Every State's Best October Events

Start your October off down on the coast at the Alabama Coastal Birdfest (October 4-7), where you'll get an up-close view of a fantastic fall migration. In Gulf Shores, the National Shrimp Festival will celebrate all things crustacean during the 50th anniversary edition of this event (October 12-15), a gathering that features great seafood, live music and tasty brews. That same weekend sees the 52nd edition of the Kentuck Festival of the Arts (October 12-15) take place and later in the month, the Alabama Renaissance Faire returns to The Shoals on October 28-29. 

In Fairbanks, the 2023 Fall Festival will take place on October 7, featuring food vendors and a chance to pick your very own pumpkin. Once again, the charming small town of Sitka will celebrate Alaska Day with gusto during an event that will take place on October 18, the anniversary of the official transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States back in 1867. Expect a reenactment ceremony, dances, contests and a parade.

First and foremost, the remarkable ¡Viva Tucson! event will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through October 15. The Arizona State Fair is back in Phoenix through October 29 and will bring its signature brand of rides, fried food on a stick and A-list concerts (Ne-Yo, Becky G, Violent Femmes and Brothers Osborne among others) to the crowds. Elsewhere, Kingman will hold the Route 66 Fest on October 13-14 and the Arizona Jazz Festival (October 20-22) will take place in Phoenix, featuring big names like Trombone Shorty, Brian McKnight, Kenny G, Kem and many more.

Fiesta En Soma (October 6) will celebrate the rich tradition of Latino cultures in Little Rock's SoMa neighborhood, while the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival will return on October 6-14 with a host of top notch docs. In Eureka Springs, the Witches Escape Halloween event (think a scavenger hunt mixed with a historical mystery) will take over the town on October 6-7 and back in Little Rock, the Pumpkin Festival will take place on October 8 and the Arkansas State Fair will run from October 13-22.

Start your month in San Francisco at the fun annual tradition of Fleet Week (October 2-10), where the members of the nation's sea-based services are saluted with a parade of ships, concerts, ship tours and much more. Elsewhere, the Big Fresno Fair returns on October 4-15, bringing with it the usual array of horse racing events, carnival rides, great food and concerts from the likes of Midland, 2 Chainz, The Offspring and Ramón Ayala. Later in the month, the 77th Annual Pismo Beach Clam Festival will take place on October 21-22 and why not end your month at the one-of-a-kind West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval street party on October 31.

The 46th Annual Cedaredge Applefest (October 6-8) will once again celebrate the local apple harvest with over 180 vendors, arts & crafts, chili cookoff, tractor & motorcycle show and many more fun things to do for the whole family. Get into the Halloween spirit at Telluride Horror Show—the state's first and longest-running horror film festival—on October 13-15 and then why not end your month with one of the state's most original events: The Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Festival in Manitou Springs (October 28).

One of the biggest and longest-running festivals in New England, the Apple Harvest Festival in the town of Southington (October 1 & October 6-8) will once again offer up a quintessential slice of "fall in New England'' with entertainment, food and lots of family-friendly fun. In the town of Scotland, the annual Highland Festival & Games will take place on October 8 while the same weekend sees the return of the Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival (October 7-8) to Bethlehem. In Mystic, the Spooky Nature Trails will return to the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center on October 20-21.

The Mid-Atlantic's favorite pork-based delicacy will be placed on a pedestal at the annual Apple Scrapple Festival (October 13-14), an event that will also feature great live music, rides and arts & crafts vendors. Elsewhere, the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival (sets from Oleta Adams, Dave Koz, Marcus Johnson and many more) will take place on October 12-15 and the seaside town will also host the beloved annual Sea Witch Festival on October 27-29, where your crew will be able to have a family-friendly, boo-filled blast. 

The Miami Broward Carnival returns on October 6-8, with three days dedicated to celebrating the culture of the Caribbean and you can expect lots of great music, vibrant parades and plenty of parties at this soiree. The Sunshine State isn't left out of Oktoberfest fun, as the 49th edition of Oktoberfest in Palm Beach will take place at the American-German Club (October 13-15 & 20-22). Later on in the month, Cedar Key will hold the 53rd Annual Seafood Festival on October 21-22 and Key West is the place to be for the adult-oriented party to end all parties: Fantasy Fest. This year's event will take place on October 20-29 and the theme will be "Uniforms & Unicorns''.

Head to Hiawassee, the "Country Music Capital of Georgia'' for the Georgia Mountain Fall Festival (October 6-14) and then make your way to the coast for St. Marys Seafood Festival on October 7. Elsewhere, relive all the excitement of the great 1828 Dahlonega Gold Rush for a good cause during Gold Rush Days (October 21-22), which sees food vendors and over 200 arts & crafts exhibitors take to the streets alongside a host of other fun events. And no mention of October in the Peach State would be complete without Oktoberfest in Helen, which will once again present an authentic Bavarian party through October 29.

Head to Honolulu on October 6 for the First Friday Art Walk in Chinatown, then stick around for Duke's Ukes (October 14), the annual ukulele contest hosted by Duke's restaurant. If you’re a food lover, you’ll want to join over 150 tastemakers from around the world at the Hawai'i Food & Wine Festival, the Aloha State's largest food-focused event (October 21-23 and various dates in November).  

Head to Sun Valley for the 27th Annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival (October 4-8), where all visitors will be treated to sheepdog trials, a folk fair, tasty food & drink and the world-famous Big Sheep Parade. In Boise, Harvest Days will take place at the Idaho Botanical Garden each Saturday this month, bringing with it great live music, food & drink vendors and plenty of fall-tastic fun. Then, make a return trip to Sun Valley on October 18-22 for the annual Jazz & Music Festival.

The Windy City welcomes the return of the Chicago Marathon on October 8, an event that fills the city with a celebratory atmosphere—for runners and spectators alike. Also in the city, the Chicago International Film Festival—the nation's oldest competitive film festival—returns on October 11-22. Downstate, Champaign-Urbana will host its 15th Annual Folk & Roots Festival on October 12-14, featuring another solid roster of artists.

Start your month off in Indy experiencing an excellent roster of films from around the world at the Heartland International Film Festival (October 5-15) and then head for Parke County for the much loved Covered Bridge Festival (October 13-22), the Hoosier State's largest annual festival. Elsewhere, Indiana's living history museum Conner Prairie will hold its annual Headless Horseman Festival (October 5-29) and Fort Wayne will have its zombie-filled Fright Night on October 21.

Kick off your month with a trip to Amana Colonies, where the famous annual Oktoberfest celebration will run through October 1. Then, see over 1,000 hand-carved pumpkins at the annual Spirits in the Gardens event (various dates October 13-22) at Reiman Gardens in Ames and give yourself a fun bit of fright at Adventureland in Altoona as Phantom Fall Fest returns (various dates all month long), offering one of the most thrilling haunted theme park experiences in the Midwest. 

Begin your month with a bang at the 67th Annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta in Fort Scott (October 6-8), where the annual antique farm equipment parade will be accompanied by arts, crafts and quilt displays in addition to live music. In Wichita, the self-described "stubbornly independent" Tallgrass Film Festival will take place on October 5-8 while in Overland Park, you'll have the opportunity to experience multiple aspects of Japanese culture at the Greater Kansas City Japanese Festival on October 7. Elsewhere, expect the usual scarecrow contest, petting zoo, art & quilt vendors and food contests at the Columbus Day Festival & Hot Air Balloon Regatta (October 6-8) in the town of Columbus.

Lexington's legendary Keeneland Racecourse will host its cherished annual Fall Meet on October 6-28 (no racing on Mondays & Tuesdays), which will once again feature races in addition to a plethora of autumnal festivities. Over in the 'Ville, the Louisville Jack O' Lantern Spectacular will once again light up the night at Iroquois Park from October 3-31, the Garvin Gates Blues Festival returns on October 13-14 and the Hot Brown Showdown will show off Louisville's signature sandwich on October 22.

Make a beeline for Chackbay and its annual Louisiana Gumbo Festival (October 13-15) this month, where you'll be able to enjoy plenty of bowls of gumbo and get down to some great music. In New Orleans, October 23 is the date for the annual Krewe of Boo Halloween Parade and up in Shreveport, the 117th Annual Louisiana State Fair will take place on October 26 - November 12. The event will once again showcase its usual array of rodeo events, carnival rides, livestock shows, fun street performers and concerts from names like Cody Cooke & The Bayou Outlaws and Shayliff.

The Fryeburg Fair has been a highlight of autumn in Maine since 1851, and this year's event (October 1-8) will once again feature fun rides, races, entertainment, livestock shows and lots more family-friendly fun. Over in Kennebunk, the Kennebunk HarvestFest will happen on October 14 while Harvest on the Harbor Festival (a delicious celebration of the Portland food & drinks scene) will once again take over the harborside city on October 25-28.

Begin your October at Taste of Bethesda in Bethesda on October 7 in order to enjoy great live music and sample lots of fine fare from local restaurants. Then, head back to town October 14-15 for the Row Arts Festival, one of the region's top juried arts & crafts events. Elsewhere, Oakland will hold its Autumn Glory Festival (October 11-15) and food lovers from all over the East Coast will make for St. Mary's County for the 57th Annual U.S. Oyster Festival on October 21-22.

Chatham will hold its beloved Pumpkin People in the Park event (October 14-31) at Kate Gould Park, where all sorts of entertaining creations made out of pumpkins are on display for all to enjoy. Head deep into the woods near Carver for King Richard's Faire-New England's biggest Renaissance event-which will delight the crowds with historical revelry & hot turkey legs through October 22. No mention of Mass' in October would be complete without a mention of Salem, which will have a myriad of things to do during the annual Haunted Happenings event.

Tecumseh will host its 29th Annual Appleumpkin Festival (October 14-15), once again featuring live entertainment, fun rides and plenty of delicious autumnal flavors. Everybody's favorite "Bavarian" town Frankenmuth will hold its annual Scarecrow Festival over two weekends (October 14-15 & 21-22) and will fill the days with cool seasonal events like pumpkin painting, pumpkin catapulting and arts & crafts displays. In the D, Cider in the City will once again bring the fall flavors of rural Michigan to Detroit via tasty cider (October 14-15 & 21-22).

When it comes to Oktoberfest, nowhere in the Land of 10,000 Lakes knows how to do it like New Ulm, and their nationally-famous 41st Annual Oktoberfest will take place over two weekends this month (October 6-7 & 13-14). Elsewhere, The Twin Cities will once again feature cinema from Latin America, Iberia and the U.S. during the 11th Annual Cine Latino and Twin Cities Book Festival will take place on October 14.

Thousands of classic car fans will gather in Gulfport for The 17th Annual Cruisin' The Coast (October 1-8), an event that features cruise-ins, oldies concerts and the ever-popular swap meet. There's nothing like the Natchez Balloon Festival, (October 20-21), an event that has blossomed to become the most successful event in Southwest Mississippi, and this year you'll be able to watch hot air balloons take to the sky and listen to some great live music, too. Finally, if you have a taste for tamales, get over to Greenville for the Delta Hot Tamale Festival on October 20-21. 

Cedar Fest returns to the Big Cedar Lodge near Branson every Saturday in October, featuring pumpkin painting, pumpkin patch displays, singing jack-o-lanterns, the Lost Souls Maze and much more. St. Charles will hold its Legends & Lanterns event (Saturdays & Sundays from October 14-29), featuring characters roaming the town's historic streets telling Halloween tales. The cute small town of Carthage will hold its Maple Leaf Festival on October 13-21 and in the German-heritage-filled town of Hermann, Oktoberfest happenings will be taking place on Friday, Saturday and Sundays all month long (October 2-29). 

The Great Northwest Oktoberfest returns to Whitefish, bringing great Bavarian-inspired food, drink and fun to town on October 5-7 while Billings will hold its 19th Annual HarvestFest (expect arts & crafts, live music, beer gardens and stein-holding contests) on October 14. Elsewhere, the Bridger Raptor Festival takes place in Bozeman on October 7-8, once again honoring and observing the nation's largest Golden Eagle migration. 

Continuing the recent run of excellent Oktoberfests on this list, the small town of Sydney will throw its 49th annual edition on October 6-8 featuring wiener dog races, car show, steins full of beer and vendors dishing out great grub. Junkstock returns to Sycamore Farms this year (October 1 & October 6-8), bringing the usual array of antique & vintage shopping opportunities and great food & drink (think bloody marys and apple cider donuts). Last but not least, the Ghouls & Glow event returns to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo on various dates from October 13-29.

Going to Vegas is always a great idea and just as the weather turns perfect for the autumn season, the city also hosts two of its best annual events: the Food & Wine Festival (October 4-8) and Reggae Rise Up (October 6-8). Taking place just outside the city, the RiSE Festival (October 7-8) will once again feature the world's largest lantern release in addition to great live music and stellar food. In northern Nevada, Virginia City will host its totally serious annual World Championship Outhouse Races on October 7-8 and will serve as a home base for Halloween lovers all month long during the Hauntober events.

The 15th annual NH Brewfest will take place in Portsmouth on October 14, once again presenting a full day's worth of music, beer and all-around good times. Portsmouth will also be the setting for the New Hampshire Film Festival on October 12-15—an event that features entries from an wide range of world class filmmakers—and the Halloween Parade on October 31.

Start your month off on the shore of Long Beach Island for the annual LBI Fly International Kite Festival, where you'll be able to see scores of colorful kites flying above the sand. Anyone who likes birdwatching will want to head to the coast for the Cape May Festival (October 19-22), one of the nation's most historic birding festivals. Elsewhere, The charming small town of Clinton will play host to its ever-popular Pumpkinfest Fall festival on October 20.

Santa Fe Indigenous People's Day will be celebrated for a whole weekend in the state capital, with traditional dances and events taking place from October 7-9. Easily the nation's most famous festival of ballooning, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will take to the skies October 7-15. In addition to a sky full of balloon stars, there will be fireworks, entertainment, mouthwatering food & drink and enchanting evening balloon "glows". Elsewhere in the Land of Enchantment, Roswell will hold its annual out-of-this-world musical gathering during the Roswell Jazz Festival (October 25-29).

Comic Con returns to New York City on October 12-15 and the 61st Annual New York Film Festival runs through October 15 while one of the city's tastiest annual events is back this month too: The NYC Food & Wine Festival (October 12-15). Over on Long Island, Oyster Bay will host its annual Oyster Fest (October 14-15), which will celebrate the bounty of the sea and have plenty for the whole family to do & see.

An annual tradition like no other in the region, Riverfest returns to Wilmington on October 7-8. This family-friendly event (think craft vendors, live music, food & children's play area) takes place in the heart of town and shows off the best of the Cape Fear River region. Elsewhere, the North Carolina State Fair will entertain the crowds in Raleigh from October 12-22, where all in attendance can expect to learn a bit about the state's agricultural heritage and get a thrill on the fair's excellent range of carnival rides. Mt. Airy is the place to be for the Autumn Leaves Festival (October 13-15), which will feature an array of musical performances, arts & crafts and great food. Last but not least, barbecue lovers will want to make a beeline for Lexington and its annual Barbecue Festival on October 28.

ValleyCon makes its return to Fargo on October 13-15, offering up a one stop shop for lovers of pop culture (think everything from sci-fi and gaming to horror and fantasy) while the Fargo Record Fair (October 21) will be the place to shop and swap cassettes, CDs and records. Also in Fargo, The Big One Art & Craft Fair (October 13-14) will offer shopping opportunities for handmade arts & crafts from around the nation.

Start your month off in the capital of Columbus for the Italian Festival (October 6-8) or by taking the ferry over to Put-In-Bay for Oktoberfest (October 7-8). The town of Waynesville will host the sensational Sauerkraut Festival (October 14-15) while nearby Dayton will host the Out Here Film Festival on October 13-15. Last but not least, the Ohio Renaissance Festival will take visitors back in time on weekends throughout October.

The Tulsa State Fair (September 28 - October 8) returns with its signature awesome array of entertainment (BMX and stunt dogs are just two of the events scheduled), carnival rides, fair food, agricultural exhibits and even a much-loved Disney on Ice performance. Tulsa will also be the setting for one of the region's best Oktoberfest celebrations on October 19-22. Over in Poteau, BalloonFest returns on October 21-23, filling the skies with colorful balloons and the ground with fun diversions.

Portland is the place to be for two film festivals this month: H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival (October 6-8) and The Portland Film Festival (October 12-16). Hood River will hold the 41st Annual Hood River Valley Harvest Fest on October 13-15, once again showcasing the bounty of the surrounding region alongside beer, cider and arts & crafts. And since you've always wanted to see masked competitors paddling large carved-out pumpkins (right?), make your way to Tualatin for the one-of-a-kind West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta on October 22.

There's no better way to get into the spirit of the season than by attending Biglerville's National Apple Harvest Festival (October 7-8 & October 14-15), where the autumnal apple harvest will be the star of the show. Elsewhere, the Philly Music Fest (October 9-15) will once again take the stage all for a good cause that benefits local children and musicians. In Hershey, Choctoberfest will take place downtown on October 14, a fun event where all manners of chocolate, chocolate-laced libations and live music will be the star of the show. If you're a fan of vibrant leaves, head to the cute small town of Jim Thorpe, which will once again host its annual Fall Foliage Festival on weekends through October 29.

The 9th Annual Ocean State Oyster Festival will take place on October 9 at Providence's River Walk Park and all in attendance will be able to enjoy delicious oysters alongside fine wine and craft beverages. Seafood will take center stage the next week too during the 32nd Annual Seafood Festival at Bowen's Wharf in Newport (October 14-15). At this event, the "harvest of the sea" will be served up fresh alongside live music and lots of family-friendly fun. Elsewhere in Rhody, the 2nd Annual Atlantis Rising International Sand Sculpture Competition will take over the sand in Westerly on October 6-9.

Beaufort will once again be the place if you dig crustaceans as the city's much-loved annual Shrimp Festival returns on October 6-7. The South Carolina State Fair—The Palmetto State's biggest annual party—returns to Columbia on October 11-22 with yet another calendar full of equine shows, rides, flower shows, concerts and even a display dedicated to the late Princess Diana. Columbia will also play host to Famously Hot SC Pride on October 20-21, which is the state's longest-running Pride event.

The 35th Annual Black Hills Pow Wow (October 6-8) returns to Rapid City and will once again offer all in attendance an authentic and historically-rich Native American cultural event. Elsewhere in the state, Huron will hold its beloved Great Scarecrow Festival on October 5-10 while Deadwood will be the destination for music fans again this October during the Wild West Songwriters Festival (October 12-14). And when it comes to celebrating the big spooky day, Deadwood will also play host to its annual Halloween party "Deadweird" on October 27-28.

Nashville's historic Germantown neighborhood has been throwing an Oktoberfest party since 1980 and this year the always-fun event will take place on October 5-8. In Memphis, the Indie Film Festival will run from October 24-29. Hands down though, the most anticipated event of October in the Volunteer State will be the Harvest Festival at Dollywood, which will be running every day through October 30. During the festival, you'll be able to experience the park painted in its best fall colors during the day and then full of enchanting lights at night during the Great Pumpkin LumiNights. 

October in the state capital is synonymous with the Austin City Limits Festival (October 6-18 & October 13-15), and over the course of famous festival's two weeks, Zilker Park will come alive with music from Kendrick Lamar, The Lumineers, Foo Fighters, Shania Twain, The 1975, Mumford & Sons, Odesza and many more. In Big D, the State Fair of Texas will fill up the state fairgrounds with scores of fun things to do, see and taste through October 22. Then, head to the East Texas town of Conroe to let the good times roll at the annual Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival (October 13-15), a party centered around family and community.





 

In Salt Lake City, the Craftoberfest event will take place on October 7, featuring over 100 vendor booths, food trucks and great live music. Elsewhere, Snowbird Resort is the spot to be for the 51st anniversary edition of its Oktoberfest festival (weekends through October 15) and Provo Pioneer Village will celebrate its Harvest Fest event on October 13.

If there was ever a perfect place for a fall festival, it's Stowe, and this year, the town will celebrate the 40th anniversary edition of the Foliage Arts Festival on October 6-8. Visitors will be able to enjoy great regional food & drink, live crafts demonstrations and shop for arts & crafts, the whole time surrounded by beautiful fall foliage. Elsewhere in the Green Mountain State, Middlebury hosts its Car Show & Fall Festival on October 15 and the 14th Annual Bean & Brew Festival (celebrating great coffee & beer) takes place at Jay Peak Resort on October 14.

Start your month off by sampling some wonderful Virginia wine at the Powhatan’s Festival of the Grape in Powhatan on October 7. Then, Fairfax will host its 47th Annual Fall Festival on October 14 while Cox Farms will once again bring back its popular Fall Festival (Thursday through Monday through October and various dates in November) featuring the beloved pumpkin patches, hayrides, kettle corn and a host of other family-friendly things to do.

Projekt Bayern’s Oktoberfest will take place in in Wenatchee over two October weekends (October 6-7 & 13-14), while foodies will want to head west to the coast for some great crab at the Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival in Port Angeles (October 6-8) or go to Grayland for a "berry" fun time at the 30th Annual Cranberry Harvest Festival on October 14-15.

Kick off the month in Morgantown so you can make it to the last day of the annual West Virginia Wine & Jazz Festival (October 1) before setting course for Salem and the excellent Apple Butter Festival (October 5-8), where you will be able to enjoy a parade, live music, fireworks and historical apple butter demonstrations. Berkeley Springs will throw its own apple butter-based bash on October 7-8 this year, with plenty of tasty treats. Last but certainly not least, the state's world-famous New River Gorge Bridge will host the annual Bridge Day (the only day you're legally allowed to BASE jump off the bridge) on October 21. Even if you don't make the jump, join the thousands of revelers who gather to take in the spectacle.

St. Croix Falls will once again host its annual Autumnfest gathering (October 7), which is one of the state's best family-friendly events complete with live music, crafts and an all-American pie-eating contest. The town of Bayfield will hold its beloved Bayfield Apple Festival on October 6-8, with events like a parade, apple-peeling contest and plenty of autumnal delicacies on hand for sampling. Elsewhere, the Kohler Food & Wine Festival will take place in Kohler on October 19-22, an event dedicated to wine, food and acclaimed chefs.

Sheridan will again be the setting for some sensational films at the WYO Film Festival, which will come to a crescendo on October 1. In Jackson Hole, the acclaimed Jackson Hole Playhouse will put on a prodcution of "A Haunting Halloween" from October 13-31 and in Laramie, the Ghost Tours of Laramie City will return on October 27-28.