We always pair fall with pumpkin everything, apple picking, cooler weather, and, of course, festivals. There are hundreds of fall festivals throughout the U.S, and we've found some of the best ones worth traveling for. 

9 Best Fall Festivals in the US

From pumpkins, apples, corn mazes and lighting the sky, these are the best fall festivals in the U.S.

National Apple Harvest Festival

Biglerville, PA

First 2 weekends of October

Spread over 2 weekends, The National Apple Harvest Festival is a must for any apple lover. You’ll find the usual suspects: cider, pie, turnovers, butter; and you’ll also find some more unusual apple foods: apple guacamole, apple cotton candy, apple pizza, and apple pie moonshine from a distillery. Besides all things apple, there are antique cars, over 300 craft vendors, and live entertainment. You can check out the National Apple Museum, or the Historic Round Barn & Farm Market. For history buffs, there is extra incentive, as it's down the road from Gettysburg. Harrisburg is less than an hour away, and Baltimore is an hour and a half.

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Places to stay near Biglerville

The Big E

West Springfield, MA

Last 2 Weeks of September

Daily parades, music performances, rides, more food than you could eat, agriculture, and craft demonstrations make for an amazing time. Many people find one day is not enough! Each New England state has its own building offering a taste of some of well known state foods: a baked potato in Maine, clam chowder from Rhode Island, everything maple in Vermont…you’ll get a real taste of New England.

Less than a half hour from Bradley International in Hartford, and under 2 hours from Boston.

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Places to stay near the Big E

Maryland Renaissance Festival

Crownsville, MD

Weekends late August - late October

There are several renaissance festivals throughout the U.S. in the fall, and the Maryland Renaissance Festival is one of the best. With themed weekends including romance, Celtic, Shakespeare, along with a cast of characters, several stage/music shows daily, and, of course, turkey legs, you’ll be dusting off your finest Renaissance costume and fine tuning your British accent for this trip! Less than a half hour from Baltimore, and less than an hour from Reagan International.

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Sever’s Fall Festival

Shakopee, MN

Weekends in September and October

With a corn maze, pumpkin patch, magic shows, pig races, and of course, delicious food, you will not be disappointed. Check out Scream Town down the road, which features 8 different attractions from a Zombie Apocalypse to a Circus Asylum. About a half hour from Minneapolis MSP.

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Places to stay near Shakopee

Harvest Fair of Sonoma County

Santa Rosa, CA

October 5-7, 2018

While most fall festivals feature apples and/or pumpkins, the main attraction at the Harvest Fair in Sonoma is grapes. Teams of 2 work together to see who can stomp out the most liquid from grapes during the World Championship Grape Stomp. Winners win $1,500. You can sign up here.  Besides the grape stomp, you have your usual fall festival attractions: a Grand Tasting Pavilion where you can taste food, beers, wines and ciders, a marketplace, entertainment and demonstrations. After the festival, you can always take a winery tour. An hour and 20 minutes from San Francisco Airport, and just under 2 hours from Sacremento.

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RiSE Lantern Festival

Mojave Desert, Jean Dry Lake Bed NV

October 5&6, 2018

If you’re looking for a different kind of festival, this one may be for you. Spend the day listening to inspiring music and eating from local food trucks and markets. At night, after you’ve written an intention or message on your lanterns, light and release them together with other attendees. It is a sight you will not want to miss. Plus, coming in 2019, there will be the option to stay close by in a luxury camp. Shuttles are offered from several Las Vegas hotels. About a half hour from Las Vegas LAS.

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Leavenworth Oktoberfest

Leavenworth, WA

Weekends in October

Touting themselves as “the next best thing to being in Munich,” this Oktoberfest is spread over 4 venues, has tons of entertainment, activities for kids, and of course, plenty of beer and bratwurst. Located 2 hours, 20 minutes from Seattle SEA.

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New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival

Laconia, NH

October 12&13, 2018

With over 40,000 attendees every year, this is certainly a popular one. The festival includes a 34' Tower of Jack-o-Lanterns, zombie walk, a 10k/5k Run/walk, pumpkin bowling, and pancake breakfast. And of course, the beautiful foliage that New Hampshire is sure to offer. Located less than an hour from Manchester MHT. 

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Oktoberfest Zinzinnati

Cincinnati, OH

September 21-23, 2018

This one might be a too last minute for this fall, but definitely worth keeping in mind for next year. It kicks off with The Running of the Wieners - where 100 dachshunds, wearing hot dog costumes, race 75 feet. Not to mention the World's Largest Chicken Dance, as well as the World Brat Eating Championship - all events sure to pique your interest. Along with those unique events, there is the traditional music, food, and of course, beer. 

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Places to stay in Cincinnati

Header image via Shutterstock/SubbotinaAnna