32 Best Fall Festivals and Fairs Across the United States
These fall and harvest festivals are the best way to celebrate the season.
Fall is one of the most magical times of the year! One of the fabulous things about autumn? You’re never without fun things to do! Whether it's something as simple as a nature walk or adventurous as a haunted hayride, you'll find countless exciting activities and fall festivals to get into solo or with a group of your nearest and dearest. With the shifting of weather from the sweltering summer heat to the easygoing cool temperatures of fall, cozy dinners and outdoorsy events comes with an influx of autumn-inspired events across the country, all dedicated to celebrating the season.
Whether you typically frequent October festivals close to home or want to branch out to something a little out of the ordinary, we've rounded up the best fall festivals happening across America. No matter which locale(s) you choose, prepare to immerse yourself in the beauty of rich local foods, traditions, and cultures.
You can take in the work of artists who've created work from more than 7,000 carved pumpkins during the Great Jack o'Lantern Blaze in New York or get a bird's eye view of the foliage during the Natchez Balloon Festival in Mississippi. Of course, there are also lots of unbeatable fall treats to be tried, from the signature fruit at the National Apple Harvest Festival in Pennsylvania to craft brews at Wenatchee, Washington's Projekt Bayern Oktoberfest. If you’re planning a leaf peeping trip, a last-minute vacation, or just want to stay close to home, these exciting fall festivals will inspire a special day out with friends or family to celebrate the beauty of fall. Read on to learn about 31 of the best fall festivals and fairs across America!
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Murphysboro Apple Festival
Where: Murphysboro, Illinois
When: September 13-17, 2023
What to expect: This Illinois apple festival turns 72 this year, commemorating the local harvest with carnival rides, an arts and crafts fair, and lots of apples. For the strong-stomached, there's even an apple pie-eating contest.
For more information, visit enjoyillinois.com.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
Where: Cincinnati, Ohio
When: September 14-17, 2023
What to expect: Experience southwest Ohio's rich German heritage with authentic food, music, and beer at the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the U.S.
For more information, visit oktoberfestzinzinnati.com.
The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze
Where: Croton-on-Hudson, New York
When: September 15-17, 22-24, 27-30, 2023; October 1-31, 2023; November 1-5, 8-12, 17-19, 2023
What to Expect: Wander the grounds of historic Van Cortlandt Manor to take in the gourdgeous designs created from more than 7,000 jack-o'-lanterns.
For more information, visit hudsonvalley.org.
Breckenridge Oktoberfest
Where: Breckenridge, Colorado
When: September 15-17, 2023
What to expect: A Munich-style street party in the mountains complete with "oompah" dancers, schnitzel, and traditional polka music.
For more information, visit gobreck.com.
Sever’s Corn Maze and Fall Festival
Where: Shakopee, Minnesota
When: September 16 - October 29, 2023 (Saturdays and Sundays)
What to expect: Bring the whole family to this annual event to see incredible pumpkin sculptures and art installations, and live music. You'll also find the largest corn maze in the state.
For more information, visit seversfallfestival.com.
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Where: Queensbury, New York
When: September 21-24, 2023
What to expect: Ride in a hot air balloon, or watch from below as bright colors light up the sky in the Adirondacks during the 50th year celebration!
For more information, visit adirondackballoonfest.org.
Warrens Cranberry Festival
Where: Warrens, Wisconsin
When: September 22-24 2023
What to expect: The world's largest cranberry fest has become an international event with over 100,000 yearly visitors, thanks to marsh tours, local shopping, contests, seasonal treats and a parade.
For more information, visit cranfest.com.
Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta
Where: Santa Fe, New Mexico
When: September 27-October 1, 2023
What to expect: This year's 30th anniversary celebration features special dinners at area wineries, cooking demos and, of course, a grand tasting.
For more information, visit santafewineandchile.org.
Junkstock
Where: Waterloo, NE
When: September 29-October 1 and October 6-8, 2023
What to expect: You'll be enchanted by this autumn extravaganza! The family and pet-friendly event features 250 vintage vendors and makers from 28 states across the US, over 40 food trucks and artisan food vendors, 13 bands, adult beverages, and much more. Plus: peruse the festival grounds to see a giant 15 foot x 15 foot pumpkin house made with real pumpkins at the shopping area and savor apple cider donuts, pumpkin spice delights, and bonfires.
For more information, visit junkstock.com.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Projekt Bayern Oktoberfest
Where: Wenatchee, Washington
When: September 29-30, 2023; October 6-7, 13-14, 2023
What to expect: Throughout the month of October, this quaint, Bavarian-style small town in Washington offers Oktoberfest activities, food, and live music in tents and outdoor spaces around town.
For more information, visit oktoberfestprojektbayern.com.
Duluth Fall Festival
Where: Duluth, Georgia
When: September 30-October 1, 2023
What to expect: Established to promote fellowship and raise funds for their historic community, the Duluth Fall Festival is a town-wide celebration. Get ready for concerts, carnival rides, parades, plenty of shopping—and the real star of the show—the local fare.
For more information, visit duluthfallfestival.org.
Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival
Where: Stowe, Vermont
When: October 1, 2023
What to expect: Three rounds of competitive "pumpkin chucking" where people of all ages launch pumpkins as far as they can using trebuchets.
For more information, visit vtpumpkinchuckin.blogspot.com.
Trailing of the Sheep Festival
Where: Sun Valley, Ketchum, and Hailey, Idaho
When: October 4-8, 2023
What to expect: This town has turned its annual relocation of livestock from the mountains to their winter pasture into a reason to celebrate. Watch on as the streets fill with sheep!
For more information, visit trailingofthesheep.org.
Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta
Where: Damariscotta, ME
When: October 6-9, 2023
What to expect: Get ready for a weekend of strolling downtown to see dozens of colorful pumpkins and foliage displays from regional artists and stop by the pumpkin water races with costumed competitors on the river and a great pumpkin weigh-off.
For more information, visit mainepumpkinfest.com.
Scarecrow Festival
Where: St. Charles, Illinois
When: October 6-8, 2023
What to expect: Vote for your favorite hand-crafted scarecrow and enjoy a Family Zone with live entertainment and kid-friendly activities, a festive photo op area, and the Autumn on the Fox Craft Show in Pottawatomie Park.
For more information, visit scarecrowfest.com.
National Apple Harvest Festival
Where: Arendtsville, Pennsylvania
When: October 7-8 & 14-15, 2023
What to expect: This festival is a total dream come true for anyone who loves apple picking season. You'll find booth after booth of apple treats, as well as festival fun like hay rides, puppet shows, and a petting zoo.
For more information, visit appleharvest.com.
Bedford Fall Foliage Festival
Where: Bedford, Pennsylvania
When: October 7-8 & 14-15, 2023
What to expect: Held in Bedford's historic downtown in the hills of central Pennsylvania, this two-weekend event features arts and crafts from more than 400 vendors, an antique car parade, live music, and activities for the whole family, like scarecrow making.
For more information, visit bedfordfallfoliagefestival.com
Ellicottville Fall Festival
Where: Ellicottville, New York
When: October 7-8, 2023
What to expect: Timed perfectly to western New York’s peak foliage, this festival, which also features food, live entertainment, and carnival rides, is the perfect excuse to get outdoors and take in the autumnal vistas.
For more information, visit ellicottvilleny.com.
Fall for Greenville
Where: Greenville, South Carolina
When: October 13-15, 2023
What to expect: A selection of dishes from over 40 of Greenville's restaurants, enjoyed while listening to live music and shopping local arts and crafts.
For more information, visit fallforgreenville.net.
Boca Pumpkin Patch Festival
Where: Boca Raton, Florida
When: October 13-15
What to expect: As evidenced by the name, the annual family-friendly event means thousands of pumpkins in every shape and size, ripe for the picking in a giant patch at the epicenter of all the action with more than 2,500 pumpkins. But that's hardly all—spend the weekend at a fun all-ages carnival, a kiddie cornstalk maze, a scarecrow dress-up village, and, of course, checking out the tasty eats and drinks at the pumpkin food court and beer bars. Plus, the events has giveaways and beautiful instagrammable fall photo vignettes.
For more information, visit bocapumpkinpatch.com.
Janece Maze is Associate Editor at Country Living, where she covers DIY projects, gardening, and travel. When she’s not in the kitchen creating a new recipe with farm fresh ingredients, you can find her on the road heading to a music festival or browsing a local consignment shop.
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