29 Best Fall Festivals Across the U.S. to Celebrate Autumn

Friday, October 1 – Sunday, October 3

Prepare to boogie down at one of Maine's fun (and artsy!) fall festivals in Downtown Freeport. The Freeport Fall Festival brings together over 150 of New England's top artists for a three-day festival. You'll have a ball at the L.L. Bean campus listening to live music and perusing the arts exhibits. Your little ones will absolutely love the "make n' take" crafts the festival offers too. Most of all, you'll love that the festival is completely free!

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Friday, September 3 - Sunday, September 5

Visit Quechee for a breathtaking view at the Quechee Hot Air Balloon, Craft & Music Festival. This quaint town hosts the longest running hot air balloon festival in New England over Quechee and the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire. You'll be enjoying the views from above with tethered rides ($20) throughout the day or snapping some pics from the ground. Taste some terrific fall festival food or indulge at the beer and wine garden. The kids will adore the Free Kids Zone too. With about 20 hot air balloons scheduled with flights, this festival is sure to delight.

Adults (13+) $15, children (6–12) $5, 5 years and under free.

Friday, October 8 – Monday, October 11

Paddles up for the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta in Maine. Celebrate the fall by watching the regatta or checking out the local artists' decorated pumpkins displayed proudly downtown in Damariscotta and Newcastle. Each pumpkin tells a particular story about the community, the fruit's origin and the artist.

Friday, October 8 – Monday, October 11

Contests, horse shows and livestock galore at the 153rd Orleans County Fair! Get the whole family involved in a day (or more) of revelry with games and magic shows. There's even a petting zoo for the kiddos as well as arts and crafts.

Friday, October 1 – Sunday, October 31

If you're seeking endless fall fun, then attend the month-long OgunquitFest. The October harvest festival has lots of signature activities perfect for children and adults alike including a classic car show, a huge craft fair and the High Heel Dash. Signature events are scheduled for Friday, October 22–Sunday, October 24. The 18th annual OgunquitFest Artisan Craft Fair takes place Saturday, October 23–Sunday, October 24.

Friday, October 1 – Saturday, October 2

Get crackin' at Martha's Vineyard Oyster Festival this fall. If you're over the moon for oysters, then you'll be in heaven at Martha's Vineyard. Spend some time at a raw bar or engage in oyster tastings and oyster farm tours. The Weekend Package is $225 and covers Friday's Opening Night Event as well as Saturday's "The Tasting." Take your family and friends to the free OysterDisco on October 1!

See website for pricing by day/activity.

Saturday, September 18 – Sunday, November 7

Celebrate the fall and a haunted Halloween at Sesame Place. The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular will thrill your little ones (in addition to the park's signature rides!). Put on your favorite costume to show off your "Monster Mash" moves with The Count at the Furry Friends Halloween Dance Party. Go trick-or-treating around the park or seek out some spooky finds at the Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt. You and the fam might even win big in the Halloween Costume Contest! Reservations are not needed at Sesame Place, but space is limited at special events.

Tickets begin at $39.99.

Friday, October 15–17, 22–24, & 29–31

Chocolate-lovers rejoice! Hershey offers some sweet treats for the fall season with Hersheypark In The Dark. Hop on a couple of thrilling rides to celebrate through Halloween like the new "Candymonium" and interactive Pepsi Pop Star. Give the kiddos a taste of fall with the amusement park's delicious delights from famous Pumpkin King Size Shakes to Pumpkin Pie Funnel Cake Sundaes and decadent s’mores.

See website for ticket prices and season passes.

Saturday, September 11 - Sunday, September 12

Immerse yourself in a free cultural experience for fall at the San Francisco Autumn Moon Festival. This harvest festival takes place during mid-Autumn and is also known as the "Moon Festival" or "Harvest Moon Festival." Celebrate with lion dances and delectable moon cakes. Visit domestically or internationally as the festivals are usually held in mid-September in China, Vietnam and Chinatowns around the world.

Saturday, September 25 - Sunday, October 31

If picking your own produce is your holiday hobby, then make your way to the Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival. This California fall festival boasts hayrides, wagon pulls, animal farms and a giant pumpkin patch in the Tierra Rejada Valley. Listen to live music as you peruse the booths and pick out a few fun eclectic crafts to add to your collection. I know you've got some spooky Halloween decorating ideas in mind! Underwood Family Farms has themed weekends for your amusement, so prepare for festive family fun.

Admission: $10 on weekdays ($12 to $22 on weekends), free for children 2 & under.

Sunday, October 3 - Monday, October 11

All aboard for Fisherman’s Wharf! Fleet Week returns this year in San Francisco, California. Watch the Fleet enter the Bay under the Golden Gate Bridge in the much-awaited Parade of Ships. San Francisco boasts the largest Parade of Ships on the West Coast! Salute the fall season with an outstanding Air Show with The United States Navy Blue Angels. San Francisco's Fleet Week is sure to be a showstopper this October.

Sunday, September 12

Get ready for a little fun in the sun (or shade!) at Block Island Rock Fest 2021. Block Island Rock Fest is being held at Ballard’s Beach this year. The private Ballard’s Beach offers free admission to the fall festival. Prepare to sip on a seasonal cocktail in one of the VIP cabanas or whet your whistle with a staff-delivered non-alcoholic beverage as you listen to live music. This is an all-ages event. As usual, you must be 21 & over to partake in bar activities.

Saturday, September 25 – Sunday, October 31

She must be craving a Boo-berry cocktail! Prepare for a scary good time and spend the fall season at Knott's Spooky Farm. Knott's Berry Farm is the premier destination for a fall fright fest. This spooky celebration is perfect for your little ones ages 3–11. Your little monsters will love trick-or-treating through Ghost Town. Put on one of your best Halloween costumes of all time and thrill throughout the park. You'll enjoy The Timber Mountain Log Ride which the amusement park transforms to include the spookiest yet family-friendliest of surprises.

The daytime Seasons of Fun event is included with admission or Season Passes.

Friday, September 17 – Saturday, November 21

Lights out at The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze in Hudson, New York! Prepare for a scare and feast your eyes on the most magical pumpkins on the East Coast! This illuminated event displays more than 7,000 incredible jack-o-lanterns hand-carved on site. You'll be thrilled to take a stroll beneath the new River of Light.

Thursday, July 15 - Friday, November 20

Get ready for a foodie paradise at the happiest place on Earth at the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. Disney World's epic international food and wine festival welcomes fall with some signature seasonal events at the park. This fall festival is pure fun for all ages. Your little ones can go on a Ratatouille-inspired scavenger hunt or taste delectable cheeses at Emile's Fromage Montage. C'est magnifique! Check out the Global Marketplaces while you're at it. Chef Mickey insists that you join him on an educational journey this fall. This year marks the park's 50th anniversary!

See the website for ticket prices and book your season passes.

Saturday, October 9

Put on your Nantucket Reds and prepare for a fruity harvest festival this fall. The Nantucket Cranberry Festival is on for October. Pucker up for a sweet (and sour) time! You'll learn all about the history of cranberry farming on the island and sample some classic Nantucket treats. Meander to the Milestone Cranberry Bog for the festival's 17th anniversary! Admission is free. Sweet!

Saturday, September 25

You're the apple (pie) of my eye. AppleFest is sure to be a super sweet celebration for the entire family. Plan your trip to the Adirondacks for an awesome experience this autumn. Speculator's
fall harvest festival offers fun, games, crafts and a host of mouth-watering baked goods. This event is totally free for all.

Saturday, October 2

Say cheese ... and wine! While you're traveling through the Adirondacks this fall, you'll want to make a trip to The Bear and Wine Festival. Speculator is also your destination for wine. Enjoy a selection of beverages from local wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries. Unwind and admire artisan crafts as you inhale the autumn air. Whet your whistle with some wonderful wine during the fall season (and indulge in some autumnal appetizers!).

Advance sales: $10 for tasting and at the door: $12 for tasting.

Saturday, October 2 – Sunday, October 3

Prepare to dance to the live Polka music and sample some traditional German dishes (and beer) at Oktoberfest in Downtown Historic Cedarburg. Snack on some schnitzel or sample a little sauerkraut. You'll go cuckoo for their fun Glockenspiel Show while the Alte Kameraden Band is sure to delight. If you're in the Milwaukee (City of Festivals) area this fall, you won't want to miss this free event.

Saturday, September 18 – Sunday, September 19

Indulge in cranberry brats and local libations from Cedar Creek Winery at the 49th Annual Wine & Harvest Festival in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. This fall harvest festival offers some of the yummiest treats and most delectable Wisconsin favorites such as cheese curds and roasted corn. Try a bit of vino or beer courtesy of the Fermentorium Tap Tent at the Beer/Wine garden and enjoy live music. The Milwaukee Bucks should even make an appearance. Bring the kiddos along for a fun and festive family weekend. You're all welcome!