PENNSYLVANIA - Few places celebrate the transition into autumn quite like Pennsylvania. As the leaves begin to turn, the calendar fills with authentic experiences that highlight the Commonwealth's rich agricultural heritage, vibrant small communities, and spectacular scenery.
From chainsaw carving competitions and historic reenactments to apple harvests and mushroom feasts, Pennsylvania offers a distinctly local way to experience the season. Whether you are planning a weekend road trip or a longer foliage getaway, here are seven can't-miss fall festivals taking place across the Keystone State that are perfect for your autumn itinerary.
1. Kennett Square Mushroom Festival
- Location: Kennett Square, PA
- Dates: September 12 & 13
Held each September in the heart of Chester County, this family-friendly weekend celebrates the region's title as the "Mushroom Capital of the World." The charming downtown of Kennett Square transforms into a bustling street fair featuring over 200 vendors showcasing gourmet mushroom dishes, local art, and specialty foods. Visitors can enjoy live music, learn about sustainable mushroom farming, and watch the highly anticipated mushroom cook-off, making it a flavorful and distinctly local experience just outside Philadelphia.
2. PA Endless Mountains Fiber Festival
- Location: New Milford, PA
- Dates: September 12 & 13
Set at the Harford Fairgrounds in Susquehanna County, the Endless Mountains Fiber Festival is the largest and longest-running fiber festival in Pennsylvania. Running since 2003, it serves as a massive gathering for fiber enthusiasts to celebrate animals, products, and related goods. Vendors from across the Northeastern United States offer raw and processed fibers, handcrafted garments, and crafting supplies. The weekend also features a fleece show and sale, live animal exhibits, classes, and demonstrations.
3. ArtsQuest Oktoberfest
- Location: Bethlehem, PA
- Dates: October 2–4 & October 9–11
Each fall, the iconic SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem is transformed into a lively celebration of German heritage. ArtsQuest's Oktoberfest blends old-world traditions with the energy of one of Pennsylvania's premier arts destinations. Visitors can enjoy authentic cuisine, traditional music and dancing, seasonal brews, and family activities—including the always-popular dachshund races—all set against the dramatic, scenic backdrop of the former Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces.
4. National Apple Harvest Festival
- Location: Biglerville, PA
- Dates: October 3 & 4, 10 & 11
Celebrating over 60 years of autumn traditions, the National Apple Harvest Festival takes over the South Mountain Fairgrounds during the first two full weekends of October. Held rain or shine, the event features hundreds of craft vendors, food stands, and live entertainment. Special attractions include orchard tours, antique cars and steam engine displays, craftsman demonstrations, a petting zoo, and appearances by the Pennsylvania Apple Queen.
5. Fort Ligonier Days
- Location: Ligonier, PA (Westmoreland County)
- Dates: October 9–11
Commemorating a key battle of the French & Indian War that occurred on October 12, 1758, Fort Ligonier Days draws tens of thousands of visitors to the picturesque Laurel Highlands. The three-day event features historic battle reenactments at the authentically reconstructed Fort Ligonier and its world-class museum. The historic town comes alive with top-rated juried crafts, delicious local foods and spirits, a grand parade, a 5K walk/run, and fantastic live musical entertainment.
6. 45th Lumberjack Carving Competition & Festival
- Location: Forksville, PA
- Dates: October 10
For an action-packed autumn weekend, head to Sullivan County for the 45th Annual Lumberjack and Chainsaw Carving Competition. Watch as competitors from across the region showcase their skills in categories like log rolling, single buck, underhand chop, and the hot saw. Skilled chainsaw carvers will also create stunning two-day masterpieces and rapid one-hour quick-carves, which are subsequently auctioned off to spectators. The festival is rounded out with craft vendors, a quilt show, and plenty of great food.
7. PA Bacon Fest
- Location: Easton, PA
- Dates: November 7 & 8
Closing out the fall festival season in historic Easton is the massively popular PA Bacon Fest. Recently named one of the country's '5 Can't-Miss Bacon Festivals,' this massive, rain-or-shine two-day event is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2026. The streets of Easton will be filled with live music, cooking demos, family-friendly activities, and quite literally every sort of bacon-infused treat you can imagine.
