Finding Your Perfect Fall Festival
Choosing the right fall festival depends on your interests. Are you a foodie seeking pumpkin spice everything? A thrill-seeker looking for haunted houses? Or perhaps you're searching for family-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy? This list caters to a wide range of preferences, ensuring there's a perfect fall celebration for everyone. Consider the travel distance, the festival's duration, and the specific attractions offered when making your selection. Remember to check the festival's official website for the most up-to-date information on dates, times, and ticket prices.
Here's a comprehensive breakdown of the best fall festivals in each state:
State Festival Name Location Why It's the Best Alabama National Peanut Festival Dothan A celebration of the peanut harvest with amusement rides, agricultural exhibits, and live music. Known for its family-friendly atmosphere and delicious peanut-themed treats. Perfect for those looking to experience a truly Southern agricultural festival. Alaska Alaska State Fair Palmer Showcases Alaska's unique agricultural prowess with giant vegetables, livestock exhibits, and local crafts. A great way to experience Alaskan culture and sample local delicacies. The sheer size of the produce grown here is a sight to behold! Arizona Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party Queen Creek Features a pumpkin patch, corn maze, amusement park rides, and pig races. A classic fall experience with something for everyone in the family. Known for its engaging activities and festive atmosphere. Arkansas King Biscuit Blues Festival Helena A legendary blues music festival set against the backdrop of the Mississippi River. A unique blend of music, culture, and Southern heritage. Celebrates the rich musical history of the region. California Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival Half Moon Bay Features a giant pumpkin weigh-off, arts and crafts vendors, live music, and delicious pumpkin-themed food. A quintessential California fall experience with a focus on art and agriculture. Enjoy the coastal scenery while celebrating the season. Colorado Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms Littleton A family-friendly festival with a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hay rides, and other fall-themed activities. Perfect for a day of outdoor fun and pumpkin picking. Located near Denver, making it easily accessible. Connecticut Apple Harvest Festival Southington Celebrates the apple harvest with a parade, crafts fair, amusement rides, and apple-themed food. A classic New England fall festival with a strong sense of community. Enjoy the crisp autumn air and the sweet taste of apples. Delaware Sea Witch Festival Rehoboth Beach & Dewey Beach A quirky and fun festival with a costume parade, dog parade, and other Halloween-themed activities. A unique blend of beach culture and spooky celebrations. Perfect for those who enjoy a bit of whimsy. Florida Scream-A-Geddon Horror Park Dade City A terrifying haunted attraction with multiple haunted houses, scare zones, and interactive experiences. A must-visit for thrill-seekers looking for a good scare. Prepare to be terrified! Georgia Helen Oktoberfest Helen An authentic German Oktoberfest celebration with traditional food, beer, music, and dancing. Experience the Bavarian spirit in the heart of the Georgia mountains. A fun and festive celebration of German culture. Hawaii Aloha Festivals Oahu A celebration of Hawaiian culture with parades, music, dance, and traditional crafts. Experience the vibrant spirit of the islands and learn about Hawaiian traditions. A unique and unforgettable cultural experience. (Note: While technically a celebration spanning several weeks, the peak falls within the early autumn season). Idaho Idaho Potato Harvest Festival Blackfoot A celebration of the potato harvest with a parade, potato-themed contests, and live music. A quirky and fun festival that showcases Idaho's most famous crop. Get ready for some serious potato appreciation! Illinois Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival Highwood A pumpkin-carving extravaganza with thousands of carved pumpkins on display. A visually stunning event that supports a good cause. Witness the artistry and creativity of pumpkin carving. Indiana Parke County Covered Bridge Festival Rockville Celebrates the county's historic covered bridges with craft fairs, food vendors, and scenic drives. A charming and picturesque festival that showcases the beauty of Indiana's countryside. Perfect for a relaxing fall getaway. Iowa Ames Strawberriese Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze Ames A classic pumpkin patch with hay rides, corn maze, petting zoo and more. It has all you need for some wholesome family fall fun. Kansas Louisburg Cider Mill Ciderfest Louisburg Enjoy watching cider being pressed, plus hayrides, a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and more. Live music and craft booths add to the festival atmosphere. Kentucky Kentucky Bourbon Festival Bardstown A celebration of Kentucky's famous bourbon with tastings, tours, and live music. A must-visit for bourbon enthusiasts. Experience the history and craftsmanship of bourbon making. Louisiana Voodoo Music + Arts Experience New Orleans A music festival with diverse line up of artists. Typically Halloween weekend, it is spooky fun for music lovers. Maine Freeport Fall Festival Freeport Showcases the local artisans and craftsmen of the Maine area, with demonstrations of their work and live musical acts. Maryland Maryland Renaissance Festival Crownsville Although it starts in August, it goes through late October. This is a full immersion back in time with costumes, shows, and games. Massachusetts Wellfleet OysterFest Wellfleet Celebrates the town's famous oysters with food vendors, live music, and oyster shucking contests. A must-visit for seafood lovers. Enjoy the fresh taste of the ocean. Michigan Blake's Big Apple Armada A huge apple orchard with apple picking, cider donuts, a haunted village, and other fall activities. A fun and festive destination for the whole family. Enjoy the best of Michigan's apple harvest. Minnesota Valleyfair ValleyScare Shakopee A haunted amusement park with multiple haunted houses, scare zones, and thrilling rides. A terrifying experience for thrill-seekers. Prepare for a night of screams and scares. Mississippi Natchez Balloon Festival Natchez Features hot air balloon rides, live music, and arts and crafts vendors. A visually stunning event that celebrates the beauty of flight. Enjoy the scenic views of the Mississippi River from above. Missouri Silver Dollar City's Harvest Festival Branson A theme park festival with craft demonstrations, fall-themed shows, and delicious seasonal food. A fun and immersive experience for the whole family. Enjoy the beauty of the Ozark Mountains. Montana Great Northwest Oktoberfest Whitefish Bavarian celebration with beer, food, music and dancing. In a state where the mountains meet beer, you will find fall festivities. Nebraska Arbor Day Farm AppleJack Festival Nebraska City An apple celebration with a cider mill, orchard tours, and apple-themed activities. A family-friendly festival in the birthplace of Arbor Day. Enjoy the sweet taste of apples and the beauty of the fall foliage. Nevada Las Vegas Farm's Fall Harvest Festival Las Vegas A fun family festival with a pumpkin patch, carnival games and corn maze. A great way to enjoy the outdoors. New Hampshire The Keene Pumpkin Festival Keene A celebration of pumpkin carving. Has pumpkin themed fun for the family! New Jersey Asbury Park Zombie Walk Asbury Park A costumed walk for zombies. A great way to immerse yourself into the Halloween spirit. New Mexico Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Albuquerque A visual display of hot air balloons floating over the city. It is something to be seen. New York The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze Croton-on-Hudson An incredible display of thousands of hand-carved pumpkins arranged into artistic displays. A visually stunning and magical experience. A must-see for pumpkin lovers. North Carolina Woolly Worm Festival Banner Elk Based around a woolly worm, this has been a tradition since 1978. Vendors and craft activities are available. North Dakota Pride of Dakota Harvest Showcase Bismarck This show has artisans and more for the locals to show off! Ohio Circleville Pumpkin Show Circleville An amazing pumpkin themed show. All the food is pumpkin spiced. Oklahoma Oklahoma State Fair Oklahoma City A great way to see what agriculture and city life can mesh into. Oregon West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta Tualatin Watch people race in giant pumpkins! It is a fun and interesting experience! Pennsylvania Longwood Gardens Autumn's Colors Kennett Square A beautiful display of fall colors and seasonal flowers in a stunning botanical garden. A serene and inspiring experience. Perfect for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts. Rhode Island Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular Providence Thousands of pumpkins on display, carved into various scenes. A memorable autumn event! South Carolina South Carolina State Fair Columbia A celebration of agriculture and community with rides, food, and exhibits. There is a lot to do for the whole family! South Dakota Wildlife Loop Arts and Crafts Festival Custer State Park Local Native American vendors come together to make art and crafts to celebrate the history and traditions. Tennessee Fall Creek Falls State Park Mountaineer Folk Festival Pikeville Celebrates mountain traditions and is the longest running festival of that kind in Tennessee. Enjoy the nature! Texas State Fair of Texas Dallas A large state fair in Texas with all the fried foods and shows you can find! Utah Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point Lehi A large family-friendly activity with mazes and fun games. Vermont Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival Stowe A pumpkin event where you can see pumpkin launching! Virginia Cox Farms Fall Festival Centreville Fall festival on a family farm with hayrides and games. Washington Leavenworth Oktoberfest Leavenworth A Bavarian-themed village in the mountains with beer and food. West Virginia Bridge Day Fayetteville Sky divers and vendors fill the New River Gorge Bridge for this festival. Wisconsin Warrens Cranberry Festival Warrens A cranberry festival in the state that harvest them the most. Wyoming Wyoming State Fair & Rodeo Douglas Although it starts in August, it goes into mid-September. Come ride with cowboys!
