12 can’t-miss fall festivals in Wisconsin
Fall in love with autumn by visiting one (or even a few) of these fall-themed festivals in Wisconsin running from September through October.
Even though fall isn’t in full swing quite yet, the fall festivals in Wisconsin are ready and raring to go. Throughout the state, communities are waving goodbye to the crazy, hazy days of summer and embracing the short but gorgeous autumn season.
It’s the perfect time to enjoy your community as the foliage changes and the weather balances chilly mornings, sunny afternoons, and cozy nights. From mid-September through October, there are many chances to attend fall events. To help fill your calendar, we’ve rounded up a few can’t-miss fall festivals in Wisconsin.
Caledonia Fall Harvest Fair
When: 9614 Northwestern Avenue, Caledonia
When: Saturday, September 13 ( 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Admission: Free
For one day only, enjoy local arts and crafts vendors including jewelry, bakery, embroidery, woodworking, and more at Franksville Memorial Park. There will also be food and drink vendors there if you’re looking for something to snack on while shopping around. And, a bonus for all pet and animal lovers—H.O.P.E. Safehouse will also be at the event for adoption and fostering opportunities!
Maple Fall Fest
When: Wildwood Park & Zoo, 1800 S. Roddis Avenue, Marshfield
When: Saturday, 9/13 and Sunday, 9/14 (9/13 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 9/14 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Admission: Free
The Maple Fall Fest in Marshfield offers two days of fun, music, and great food. Both days of the festival feature a pancake breakfast ($11), arts and crafts vendors, a beer garden, Amish specialties, and more.
Verona Fall Fest
When: 111 Lincoln Street, Verona
When: Friday, September 26 (4 p.m. to 11 p.m.)
Admission: Free
The Verona Fall Fest is around for one day only, so be sure to mark your calendars. Here you’ll find live music, tons of tasty food trucks, beer tents, and much more! From Ogaga’s African Kitchen to Cafe Costa Rica, you’ll have a chance to discover new dishes you’ll fall in love with. There are magic shows for the kids, hay rides, and two feature movies that you can check out (Ghostbusters and The Lost Boys).
Warren’s Cranberry Festival
When: 402 Pine Street, Warrens
When: Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28 (Pancake breakfast begins at 6 a.m.)
Admission: Free
Known far and wide throughout the state (and beyond), the Cranberry Festival in Warren, Wisconsin, is a must-attend fall festival. For all three days of the festival, there will be 800 arts and crafts vendors, over 100 food and farmers market booths, cranberry fest souvenirs, a pancake breakfast featuring cranberry syrup, and more!
Zoo Brew
When: Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 West Bluemound Road
When: Thursday, October 2 (6 p.m. for VIP, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. General admission)
Admission: Starting at $20 (alcohol-free option)
This special 21+ event is a great way to kick off fall. Come hang out at the Milwaukee County Zoo Brew and listen to good music, try samples from more than eight food vendors, and enjoy a bunch of beer and cider samples. Nothing says fall in Wisconsin like a boozy, brew event.
Greenfield Fall Family Fest
When: Konkel Park, 5151 W. Layton Avenue, Greenfield
When: Saturday, October 4 (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.)
Admission: Free
Bring the family to Konkel Park for the Fall Family Fest in Greenfield. Throughout the event, games, food from Shorty’s Grilled Cheese and Rose Mob Grill (just to name a couple), and a petting zoo are available. Make sure to register for the pie-eating competition at 2 p.m!
Wauktoberfest
When: 802 S. Century Avenue, Waunakee
When: Thursday, October 11 to Sunday, October 14 (See website for daily schedule)
Admission: Free
Nothing says fall like Wauktoberfest in Waunakee! Filled with beer, food, and all things German, Wauktoberfest has fun for families and adult fairgoers alike. There are a few unique events you definitely want to add to your list, including a wine tasting, the Wurst Beer Taste (all you can drink beer with a commemorative glass), a dachshund dash, and more.
Madeline Island Family Fall Fest
When: 817 Main Street, La Pointe
When: Saturday, October 18 (10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
Admission: Free
This family fun fall fest is hosted on Madeline Island and is guaranteed to be a great time for all! Bring the family by for pumpkin painting and birdhouse building, plus other unique experiences like making apple cider by hand using a press, or learn how to polish rocks. There will be other craft, jewelry, and local artisan vendors—and the wapples (waffles filled with apple cheesecake and caramel) are especially incredible.
Sister Bay Fall Fest
When: Downtown Sister Bay
When: Thursday, October 17 to Sunday, October 19 (Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Admission: Free
The fall fest in Downtown Sister Bay is packed with fun events, including a parade, a bouncy house, and more. There’s also fun for adults with craft and art vendors, and delicious food and drinks from local vendors.
Oak Creek Fall Festival
When: Drexel Town Square, Oak Creek
When: Saturday, October 25 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Admission: Free
Oak Creek’s farmers market is closing out with a bang, creating double the fun by partnering with the Oak Creek Fall Festival. In addition to all your favorite fall foods (sold at the farmers market), there will be food vendors so you can grab a bite to eat while you take in the gorgeous fall weather, as well as activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Fall Family Fun Fest
When: RAM’s (Racine Art Museum) Wustum Museum, 2519 Northwestern Avenue, Racine
When: October 25 (1 p.m. to 4 p.m)
Admission: Free
Get ready to be inspired by art, fall, and the spooky season at the Fall Family Fun Fest in Racine! The fall fest, hosted at one of Racine’s art museums, will include games for the kids, a costume contest, and even a (not too scary) scavenger hunt.
Harvest Fest at the Elegant Farmer
When: 1545 Main Street Hwys ES & J, Mukwonago
When: September 6 to October 26 (Saturdays and Sundays—See website for daily schedule)
Admission: Admission to the farm is free (but activities are at a fee)
At The Elegant Farmer, you can enjoy Harvest Fest Saturdays and Sundays from the beginning of September through the end of October. Apple picking, the Smilin’ Barn Cafe, pony rides, and more will be available every weekend.
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics.
