15 Fall Festivals and Autumn Outings You Can’t Miss This Year

From pumpkin patches to a wine-tasting, we've got all the ways to celebrate the season.

Pumpkins and hayrides at Wilcox Farms in Boyertown |Photograph by Steve Schultz

Pumpkins and hayrides at Wilcox Farms in Boyertown |Photograph by Steve Schultz

It’s time to celebrate the best season of the year, Philadelphia. We survived the swampy heat of summer, and now it’s cool, crisp days for as far as the eye can see.

Make the most of the changing leaves and autumn breezes by heading to a picturesque rural farm. (Don’t want to leave Center City? No problem — check out the fall happenings at Reading Terminal Market and Franklin Square below.) From hayrides to spooky attractions, bonfires to pumpkin contests, these 15 fall festivals will get you in the spirit in no time.

And, hey, if all else fails, you can always treat yourself to a pumpkin-spice latte.

Freddy’s Fallfest at Freddy Hill Farms

Hitch a hayride to the pumpkin patch and cheer on your favorite swine during the pig races at the 30th annual Fallfest. Check out the site for a complete list of activities. Saturdays and Sundays through October 30th, pay as you go, 1440 Sumneytown Pike, Lansdale.

Harry Potter Festival

Want to get a glimpse into the wonderful Wizarding World? Chestnut Hill magically transforms into Hogsmeade as it hosts the annual Harry Potter Festival. Complete with a Quidditch Cup tournament, Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, a sorting hat demonstration and more, there’s no need to travel to Universal Studios. Friday and Saturday, October 21st and 22nd, pay as you go, Chestnut Hill College, 9601 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill.

All Hallow’s Eve Fall Festival

Come play in the hay at Pennypacker Mills. Tractor riding and corn shucking will have you feeling farm-raised in no time. Kids can take home painted pumpkins and festive fall crafts. Saturday, October 15th, 1 p.m., free, 5 Haldeman Road, Schwenksville.

Quakertown Autumn Alive!

The 16th annual (and absolutely adorable) Broad Street Pet Parade returns, so prepare to have your Instagram bombarded with pictures of pups in festive gear. Over 100 vendors will take over the streets, while live entertainment takes two stages by storm at this Quakertown tradition. Saturday, October 15th (rain date: October 22nd), 10 a.m., pay as you go, 312 West Broad Street, Quakertown.

Reading Terminal Market Harvest Festival

Filbert Street will close down to make way for an urban farm with hay bales and corn stalks. Get your tastebuds ready to experience the best of Pennsylvania’s harvest. Enjoy live entertainment and a beer garden along with a lavish array of seasonal treats. Saturday, October 15th, 10 a.m., pay as you go, 12th and Arch Streets.

Pumpkin Days Celebration at Tyler Arboretum

Celebrate the harvest in pretty Tyler Arboretum. Pick a prized pumpkin, assemble a scarecrow and venture through haunted tree houses. Enjoy live entertainment (including a skilled stilts-walker) and food from local vendors. Saturday and Sunday, October 15th and 16th, 10 a.m., $15 adult non-members, $7 children non-members ages 3 to 15, kids under 3 are free, 515 Painter Road, Media.

Fall Happenings at Franklin Square

There’s a lot going on at Franklin Square in October, from a trick-or-treat trail to a pop-up pumpkin patch. Our favorite don’t miss activity: spooky mini golf, which sees the outdoor mini golf course transformed into a haunted house of sorts. Go an after-dark round between 6 and 9 p.m. every weekend in October. Dates and cost for activities vary; see the website for details.

PumpkinFest at Moravian Tile Works

Imagine: 20 artists decorating 20 giant pumpkins. That’s what you can expect at this Doylestown pumpkin festival. There will also be old-fashioned relay races and pony rides. Stick around to support the youth concert and the Doylestown Heat Big Band, both scheduled to showcase their musical talent. Saturday, October 22nd, $20 per car load, 2 p.m., 130 East Swamp Road, Doylestown.

Historic Stenton’s Halloween Harvest Festival

The Stenton Museum will host a hallowed eve filled with games, pumpkin-painting and light refreshments. Top off your day with a guided tour of the haunted cellar. It’s family-friendly, so the little ones can tag along. Saturday, October 29th, free, 5501 Germantown Avenue.

Eat, Drink and Be Scary at Crossing Vineyard

Leave the kids with a babysitter (i.e. this is an adult-only event), and head to Crossing Vineyard to down a bottle of Pennsylvania’s finest. Visit the winery for an evening of wine tasting, palm readings and sweet treats. Friday, October 28th, 7 p.m., $40, reservations required, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing.

Pumpkinland at Linvilla Orchards | Photo via Facebook

Pumpkinland at Linvilla Orchards | Photo via Facebook

Pumpkinland at Linvilla Orchard

Ride wagons through the pumpkin patch, bask among the hay bales and take a trek through the corn maze all while learning about the history of the harvest season. Be sure to hitch a hayride to the Witches’ House to enjoy apple cider samples and roast marshmallows with the farm’s (friendly) witch. Through early November, various prices, 598 Linvill Road, Media.

PumpkinFest at Shady Brook Farm

Shady Brook Farm goes all out for autumn; hayrides, corn mazes, pig races and live entertainment are just some of the activities at PumpkinFest. Just beware: When the sun goes down, the goblins come out for PumpkinFest After Dark. Saturday, October 1st through 31st, 11 a.m., $15, 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley.

Fall Harvest Festival at Hellerick’s Family Farm

Hellerick offers over 30 attractions — enough to fulfill every expectation of the season in one day. Partake in traditional activities like hayrides and pumpkin picking, or dabble in some more novel ones like the Tractor Tire Climb or a tricycle ride for all ages. September 17th through October 31st, weekdays $9.49, weekends $12.49, 5500 North Easton Road, Doylestown.

Apple Festival at Peddler’s Village

How do you like picking them apples? Peddler’s Village celebrates the harvest season once again by offering one of fall’s favorite fruits in its many forms, along with your chance to chow down in an apple pie-eating contest! Saturday and Sunday, November 5th and 6th, 10 a.m., free, Route 202 and 263, Lahaska.

Massive Corn Maze at Wilcox Farms

How about a fall outing that doubles as a massive workout? The humungous corn maze at this Boyertown farm includes eight miles (!!) of trails through 25 acres of corn. And get this: There are mazes within the giant maze, which means you could legitimately spend an entire day in there and not get bored. (Don’t worry — they provide flashlights if it gets dark.) Weekends through November 13, hours vary so check the website, $8, 1134 Reading Avenue, Boyertown.