13 Best Fall Harvest Festivals in the US for 2025
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With the changing of the seasons from summer into fall, we finally get a break from the sun and heat and are able to embrace those cozy chilly nights and sweater-weather days. Apple picking, pumpkin carving, and Halloween decorating are approaching; the leaves are turning color; and we’re finally able to turn the AC off. And, perhaps the most exciting, we also get to celebrate the season with the best harvest festivals. All over the United States, there are fall festivals to usher in the season. From spooky fairs like the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze; local markets that celebrate autumn foods like the National Apple Harvest Festival; and family-friendly harvest festivals like the North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival, there’s something for everyone.
But what are harvest festivals, exactly? In their origin, harvest festivals are celebrations that mark the time of harvest for farmers in a given area. However, they aren’t just about delicious local produce and baked goods. They also feature local artisans, musicians, and vendors of all kinds. Some have vintage pop-ups, crafts for little ones, live concerts, amusement park rides, and more. Each fall harvest festival is different, of course, because seasonal produce varies, and so do harvest dates! No matter where you live, though, you’re sure to find a place close by with a fun harvest festival to travel to this autumn. Be it a day trip with the family or a weekend away to a winery, these harvest festivals are worth fall-ing for.
01
Sonoma County Harvest Fair
When: October 11, 2025
Where: Santa Rosa, California
Details: For winemakers, culinary stars, and vino aficionados, it doesn’t get much better than the Sonoma County Harvest Fair. At the professional wine competition, a select 18 judges will judge and award local wineries. Guests are welcome to join the fun for a one-night celebration of award-winning wine and local cuisine from all over the Sonoma County area. It’s a tribute to community, food, and agriculture for the harvest season. This year marks their 50th anniversary, so it’s sure to be extra special.
02
Ithaca Apple Harvest Festival
When: September 26–28, 2025
Where: Ithaca, New York
Details: On the Commons in Downtown Ithaca, New York, the free annual Apple Harvest Festival happens to mark the start of the most delicious season: fall! The festival celebrates apple everything—from local farmers and artisans, to live entertainment and crafts in apple-themed style. Look forward to apple cider treats, jams and cheeses, and plenty more.
03
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
When: September 18–21, 2025
Where: Cincinnati, Ohio
Details: There’s no downplaying the Oktoberfest Zinzinnati festival. With a record 808,300 attendees last year, this Southwestern Ohio fest is a party worth traveling to. With family-friendly entertainment like the Running of the Wieners (dachshunds dressed as hot dogs? We’re in), The World’s Largest Chicken Dance, glassblowing workshops, and more—not to mention the plethora of food and beverage vendors—this is a harvest festival like no other.
04
Southington Apple Harvest Festival
Courtesy Discovering CT
When: October 3–5 and October 10–12, 2025
Where: Southington, Connecticut
Details: The Southington Apple Harvest Festival takes place each year when the temps start to drop. It’s one of the largest and longest running festivals in all of the Northeast, and for good reason! The six-day festival is packed with events and activities, from live entertainment to specialty food and crafts for children and adults alike.
05
The Great Jack-O’-Lantern Blaze
When:September 12–November 16, 2025
Where: Croton-on-Hudson, New York
Details: This unique harvest festival is truly one of a kind. Grab a sweet fall treat at Café Blaze and walk around the mesmerizing historic landscape. As you make your way through, you’ll get to take in the sight of more than 7,000 illuminating jack-o’-lanterns! Each one is hand-carved by a team of artists with their lights synchronized to music.
06
South Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival
Courtesy North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival
When: November 1, 2025
Where: Downtown Florence, South Carolina
Details: The South Carolina Pecan Festival is chock-full of fun vendors, delicious fall foods, and of course, plenty of pecans! It also prides itself on the live entertainment that runs all day long. Live music and pecan pie—need we say more?
07
National Apple Harvest Festival
Courtesy The National Apple Harvest Festival
When: October 4–5 and 11–12, 2025
Where: Biglerville, Pennsylvania
Details: Located in the beautiful Pennsylvania countryside just seven miles from Gettysburg, this apple fest isn’t just about the red delicious fruit. They also have steam engine displays, tons of live music, an antique car show, pony rides, orchard tours and tastings, and arts vendors. By attending, you’re also supporting the local community, as a majority of their proceeds are donated to charitable organizations.
08
Warrens Cranberry Festival
When: September 26–28, 2025
Where: Warrens, Wisconsin
Details: Over the course of three days, Warrens, Wisconsin comes alive with the Warrens Cranberry Festival. It’s a huge party—and we mean huge. Think 800 arts and crafts vendors, 300 flea market booths, 100+ food booths, and 100 farmers market stations. This year marks the 52nd anniversary.
09
North Carolina Oyster Festival
When: October 18–19, 2025
Where: Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina
Details: North Carolina is known for their delicious, briny oysters. So it only makes sense that they would hold an oyster festival during the peak oyster season! At the NC Oyster Festival, expect to see great arts vendors, live music, oyster shucking tournaments, and of course, tons of delicious oysters and foods.
10
Junkstock Festival
Courtesy Junkstock
When: October 3–5 and October 10–12, 2025
Where: Waterloo, Nebraska
Details: This special annual fall harvest festival in Nebraska is known for its wide variety of junk, antique, and vintage vendors. In fact, it’s known for being one of the best vintage festivals in the country! It also includes plenty of artisans, food trucks, apple cider donuts, and fantastic Bloody Marys.
11
Memphis Bacon & Bourbon Festival
When: October 10, 2025
Where: Memphis, Tennessee
Details: The Memphis Bacon & Bourbon Festival is all about Southern Comfort—literally. With your ticket, you get access to food samples from locals’-favorite restaurants as well as up to 15 bourbon samples. They also serve cocktails, beer, and soft drinks at the fest bar, with proceeds going to the local Memphis Farmers Market.
12
Harvest on the Harbor
Courtesy Harvest on the Harbor
When: October 31–November 1, 2025
Where: Portland, Maine
Details: This 21+ Portland, Maine festival is a staple in the local community. It features local chefs who are leaders in the booming restaurant industry, as well as brewers, distillers, cheese mongers, and more who are all involved in making Portland a huge hub for food and drink.
13
Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival
When: September 27–October 31, 2025
Where: Moorpark, California
Details: This family-run harvest festival in California is full to the brim with fun activities, seasonal fall produce, entertainment, and more. For five weekends in a row during the autumn months, you can go on hay rides, check out their gigantic pumpkin patch, buy locally made items at the country store, and more. This family-friendly festival is your one-stop shop for all things autumn.
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Bree Pulver
Bree is the Senior Digital Editor at DrewandJonathan.com. In the past, she’s worked for publications focused on home improvement and sustainable living. Bree’s Pinterest board is filled with cozy textures; vintage patterns; sculptural furniture; and moody, warm-toned colors. She has a degree concentrated in the intersection of writing and architecture, which influences her passion for exploring creative solutions to unusual home layouts and stylish renter-friendly decor. She’s a self-proclaimed pro at finding the best antique furniture in the most unlikely of places (but her cat Blue can certainly back these claims).
