Fall Festivals in the US: Top 8

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Fall Festivals and celebrations are around the corner. The apple butter churning, the pumpkin everything and the leaves falling. My favorite part of fall is the crisp clean air and the colors. There is just something magical about fall. No matter where you are in the United States there is a festival for you.

Top 8 Fall Festivals

Oktoberfest -Columbus, OH

Rumored to be one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in the country offering three 100 year old historic covered pavilions (100 thousand square feet) provide the perfect backdrop.  Including two stages and dance floors for lots of polka! There is even a Kinderplatz for kids. This is a free area with inflatables, juggling and an arts and crafts area. This event runs September 23-25, 2016.

Kentucky Bourbon Festival- Bardstown, KY

Head to Bardstown; the Bourbon Capital of the US to celebrate this spirit born in Kentucky. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival gives you 6 full days of smooth Bourbon, delicious food, and great entertainment, with a healthy dose of Kentucky hospitality thrown in for good measure. From black tie galas to historical tours, there is something for all ages and interests. It’s a wonderful six-day event full of activities for the whole family.The event runs September 12-18, 2016

National Apple Harvest Festival -Biglerville, PA

As you might imagine the name of this game is all about Apples! The festival is in its 52nd year and runs the first 2 weekends of October 1-2  and 8-9. The festival is located in the heart of Pennsylvania Apple country, near historic Gettysburg, and is within a two hour drive of Washington DC, Baltimore MD, and Harrisburg PA. This festival is MASSIVE. There is no onsite parking so you must take shuttles from specified points. I would suggest spending a weekend in the area and taking your time to enjoy both days of the festival.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta- Albuquerque, NM

These balloons span a 78 acre field to launch from. That is the equivalent of 54 football fields full of hot air balloons.  Offering fireworks, rodeo (yes a hot air balloon rodeo), chainsaw carving and much more the fiesta requires more than one day to see it all.  This event runs October 1-9, 2016

Fall Foliage Festival – Bedford, PA

Living in the North East I take the fall colors for advantage. Over 70,000 visitors come to town to see the spectacular colors that are on full display, and it really is stunning.  There are lots of vendor booths to check out and purchase from. There is a magician, a children’s theater, arts and crafts and pony rides. This takes place over 2 weekends, starting October 1-2 and 8-9, 2016

Apple Butter Festival – Spencer, IN

If this delectable treat is your favorite thing, than you can’t miss the Apple Butter Festival in Indiana. The event is exactly what it sounds like, a festival celebrating all things apple butter. They also have a demolition derby and fun events for the kids. This event runs September 17-18 2016.

Sonoma County Harvest Fair – Santa Rosa, CA

Fall isn’t complete without a good wine festival. If you like to drink wine, make wine, or just talk about wine then this is the fair for you. In fact you can even sign up for a great stomping session. The fair is October 1-2 2016.

Grapefest-Grapevine, TX

This is the largest wine festival in the Southeast US and it is fun for the whole family. Four days of fun await with grape stomping, wine tasting, carnival games and more. Make a weekend of it and enjoy the festival in full. September 15-18 2016.

Have you attended any of these fall festivals? I have been to a few; but I have many more to visit!