As autumn paints the landscape in vibrant hues of red, orange, and gold, communities across the United States come together to celebrate the bounty of the harvest season. These fall festivals offer a variety of activities, from pumpkin picking and apple bobbing to hayrides and corn mazes, providing a perfect blend of seasonal charm and family-friendly fun.
Here’s a look at 20 of the best places for fall harvest festivals in the U.S., each offering its unique take on autumnal celebrations.
The Great Pumpkin Farm Fall Festival, Clarence, New York
This expansive farm transforms into a fall wonderland every autumn, featuring one of the largest pumpkin patches in the country. Visitors can enjoy pumpkin picking, hayrides, corn mazes, and even witness pumpkin cannons in action during this six-week-long festival.
National Apple Harvest Festival, Arendtsville, Pennsylvania
Held in the heart of Pennsylvania’s apple country, this festival has been celebrating the fruit for over 50 years. Attendees can sample hundreds of apple varieties, enjoy live music, and watch demonstrations of traditional apple butter making.
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Harvest on the Harbor, Portland, Maine
This culinary festival showcases the best of Maine’s fall bounty, with a focus on seafood, locally grown produce, and craft beverages. Visitors can participate in chef competitions, attend cooking demonstrations, and indulge in gourmet tastings with stunning harbor views as a backdrop.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
America’s largest Oktoberfest celebration brings a taste of Bavaria to the Midwest, featuring German food, music, and, of course, plenty of beer. The festival’s highlights include the ‘Running of the Wieners’ dachshund race and the ‘World’s Largest Chicken Dance.’
Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show, Various Locations in California
This traveling festival visits multiple California cities throughout the fall, showcasing handmade crafts, art, and gourmet foods. Visitors can shop for unique gifts, enjoy live entertainment, and participate in hands-on craft demonstrations.
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New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival, Laconia, New Hampshire
This festival aims to break the world record for the most lit jack-o’-lanterns displayed, creating a spectacular sight of thousands of glowing pumpkins. Beyond the pumpkin display, the event features a zombie walk, pumpkin carving competitions, and a beer garden.
Warrens Cranberry Festival, Warrens, Wisconsin
As the world’s largest cranberry festival, this event celebrates the tart fruit with marsh tours, cooking demonstrations, and a sprawling flea market. Visitors can learn about cranberry cultivation, sample cranberry-inspired dishes, and shop from over 1,300 booths.
Hood River Valley Harvest Fest, Hood River, Oregon
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Columbia River Gorge, this festival showcases the region’s abundant fall harvest. Attendees can sample local wines and craft beers, shop for artisanal products, and enjoy live music while taking in the breathtaking autumn scenery.
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Autumn at the Arboretum, Dallas, Texas
The Dallas Arboretum transforms into a fall wonderland with its elaborate Pumpkin Village, featuring over 90,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash. Visitors can stroll through themed pumpkin displays, enjoy seasonal tea service, and attend fall gardening workshops.
Harvest Festival, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, New York
Held on the site of the 1969 Woodstock festival, this event combines harvest celebrations with a nod to the area’s musical history. The festival features local craft vendors, farm-to-table foods, and live performances set against the backdrop of the Catskill Mountains.
Fall Foliage Festival, Boothbay Railway Village, Boothbay, Maine
This quaint festival combines fall colors with vintage charm, featuring rides on a narrow-gauge steam train through the autumn landscape. Visitors can also enjoy traditional crafts demonstrations, antique car displays, and local food vendors.
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Harvest Festival at Bethlehem’s Colonial Industrial Quarter, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
This festival brings colonial America to life with historical reenactments and traditional craft demonstrations. Visitors can watch blacksmiths at work, try their hand at candle making, and sample hearty colonial-era fare.
National Shrimp Festival, Gulf Shores, Alabama
While not a traditional harvest festival, this seafood extravaganza celebrates the fall shrimping season on the Gulf Coast. The event features mountains of fresh shrimp prepared in countless ways, live music on multiple stages, and an impressive array of arts and crafts vendors.
Trailing of the Sheep Festival, Ketchum and Hailey, Idaho
This unique festival celebrates Idaho’s sheep ranching heritage and the annual migration of sheep from summer pastures. Visitors can watch sheep parades, attend sheep dog trials, and learn about wool crafts and sheep ranching history.
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Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta, Santa Fe, New Mexico
This festival combines New Mexico’s famous chile harvest with world-class wines for a spicy fall celebration. Attendees can participate in cooking demonstrations, wine seminars, and a grand tasting event featuring over 75 wineries and 25 local restaurants.
Wellfleet OysterFest, Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Celebrating Cape Cod’s famous oysters, this festival offers seafood tastings, shucking contests, and educational programs about oyster cultivation. Visitors can also enjoy local art displays, live music, and a 5K road race through the scenic town.
New York City Wine & Food Festival, New York City, New York
This star-studded culinary event brings together celebrity chefs, food enthusiasts, and philanthropy for a weekend of gourmet indulgence. Attendees can participate in cooking demonstrations, intimate dinners, and grand tastings, all while supporting the fight against hunger.
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Sonoma County Harvest Fair, Santa Rosa, California
This festival showcases the best of Sonoma County’s world-renowned wine region and agricultural bounty. Visitors can enjoy wine tastings, farm animal displays, craft beer gardens, and the World Championship Grape Stomp competition.
Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival, Stowe, Vermont
This quirky festival combines fall fun with engineering ingenuity, featuring a pumpkin launching competition using medieval-style trebuchets. Beyond the namesake event, visitors can enjoy local food vendors, live music, and activities for all ages.
National Apple Butter Festival, Kimmswick, Missouri
This festival celebrates the fall tradition of making apple butter, with large copper kettles of the sweet spread cooked over open fires throughout the event. Visitors can watch apple butter being made, enjoy bluegrass music, and shop from over 600 craft vendors.
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Best Fall Harvest Festivals to Enjoy This Season
These fall harvest festivals offer a delightful way to celebrate the season’s bounty and embrace the cozy charm of autumn. From pumpkin-themed extravaganzas to sophisticated wine and food events, there’s a fall festival to suit every taste.
Whether you’re looking to pick your apples, sample gourmet dishes, or simply soak in the vibrant fall colors, these festivals provide the perfect opportunity to create lasting autumn memories.
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