Autumn is the season of harvest and bounty It’s a time when pumpkins are aplenty, the leaves turn glorious shades of orange, red, and yellow, and there’s a chill in the air that signals a change is coming It’s also the perfect time to celebrate with family and friends at a fall festival If you’re wondering where to go, check out these amazing fall festivals near you.
1 The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze: Croton-on-Hudson, NY
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is an annual Halloween event that runs from mid-September to early November Held at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, this festival showcases over 7,000 intricately carved pumpkins that are arranged in a variety of themes From a spooky graveyard to a fairytale castle, there’s something for everyone There are also live music performances, food vendors, and tours of the manor.
2 The Festival of Pumpkins: Franklin, TN
The Festival of Pumpkins is a family-friendly event held every October in the city of Franklin, TN With a wide variety of activities for all ages, this festival offers pumpkin carving, face painting, bounce houses, and more There’s also live entertainment, food trucks, and beer gardens And if you’re looking for a great photo opportunity, check out the pumpkin patch, where you can pick out your own pumpkin.
3 The Fall Foliage Festival: Bedford, PA
The Fall Foliage Festival is a two-weekend event held annually in early October in the charming town of Bedford, PA The festival features over 400 vendors showcasing handmade crafts, jewelry, and clothes There’s also a popular food court that serves up delicious local fare And of course, you can’t miss the stunning fall foliage, which is at its peak during the festival.
4 AppleFest: Franklin, NC
AppleFest is a celebration of all things apple Held annually in downtown Franklin, NC, this festival features over 200 vendors selling different types of apples, apple cider, apple butter, and all sorts of apple-based treats There’s also live entertainment, a petting zoo, and a car show fall festivals near me. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try your hand at the apple pie baking contest.
5 Pumpkin Festival: Keene, NH
The Pumpkin Festival in Keene, NH is one of the biggest fall festivals in New England Every year, over 80,000 visitors come to this festival to see the giant pumpkins that are on display on Main Street There are also lots of activities for the whole family, including carnival rides, live music, craft vendors, and food trucks And if you’re feeling competitive, try your hand at the pumpkin carving or pumpkin canoe races.
6 Oktoberfest: Helen, GA
Oktoberfest is a German celebration that takes place in late September and early October One of the best places to celebrate this festival in the United States is in Helen, GA This charming Bavarian-style village hosts an authentic Oktoberfest which includes beer gardens, live polka bands, and lots of German delicacies There’s also a parade, a craft fair, and a weiner dog race, among other activities.
7 The North Carolina State Fair: Raleigh, NC
The North Carolina State Fair is one of the oldest and largest state fairs in the country This event takes place over 11 days in late October and early November, featuring over 100 rides, live music, livestock exhibitions, and of course, all the delicious fried foods you can imagine There’s also a large competition area where you can see everything from the largest pumpkin to the best apple pie.
8 The Fall Harvest Festival: Napa Valley, CA
The Fall Harvest Festival in Napa Valley, CA is a celebration of all things wine Held annually in late September and early October, this festival offers wine tastings, grape stomping, food vendors, and live music It’s also a great time to visit some of the region’s famous wineries, as many offer special tours and tastings during the festival.
No matter where you live, there’s a fall festival near you that’s worth checking out From pumpkin patches to parades, from apple picking to wine tasting, there’s something for everyone So grab your family and friends, put on your cozy sweaters, and enjoy the colors and flavors of autumn