9 Fall Festivals Across the U.S. Food and Drink

9 Fabulous Fall Festivals Around the U S

Loads of fun featuring hot air balloons wine tastings pumpkins galore and more

Courtesy Roger Williams Park Zoo Autumn brings a cornucopia of celebrations across the nation, from harvest fetes to Oktoberfests. Most festivals were canceled last year due to , so expect extra jubilation now that they're back. With the pandemic remaining unpredictable, however, it's still wise to check on updates before making travel plans, and to buy tickets online in advance to avoid disappointment at sold-out events. Here are inviting options to suit various interests. of

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati

Cincinnati, Ohio; Sept. 16-19 With Munich canceling its iconic this year, Cincinnati is laying temporary claim to the title of world's largest celebration of German beer, food and music. Established in 1976 to celebrate the German heritage of southwest Ohio, the event now can attract more than 500,000 revelers downtown enjoying brews in a beer garden, oompah bands and bratwurst, sauerkraut balls, soft pretzels and pickled pig's feet. Not to be missed: The Running of the Wieners, featuring dachshunds sandwiched between large buns. of

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

Providence, R.I.; Sept. 30-Oct. 31 When night falls, amble past more than on the Roger Williams Park Zoo's Wetlands Trail. This year's Spectacular theme: musical hits over the last 150 years, from ragtime to rock ‘n’ roll and hip-hop. Pumpkins will depict artists, instruments and music genres as a soundtrack plays. The trail (adult tickets $17-$21) takes about 45 minutes to traverse and is wheelchair accessible. The adventurous get a bird's-eye view of the display on a zip line. Event tickets must be bought in advance online. of

International Balloon Fiesta

Albuquerque, N.M.; Oct. 2-10 For nine days in the desert, hundreds of thousands of attendees watch competitors fly up, up and away in more than . Competitions include the grueling America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race that can finish as far away as Canada and contests where balloonists attempt to drop markers on targets. Photographers love the 7 a.m. mass ascensions and evening balloon glows, with tethered aircraft lighted from inside. Days end with fireworks. Scope out team skydiving, chainsaw carving exhibitions and musical acts. Or book a ride in a balloon. of

The National Apple Harvest Festival

Biglerville, Pa.; Oct. 2-3 and 9-10 A costumed Johnny Appleseed will stride among 300 booths at the South Mountain Fairgrounds in tiny Biglerville, about 10 miles north of Gettysburg in south-central Pennsylvania. At this , meander past food and crafts booths on Candy Apple Lane, Macintosh Circle, Cider Press Alley and Apple Butter Way. Bite into apple pie, strudel and fritters. Then take an orchard tour, view vintage cars or go on a hayride. Tickets are $9 for those 60 and older; $10 ages 12-59. of

Trailing of the Sheep Festival

Sun Valley, Idaho; Oct. 6-10 Talk about counting sheep! Follow 1,500 , on the way to winter pastures during this annual tribute to the area's sheep ranchers and herders and their history. Watch sheepdog trials, learn to make woolly little lambs and hear tales about Western sheep-raising traditions. For the Love of Lamb offers samples from area restaurants for $20. A folklife fair includes demonstrations of sheep shearing, displays of sheepherders’ wagons, and dances of the Basque, Scottish and Peruvian immigrants who shepherded the region's rich culture. of

Fall for Greenville

Greenville, S.C.; Oct. 8-10 . Taste why as more than 40 eateries, some with James Beard Award-nominated chefs, dish out samples at booths up and down Main Street at this fantastic culinary festival. Unlike at many foodie fests, there's no admission fee, and most dishes cost $3-$6. Restaurants vie for the Silver Spoon, awarded to the best savory offering, and the Sugary Spoon for outstanding dessert. This year's 250 entries include maple bacon funnel cake and octopus lollipop with lemon sauce. Two dozen regional craft breweries and more than 60 musical acts also are on tap. of

St Charles Scarecrow Festival

St. Charles, Ill.; Oct. 8-10 Pared down by the pandemic last year, this homage to west of Chicago is retaking the field in full force. A “Scarecrow Stroll” guides visitors past 100 bird deterrents placed in front of businesses. Vote for your favorite or apply to create your own. Pumpkin carving and crafts also are draws for the crowds (more than 70,000 have flocked here in peak years). Take home a “Scarecrow in a Box” kit assembled by Boy Scout Troop 60. of

San Diego Bay Wine Food Festival

San Diego; Nov. 11-14 Winemakers, restaurant sommeliers, craft cocktail mixologists, brewery reps and cookbook authors congregate at this . The Nov. 12 Grand Decant (tickets from $75) spotlights 500 wines from 200 domestic and international wineries, while experts give lessons in making creative quaffs. Local chefs compete for the title of “most awesome taco” on Nov. 14. Sip tequila while voting for your favorite. Will mahi-mahi take down pork belly? of

Christmas Market

Elkhart Lake, Wis.; Dec. 3-12 Europe's famed pre-Christmas celebrations of crafts and culture have spawned a number of American Yule markets. Among the more charming: , celebrating its 23rd year in 2021, in this tranquil village an hour's drive north of Milwaukee, in a heated tent the length of a football field at the Osthoff Resort. White lights twinkle and the scents of grilled bratwurst and hot mulled wine perfume the air. Craftspeople from across the Atlantic sell German carved nutcrackers, Russian nesting dolls and Czech blown-glass ornaments. Adult admission is $7; children 14 and under enter free with a paying adult.

Join today and save 25% off the standard annual rate. Get instant access to discounts, programs, services, and the information you need to benefit every area of your life. Kitty Bean Yancey, a former USA Today deputy managing editor, is a travel writer and the winner of multiple Lowell Thomas Awards from the Society of American Travel Writers.

Also of Interest

AARP Travel Center Call: 1.800.675.4318 Search Flights Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: search Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: search Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: Flight 2 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 3 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 4 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Flight 5 Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Add Another Flight search Search Hotels Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room 4 Room 5 Room 6 Room 7 Room 8 search Search Packages Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date You didn't specify child's age Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: Room 1 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 2 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 3 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 4 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age Room 5 There are children in rooms without an adult You didn't specify child's age You didn't specify child's age You have more than 6 people total Please select a trip duration less than 28 days search Search Cars Enter a valid location Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date search Search Cruises Select a valid location Select a month search Search Things to Do Enter a valid location Enter a valid date Enter a valid date search × Let's Go Reset Featured AARP Member Benefits See more Car Rentals offers > See more Travel offers > See more Hotels & Resorts offers > See more Gas & Auto Services offers > Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

Close In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails related to AARP volunteering. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly receive communications related to AARP volunteering. In the meantime, please feel free to search for ways to make a difference in your community at Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.