12 Best Fall Festivals in Ohio to Attend This Year
Ohio is the perfect state to celebrate autumn! You can experience the colorful leaves of the scenic countryside, sip an apple cider, and check out some of the world’s largest pumpkins during annual fall festivals in Ohio.
These top Ohio fall festivals are arranged by date so that you can easily add them to your calendar.
Ohio Fall Festivals in September
Ohio Renaissance Festival | Waynesville, OH
The Ohio Renaissance Festival is a must-see fall festival in Ohio. The faire is held Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day, from September through October.
Step back into the 16th century while you explore the 30-acre, re-envisioned English village full of knights, jousters, jugglers, peasants, and royalty. Wear a costume to immerse yourself even more in medieval times as you watch live performances, browse the “shoppes,” drink beer, and eat turkey legs.
The Backwoods Fest | Thornville, OH
Reserve three days in mid-September for bluegrass music, delicious eats from over 30 types of cuisine, and shopping from more than 300 vendors.
This annual Ohio fall festival, which is held rain or shine, is a huge event. It has been a local favorite for years and draws huge crowds every third weekend in September.
The Fest also hosts a charity auction and has plenty of fall-friendly entertainment. Listen to live music while you and the family enjoy some open-fire, kettle-cooked food! Kids under 12 get in free.
Jackson Apple Festival | Jackson, OH
For more than 80 years, the Jackson Apple Festival has been one of the most-loved fall festivals in Ohio. Held about mid-September, the festival takes over Downtown Jackson — the streets are closed to make way for thousands of festivalgoers.
One of the most popular events within this fall festival is the Saturday Night Parade. It’s one of the biggest lighted parades in Ohio and features the famous Budweiser Clydesdale Horses.
Attendees can also indulge in plenty of scrumptious street fare, take home a jar of apple butter, listen to live bluegrass music, compete in an apple peeling contest, and enjoy lots of family-friendly entertainment.
Ohio Heritage Days | Lucas, OH
Visit Malabar Farm State Park in late September to experience Ohio history live with educational, historical reenactments, and exciting demonstrations.
This Ohio fall festival also includes archaeological exhibits, antiques (including classic tractors), crafts, primitive crafting, plenty of food, live music, wagon rides, and handmade wares that you can take home with you. And, don’t miss the Barn Dance on Saturday evening!
Ohio Heritage Days is one of the largest free festivals in Ohio. Although you can buy food and goods, it’s free for all to attend!
The Ohio Swiss Festival | Sugarcreek, OH
Head to Downtown Sugarcreek the last weekend in September for the annual cultural festival! Every year since 1953, Sugarcreek has celebrated Swiss cultural heritage by transforming downtown into a Switzerland-inspired village.
Oh, yes, there will be Swiss cheese and plenty of other wine and cheese pairings and craft beer tastings. Check out the steinstossen (stone throwing) and other family entertainment like contests, races, parades, music, and food.
You can also visit the world’s largest cuckoo clock while you’re in Sugarcreek!
Ohio Fall Festivals in October
Ohio Sauerkraut Festival | Waynesville, OH
Each year during the second weekend of October, Downtown Waynesville turns into a hub for lovers of all things sauerkraut. The amount of sauerkraut served (along with festival attendees) has grown immensely over the years — from 528 pounds in 1970 to 7 tons today!
This huge fall festival in Ohio draws around 350,000 people each year from around the country. Explore offerings from over 450 craft vendors, and eat at 30+ food booths! Sauerkraut pizza is a must-try.
Plus, make sure to stop by Bailey’s Concessions. It’s one of the original food vendors who have been there annually since the festival began.
Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival | Jefferson, OH
This unique Ohio fall festival is held the second weekend of October each year. Ashtabula County is famous for its covered bridges (and wine, too, by the way). There are 19 lovely, historic covered bridges in the county.
The free festival features all kinds of fun activities, including a parade, live entertainment and demonstrations, children’s games, crafts, and plenty of food.
You can participate in or spectate a variety of contests for chili, baked goods, and LEGO-covered bridges. One of our favorites is the troll costume contest because what bridge is complete without a troll?
Apple Butter Fest | Grand Rapids, OH
This annual fall festival in Ohio has been held in early October since 1977. Thousands of half-pints of apple butter are freshly crafted each year for the event, which now boasts around 40,000 attendees.
The apple butter takes three days to create, and a large amount is crafted about two weeks before the festival at “the Big Stir.” If you live near the historic town of Grand Rapids, don’t miss volunteering at this fun event!
The Apple Butter Fest is also famous for lots of handmade wares, good food, live music, historical reenactments, and a classic car show.
Bob Evans Farm Festival | Rio Grande, OH
Head to the annual Bob Evans Farm Festival in mid-October. Each year, farmers are celebrated at the actual Bob Evans farm in Rio Grande.
Aside from crafts, artisan toys, and other handmade goods, you can enjoy live country and bluegrass music and plenty of family entertainment. There are a few not-to-miss live shows — the Taps in Motion Cloggers, Great Lakes Timber Show, and Reno Family Horseshoe Pitching.
Make sure to indulge in fall comfort foods like kettle corn, apple dumplings, bean soup, Ohio cheese, and cider slushies. You can also camp for free!
Fall Festival of Leaves | Bainbridge, OH
Bainbridge is known as “Leaf Country, U.S.A!” for its idyllic autumn scenery. Each year during the third weekend in October, Downtown Bainbridge is home to a lovely, family-friendly festival packed with fun events.
This Ohio fall festival features a parade, a 5K run/walk, a log sawing contest, an antique tractor show, a classic car show, a Prince and Princess Pageant (for children between 5 and 7), and a Queen Pageant (for teens between 15 and 17). Other festivities include arts and crafts and a market with various goods for sale.
Visitors can also drive along four scenic “Skyline Drive” routes to experience the fall beauty that Bainbridge has to offer.
Black Walnut Festival | Camden, OH
For over 30 years, Camden has been home to this great fall festival in Ohio. Head there in mid-October for tons of fall fun and entertainment.
The festival features fantastic food vendors. So, grab yourself a bowl of freshly churned, hand-cranked ice cream, or take home some gourds, pumpkins, or seasonal flowers from a large selection of fall produce. Foodies can also participate in a baking contest and auction.
Other festival highlights include a parade, antiques and collectibles, a tractor pull, a train ride, a petting zoo, face painting, and more. While you’re here, you can also join a Historic Camden Walking Tour or a Haunted Camden Wagon Tour!
The Circleville Pumpkin Show | Circleville, OH
You’ll find some of the world’s largest pumpkins displayed at this annual Ohio fall festival. The winning, heaviest pumpkin from 2021 was a whopping 1,850.5 pounds! And the largest pumpkin on record was measured in 2014, weighing 1,964 pounds. Head to Circleville to check out this year’s contenders!
Always held starting the third Wednesday in October, the Pumpkin Show also features plenty of other fall fun, all with free admission! Compete in the annual Miss Pumpkin or Little Miss Pumpkin pageant, watch the adorable Baby Parade and Pet Parade, and enjoy live music from the Circleville Pumpkin Show Community Band and other local musicians.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Fall Festivals
Which fall festivals in Ohio are free?
Of the above fall festivals in Ohio, the ones free for all ages to attend include Ohio Heritage Days, The Circleville Pumpkin Show, and the Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival. The Bob Evans Farm Festival has a low admission cost but offers free primitive camping.
Most Ohio fall festivals that charge admission are budget friendly and have free or discounted prices for children and seniors.
Are Ohio fall festivals family-friendly?
Mostly, yes! The fall festivals in Ohio that may have some restrictions are those in celebration of Oktoberfest (such as beer tastings), which are commonly held in late September and early October.
Visiting Fall Festivals in Ohio
These are some of the best Ohio fall festivals, but there are so many more fall things to do in Ohio! For more Ohio fall travel ideas, our team at Rooted in Ohio has you covered.
What’s your favorite fall festival in Ohio?