12 Fall Festivals Not to Be Missed

There's no shortage of exciting festivals across America celebrating everything that's great about fall, from apples and pumpkins to covered bridges and the Renaissance. Here are a dozen of the nation's best guaranteed to get you in the spirit of the season.

Where: Crownsville, Maryland

When: August 24-October 20

The second-largest renaissance festival in the U.S. is set in a fictional 16th-century English village known as Revel Grove. From late August through late October, guests can enjoy jousting, a variety of stage and street acts, glassblowing demonstrations and much more all while chowing down on a giant smoked turkey leg. How's that for a history lesson?

Where: Biglerville, Pennsylvania

When: October 5-6, 12-13

The National Apple Harvest Festival has been a fall tradition in Pennsylvania apple country for decades and returns for the first two weekends in October this year with live music, a petting zoo, apple-themed characters, chainsaw carving and a plethora of delicious apple creations.

Where: Warrens, Wisconsin

When: September 27-29

The Warrens Cranberry Festival is the largest arts and crafts festival in the U.S. and offers something for everyone. Guests can visit a whopping 850 arts and craft booths, 350 flea market and antique dealers, enjoy one of the largest marching band parades in the state of Wisconsin and even take part in a handful of exciting contests. What's more, admission is free.

Where: Louisville, Kentucky

When: October 8-November 3

Louisville's annual Jack O'Lantern Spectacular is in its seventh year but continues to amaze each and every fall with as many as 5,000 carved pumpkins lining a one-third-mile walking trail through Iroquois Park. The one-of-a-kind art show has been called the best Halloween event in the Midwest and you'd be hard-pressed to prove otherwise.

Where: Laconia, New Hampshire

When: October 18-19

Visitors to New England this autumn won't want to miss the 2019 New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival in scenic Laconia. The two-day event will host more than 40,000 attendees and feature a slew of exciting attractions and activities, including a 34-foot-tall tower of Jack O'Lanterns, a zombie walk, beer garden, bungee jumping, pumpkin bowling and a whole lot more. This event is even pet-friendly.

Where: Keene, New Hampshire

When: October 27

If you miss the New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival, just head 90 minutes southwest to Keene for the final Sunday in October to experience the annual Keene Pumpkin Festival. The seven-hour event in Central Square features live music, dancing, a costume parade, historic murals and, of course, countless Jack O'Lanterns.

Where: Winterset, Iowa

When: October 12-13

The annual Madison County Covered Bridge Festival in Winterset, Iowa is celebrating 50 years this fall. Visitors can look forward to tasty festival food, live music, quilt and car shows, old-fashioned demonstrations, a parade, spelling bee and much more.

Where: Cincinnati, Ohio

When: September 20-22

There are lots of iconic Oktoberfest celebrations to choose from this fall but Cincinnati's Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is America's largest with more than 575,000 people attending each year. The festivities get underway with the Running of the Wieners and continue with tons of live music and special events such as stein-hoisting competitions and the World's Largest Chicken Dance.

Where: Portland, Maine

When: October 17-20

Portland, Maine's annual Harvest on the Harbor is a must for foodies. Attendees can vote for Maine's Lobster Chef of the Year, meet local oyster growers and even sample craft spirits from some of the finest distillers in the world. This four-day event showcases why Portland has been named the "Foodiest Small Town in America" and "The Restaurant City of the Year" in the past.

Where: Duluth, Georgia

When: September 28-29

The 37th annual Duluth Fall Festival is guaranteed to be big-time fun with small-town charm as guests will enjoy carnival rides and games, a festival parade, live concerts and a Donut Dash 5K Race that rewards participants with complimentary donuts and coffee. Football fans won't have to worry about constantly checking their phones either since the Man's Corner will keep them updated on the latest scores.

Where: Miami, Florida

When: October 26-27

Looking for fall fun for the whole family just in time for Halloween? Head south to the Coconut Grove Pumpkin Patch Festival to pick the perfect pumpkin, enjoy carnival rides, navigate the corn maze and tour the Scarecrow Village. There's even a Pumpkin Food Court and a Pumpkin Decorating Tent if you're feeling creative. Meanwhile, adults will love the Pumpkin Beer Bars featuring refreshing seasonal and traditional brews.

Where: Sun Valley, Ketchum and Hailey, Idaho

When: October 9-13

The Trailing of the Sheep Festival returns to Sun Valley, Ketchum and Hailey, Idaho for the 23rd year this fall. The celebration of the region's rich history and culture of sheep ranching and herding features plenty to see and do, including cooking classes, live music and more. It all culminates with the sheep parade that will see as many as 1,500 sheep strut down Ketchum's Main Street as part of their annual migration to winter pastures.