Fall Events in Your Neck of the Woods

We can now officially celebrate the start of fall! No, it did not begin when the pumpkin spice latte was reintroduced in August.  The autumn equinox marked the start of fall on September 22nd.  Curious about what that means? Me too.  There are two days during the year when the sun is perfectly positioned over the equator.  This direct placement evenly divides night and day into equal portions. The first date is the vernal equinox, or the first day of spring.  The second date is the autumn equinox, bringing on that fall weather.

So now that you are officially in the pumpkin spice season, what are you going to do? Fall weather in Pennsylvania generally brings warm days in the 60’s and cool nights in the 30’s.  This is the perfect weather to enjoy the outdoors before getting cooped up inside for winter (don’t worry, we will have a blog for that too).  While you’re marking that “interested” box on facebook events and subsequently forgetting them, I’m going to compile a few fall events for you by region below.

East Pennsylvania

Farms - Fall on the Farm! Merrymead, Hellericks, and Shady Brook Farms are all “hot spots” this time of year.  With various fall festivals, hayrides and pumpkin picking events, who wouldn’t head to these farms in the fall? Ritters Farm Market in the Poconos offers free admission to the farm and fall events along with some delicious cider. Seiple Farms allows you to trick or treat through their farm maze!

Orchards - The orchards are brimming with apples and other goodies this time of year.  You can head to Styer Orchard,  Solebury Orchards or Spring Mountain Farms to collect your bushel of apples. Outside of Philadelphia, you will find Linvilla Orchards for all of our picking needs. Keep an eye on those Honeycrisp dates!

Zoos - Lions, Tigers and Bears- Oh My!  The Lehigh Valley Zoo, Elmwood Zoo and Philadelphia Zoo will host their annual “Boo at the Zoo” festivals.  They offer crafts, candy and many shows at this event in the crisp autumn air.  The Philadelphia Zoo naturally takes it a step further with an assortment of running events, including the “Walk for LOVE 5k” and “Run for the Stripes.”

Festivals and Events - It’s time for art and food festivals! Have you ever attended a bacon festival? I have. It’s delicious. PA Bacon Fest will take place in Easton on Nov 4 & 5th this year. You can attend the Fall Harvest & Great Pumpkin Patch in Villanova on Oct 1st.  Head further north and check out the Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival Oct 7-29 or Skytop’s fall Festival on Oct 15th. Don’t forget to check out the  Scarecrows In the Village competition at Peddlers Village through Oct 29th.

Amusement Parks - Why not enjoy rides along with fall family fun?! The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place is September 16th - November 5th.  Children can enjoy their usual rides while participating in a scarecrow scavenger hunt, parade and photo opportunities. 

Baseball Games - Cool Nights Under the lights! Head to your local baseball stadium to enjoy the last few games of the season.  The Lehigh Valley IronPigs and Scranton RailRiders are just a few of the family friendly east side ballparks.

West Pennsylvania

Farms - For a reasonable price, you can visit Triple B Farms which includes farmyard activities, scarecrow building and pumpkin picking.  Take some time to visit Shenot Farm Market where you can hop in a truck and ride up to pick your own apples and pumpkins. Port Farms in Erie PA will hold a myriad of festivals and events this fall.  Enjoy the many farm activities, along with pumpkin picking, corn mazes and more.  Their annual Octoberfest will kick off September 29th. Perhaps take the time to slip in a fall family photo shoot at one of these farms!

Zoos - The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium will hold their annual “Zoo Boo” this fall.  Every weekend in October, enjoy the opportunity to make crafts, collect treats and meet some of your favorite characters. Looking for a unique art piece for the wall? Or maybe your in-laws? The Erie Zoo hosts “Animals Are the Artists” sale in November. You have the opportunity to view and purchase some fun projects made by your favorite animals. 

Festivals and Events - Did you know one of the “Top 100 Events in America” is located in western Pennsylvania? The Fort Ligonier Days are held October 13th-15th this year. It is a great opportunity to relive history and enjoy a ton of different foods, shows and shopping. The Fall Flower Show: Hometown Harvest will take place at the Phipps Botanical Gardens starting October 7th. Enjoy fresh air and flowers during this dazzling event.

Amusement Parks - Whether you’re more interested in rides or Halloween, amusement parks are the place to be on breezy fall days. Highschool students can look forward to Kennywood's annual Phantom Fallfest through October 29th.

Or snag some fall treats such as pumpkin spice funnel cakes while enjoying scavenger hunts and rides. “Hallowboo” will take place at Idlewild this fall.  Through October 29th, you can enjoy extras such as a fall maze, character shows and a slight discount on regular admission.

Baseball Games - The Erie Seawolves wrap up their season this September. The Altoona Curve team season also ends this month. Enjoy those crisp fall evenings while you still have the chance! 

Central Pennsylvania

Farms - Did you know the #1 Corn Maze is here in central PA? Make your way to Cherry Crest Farm for tons of farm rides, games and activities.  Their corn maze was voted #1 Corn Maze in America by USA Today! Their Pumpkin Madness Festival will take place November 4th.  Corn Cob Acres is another farm adventure attraction with their own set of October shows and events for kids. Head north to visit Ard’s a-mazing corn maze and pumpkin picking selection. If you’re in the area, stop by one of the many Amish farms in central PA for your fall favorite foods and pumpkin selections.

Orchards - What would you do with a bushel of apples? Outside of Reading, you will find Weavers Orchard and Brecknock Orchard, each with an assortment of “pick your own” items and fall family events.  Moving over to York, you can visit  Flinchbaugh’s Orchard & Farm.  Along with many pick your own opportunities, they will celebrate Lumberjack Day, Cops in the Corn Day and Pick or Treat.

Zoos - Get to those zoos before the cool air pushes in!  Through October 29th, you can Head to Zoo America at Hershey Park to get up close and personal with otters and sea lions. Lake Tobias will run their own “Boo at the Zoo” October 21st-22nd. Children can enjoy free pumpkin decorating and gather some treats along the way. Take out your flashlights! Clyde Peeling’s Reptileland will have a special flashlight safari during their  Explore the Zoo:After Dark series. This event includes shows, marshmallow roasting and creative jack-o-lanterns. 

Festivals and Events - Fall, food and festivals have a nice ring to them!  Head to Lancaster City and visit the oldest continuously operated market in America during the Harvest Breakfast 2023. Pumpkin Palooza will take place the last two weekends in October at Hershey Gardens. Visitors can walk through pumpkin arches, view decorated pumpkins and munch on delicious food while listening to live entertainment. The New Holland Fair and Ephrata Fair will also be held in October. Don’t forget to make your way to the Manheim Farm Show October 9th-14th to view animal shows, parades and contests.

Amusement Parks - Enjoy the rides without the summer heat! Happy Hauntings will take place at Dutch Wonderland each weekend this October.  You can enjoy Merlin’s Mystery Maze, a bubble show and special evening dive shows. Knoebel’s “Hallo-Fun” kicks off October 6th.  Children can decorate cookies, paint pumpkins and make their own spin art while enjoying their favorite rides.

Baseball Games - Enjoy the evenings under the lights this September.  The Lancaster Barnstormers will play in their North Division Championship Series until September 24th.

That winter chill will be here before you know it!  Enjoy some quality time outdoors with your family this fall.  Whether it be pumpkin picking at the farm, or checking in on animals at the zoo; Pennsylvania has many options for your fall family fun. Don’t forget to check out our PA Virtual stand at the Boo at the Zoo events in Pittsburgh, Lehigh Valley and Norristown.  If you are a part of our amazing school, take advantage of our outings on our Outings and Events page!