Travel Guides Family Friendly
Lauren Richards
Fall is a favorite season for many. The time of transition from summer to winter offers an array of activities and festive events found exclusively during this time of year. Whether you order pumpkin spice lattes all season long, paint or carve pumpkins once October rolls around, venture to a farm to pick some apples, or start pulling out scarves as soon as the temperature dips, these actions are like autumn rituals many look forward to every year.
Festivals are also abundant during the fall, especially in the state of Pennsylvania. You can find them popping up and being celebrated in just about any region of Pennsylvania’s 46,054 square miles. Among its varied landscape, brimming with magnificent fall foliage, Pennsylvania has a long history of hosting fall festivals that attract thousands of visitors each year. These annual autumn events have become a tradition for many, with some dating back to more than 60 years. While there are dozens of festivals to choose from, here are a few of our favorites. Grab a jacket and warm drink, and get ready to plan your next trip to a fall festival in the Keystone State.
Let the fall festivities begin
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In western Pennsylvania in the town of Clarion, there’s a festival that gets the town bustling each year. The Annual Allegheny Toyota Autumn Leaf Festival offers fall fun for everyone featuring games, crafts, balloon artists and jesters, a photo booth and a petting zoo. Adults can partake in food and wine from a local winery while enjoying live music, and everyone can participate in a 5k or 10k run.
In southern Pennsylvania, the Annual National Apple Harvest Festival, located in the heart of Pennsylvania apple country in Biglerville, takes place in October and is centered around, as the name indicates, apples. You can find apple-themed everything here, from food and drink, to souvenirs and clothing. This festival hosts more than 300 vendors selling a wide variety of products including homemade food and crafts. Visitors to this outdoor festival can also enjoy live shows and other unique entertainment such as ax throwing, puppet shows, rock climbing, and an opportunity to make apple syrup among other things.
Further east in Peddler’s Village, PA the Scarecrows in the Village Festival takes place in September to late October, and features more than 100 hand-made scarecrows all around town, each one dressed and posed uniquely. Festival-goers can even join in on the fun, and make their own scarecrow for $40 in a workshop.
Where to see fall foliage and a pumpkin pageant
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The Bedford Fall Foliage Festival in Bedford, PA celebrates the turning trees in a quintessential way. Children will be constantly engaged, be it by making crafts or riding ponies. Adults can also have fun shopping among more than 400 vendors or listening to live, local artists. Not to mention, you can get your hands on festive drinks and food as well. The brilliant fall foliage and its charm, which is the purpose of this festival, is impossible to miss since the tree-covered Allegheny mountains are visible from town and make for some breathtaking views.
Finally, there’s the Confluence Pumpkin Fest in Confluence, PA. This fun-filled October festival hosts a Pumpkinfest Queen Pageant, a largest pumpkin contest, a car show, live music and more. This unique festival will also get you on your feet with its tractor square dancing exhibition and 5k run, as well as delight your taste buds with its local food.
As you can see, there are many ways to join a community celebration of autumn in Pennsylvania. Grab a map — or type addresses into your GPS — and set out for what could be your most favorite fall adventure.
