We rounded up the best autumn-inspired events happening across America that celebrate local foods, traditions, and cultures. Whether you’re planning a leaf peeping trip, last-minute vacation, or want to stay close to home these fall festivals will inspire a special day out with friends or family.
1) Duluth Fall Festival
Where: Duluth, Georgia
When: September 29-30, 2018
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.
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2) Ellicottville Fall Festival
Where: Ellicottville, New York
When: October 6-7, 2018
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.
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3) Sever’s Corn Maze and Fall Festival
Where: Shakopee, Minnesota
When: September 7-October 28, 2018
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.
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RELATED: The Best Corn Mazes Across America
4) Leavenworth Oktoberfest
Where: Leavenworth, Washington
When: October 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20, 2018
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.
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5) New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival
Where: Laconia, New Hampshire
When: October 12-13, 2018
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.
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RELATED: The Best Pumpkin Farms to Visit This Fall
6) Breckenridge Oktoberfest
Where: Breckenridge, Colorado
When: September 7-9, 2018
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.
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7) Circleville Pumpkin Show
Where: Circleville, Ohio
When: October 17-20, 2018
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.
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8) Country Living Fair
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.
COLUMBUS, OHIO
Where: Ohio Village
When: September 14-16, 2018, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day
For more information, visit countryliving.com.
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Where: Stone Mountain Park
When: October 26-28, 2018, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily.
For more information, visit countryliving.com.
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9) Trailing of the Sheep Festival
Where: Sun Valley, Ketchum, and Hailey, Idaho
When: October 10-14, 2018
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.
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10) Adirondack Balloon Festival
Where: Glens Falls, New York
When: September 20-23, 2018
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.
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11) Cranberry Harvest Fest
Where: Wareham, Massachusetts
When: October 6-7, 2018
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.
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12) Autumn at the Arboretum
Where: Dallas, Texas
When: September 22-October 31, 2018
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.
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13) Madison County Covered Bridge Festival
Where: Winterset, Iowa
When: October 14-15, 2018
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 mccoveredbridgefestival.org.
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14) Sonoma County Harvest Fair
Where: Sonoma, California
When: October 6-7, 2018
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.
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15) Scarecrow Festival
Where: St. Charles, Illinois
When: October 5-7, 2018
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.
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16) North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival
Where: Whiteville, North Carolina
When: October 26-November 3, 2018
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.
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RELATED: Pecan Pie Recipes That Will Blow Your Taste Buds Away
17) Kona Coffee Cultural Fest
Where: Kona, Hawaii
When: November 9-18, 2018
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.
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18) Hood River Valley Harvest Fest
Where: Hood River, Oregon
When: October 12-14, 2018
What to expect: Seasonal food, local arts, live music, and family-friendly activities.
For more information, visit hoodriver.org.
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19) Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
Where: Cincinnati, Ohio
When: September 21-23, 2018
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.
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20) National Apple Harvest Festival
Where: Arendtsville, Pennsylvania
When: October 6-7 and 13-14, 2018
What to expect: This festival is a total dream come true for anyone who loves apple picking season.
For more information, visit appleharvest.com.
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RELATED: Absolutely Delicious Apple Desserts
21) Warrens Cranberry Festival
Where: Warrens, Wisconsin
When: September 28-30, 2018
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.
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22) Heritage Harvest Festival at Monticello
Where: Monticello, Virginia
When: September 22, 2018
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.
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23) Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival
Where: Stowe, Vermont
When: September 30, 2018
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.
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24) Fall for Greenville
Where: Greenville, South Carolina
When: October 12-14, 2018
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.
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25) Acadia Night Sky Festival
Where: Acadia National Park, Maine
When: September 5-9, 2018
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.
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