Planning a Midwest vacation in the fall? Looking for the best Midwest fall festivals to attend?
If yes, then you have come to the right place, as I am sort of an expert on all things Midwest.
There is a cinnamon smell all around, everyone is drinking a cup of hot cider, and pumpkin patches add more color to the small towns in the Midwest.
Best part?
There are plenty of small towns and areas hosting amazing fall festivals that you can enjoy.
These festivals are unique and don’t make it to the popular travel list, which is a total shame.
So, if you are looking to attend some cute and unique family fall festivals in the Midwest, then keep reading!
I will be listing down some of the Cutest Midwest Fall Festivals You’ve Never Heard Of below!
Cutest Midwest Fall Festivals You’ve Never Heard Of
AppleJack Festival – Nebraska City, Nebraska
Did you know that there is a town in Nebraska that throws a huge party for apples?
Celebrated two weekends in Late September, it celebrates apples!!!
Yes, apples. And trust me, it’s way more fun than it sounds.
I feel AppleJack Festival in Nebraska City is one of the most underrated family fall festivals in the Midwest.
It happens over two weekends in September and is the perfect fall festival to attend.
You have old-fashioned parades, orchard hayrides, apple cider slushies, apple donuts, pie-eating contests, and so much more!
Honestly, I don’t think there is anything better than enjoying a parade and then heading into an orchard to pick your apples.
The whole town gets involved, so it feels like a community celebration and more intimate than most other Midwest fall festivals!
The fall in the Midwest is beautiful!
Scarecrow Fest – St. Charles, Illinois
One of my favorite October festivals to enjoy during fall in Illinois is the Scarecrow Fest in St. Charles.
This is one of those fall festivals that makes you feel as if you have stepped into a small-town movie set with people in flannel drinking hot cocoa.
Held in mid-October, the Scarecrow Fest turns the entire town colorful and charming.
You will find over 100 handmade scarecrows here lining the downtown, and you get to vote for your favorite one while strolling through the streets.
Apart from the competition, you can also enjoy the live music, fall treats, a petting zoo for kids, and pumpkin painting
And several more family-friendly activities to enjoy with your kids.
Since this is just an hour’s drive from Chicago, you can always combine the two cities on a Midwest family vacation.
Trust me, this is one of the best Chicago fall festivals that you simply cannot miss!
Covered Bridge Festival – Parke County, Indiana
Love scenic drives and time travel?
Then, you are going to love this fall festival in Indiana!
I am sure that you are aware of the fact that Parke County in Indiana is famous for its historic covered bridges. Well, guess what?
They have a 10-day festival starting the second Friday in October to celebrate these bridges!
In this Midwest festival, you will find craftspeople selling handmade soaps, woodcarvings, and so on.
That’s not all, the small town squares are converted into marketplaces and there is live folk music, old tractors on display, kettle corn, and more to enjoy.
This is honestly one of the best October Midwest fall festivals that you cannot miss, especially if you love fall foliage.
You can even make it into a Midwest weekend getaway for additional family fun!
Neewollah Festival – Independence, Kansas
One of the quirkiest Midwest fall festivals to attend, Neewollah Festival is a must if you are visiting Kansas in the fall.
And yes, it is Halloween spelled backwards.
The festival has been around for over 100 years and is 9 days of ultimate Halloween fun and carnival rides, the last week of October.
In this festival, you will enjoy live music, a pageant, parades, plenty of eccentric traditions, and more fried food than you have ever had!
I love that anyone who attends it leaves with chili on their shirt, sticky fingers, and lots of fond memories of the Midwest.
Sever’s Fall Festival – Shakopee, Minnesota
Another great fall festival that I would recommend is the Sever’s Fall Festival in Shakopee, Minnesota.
I absolutely love their corn maze, which always has an intricate design and there is a giant corn pit too!
That’s not all, you can enjoy petting zoos, ziplining, food trucks, and more here.
My favorites are the pumpkin blasters and the hayrides!
If you’re traveling with kids, then this is a great family fall festival that you just cannot miss!
It is a bucket list stop if you’re planning a Midwest fall road trip.
This celebration of fall in Minnesota runs weekends from mid-September to mid-October.
Woollybear Festival – Vermilion, Ohio
What if I told you that there is a festival in Ohio dedicated to a fuzzy caterpillar?
Yes, you heard me right!
This one-day festival is held in early October and celebrates the folklore that you can predict how harsh the winter will be by checking the stripes of the woollybear caterpillar.
In this festival, you can take part in the caterpillar race, costume contests (including pets and kids), enjoy live music, and eat lots of amazing food.
It is one of the best events in Ohio not to miss!
Versailles Olde Tyme Apple Festival – Versailles, Missouri
For a classic fall festival, you can never go wrong with the Versailles Olde Tyme Apple Festival, usually held the first weekend in October.
You’ve got the parade, the apple pie contest, the street vendors, live bands, and a demolition derby that is surprisingly fun to watch.
Most locals relax in lawn chairs on the streets while the kids run around with painted faces and candy apples in hand.
It looks quite old-school and is perfect for anyone who misses the traditional fests, especially your grandparents.
It is the perfect place to celebrate fall in Missouri.
So, if you are looking for the ultimate family-friendly festival, then this is one of the best Midwest fall festivals to check out in October!
Moose Madness Festival – Grand Marais, Minnesota
Are you traveling with younger kids?
If yes, then Moose Madness Festival is a great family fall festival to attend in Grand Marais, Minnesota.
This two-day weekend celebration is held in mid-October.
It is a moose-themed October festival filled with scavenger hunts, games, arts and crafts, and moose mascot sightings.
Plus, there are so many more things to do in Grand Marais.
Trust me, between the lake views and crisp air, you’ll be in fall heaven if you attend this Midwest fall festival.
Pumpkin Show – Circleville, Ohio: Midwest Fall Festivals
Circleville, Ohio, is one of the best places to visit in the Midwest if you love everything pumpkin.
Held for four days in mid-October, this town hosts the Pumpkin Show, in which you will find everything pumpkin-related.
There is a pumpkin weigh-off parade, pumpkin pies, pumpkin burgers, pumpkin waffles, and so on.
Circleville goes all in on pumpkins—pumpkin pie, pumpkin burgers, pumpkin chili, even pumpkin waffles.
Although there are plenty of activities and events here, the festival still feels quite traditional and is the pride of this small town.
For pumpkin lovers, this is indeed one of the top Midwest fall festivals to attend.
Gays Mills Apple Festival – Gays Mills, Wisconsin
Another town in the Midwest that is obsessed with apples is Gays Mills, Wisconsin, which is why they hold the Gays Mills Apple Festival every September.
During this 3-day fall festival held the last weekend in September, you can enjoy parades with tractors, local marching bands, orchard visits, flea markets, local pageants, and so much more.
It is not flashy or popular, but it is honestly one of the more wholesome and charming festivals that I have ever come across in the Midwest.
Midwest Fall Festivals: Popcorn Festival – Valparaiso, Indiana
If you love popcorn as much as me, then you are going to go crazy at the Popcorn Festival in Valparaiso, Indiana.
This festival is held for one day in early September to honor hometown hero Orville Redenbacher and features a popcorn parade.
If that wasn’t enough to convince you to check it out, then let me tell you that there are also hot air balloons, popcorn-themed snacks, live music, and so much more.
This also makes for one of the top Chicago fall festivals to attend, as it is just a short drive from the Windy City.
Fermentation Fest – Sauk County, Wisconsin
This two-day festival is held in early October.
Fermentation Fest in Sauk County, Wisconsin, is a great fall festival for you to attend.
This October festival is a blend of art walk, food celebration, and educational experience.
You will find hay bale sculptures decorating the rural roads and workshops on pickling and brewing.
Plus, you can taste local cheese, wine, and cider here from the best artisans.
For a couple’s weekend getaway or solo travel, this is one of the best Midwest fall festivals to check out.
Midwest Fall Festivals: Svensk Hyllningsfest – Lindsborg, Kansas
Another one of my favorite October festivals to attend is the Svensk Hyllningsfest in Lindsborg, Kansas.
Okay, this one only happens on odd-numbered years in mid-October, but it’s too unique not to include.
What makes it special? Well, Lindsborg is known as ‘Little Sweden’.
So, this festival is all about Swedish culture. You will witness folk dancing, Swedish costumes, artisan markets, pastries, and more.
There are also parades with Dala horses and plenty of cultural performances.
It’s like stepping into a European village for the weekend—only you’re still in the heart of the Midwest.
Honestly, this is one of the best Midwest fall festivals for those who want a European experience.
And one of the unique things to do in Kansas.
Midwest Fall Festivals: Morton Arboretum Cider & Ale Festival – Lisle, Illinois
Don’t have a lot of time?
Then check out this one-day fall festival held in early October in Illinois.
It is all about enjoying good cider, craft beer, and music under the trees.
A perfect choice for adults, the Morton Arboretum Cider & Ale Festival offers tastings from local and regional breweries and cideries.
Plus, there are live acoustic bands, scenic walking trails in the arboretum, and plenty of hay piles to enjoy with your date or just friends.
If you are looking for fun things to do in Illinois, then definitely plan to attend one of the best Midwest fall festivals.
Great Northwest Oktoberfest – Whitefish, Montana
Held the first two weekends in October, this is a classic Oktoberfest celebration.
There is an admission fee, but that gets you food, drink, music, and fun!
Children under 10 years old are free if with their parents.
Don’t skip this Montana attraction!
Owasso Harvest Festival – Oklahoma
Celebrating fall in Oklahoma, the Owasso Harvest Festival is a free one-day event held in early October.
Expect to find loads of family-friendly activities, food and and entertainment.
This Oklahoman small town knows how to dish up big-time fun!
Midwest Fall Testivals: Essentials Packing List
Here are my tips on how to pack lightly when traveling to the Midwest.
This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors.
These RFID sleeves are another solution.
This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.
My daughter gifted me this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday. It is made of lightweight aluminum and is so easy to use.
I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for exploring.
And the replacement carbon filter ensures fresh, clean water whenever you fill the Bobble.
Then this collapsible silicone foldable water bottle would also work well for you.
This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great for a daily go-pack.
These quick-dry slip-on Aqua shoes will be useful when heading to the beaches in the Midwest.
These men’s quick-dry trunks are essential.
For women, this one-strap one-piece bathing suit is amazing.
Consider bringing along quick-dry super-absorbent microfiber towels.
This wet-dry bag with handles is a good option.
These unisex polarized sunglasses come in many lens colors and frame designs and are extremely affordable, too.
If you like aviator-style sunglasses, these polarized aviators may interest you.
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