Top 19 must-see autumn festivals in the USA

Top 19 autumn festivals in America that you need to add to your list of autumn travels, compiled by the publication Only in Your State.

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There's a reason everyone loves fall, and it's not just because of the amazing, vibrant fall foliage that colors the American landscape. Fall means cooler temperatures and cozy sweaters, nights by the fire and days in the pumpkin patch. And a weekend full of delightful and enchanting fall festivals. These popular festivals take place all over the country in the most joyful manner. Horse drawn carriages, corn mazes, barrel trains, classic games, live music and tons of pumpkin treats. Fall festivals are good, old-fashioned fun and we all love and look forward to them every year. Over the next few weeks, fall festivals will be taking place across the country, in the smallest and largest cities. As you plan your fall bucket list, be sure to add some of the following festivals to it; these events really show off the fall spirit we all have here in America!

Fall Harvest on the Farm - Moorpark, California

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Fall Harvest on the Farm at Underwood Family Farms is a classic fall festival in sunny Southern California. Every fall, farmers at this beautiful SoCal farm transform the sprawling 12-acre property into an autumn wonderland of wagon rides, pumpkin patches, adventures, themed weekends and holiday fun (two words: pig and horse racing!). This year's Fall Harvest on the Farm runs from September 25 to October 31.

Oktoberfest in Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth is one of the most beautiful places in Washington. Every holiday season, the entire city turns into a veritable wonderland, so it's no surprise that when September rolls around, the city will be decked out in the spirit of fall. Leavenworth's Oktoberfest - a perennial favorite in the Evergreen State; this charming little Bavarian village pulls out all the stops for this annual event. Live music, delicious pancakes and sauerkraut, arts and crafts, family-friendly activities and a constant supply of quality beer...once you've been to Oktoberfest in Leavenworth, you'll understand why so many people return year after year. After taking a break in 2020, the 2021 Leavenworth Oktoberfest is scheduled for October 1-3, 8-10 and 15-17.

West Coast Pumpkin Regatta - Tualatin, Oregon

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We're not talking about a few pathetic pumpkins and tractor rides; we're talking about athletes in suits racing inside 500 kg hollowed-out pumpkins. Giant Pumpkin Regatta on the West Coast in Tualatin, Oregon, started in 2004 by Pacific vegetable growers, now attracts thousands of spectators each year and is undoubtedly one of the most incredible outdoor fall festivals. It is impossible to properly describe this completely unique event. The West Coast Pumpkin Regatta on October 16th is simply something you need to experience.

Following the Sheep Festival - Ketchum, Idaho

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There are things that you can only experience in Idaho, and Festival "Trace of the Sheep" in Ketchum, which takes place in October, is one of them. The event was first organized in 1997 as a tribute to the art, history and culture of Idaho sheep farming. This year the festival celebrates its 25th anniversary. It runs from October 6 to 10 and features a number of sheep-themed events, including a citywide parade, sheep dog demonstrations, wool knitting workshops and more. This is truly a one of a kind festival and it all culminates in an event known as the Great Sheep Parade. Watch over 1000 sheep make their way down Main Street as part of their annual migration...an amazing sight you can only see in Idaho.

International Balloon Festival - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Albuquerque International Balloon FestivalHeld annually in Albuquerque, New Mexico, it is the world's largest ballooning event. Hundreds of thousands of people attend this annual event, which features over 600 balloons. The night lights are mesmerizing, and these massive balloons become huge lights in the dark New Mexico desert. If you really want to try something new, choose a hot air balloon ride during the event. The 2021 Albuquerque International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta will take place on October 2-10, with pre-sale tickets available online.

Autumn at the Arboretum - Dallas, Texas

Every fall, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden transforms into an autumn fantasy filled with 90 pumpkins and squashes from the state's pumpkin capital. This year's event promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a new pumpkin village and "Bugtopia" - a giant display of oversized bugs, ramshackle pumpkin houses and an epic maze for young visitors. "Autumn in the Arboretum" open from 18 September to 31 October.

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Natchez Hot Air Balloon Festival - Natchez, Mississippi

Natchez Balloon Festival, considered one of the best fall festivals in the South, is a weekend filled with giant hot air balloons, live music, a craft market, and more. The festival's 36th anniversary celebration takes place over three days on the grounds of the beautiful Rosalie Mansion in Mississippi. This year the event is scheduled for October 15-17. Everyone should experience this joy of the autumn festival at least once.

Coconut Grove Pumpkin Patch Festival - Miami, FL

Coconuts and pumpkins are fall in Miami, Florida. A festival "Pumpkin fields in a coconut grove" is the best place to celebrate the season in the Sunshine State. A full-scale carnival, pumpkin patch, scarecrow village, pumpkin food court, cornstalk maze and plenty of photo opportunities make this Florida festival a must-see for families. Dates for the 2021 Coconut Grove Pumpkin Patch Festival are still being finalized and tickets will be available through the website soon.

Georgia Apple Festival - Ellijay, Georgia

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The Georgia Apple Festival is a vibrant celebration of the official fruit of fall. This arts and crafts festival, held over two weekends in October each year, features over 300 local vendors, live music, a vintage car show, a parade and fresh apples of every size and shape, a variety of food and desserts. While Georgia is known for its peaches, the northern region of the state is actually prime apple growing territory—and nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Ellijay is located in the heart of Georgia apple country. From late August to December, roadside stands abound with the most delicious tree-ripened mountain apples in the country. Come and celebrate the harvest at Georgia Apple Festival 2021, which will be held on October 9-10 and 16-17 at the Ellijay Lions Club.

Louisville Jack O' Lantern Spectacular - Louisville, Kentucky

When it comes to celebrating fall, nothing beats the pumpkin siesta that happens in Louisville. Louisville Jack O 'Lantern Spectacular is a glowing pumpkin trail in Kentucky featuring 5000 of the most beautiful hand-carved creations you've ever seen. Artists spend hundreds of hours over several weeks creating the most intricate jack-o'-lanterns. Once lit, these amazing works of art last only a few days before they need to be replaced. Their beauty is as fleeting as the seasons, so be sure to come and soak it all in before autumn slips away from you. The Louisville Jack O' Lantern Spectacular event takes place every evening from September 30th to October 31st.

Madison County Covered Bridge Festival - Winterset, Iowa

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There is something charming about old covered bridges. Once common across the country, these eye-catching structures are now few and far between—unless you're in Madison County, Iowa. Home to six covered bridges (five of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places), people come from all over the world each fall to see the these architectural wonders during a two-day Covered Bridge Festival Madison County. The event began in 1969 and today features over 150 local vendors, a car dealership, tractor rides and of course covered bridge tours. The Madison Festival 2021 will take place on October 9-10 in Winterset.

West Side Nut Club Fall Festival - Evansville, Indiana

West side nut club is not just one of the largest festivals in Indiana; it is one of the largest street festivals in the entire country. This week-long event takes place on charming Franklin Street in Evansville and features a mix of entertainment, carnival rides and games, various food stalls, talent contests and a massive parade. The West Side Nut Club Fall Festival is a must for all fans of fall events and you can attend this year from October 4th to October 9th.

Cranberry Festival - Warrens, Wisconsin

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Do you know what kind of fruit is grown in Wisconsin? Of course, cranberries! This sweet and sour fruit takes center stage at the Warrens Cranberry Festival in Wisconsin every fall. The largest arts and crafts festival in the United States, thousands of shoppers walk miles along the stalls every fall. The festival is held annually on the last weekend of September (rain or sun) and is the grandest craft fair you will ever attend. Besides the participation of artisans and manufacturers from all over the Midwest, the festival Warrens Cranberry Festival offers guided tours of the city's own cranberry bog. Mark your calendar: Warrens Cranberry Festival 2021 is September 24-26 and admission is free.

Fall Foliage Festival - Bedford, Pennsylvania

During Autumn Foliage Festival to Bedford, visitors come from all over to enjoy the autumnal beauty of the region. Bedford, framed by the magnificent mountains of central Pennsylvania, boasts stunning views of the fall foliage, and the festival offers plenty of good, old-fashioned entertainment for visitors. Live entertainment, hundreds of vendors, horseback riding, stuffed animals and family entertainment make the event fun for everyone. The popular festival is held annually on the first two weekends of October, in 2021 it is scheduled for 2-3 and 9-10 October.

National Apple Harvest Festival - Arendsville, Pennsylvania

The favorite fruit of autumn is the main one during National Apple Harvest Festival in Adams County, Pennsylvania. The National Apple Harvest Festival is held in the first two weekends in October and has been celebrating local artisans and makers, great music and fantastic food for over 50 years. This fall festival is every apple lover's dream come true and features the most divine apple food you can imagine, including apple butter, apple sweets, apple pizza, apple fritters, apple sausage and more. Of course, festival-goers will also find plenty of entertainment for the whole family, including walks, pony rides, puppet shows, and farm stands. The aroma of sweet, spiced apples fills the streets of Arendtsville during this annual fall festival, which this year takes place October 2-3 and 9-10.

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Ellicottville Fall Festival - Ellicottville, New York

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Ellicottville is a postcard-perfect town; it's located about an hour south of Buffalo, and its charming streets are filled with quaint shops, historic storefronts, and amazing restaurants. Surrounded by the scenic beauty of Western New York, Ellicottville comes alive with color each fall, providing the perfect backdrop for the annual fall festival. Perfectly timed to coincide with the peak of the region's fall foliage, this festival, which also features food, live entertainment and carnival rides, is a perennial favorite in the Empire State. Come ride a gondola high above the hills of Western New York during this annual autumn festivalwhich takes place on October 9th and 10th, and get ready for a complete delight.

The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze - Croton-on-Hudson, New York

Every fall, Croton-upon-Hudson is lit by 7000 hand-carved glowing pumpkins. Guests of this holiday have a unique opportunity to stroll through the beautiful 18th century park of the historic Van Cortlands estate, which is adorned with thousands of glowing pumpkins. The festival is just an hour by train from New York City, making it the perfect day trip for New Yorkers looking to shake things up. This year The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze takes place on selected evenings from 17 September to 21 November and must be purchased in advance.

Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival - Stowe, Vermont

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Voted the best autumn festival in the country, Vermont Pumpkin Festival is pure, unadulterated fun. Where else can you watch three rounds of competitive pumpkin tossing, where people of all ages launch giant orange pumpkins as far as they can? The festival itself is a long-standing local tradition. Every fall, Snowflake Mountain Resort allows visitors to bring pumpkins and catapults to see who can throw pumpkin farthest. Head to Stooflake Mountain on September 26 to watch this epic autumn showdown between man and pumpkin.

Harbor Harvest - Portland, Maine

A state that is nationally renowned for its kaleidoscope of fall foliage, Maine has a lot to show when it comes to fall festivals. AND Harvest on the Harbor an example of this. This two-day event is Portland's own food festival, showcasing the best food in the Pine Tree State; it's a celebration of Maine's unique culinary scene. Events include a grand opening reception, Maine Lobster Chef of the Year competition and numerous tastings. But it's not just food on this autumn street; Some of the best distilleries in the world come from Maine, and at this event you'll meet esteemed members of the Maine Distillers Guild under one roof. Reserve your tickets now for this three-day foodie festival November 4-7 in Portland, Maine.

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