Fall Festivals in Ohio

Ohio is the perfect place to check out and enjoy some wonderful fall festivals. Fall is the season for festivals, with Halloween, pumpkins and corn mazes all happening in this season. Here we focus on 10 of the best festivals you can visit in Ohio.

vertical collage of 4 fall festival photos. A pumpkin cart, a pumpkin head carrying a hay bale, festival of leafs queen on a float and ohio swiss festival float

The Best Fall Festivals in Ohio

Contents show

There is a lot happening in Ohio in the fall. It is the harvest season, and the communities take advantage of this time to put on fall festivals. Here we share some of the best ones around the state.

The Jackson Apple Festival

This festival takes place in the heart of Jacksonville and it is so popular that downtown is closed off due to the sheer numbers who visit.

Image credit: glennhistorygeek on Flickr

The Jackson Apple Festival also has a lighted parade that takes place on a Saturday evening and is very popular, so it is advised to get there early. At this festival, there is loads of food and drink available for people to enjoy. This is a family-friendly festival, so people of all ages are welcome to come along and join in.

Address: Downtown Jackson
Phone: 740-288-6714 | Website | Facebook

The Ohio Swiss Festival

Downtown Sugarcreek the last weekend in September is the place to be if you want to enjoy a super fall festival. This annual festival has been in place since 1953 and attracts thousands of visitors each year. Sugarcreek has deep Swiss roots, so it is only natural that this festival has a strong Swiss theme. Did you know that Sugarcreek has the largest cuckoo clock in the world?

vertical photo of a float with some people dressed in swiss costumes (fall festivals in ohio)

Image credit: Ken on Flickr

Some of the activities that take place on this fun weekend include tastings of Swiss beer, bread, pastries, and cheese. This is a family-friendly occasion, so there are activities available for the kids as well, like races, music, and parades.

Address: Downtown Sugarcreek
Phone: 330-852-4113 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Ohio Heritage Days (Fall Festivals in Ohio)

vertical photo of a tractor ride at heritage days festival with green fields and a farm in the background

Ohio Heritage Days are located in the lovely Malabar Farm State Park. This fall festival is a little different as it is focused more on education and it is a bit like a museum tour. Historical reenactments and demonstrations take place, so it is quite a fun festival to visit.

Image credit: FarFlungTravels on Flickr

As well as the live performance that visitors can enjoy, antiques and crafts are also on display. If you like archaeology, then they have exhibits on these items as well. Other activities that visitors can also enjoy include food, drink, live music, and the finale on Saturday night when there is a Barn Dance.

This is a very popular festival and it attracts a lot of people, so it is advised that if you wish to attend, you show up early.

Address: 4050 Bromfield Road, Lucas, OH 44843
Phone: 419-892-2784 | Website | Facebook

Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival

This fall festival is also a bit different as the focus is on covered bridges. There are many free activities for people to participate in. The kids will also be entertained as there is live entertainment, food, drink, crafts, and games. Not forgetting adults, there are different contests, and one of the contests that is great fun is the troll costume contest.

Vertical photo of a covered bridge in ashtabula county that takes part in the covered bridge festival

Image credit: Jeff on Flickr

Some of the other contests that take place are the chill eating contest, Lego-covered bridges and the baked goods contest. This is quite a popular fall festival that attracts people from all over Ohio. There are activities that take place at various of the Ashtabula County bridges.

Address: 25 W Jefferson St, Jefferson, OH 44047
Phone: 440-576-3769 | Website | Facebook

Fall Festival Of Leaves

vertical photo showing a float with the 'queen' of the festival of leaves in ohio (fall festivals in ohio)

The Fall Festival of Leaves is based in Bainbridge and this is known as Leaf Country. The reason for this is that in the fall, all the leaves turn to different colors, which makes it a beautiful place to enjoy the fall. On the third weekend of October, a family-friendly festival takes place.

Image credit: Ken on Flickr

This festival is jam-packed with different events. If you feel fit, you can take part in the 5k run, or if that is not your thing, you can go to see the collection of classic cars that join the festival. There is also a pageant for small children and a pageant for teens.

The festival also has a market, if you wish to buy some arts and crafts. Whilst you are at the festival, it is also recommended that you take a drive along the 'Skyline drive'. This is a nice drive and shows visitors why Bainbridge is known for its leaves. Photo opportunities are available at different locations as well.

Address: 104 North Maple Street Box 571, Bainbridge, OH 45612
Website | Facebook

The Circleville Pumpkin Show

This is a great festival, particularly if you are a pumpkin fan! Some of the world’s biggest pumpkins come to town and some of them are huge. An example of this was the pumpkin that was on display in 2021. It came in at a whopping 1,850 pounds.

Image credit: Ken on Flickr

This fall festive takes place on the third Wednesday in October and admission to this festival is free of charge. Other activities that also take place are the pet parade, the baby parade, and the annual Miss Pumpkin Show. Local musicians also come to the festival and play some music. This is a fun day and well worth a visit if you are in the area.

Address: 159 East Franklin Street, Circleville, Ohio 43113
Phone: 740-474-7000 | Website | Fa c ebook | Instagram

Black Walnut Festival

vertical photo of a pumpkin cart full of pumpkins with more pumpkins on the ground (fall festivals in ohio)

Camden has been playing host to this fall festival for over 30 years. This festival takes place in mid-October and has lots of activities and events going on. A highlight of this festival is the food vendors. Some of the food on offer here is amazing. There is an emphasis on fall food like pumpkins and corn, but there are also the favorites like ice cream and baked goods.

Image credit: rich66 on Flickr

As well as the food that is on offer, some activities take place like the train ride, the parade, face painting,and the lovely petting zoo. This fall festival is great for all the family and there is a walking tour around Camden as well.

Address: 56 West Central, Camden, Ohio 45311
Phone: 937-452-7547 | Website | Facebook

Apple Butter Fest (Fall Festivals in Ohio)

This annual festival has been held here since 1977. It is very busy and boasts over 40,000 visitors each year. Thousands of 'a half-pint of apple butter' is crafted each year for the visitors. Some of the activities include the classic car show, crafts, arts, live music, and reenactments from historical events.

Vertical photo showing a very colorful caravan in front of a colorful hoarding with Welcome to Grand Rapids on it (fall festivals in ohio)

Image Credit: Brad Proxmire on Flickr

Address: Downtown Grand Rapids
Website | Facebook

Bob Evans Farm Festival

The Bob Evans Farm Festival is in mid-October. Food and drink on offer includes soup, cheeses, cider, and apple dumplings. There is live country music, Reno Family Horseshoe Pitching, Great Lakes Timber Show, and the Taps in Motion Cloggers.

Image credit: Just Pickin on Flickr

As well as the food and music at this festival, there are toys, crafts, and handmade goods on show. This is the perfect place to come and enjoy a great day at the farm. If you wish to camp here, then this is allowed and it is free of charge as well!

Address: 10854 OH-588, Rio Grande, OH 45674
Phone: 740-245-5324 | Website | Facebook | Instagram

Ohio Sauerkraut Festival

The Ohio Sauerkraut Festival takes place during the second weekend of October. The entire downtown area of Waynesville is tuned into a large sauerkraut area. Over 7 tons of sauerkraut is served up at this festival. This is a very popular festival and it attracts over 350,000 visitors each year.

vertical photo of a person with a green cape with kaptin kraut in yellow letters on the back (fall festivals in ohio)

Image credit: David C. Brewster on Flickr

At this festival there are quite a lot of food and drink booths that offer an assortment of fare, so going hungry or thirsty is not going to be an issue.

There is also a massivecraft fair with over 450 vendors. This is a huge festival, so if you are in the area, it is advised to come early.

Address: Main Street, Downtown Waynesville
Phone: 513-897-8855 | Website | Facebook

Is There Anything Else I Need To Know About Fall Festivals In Ohio?

Most of the festivals are family-friendly. The only festivals that have age restrictions are festivals that are more focused on beer, like Oktoberfest festivals. At these festivals, there tend to be age restrictions in place.

It is also advisable to take some loose change to festivals. Whilst some of the festivals are free of charge to enter, some festivals will charge a nominal fee and change is needed if one wishes to buy items like food, drink, or crafts.

What Are People Saying About Fall Festivals In Ohio?

Ohio Swiss Festival:
"One of my favorite weekends of the year! most of our family comes together to celebrate the family business, Pearl Valley Cheese. We love the parade, traditional costumes, family fun, and apple fritters!" - KZ (Ohio, August 2018).

Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival:
"Wonderful fall festival. Many craft vendors sell many types of wares. The entertainment is a can't miss and the opportunity to see all 19 of the Ashtabula County covered bridges in full fall glory is something that nobody should pass up." CM - (Ohio, October 2019).

Ohio Sauerkraut Festival:
"There are hundreds of arts and craft vendors. I bought some Hot Honeyzzz brand spicy honey and Back Porch brand hot sauce. There was also quality wood and leather work that appealed to me that I didn't buy." - DJ (Waynesville, OH. October 2022).

Let's Visit Fall Festivals In Ohio!

Have you visited any of the Fall Festivals of Ohio? We would love to hear what fun you have experienced during these festivals? Leave a comment below to share your thoughts!

If you are looking for some other fantastic places in Ohio, we suggest: Things To Do In Dublin Ohio, Things To Do In Toledo Ohio, and Lake Erie Lighthouses.

calendar with red at the top and white with black lines to form boxes on the bottom

Do you have an event that you want to feature (for free) on our VisitOhioToday events calendar? Just complete this form or feel free to send us an email at outreach@visitohiotoday.com. All submissions subject to approval.

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email and we can get it updated.

To be updated and stay connected, subscribe to our newsletter.