Fall in Pennsylvania means towns across the commonwealth invite visitors to soak in the splendor of autumn, sharing their community’s vibrant colors, crafts and cuisine. From the first football game to covered bridges to potatoes and wine, there’s beauty to behold, so come see how fall is uniquely enjoyed across the various regions of the Keystone State!
1. Northern Region
2. Central Region
3. Southern Region
Fall Festivals in Northern Region
La Festa Italiana - Upstate PA
Scranton
Aug. 31; Sept. 1-3
La Festa Italiana is northeastern Pennsylvania’s largest celebration of culture and cuisine that characterizes the area’s rich Italian heritage. This end-of-summer has been a tradition for 42 years and attracts thousands of visitors and has approximately 80 vendors offering a wide variety of foods and displays, including fireworks.
Mansfield Heritage Weekend - Pennsylvania Wilds
Mansfield
Sept. 29
www.facebook.com/Mansfield-heritage-weekend-1890s-to-present-11941878473...
Celebrate the best of autumn during this old-fashioned weekend, complete with a replay of the first night football game in America (originally played Sept. 28, 1892). A family-friendly event, the annual festival boasts a juried crafts exhibit and irresistible food, a parade, balloon rides, live music, a Civil War reenactment and a fireworks finale – all in one weekend!
Annual Pennsylvania Apple & Cheese Festival - Upstate PA
Canton
Oct. 6-7
Set in the beautiful Endless Mountains of rural Pennsylvania, simply traveling to the Apple & Cheese Festival amid the fall scenery is part of the enjoyment. The annual event is held the first full weekend in October at the family-friendly Manley-Bohlayer Farm. From chainsaw carving and free entertainment – to apple butter making – to wine and cheese tastings, this festival is the largest show of its kind.
Fall Festivals in Central Region
Annual Flax Scutching Festival - Laurel Highlands
Stahlstown
Sept. 15-16
Go back in time and enjoy a hands-on learning experience through the art of making linen from flax plants, which is demonstrated all weekend. Homemade food and pastries, live shows, crafts, wagon train rides and Civil War encampments will provide entertainment during the second-oldest continuous flax scutching festival in the world, now in its 110th year.
Washington & Greene Counties’ Annual Covered Bridge Festival - Pittsburgh and its Countryside
Carmichaels & Garards Fort
Sept. 15-16
https://www.facebook.com/CoveredBridgeFestivalPA/
Celebrate small-town America among some of the most picturesque “kissing bridges” in Pennsylvania. Held at 10 festival sites with remaining covered bridges in Greene and Washington Counties, the historical reenactments, unique entertainment and food and crafts are sure to please visitors who flock to this beautiful fall setting.
The Annual Autumn Leaf Festival™ - Pennsylvania Wilds
Clarion
Sept. 29-Oct. 7
www.clarionpa.com/events/autumn-leaf-festival
Experience the largest daytime parade in Pennsylvania, the “Tournament of Leaves Parade,” at the Autumn Leaf Festival. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the festival and attracts more than 500,000 visitors to the Clarion area every year. The nine-day internationally award-winning festival offers everything from sidewalk sales and a carnival with evening fireworks, to a crafters day with more than 300 vendors.
Bloomsburg Fair - Valleys of the Susquehanna
Bloomsburg
Sept. 21-29
The 163rd annual Bloomsburg Fair is the largest agricultural fair in Pennsylvania, covering more than 236 acres. Top-notch musical acts like Cole Swindell and Brett Eldredge will entertain the crowd at the grandstandeach evening. Fairgoers can also enjoy hundreds of exhibits like an antique farm museum, food and craft stands, as well as livestock, and poultry and rabbit exhibits daily.
PotatoFest - The Alleghenies
Ebensburg
Sept. 29
Enjoy all things potato by celebrating one of Cambria County's biggest agricultural exports. Children can enter potato-sack races and potato-peeling contests, as well as a Miss Tater/Mr. Tot competition. More than 200 crafters and artisans line the streets for blocks with homemade wares and food of all kinds. Live entertainment, a myriad of crafts, good food (including potatoes!), bingo and face painting are just a few of the fun activities.
Annual Bedford Fall Foliage Festival - The Alleghenies
Bedford
Oct. 6-7; 13-14
Celebrating its 53rd year, the Bedford Fall Foliage Festival is organized entirely by volunteers and draws an estimated 70,000 attendees annually. Visitors can browse the work of more than 400 artists and craftsmen lining the streets and the square in Bedford and enjoy food and musical entertainment. Celebrating the essence of the season, the festival hosts two murder mystery evenings at Old Bedford Village. In Fort Bedford Park, scarecrow making and the antique car parade are just a few of the activities that make this event so special.
Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival - Upstate PA
Jim Thorpe
Oct. 6-; 13-14; 20-21
https://www.jimthorpe.org/fall
For three weekends in October, the picturesque town of Jim Thorpe comes alive with entertainment, old-fashioned train rides, arts and crafts, ethnic food and antiques. Free music at venues all over town encourages visitors to explore quaint shops and restaurants, while the nearby Reading & Northern Trains provide a unique way to view the Pocono Mountains’ best fall foliage aboard a steam train. One of the finest downtown music venues, the Mauch Chunk Opera House, will host ticketed entertainment every Saturday night.
Annual Covered Bridge Festival - Valleys of the Susquehanna
Elysburg
Oct. 4-7
www.itourcolumbiamontour.com/events/covered-bridge-festival
Located at Knoebels Amusement Resort, this festival celebrates the arts with nearly 400 crafters, live entertainment, games, more than 38 vendors with regional delicacies for meals, wagon rides and scenic, guided tours of local covered bridges. Select Knoebels rides will be open throughout the weekend!
Applefest - Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes Region
Franklin
Oct. 5-7
www.franklinpa.gov/festivals_events/applefest
Celebrating its 35th year, this annual fall tradition features more than 350 arts and crafts booths in nearby parks, live entertainment and shows, a classic and antique car show, a farmers market, a 5K race and, of course, everything apple – from cider press making and apple pancake breakfasts to a visit from Johnny Appleseed and apple pie eating contests.
Pennsylvania State Flaming Foliage Festival - Pennsylvania Wilds
Renovo
Oct. 12-14
http://www.pastateflamingfoliagefestival.com/
Since 1949, the beautiful colors and views of fall are celebrated at the Pennsylvania Flaming Foliage Festival during the second weekend in October, when the leaves are at their peak. For more than 70 years, nature has lent the colorful backdrop to this festival with great food, crafts, a queen’s coronation and a parade.
Fall Festivals in Southern Region
Mushroom Festival - Philadelphia and the Countryside
Kennett Square
Sept. 8-9
Known as the “Mushroom Capital of the World,” Kennett Square hosts the annual Mushroom Festival, complete with two days full of music, mushroom soup cook-offs, cooking demonstrations, educational seminars from celebrity chefs and a fried mushroom eating contest.
Harvest Fest at Cherry-Crest Farm - Dutch Country Roads
Ronks
Saturdays, Sept. 21-Oct. 26
www.cherrycrestfarm.com/Activities/Events/Harvest-Fest/
Mum’s the word at this beautiful mum-covered farm in Lancaster County. The main feature is the Amazing Maize Maze™, a five-acre walk-through maze in the middle of a cornfield. Each Saturday, young and old alike can enjoy scarecrow making, face painting, pony rides, pumpkin painting and pumpkin slinging. You’ll also find the farm’s unique crop of popcorn. Visitors can pick an ear right off the stalk and take it home to pop in the microwave.
Annual National Apple Harvest Festival - Dutch Country Roads
Arendtsville
Oct. 6-7; 13-14
Located 10 miles northwest of Gettysburg, the National Apple Harvest Festival began 54 years ago with the Adams County Fruitgrowers Association. With six stages and demonstrations including chainsaw carving, a display of antique and classic cars and Native American dancing, the festival has grown significantly in recent years. Apple butter made hot from the kettle, applesauce made from scratch and apple fritters are available for visitors to taste.
Annual Fort Ligonier Days - Laurel Highlands
Ligonier
Oct. 11-13
This spectacular fall festival commemorates the key strategic battle of the French & Indian War at Fort Ligonier. Battle reenactments, 150 juried craftsmen, specialty foods, entertainment, free wine tasting, a huge parade and a performance by the U.S. Marine Corps Band are just a few of the highlights of this festival, now celebrating its 59th year.
Philadelphia Cheesesteak Festival - Philadelphia and the Countryside
Philadelphia
Oct. 13
Celebrating its legacy as the birthplace of the cheesesteak, Philadelphia will be hosting its 3rd annual Cheesesteak Festival this fall at 2300 Arena. More 25+ vendors from across the city will be in attendance with samples of Philly favorites for guests to enjoy. The event will feature carnival games, live entertainment, a cheesesteak-eating competition and a craft beer garden. Tickets range from $10-$50 and are available online.