Thinking of heading to Pennsylvania this fall? There are incredible fall festivals in the Quaker state each fall. I grew up in PA and I am back in the state for a bit now. One of the best things about living in Pennsylvania again are all of the amazing fall colors and the fun fall festivals. The different trees in PA make it one of the best places to view foliage on the east coast (outside of New England). But how do you choose from the massive list of festivals happening in September and October?
- 10 Amazing Fall Festivals In Pennsylvania
- 1. 2021 PA Renaissance Faire –
- 2. Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival
- 3. Bedford Fall Foliage Festival
- 4. The National Apple Harvest Festival
- 5. Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival
- 6. Bethlehem Harvest Festival
- 7. Pennsylvania Apple & Cheese Festival
- 8. Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh Oktoberfest
- 9. Autumn Leaf Festival
- 10. Witches & Wizard Weekend
- Other:
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10 Fun Fall Festivals In PA
1. 2021 PA Renaissance Faire –
- Manheim, PA
Although it’s not technically a harvest festival, the famous PA Renaissance Faire had to make the list. Since each weekend has a different theme, find more on the HERE, you can easily visit during an autumn themed weekend. Check out…
- Autumn Harvest – Sept 25-26
- Oktoberfest – Oct 2-3
- Halloween Days & Spooky Knights – Oct 16-17, 23-24, 30-31
2. Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival
- Jim Thorpe, PA
- Oct 6-7, 13-14, 20-21
- Find Out More HERE
For most weekends in October, the charming town of Jim Thorpe comes to life with live entertainment, train rides, arts & crafts, antiques, and tons of food. What’s not to love? Surrounded by bright colored leaves, enjoy everything you’ve ever wanted in the harvest festival.
3. Bedford Fall Foliage Festival
- Bedford, PA
- Oct 2-3, 9-10
- Find Out More HERE
As one of the largest fall foliage festivals in all of Pennsylvania, this one you don’t want to miss. Every October, for the last 58 years, tens of thousands venture to Bedford County to experience the fall foliage at its peak. The event is held in downtown Bedford and features great vendors, live music, and a classic car show.
4. The National Apple Harvest Festival
- Biglerville, PA
- Oct 2-3, 9-10
- Find Out More HERE
Held near Biglerville, Pennsylvania each year, the National Apple Harvest Festival is one of the best and biggest harvest festivals in the state. You can buy tickets in advance here. This festival is huge with 300+ vendors, antiques, every food and drink that can possibly be made from apples, and free live entertainment.
5. Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival
- Mount Pocono, PA
- Sept 25 – Oct 24
- Find Out More HERE
As one of the longest running fall festivals in Pennsylvania, the Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival is a can’t miss. There is live entertainment, a corn maze, the chance to shoot a gourde grenade, and on weekends carnival rides. Bonus: it’s free!
6. Bethlehem Harvest Festival
- Bethlehem, PA
- Oct 2 – 11 am – 8 pm
- Find Out More HERE
While it may be known as Christmas City USA, Bethlehem knows how to do a harvest festival too. In addition to vendors, entertainment and a scarecrow decorating contest, the festival also offers an authentic Biergarten. Visitors can also stroll through the beautiful and historic downtown area in all its fall glory. Along the way, don’t forget to stop and sample soup, wine, beer, and other delicious treats.
7. Pennsylvania Apple & Cheese Festival
- Canton, PA
- Oct 2-3
- Find Out More HERE
This festival is set in the beautiful rural mountains of Pennsylvania. It features live entertainment, delicious food, fun games, and fall themed contests. It’s essentially a festival of all things delicious, I mean who doesn’t love apples and cheese?
8. Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh Oktoberfest
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Sept 17-25
Check out this Oktoberfest for two weekends of German fun at the Hofbrauhaus Oktoberfest at the Southside Works in Pittsburgh. Hofbrauhaus started in Germany at the request of Wilhelm V, the Duke of Bavaria. Did you know that the brewery provided food and drink at the wedding celebration in 1810? Pittsburgh was actually the third location to open in the United States. Check it out for some German fall fun!
9. Autumn Leaf Festival
- Clarion, PA
- Oct 2 -10
- Find Out More HERE
This 9 day, international award winning festival attracts over 500,000 people each year. And it’s been going strong for over 60 years now. Check out the tournament of leaves parade, an antique tractor pull, and farmers and crafts show.
10. Witches & Wizard Weekend
- Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia
- Oct 2021 Unconfirmed
Although the dates are presently unconfirmed for 2021, being the Potter Nerd that I am, I had to include this one on the list. Chestnut Hill transforms into a world of wizardry for the Harry Potter Festival & Quidditch Tournament. Watch as J.K. Rowling’s fantastical world comes to life with wizards, spells, potions, parades and so much more. Guests can participate in magical activities including Harry Potter pub-crawls, costume contests, film showings and a real life Quidditch tournament. Sounds like a great weekend to me!
Other Fun Fall Ideas:
If festivals aren’t your things here are other great fall option is Pennsylvania…
Check Out The Elk In Benezette –
Benezette is the ”Elk Capital of Pennsylvania” and is located in the heart of the state’s wild elk herd, now numbering nearly 1,400 majestic animals. Fall is a great time to visit Benezette because elk rut is happening during this time (end of Sept/beginning of Oct). That’s right you can experience bulls battling for breeding rights during “the rut.” You will hear their majestic bugles as you drive through this beautiful part of PA. And because the elk are more active during the rut you are way more likely to spot them.
Tour The National Battlefield At Gettysburg –
Fall is a great time to get out and explore all that Pennsylvania has to offer. Gettysburg National Military Park is fantastic in the fall. You can explore the battlefields in the crisp fall air and enjoy the leaves all while taking in the place that changed American history. This battle marked a decisive turning point in the Civil War, and the Union victory here ended General Robert E. Lee’s second and most ambitious invasion of the North.
Experience The Battlefield On Horseback:
Check out Hickory Hollow Farm, where you begin at the Confederate line of the battlefield. You can either choose a scenic tour or a historic tour of the battlefield. Either way, how cool is it to experience Gettysburg on horseback?
Ricketts Glen State Park –
- Benton, PA
Labeled as one of the most scenic areas in Pennsylvania, you don’t want to skip Rickett’s Glen during the fall season. Hike the Falls Trails System – specifically the Ricketts Glen Falls Loop.
Ricketts Glen Falls Loop
- Distance: 8 Miles
- Rating: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 1,102 ft
- Dog Friendly
On this trail you will see an impressive 21 wild and free flowing waterfalls! Just imagine doing this hike on a cool, sunny fall day! I can’t think of a better way to spend a fall day.
Tips:
- Wear hiking boots. Especially in the fall, you’ll need them with tons of leaves on the ground.
- I highly recommend these: Keens, Merrels, or these Columbia boots
- Bring a rain jacket, you never know when you might need one in the fall
- For an 8 mile hike, you will need a backpack
Fall in Pennsylvania is pretty spectacular and something that you shouldn’t miss. Head to PA this fall for some awesome autumn fun! Have you been to a Pennsylvania fall festival before? Which one?
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