celebrate spooky season by making your own ghost garland! This program is designed for ages 9-11. Registration is required.
Register for Ghost Garland
Spiders in the Garden!
Thursday, October 22, 4-5 p.m.
Main Library
We’re breaking the “Eww, a gross spider!” myth and exploring the truth about misunderstood arachnids! Join us with the Glendale Water Conservation Department for hands-on STEM activities, and a fun craft. Come discover how spiders help our environment and leave with new facts, new skills, and something you made yourself. This first-come, first-served program is geared toward school-aged children, ages 5-11. Younger children are welcome to join with the assistance of their adult. This program is sponsored by the Glendale Water Services Department.
Tween Tinkerers: Floating Clay Ghosts!
Thursday, October 22, 6-7 p.m.
Foothills Library
Join us monthly to get creative, work with your hands, and experiment! This month we will create mini clay ghosts, then suspend them in jars. Your complete project will be a spooky illusion of flying ghosts. This program is open to tweens, ages 9-11. Registration is requested as space and supplies are limited. Please register each tween individually.
Register for Floating Clay Ghosts
Not Beary Scary
Tuesday, October 27, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Main Library
All set for Halloween? We are! And we're looking forward to seeing you at our Not "Beary" Scary Halloween event for preschoolers, toddlers, and their caregivers. Come in costume if you'd like, and join us for games, crafts, and a short storytime!
All events at the Glendale Public Library are public, and participants may be photographed by the media and/or City staff for future print and/or online publication.