The Midwest is the perfect place to sit back and watch the seasons change. We get the full range of autumn’s beauty with crisp mornings and colorful leaves, plus the best experiences that fall has to offer with local farms, markets, and community events. It’s a time of year that invites us to slow down and enjoy the little things. Save this list as your ultimate guide to fall festivities!
FESTIVALS + FAMILY FUN
Harvest Fest at the Toledo Zoo | Website
Black Swamp Arts Festival | September 11-13 | Website
Holmes County Art Festival | September 12 | Website
Wayne County Fair | September 12-17 | Website
Roche de Boeuf Festival | September 19 | Website
Ashland County Fair | September 20-26 | Website
Fremont River of Arts Festival | September 25-26 | Website
Fostoria Rail Festival | September 26 | Website
Medina Fall Festival | September 26 | Website
Maumee Film Festival | September 25-27 | Website
Main Street Blissfield Harvest Festival | October 1 | Website
Woosterfest | October 2-3 | Website
Findlay Fall Harvest Fest | October 2-4 | Website
MacQueen’s Apple Butter Festival | October 3-4 | Website
Oak Harbor Apple Festival | October 10-11 | Website
Grand Rapids Apple Butter Festival | October 11 | Website
Fulton County Spooktacular Fall Festival | October 15-18 | Website
Little Boo at the Toledo Zoo | October 15 and 16 | Website
Ottawa Park Pumpkin Palooza | October 17 | Website
Sylvania Fall Festival | October 17-18 | Website
Fremont Nightmare on Front Street | October 31 | Website
OKTOBERFESTS + ADULT FESTIVITIES
Main Street Blissfield Farm to Table | September 11 | Event Calendar
Frankenmuth Oktoberfest | September 17-20 | Website
Sip Sip Hooray! Harvest Wine Fest at the Toledo Zoo | September 25 | Website
Findlay Oktoberfest | September 26 | Facebook
Maumee Bay Brewing Co. Oktoberfest | September 27 | Website
Oktoberfest at Oak Shade Grove | September 27 | Website
ZOOtoberfest at the Toledo Zoo | October 2 | Website
Oastoberfest | October 2-3 | Website
Fremont Sauerkraut Oktoberfest | October 3 | Website
Ciderfest419 | October 3 | Website
Ashland Costume Crawl | October 30 | Facebook
FARMERS + MAKERS MARKETS
Luna Pier Fall Market | September 12 | Website
Indian Creek Zoo Fall Vendor & Crafter Event | September 19-20 | Facebook
Hershberger’s Farm & Bakery Fall Late Nights | October 2 and 16 | Website
The Vintage Market Wicked Pickin’ | October 4 | Website
View a list of weekly farmers markets here.
TOURS + WHODUNITS
Fall Color Cruise on the Sandpiper | Cruise calendar
Haunted Waterville Tours | Website
Garrison Ghost Walk at Fort Meigs | October 16, 17, 23 and 24 | Website
Whiskers & Whodunit? at Wildwood Metropark | October 30 | Facebook
As you can see, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of autumn. There are also tons of apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and haunted houses to add to your bucket list. And, of course, trick-or-treating is the main event of the season! Stay tuned for local dates and times.