Celebrate all things autumn by getting out into the country to enjoy some fabulous fall festivals
Autumn leaves are falling and the smell of pumpkin spice is in the air. That’s right – fall is here and with it comes a bevvy of family-friendly fall festivals. In the Portland area, we’re lucky to be surrounded by agriculture of all kinds, from the apple orchards of Hood River to pumpkin patches on Sauvie Island. All you need to do to get in on this autumn action is pick a weekend in October and get ready to press cider, pet goats, fly kites, and watch a pumpkin boat race that’s like no other around.
photo: Brian Becker
Bend Fall Festival
For a full weekend of fall fun, head to this three-day festival in Bend to celebrate the best of the autumn season with art, food, and music. Here you’ll find more than 80 artisans and craftspeople displaying their beautiful handiwork, design, and artistry in the heart of downtown, plus an Art in Action Avenue with live demonstrations, a Harvest Market teeming with seasonal, local produce, and a family play zone with everything from pumpkin painting to a bounce house.
Dates: Sep. 30-Oct. 2, 2022
Downtown Bend
N.W. Wall St. & N.W. Bond St.
Bend, OR
Event details
Related: Fuel Up! Fall Road Trips Portland Families Should Plan Now
Packer Orchards Fall Festival
You’ll find a ton of autumn fun at this fall festival that started mid-September and runs through October. Get lost (but not for too long) in the family-friendly corn maze or grab a burlap sack and slide down a giant hay slide. There are also cute farm animals to visit, your own pumpkin to pick, and an activity field to play in. With so many choices, you might have to visit on multiple days.
Dates: Thu.-Sun., now through Nov. 5, 2022
3020 Thomsen Rd.
Hood River, OR
Event details
Related: Get Lost! Family-Friendly Corn Mazes to Visit This Fall
The Fall Kite Festival
Take flight into the fall season at this kite festival in Lincoln City. Expect exciting kite demonstrations by experts, kite-making, a parade, and of course the colorful, giant kites floating above the beach. The Fall Kite Festival is an event like no other, with brilliant shapes and colors filling up the sky for the whole weekend.
Date: Oct. 1-2, 2022
D River State Recreation Site
101 US-101
Lincoln City, OR
Event details
Related: Fuel Up! Fall Road Trips Portland Families Should Take Now
Hood River Valley Harvest Fest
For the classic fall festival experience, with all the fresh produce, pumpkin-carving contests, and apple cider you could ask for, this is one of the region’s best. Your kids will enjoy the bouncy house and rock wall, along with other kids’ activities, while you can browse from a wide range of goods created by local artisans, and sip on local wine and beer. Extend your trip with a visit to any of the area’s many farms along the historic Fruit Loop, most of which will be offering harvest specials of their own.
Dates: Oct. 7-9, 2022
Hood River Event Site
North of Exit 63 off Interstate 84
Hood River, OR
Event details
photo: courtesy City of Tualatin
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
Come to the silliest of the annual thrills to watch costumed competitors paddle giant pumpkins on Tualatin Lake. (Like, actual pumpkins, hollowed out into actual boats. Who’s with us?) The Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers supply the enormous gourds for this annual pumpkin boat race, open to paddlers 18 and older, chosen during a pre-event selection process. Besides cheering on the racers, there’s plenty for little ones to do, with children’s costume contests, pumpkin races, giant pumpkin weigh-offs, live music, and great food.
Dates: Oct. 15 & 16, 2022
Tualatin Lake of the Commons
8325 S.W. Nyberg St.
Tualatin, OR
Event details
Related: Oh My Gourd! Where to Pick the Best Pumpkins around Portland
Flock and Fiber Festival
For something off the well-beaten corn-maze path, head to Canby and check out this craft-centered weekend festival honoring the art of natural fibers. Visit the sheep, goats, and llamas; participate in a make-and-take workshop; and wander the marketplace to admire a wide range of handmade goods, from felted clothing to woven baskets. Kids’ activities, a cook-off, and a goat obstacle course round out the weekend.
Date: Oct. 15 & 16, 2022
Clackamas County Event Center
694 N.E. 4th Ave.
Canby, OR
Event details
photo: iStock
Killer Pumpkin Fest
Killer Pumpkin Fest is back from the dead as Rogue’s signature event celebrating all things Halloween with storytelling, pumpkin beer, costume contests, ax throwing, pumpkin smashing, and many more activities for a full day of spookiness and fun. This event takes over the streets around the Eastside Pub with REI & Yeti, and you can expect prizes and swag, delicious brews, non-alcoholic drinks, and plenty of eats and treats. Bring the kiddos and pets in costume, and be ready for some autumn excitement, rain or shine.
Date: Oct. 29, 2022
Rogue Ales & Spirits
928 S.E. 9th Ave.
Portland
Event details
Related: Boo Ya! Amazing Halloween Events for Portland Kids
additional reporting by Dhyana Levey
