Fall Festivals

 Best Fall Festivals and Fairs Across the United States

These fall and harvest festivals are the best way to celebrate the season. One of the best things about fall? You’re never pressed for fun things to do, be it something as simple as a nature walk or adventurous as a foliage train ride. With tidings of cooler temps and cozy dinners also comes an influx of autumn-inspired events across the country, all dedicated to celebrating the season. Whether you frequent an October festival close to home and want to branch away, or don’t know where to start to look in your area, we rounded up the best fall festivals happening across America. No matter which locale(s) you choose, prepare to immerse yourself in local foods, traditions, and cultures.  On the East Coast, you can indulge in new England’s finest fare at Maine’s annual Harvest on the Harbor, or face your fear of heights for primo hot air balloons during the Adirondack Balloon Festival event. You also won’t be sorry for heading to the North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival or the Circleville Pumpkin Show in Ohio for unbeatable fall treats and outdoor entertainment. And don’t forget to swing by our very own Country Living Fairs in Columbus, Ohio and Atlanta, Georgia! If you’re planning a leaf peeping trip, a last-minute vacation, or just want to stay close to home, these fall festivals will inspire a special day out with friends or family.

1 Color Cruise and Island Festival

Where: Grand Ledge, Michigan

When: October 11-13, 2019

What to expect: Strengthen your sea legs, because it truly doesn't get any better than leaf-peeping from a boat (think Mother Nature's best foliage hues reflected in the water). Visitors to this longstanding festival can enjoy fall views while riding up and down the river, or cater to the other senses on the mainland with live folk music and warm, hearty fare.  For more information, visit grandledgechamber.com.

2 Coconut Grove Pumpkin Patch Festival

Where: Miami, Florida

When: October 26-27, 2019

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. But that's hardly all—spend the weekend playing bumper cars at the carnival, taking a stab at the corn maze (if you dare), and, of course, making multiple visits to the pumpkin food court and beer bars.  For more information, visit coconutgrovepumpkinpatch.com.

3 Harvest on the Harbor

Where: Portland, Maine

When: October 17-20, 2019

What to expect: What initially started as a celebration of Portland's up-and-coming food scene has now multiplied into a fully-fledged fest, local ciders and spirits and all. The three-day event—held in the famed "Foodiest Small Town in America"—attracts thousands thanks to its handful of acclaimed Maine eateries and locally-sourced beverages. If the beautiful fall foliage isn't enough to lure you to the East Coast, this should do the trick.  For more information, visit harvestontheharbor.com.

4 Murphysboro Apple Festival

Where: Murphysboro, Illinois

When: Dates haven't been released yet.

What to expect: Commemorate 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.

5 Duluth Fall Festival

Where: Duluth, Georgia

When: September 28-29, 2019

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.

6  Ellicottville Fall Festival

Where: Ellicottville, New York

When: October 12-13, 2019

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.

7 Sever’s Corn Maze and Fall Festival

Where: Shakopee, Minnesota

When: Date hasn't been released yet

What to expect: Bring the whole family to this annual event to see incredible pumpkin sculptures and art installations, live music, and their 2018 “Under the Sea corn maze.  For more information, visit seversfallfestival.com.

8  Leavenworth Oktoberfest

Where: Leavenworth, Washington

When: October 4-5, 11-12, and 18-19, 2019

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 leavenworthoktoberfest.com.

9 New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival

Where: Laconia, New Hampshire

When: October 18-19, 2019

What to expect: This epic weekend typically attracts 40,000+ visitors who come for the live music, beer garden, kid-friendly activities, and iconic jack-o'-lantern tower. For more information, visit nhpumpkinfestival.com.

10 Breckenridge Oktoberfest 

Where: Breckenridge, Colorado

When: September 6-8, 2019

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.

11  Circleville Pumpkin Show 

Where: Circleville, Ohio

When: October 16-19, 2019

What to expect: Parades and delicious fall treats. Plus, more than 10,000 pounds of pumpkins, squash, and gourds beautifying the streets! For more information, visit pumpkinshow.com.

12 Country Living Fair

Where: Ohio Village 

When: September 13-15, 2019, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day

What to expect: Our Country Living Fair continues this fall in two great locations featuring local vendors (like Berries in the Meadow shown here), seminars and demonstrations, delicious food, and a chance to meet our editors.

Where: Stone Mountain Park

When: October 25-27, 2019, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily.

13 Trailing of the Sheep Festival

Where: Sun Valley, Ketchum, and Hailey, Idaho

When: October 9-13, 2019

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.

14 Adirondack Balloon Festival 

Where: Glens Falls, New York

When: September 19-22, 2019

What to expect: Ride in a hot air balloon, or watch from below as bright colors light up the Adirondacks. For more information, visit adirondackballoonfest.org.

15 Cranberry Harvest Fest 

Where: Wareham, Massachusetts

When: Dates haven't been released yet.

What to expect: A bright and colorful harvest on display, helicopter rides or tours of the surrounding bogs, cooking demonstrations, a farmers' market, and activities for the whole family. For more information, visit cranberries.org.

16 Autumn at the Arboretum 

Where: Dallas, Texas

When: Dates haven't been released yet.

What to expect: The highlight of this ongoing event is the pumpkin village, made out of 75,000 pumpkins, squash, and gourds. For more information, visit dallasarboretum.org.

17 Madison County Covered Bridge Festival 

Where: Winterset, Iowa

When: October 12-13, 2019

What to expect: Celebrate the cultural heritage of Madison County's six covered bridges—five of which are on the National Register of Historic Places—with a parade, games, and entertainment. For more information, visit madisoncounty.com.

18 Sonoma County Harvest Fair 

Where: Sonoma, California

When: October 4-5, 2019

What to expect: Award-winning wines, winery competitions, cow-milking contests, and best of all, the World Championship Grape Stomp, where participants of all ages can join in. For more information, visit harvestfair.org.

19 Scarecrow Festival

Where: St. Charles, Illinois

When: October 11-13, 2019

What to expect: Vote for your favorite hand-crafted scarecrow while enjoying live music, a crafts show, carnival, and petting zoo. For more information, visit scarecrowfest.com.

20 North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival 

Where: Whiteville, North Carolina

When: November 2, 2019

What to expect: Parades, musical entertaining, and house tours abound in the town known as one of the top pecan producers in the state. For more information, visit ncpecanfestival.com.

21 Kona Coffee Cultural Fest

Where: Kona, Hawaii

When: November 1-10, 2019

What to expect: The oldest food festival in Hawaii celebrates the state's coffee pioneers, farmers, and artisans with farm tours, art shows, and a coffee cupping competition. For more information, visit konacoffeefest.com.

22 Hood River Valley Harvest Fest

Where: Hood River, Oregon

When: October 11-13, 2019

What to expect: Seasonal food, local arts, live music, and family-friendly activities. For more information, visit hoodriver.org.

23 Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 

Where: Cincinnati, Ohio

When: September 20-22, 2019

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.

24 National Apple Harvest Festival

Where: Arendtsville, Pennsylvania

When: October 5-6 and 12-13, 2019

What to expect: This festival is a total dream come true for anyone who loves apple picking season. For more information, visit appleharvest.com.

26 Warrens Cranberry Festival

Where: Warrens, Wisconsin

When: September 27-29, 2019

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.

27 Heritage Harvest Festival at Monticello

Where: Monticello, Virginia

When: September 21, 2019

What to expect: Garden tours, fruit and vegetable tastings, and gardening lessons to celebrate Thomas Jefferson's legacy as America's "first foodie." For more information, visit heritageharvestfestival.com.

28 Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival

Where: Stowe, Vermont

When: September 29, 2019

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.

29 Fall for Greenville

Where: Greenville, South Carolina

When: October 11-13, 2019

What to expect: A selection of dishes from over 40 of Greenville's restaurants, which can be enjoyed while listening to live music. For more information, visit fallforgreenville.net.

30 Acadia Night Sky Festival

Where: Acadia National Park, Maine

When: September 25-29, 2019

What to expect: Ever look up at night in search of stars? This unique festival celebrates the park's starry night skies with events such as kayaking tours and photography workshops.  For more information, visit acadianightskyfestival.com.

https://www.countryliving.com/life/travel/g2588/best-fall-festivals/