Fall Festivals You Don't Want to Miss
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As summer’s greenery gives way to the colorful leaves of fall, we’re gearing up for all of the great festivals that come with the season. Autumn wouldn’t be complete without apple-picking, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches, and we can’t wait to put on our sweaters and enjoy the cooler weather. If you live in Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, or South Carolina, read on for the most popular, don’t-miss fall festivals in each state.
Illinois
Murphysboro Apple Festival
From September 13-16, 2017, you can attend the 66th annual Apple Festival in Murphysboro. The festival is the oldest and largest alcohol-free festival in southern Illinois. The Apple Festival has four days packed with live music and activities, including a carnival, apple eating contest, and parade that’ll help you ring in autumn properly.
Morton Pumpkin Festival
If you’re in Morton, IL from September 13-16, stop by the Morton Pumpkin Festival for lots of family fun, including a carnival, big wheel race, pumpkin bingo, a pumpkin decorating contest, pumpkin craft fair, pumpkin classic run and walk and many other pumpkin-related, kid-friendly activities. This fall festival truly has something for everyone. Morton is easily accessed from Peoria and Bloomington, and it’s free to enter the festival!
Lansing Autumnfest
Attend the 5th Annual Lansing Autumnfest from October 6-8, 2017 in Lansing, Illinois. This fall festival is great for families with children because it features a children’s area full of arts and crafts and kid-friendly music. The Illinois fall festival also features a chili cook off, a marketplace selling local, handmade goods and food, and a pumpkin cash raffle. If you are or were in the United States Military, make sure to attend the Lansing Autumnfest Military Day for free breakfast and a military tribute concert.
Oktoberfest Chicago
Don’t miss the 17th annual Oktoberfest Chicago from September 29 – October 1, 2017 at St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church in Chicago’s West Lakeview neighborhood. The fall festival is known for being one of Chicago’s best autumn pastimes, and is a celebration of everything Bavarian. The event features craft beer tasting nights in a traditional German beer hall, as well as traditional Bavarian brats, pretzels, and music. There are also plenty of activities to keep kids busy and happy.
Wisconsin
Wo-Zha-Wa Days Fall Festival in Wisconsin Dells
Wo Zha Wa means Fun Time in native Ho-Chunk, and that’s exactly what you’ll have at this Fall Festival from September 15-17, 2017 in Wisconsin Dells. Wo Zha Wa is Wisconsin’s way of saying goodbye to summer and hello to Fall. When you attend the Wisconsin fall festival, you’ll experience an arts and crafts fair, antique flea market, Maxwell Street Days, live entertainment, and a huge parade. This fall festival is 100% family friendly, with lots of fun activities for adults and kids alike.
Appleton Octoberfest
Appleton Octoberfest, also known as Appleton’s largest block party, takes place in Appleton, Wisconsin from September 29-30. Welcome autumn in Wisconsin with one of the city’s largest car shows, live music, good beer, great food, and arts and crafts for the whole family. Part of the proceeds from this festival go directly toward non-profit organizations that make Appleton a better, safer, and more fulfilling community.
Oktoberfest, USA in Lacrosse, Wisconsin
Oktoberfest is such a big deal in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, that the town copyrighted “Oktoberfest, USA” to be used only in conjunction with their festival. From September 28 – October 1, 2017, Lacrosse transforms into a German town celebrating the coming of fall. Oktoberfest, USA is one of the few authentic Old World folk festivals still held annually in the United States. The massive effort that goes into this legendary fall festival makes it worth traveling to attend. You may only travel a few to a few-hundred miles, but you’ll feel like you’ve landed in Munich once you’re there.
Great Pumpkin Chuckin’ Fest at Union Grove, Wisconsin
Not only will you get to see huge pumpkins flying through the air at the Great Pumkin Chuckin’ Fesst from October 21-22, 2017 at Racine Fair Grounds in Union Grove, Wisconsin; you’ll also get to experience The Best of the Midwest BBQ Cook Off. This fall festival also features live music and a catapult competition.
Missouri
MO Food Truck Fest in Springfield, Missouri
If you’ve got September 16, 2017 free and live in Springfield, Missouri, make sure you head down to the MO Food Truck Fest. This festival doesn’t necessarily scream “fall”, but it’s a great opportunity to grab a blanket and enjoy some delicious food truck grub surrounded by the changing leaves and cooler temperatures of autumn. The event is free to attend, but you’ll have to pay for whatever you want to eat and drink.
Cider Days in Springfield, Missouri
Take in Historic Walnut Street in Springfield, Missouri, from September 16-17, 2017 for Cider Days. This event has fall fun for the whole family with pumpkin painting, live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, and of course, cider and other fall-themed food. Grab your family and welcome autumn with a hot cup of apple cider.
Scarecrow Festival in Eureka, Missouri
Eureka is a town 25 minutes west of St. Louis in the Missouri Ozarks, and every year throughout the month of October, homeowners and business owners alike create artistic scarecrows and place them around town. When you visit Eureka, it’s free to see the scarecrows, and the town welcomes you to walk up and down the streets to experience this unique fall ritual.
South Carolina
Fall for Greenville, South Carolina
Fall for Greenville takes place in October 13-15, 2017 in Greenville, South Carolina. The fall festival centers on music and food from Greenville’s best restaurants. The festival is family friendly, featuring a kids’ area, culinary demonstrations, and competitions. As an added perk, Greenville is nestled in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, so if you want to extend your trip, you’re in the perfect spot to take in the changing fall colors.
North Charleston Harvest Festival and Block Party, South Carolina
Do you live in the North Charleston neighborhood of Charleston in South Carolina? On October 21, join your community members for a day of family-friendly fun, complete with an artist market, costume contests, and trick-or-treat on the street, a pop-up pumpkin patch, and more. The best part? You can have all of this fall fun for free. This fall festival takes place in the Olde Village of North Charleston.
Jack O Lantern Jubilee, North Augusta, South Carolina
On October 27-28, 2017, head down to downtown North Augusta, South Carolina for the 33rd Annual Jack O Lantern Jubilee, a fun fall festival to ring in autumn with live music, a carnival, a corn hole tournament, car show, and local arts and crafts vendors. Your kids will also have a great time with the annual costume contest, face painting and clowns at the festival.
While you’re out attending these festivals, make sure you stop by your neighborhood AmeriCash Loans location. We have stores in Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, and South Carolina, many of them near these fall festivals. Apply at your neighborhood location or online today with our fast, easy, and confidential application process. You could get your cash as soon as the next business day.
Illinois
Murphysboro Apple Festival
From September 13-16, 2017, you can attend the 66th annual Apple Festival in Murphysboro. The festival is the oldest and largest alcohol-free festival in southern Illinois. The Apple Festival has four days packed with live music and activities, including a carnival, apple eating contest, and parade that’ll help you ring in autumn properly.
Morton Pumpkin Festival
If you’re in Morton, IL from September 13-16, stop by the Morton Pumpkin Festival for lots of family fun, including a carnival, big wheel race, pumpkin bingo, a pumpkin decorating contest, pumpkin craft fair, pumpkin classic run and walk and many other pumpkin-related, kid-friendly activities. This fall festival truly has something for everyone. Morton is easily accessed from Peoria and Bloomington, and it’s free to enter the festival!
Lansing Autumnfest
Attend the 5th Annual Lansing Autumnfest from October 6-8, 2017 in Lansing, Illinois. This fall festival is great for families with children because it features a children’s area full of arts and crafts and kid-friendly music. The Illinois fall festival also features a chili cook off, a marketplace selling local, handmade goods and food, and a pumpkin cash raffle. If you are or were in the United States Military, make sure to attend the Lansing Autumnfest Military Day for free breakfast and a military tribute concert.
Oktoberfest Chicago
Don’t miss the 17th annual Oktoberfest Chicago from September 29 – October 1, 2017 at St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church in Chicago’s West Lakeview neighborhood. The fall festival is known for being one of Chicago’s best autumn pastimes, and is a celebration of everything Bavarian. The event features craft beer tasting nights in a traditional German beer hall, as well as traditional Bavarian brats, pretzels, and music. There are also plenty of activities to keep kids busy and happy.
Wisconsin
Wo-Zha-Wa Days Fall Festival in Wisconsin Dells
Wo Zha Wa means Fun Time in native Ho-Chunk, and that’s exactly what you’ll have at this Fall Festival from September 15-17, 2017 in Wisconsin Dells. Wo Zha Wa is Wisconsin’s way of saying goodbye to summer and hello to Fall. When you attend the Wisconsin fall festival, you’ll experience an arts and crafts fair, antique flea market, Maxwell Street Days, live entertainment, and a huge parade. This fall festival is 100% family friendly, with lots of fun activities for adults and kids alike.
Appleton Octoberfest
Appleton Octoberfest, also known as Appleton’s largest block party, takes place in Appleton, Wisconsin from September 29-30. Welcome autumn in Wisconsin with one of the city’s largest car shows, live music, good beer, great food, and arts and crafts for the whole family. Part of the proceeds from this festival go directly toward non-profit organizations that make Appleton a better, safer, and more fulfilling community.
Oktoberfest, USA in Lacrosse, Wisconsin
Oktoberfest is such a big deal in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, that the town copyrighted “Oktoberfest, USA” to be used only in conjunction with their festival. From September 28 – October 1, 2017, Lacrosse transforms into a German town celebrating the coming of fall. Oktoberfest, USA is one of the few authentic Old World folk festivals still held annually in the United States. The massive effort that goes into this legendary fall festival makes it worth traveling to attend. You may only travel a few to a few-hundred miles, but you’ll feel like you’ve landed in Munich once you’re there.
Great Pumpkin Chuckin’ Fest at Union Grove, Wisconsin
Not only will you get to see huge pumpkins flying through the air at the Great Pumkin Chuckin’ Fesst from October 21-22, 2017 at Racine Fair Grounds in Union Grove, Wisconsin; you’ll also get to experience The Best of the Midwest BBQ Cook Off. This fall festival also features live music and a catapult competition.
Missouri
MO Food Truck Fest in Springfield, Missouri
If you’ve got September 16, 2017 free and live in Springfield, Missouri, make sure you head down to the MO Food Truck Fest. This festival doesn’t necessarily scream “fall”, but it’s a great opportunity to grab a blanket and enjoy some delicious food truck grub surrounded by the changing leaves and cooler temperatures of autumn. The event is free to attend, but you’ll have to pay for whatever you want to eat and drink.
Cider Days in Springfield, Missouri
Take in Historic Walnut Street in Springfield, Missouri, from September 16-17, 2017 for Cider Days. This event has fall fun for the whole family with pumpkin painting, live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, and of course, cider and other fall-themed food. Grab your family and welcome autumn with a hot cup of apple cider.
Scarecrow Festival in Eureka, Missouri
Eureka is a town 25 minutes west of St. Louis in the Missouri Ozarks, and every year throughout the month of October, homeowners and business owners alike create artistic scarecrows and place them around town. When you visit Eureka, it’s free to see the scarecrows, and the town welcomes you to walk up and down the streets to experience this unique fall ritual.
South Carolina
Fall for Greenville, South Carolina
Fall for Greenville takes place in October 13-15, 2017 in Greenville, South Carolina. The fall festival centers on music and food from Greenville’s best restaurants. The festival is family friendly, featuring a kids’ area, culinary demonstrations, and competitions. As an added perk, Greenville is nestled in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, so if you want to extend your trip, you’re in the perfect spot to take in the changing fall colors.
North Charleston Harvest Festival and Block Party, South Carolina
Do you live in the North Charleston neighborhood of Charleston in South Carolina? On October 21, join your community members for a day of family-friendly fun, complete with an artist market, costume contests, and trick-or-treat on the street, a pop-up pumpkin patch, and more. The best part? You can have all of this fall fun for free. This fall festival takes place in the Olde Village of North Charleston.
Jack O Lantern Jubilee, North Augusta, South Carolina
On October 27-28, 2017, head down to downtown North Augusta, South Carolina for the 33rd Annual Jack O Lantern Jubilee, a fun fall festival to ring in autumn with live music, a carnival, a corn hole tournament, car show, and local arts and crafts vendors. Your kids will also have a great time with the annual costume contest, face painting and clowns at the festival.
While you’re out attending these festivals, make sure you stop by your neighborhood AmeriCash Loans location. We have stores in Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, and South Carolina, many of them near these fall festivals. Apply at your neighborhood location or online today with our fast, easy, and confidential application process. You could get your cash as soon as the next business day.
