Autumn rewards travelers in America who keep moving. Leaves turn, harvests peak, and festival calendars fill quickly. This year, at least 10 gatherings stand out, and each begins after the first week of October. Sure, some very popular fall festivals have already come and gone. However, there are many more to come, with some honoring ancestors and Japanese traditions. Then others glow with jack-o’-lanterns, serve oysters, steam in Seattle’s drizzle, or twinkle with holiday lights. So pack a warm layer, pick your dates, and start in South Carolina, or anywhere else you choose to go for some of America’s best fall festivals.
2026 Fall Festivals Worth a Visit in America
Fall for Greenville – Greenville, South Carolina (October 9–11)
Greenville, South Carolina, turns downtown into a three-day street party. Food, drinks, and live entertainment fill the walkable streets for its Fall for Greenville. Because everything sits close together, you can wander without a plan. Sample one bite, then move on to the next. Families will find plenty to do as well. Meanwhile, the live music keeps the energy high after dark. While in Greenville, set aside time to visit Falls on the Reedy, a must-see attraction in the Upcountry. If you’re a baseball fan, also make sure to visit the many Shoeless Joe Jackson attractions.
Where to stay: Choose the historic Westin Poinsett, which opened on Main Street in 1925. There’s also Grand Bohemian Lodge overlooks Falls Park, that’s worth considering. Alternatively, Embassy Suites Greenville Downtown Riverplace sits beside the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
Related: Visit Greenville, South Carolina During the Holidays
Peace, Love & Pumpkins – Bethel Woods, New York (October 9–November 1)
Next, head to the Catskills, where the pumpkins glow. Bethel Woods hosts the sixth annual Peace, Love & Pumpkins from October 9 through November 1. Thousands of hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns line the garden trails. The grounds also mark the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival. Visit in the evening, when the glow works best. On Halloween night, kids can trick-or-treat along the trail. Ticket holders can also tour the museum after 5 p.m. for a discounted fee.
Where to stay: The Chatwal Lodge offers a boutique retreat less than five miles away. Villa Roma Resort and Conference Center suits families. For a simple base, try Hampton Inn Monticello, about eleven miles out.
Aki Matsuri Japanese Festival – Henderson, Nevada (October 10)
From there, fly west for a quieter kind of fall celebration. Henderson holds its 17th annual Aki Matsuri at Water Street Plaza on October 10. Expect live singers and dancers, Japanese food and goods, and kids’ activities. A sake tasting adds a grown-up note. Historic Water Street makes an easy, walkable setting. Therefore, you should arrive hungry, then browse the vendors. After the festival, you will find plenty of other fun things to do in Nevad’s second largest city.
Where to stay: Atwell Suites Henderson at the Pass stands steps from the plaza. Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa offers a full resort stay. For a dependable chain option, try the Hilton Garden Inn Las Vegas/Henderson.
RiverFire Festival – Berlin, New Hampshire (October 17)
Far north in the White Mountains, a river catches fire. RiverFire takes over Berlin, New Hampshire, on Saturday, October 17. The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $5, and children five and under get in free. Start with the Zombie ATV Poker Run. Then let the kids loose in the fun zone, where bounce houses and face painting await. A Halloween costume parade steps off at 5 p.m., but dusk delivers the main event. That’s when you can see carved pumpkins glowing on the bridge while bonfires light the river. Last year, 437 pumpkins lit the bridge. Bring a warm coat, since the mountain air turns cold fast.
Where to stay: Splurge on the historic Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, which opened in 1902. The equally impressive Mountain View Grand Resort in Whitefield offers another classic mountain retreat. For a closer option, try Town & Country Inn and Resort, a festival sponsor.
Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival – Half Moon Bay, California (October 17–18)
Half Moon Bay calls itself the World Pumpkin Capital. The 54th annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival fills historic Main Street on October 17 and 18. Because admission is free, you can expect enormous crowds of people throughout the weekend. Browse more than 250 art and craft booths. Then catch live music on several stages. The Great Pumpkin Parade, pie-eating contests, and carving demos add to the fun. Main Street closes to traffic, so arrive early for the best parking. For a preview, watch the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off on Monday, October 12.
Where to stay: Nantucket Whale Inn sits right on Main Street. Beach House Half Moon Bay overlooks Pillar Point Harbor. For a splurge, book The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, just south of downtown Half Moon Bay.
The New Paltz Pickle Festival – New Paltz, New York (October 18)
Pickles earn their own party in New York’s Hudson Valley. The festival takes place on the third Sunday of October at the Ulster County Fairgrounds. Expect a home pickling contest and hundreds of food vendors. Then watch the Pickle Triathlon, which features pickle eating, juice drinking, and a pickle toss. Bring a friend with a strong stomach. Meanwhile, the fall foliage makes the drive worthwhile. Because New Paltz is about a 90 drive from New York City, it can make for a great day trip way from the Big Apple.
Where to stay: Splurge on Mohonk Mountain House, a historic resort in the hills above town. Hampton Inn by Hilton New Paltz offers a practical base. Mountain Meadows Bed & Breakfast earns high marks for a cozier stay.
Muertos Fest – San Antonio, Texas (October 23–25)
San Antonio honors its ancestors with color and music. Muertos Fest fills Hemisfair in downtown San Antonio for three days of remembrance, art, and music. Admission is free. Friday evening opens with sensory-friendly hours from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday bring the full festival. Wander among more than 80 altars honoring loved ones. Then catch live music on five stages. Two processions wind through the park, and workshops invite you to join in. Browse the Muertos Mercado for crafts from more than 75 art vendors. National Geographic once named the festival one of the best fall festivals in the country. Arrive early, because organizers report crowds above 100,000 each year.
Where to stay: Kimpton Santo San Antonio sits about 1,300 feet from the park. Hotel Contessa offers Riverwalk suites roughly half a mile away. For history, book the Menger Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in Texas.
Urbanna Oyster Festival – Urbanna, Virginia (November 6–7)
Urbanna, Virginia, calls itself the East Coast’s oyster capital. More than 50 vendors serve oysters in every style. Start with a raw dozen. Next, try them fried, roasted, or stewed. The festival draws about 60,000 people, and the town closes to traffic. Plan to walk, and arrive early. Urbanna is located on the Middle Peninsula of Virginia, along the Urbanna Creek and just off the Chesapeake Bay.
Where to stay: The Chesapeake Inn sits steps from the action, though rooms are limited. Atherston Hall Bed & Breakfast occupies a restored schooner captain’s home. Hope and Glory Inn in nearby Irvington sits about 20 minutes away.
Seattle Sauna Festival – Seattle, Washington (November 7–8)
If you’re heading to Seattle in November, it usually calls for a raincoat. But that’s really quite ok, because at the National Nordic Museum in Ballard, you can wear a swimsuit instead. In more detail, it;s second annual Seattle Sauna Festival, that brings saunas from across the region, plus cold plunges and live music. Of course, there are also Nordic-inspired food and drinks to round out your weekend.
Tickets come in two tiers. General admission costs $79 and covers 90 minutes of sauna access. However, the $189 VIP ticket grants all-day entry, plus a robe and a sauna hat. Every ticket also includes same-day museum admission. Afterward, warm up at the Freya Café or the beer garden. Hours run 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. both days. Teens aged 13 to 17 may attend with a parent.
Where to stay: Hotel Ballard is a boutique hotel about a ten-minute walk from the museum. It also has a spa, which suits the theme. Ballard Inn offers a more budget-friendly stay nearby. For a more luxurious experience, the Fairmont Olympic Hotel is a fine choice.
Festival of Lights, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens – Fort Bragg, CA (November 27–December 20)
Close the season on the breathtaking Mendocino Coast, where the gardens glow. The 16th annual Festival of Lights runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from November 27 through December 20. The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens host it just south of Fort Bragg. Doors open at 5 p.m., and tickets are sold until 7 p.m. Rain or shine, the show goes on.
Stroll lighted paths past handmade displays created by staff and volunteers. Past years featured ocean waves, flamingos, and shooting stars. Warm drinks and holiday treats typically wait along the way. More than 9,000 visitors attend each holiday season. Advance tickets are strongly recommended, and regular garden admission does not cover the event. Leave your dog at home, since past years excluded pets.
Where to stay: Stay close at Noyo Harbor Inn, where landscaped grounds slope toward the marina. The Grey Whale Inn, a restored 1915 landmark, sits in the heart of downtown Fort Bragg. For a short drive south, book Little River Inn, a family-owned landmark who has welcomed guests for five generations.
Related: Best Pumpkin Farms in the San Francisco Bay Area
About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, MSN.com and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University and is a Bay Area Travel Writers (BATW) member.
