One of the best things about living in Iowa is experiencing all four seasons. Fall is right around the corner, and it’s a beautiful reason to celebrate. Here are some festivals that are worth a bit of a road trip.
The dates listed here are for 2017, only.
Sometimes, dates and times change without notice. It’s always a good idea to double check the dates, locations, and times of any event you plan to attend before setting out on your journey.
- Pumpkinfest, Anamosa, October 7 and 8
Anamosa Pumpkinfest/Facebook This iconic Main Street event is everything you hope for in a Harvest Festival. This is an Anamosa tradition since 1989 that the entire town looks forward to each year. See the biggest pumpkins, an amazing parade, and browse dozens of food and craft vendors.
- West Branch Fall Festival, West Branch, October 6 and 7
West Branch Community Development Group/Facebook
Rochelle Hartman/Flickr There’s an old-fashioned bonfire the evening of October 6. Participate in the chili cook off, decorate pumpkins, or go on a hayrack ride. All the traditional harvest festival activities plus historic tours on Saturday make this a great event.
- Ely Fall Fest, Ely, October 13 and 14
City of Ely, Iowa/Facebook
Paul Huber/Flickr There’s a 5k run and a one-mile fun run. Kids activities include pumpkin decorating and inflatables. There’s a farmers’ market, car show, street dance with live music, hayrack rides, and fireworks show.
- Madison County Covered Bridge Festival, Winterset, October 14 and 15
Madison County Covered Bridge Festival/Facebook With the fall foliage at its peak, this festival offers amazing scenery and endless entertainment. Enjoy live music, a spelling bee, amazing food, craft demonstrations, and a car show.
- Beaverdale Fall Festival, Des Moines, September 15 and 16
Beaverdale Fall Festival/Facebook
socogirl5000/Flickr This festival is a tradition that’s over 100 years old. Horse rides, street games, a dog parade, shopping, food, a car night, and a huge carnival make this a fun family event.
- Steam Threshing Festival, Forest City, September 14 through 17
Heritage Park of North Iowa Website This family-friendly event offers a giant consignment sale, tons of kids’ activities, and the tempting all-you-can-eat bologna and corn tent.
- Waverly Oktoberfest, Waverly, September 22 and 23
Waverly Oktoberfest/Facebook Not every Oktoberfest celebration is family-friendly, but this one has plenty of things to do for everyone. There’s a beverage garden and a family fun zone.
- Harvest Fest, Harlan, October 28
Harlan HarvestFest/Facebook
Mark Evans/Flickr Businesses on the square host trick-or-treating, so this is a great chance for kids to show off their costumes. There’s a hayrack ride, parade, and outdoor games, as well.
- Kalona Fall Festival, Kalona, September 29 and 30
Kalona Historical Village/Facebook Enjoy a walk through the historic 1800s village and see apple butter making demonstrations, loom weaving, spinning, and cornmeal grinding. Local crafts, decorations, delicious food, and live music make this event truly special.
- Nelson Pioneer Fall Festival, Oskaloosa, September 16
Facebook/Nelson Pioneer Festival This unique event features a fiddling contest, horse-drawn carriages, a parade, and a country dinner. Tour the Nelson Pioneer farm museum and community and see over 30 craftsmen show off their pioneer skills. This is a one-day event that goes from 9:30am until 4pm. There is a $5 admission charge.
These are just a few of Iowa’s fun fall festivals. What fall events do you look forward to the most?
Anamosa Pumpkinfest/Facebook
This iconic Main Street event is everything you hope for in a Harvest Festival. This is an Anamosa tradition since 1989 that the entire town looks forward to each year. See the biggest pumpkins, an amazing parade, and browse dozens of food and craft vendors.
West Branch Community Development Group/Facebook
Rochelle Hartman/Flickr
There’s an old-fashioned bonfire the evening of October 6. Participate in the chili cook off, decorate pumpkins, or go on a hayrack ride. All the traditional harvest festival activities plus historic tours on Saturday make this a great event.
City of Ely, Iowa/Facebook
Paul Huber/Flickr
There’s a 5k run and a one-mile fun run. Kids activities include pumpkin decorating and inflatables. There’s a farmers’ market, car show, street dance with live music, hayrack rides, and fireworks show.
Madison County Covered Bridge Festival/Facebook
With the fall foliage at its peak, this festival offers amazing scenery and endless entertainment. Enjoy live music, a spelling bee, amazing food, craft demonstrations, and a car show.
Beaverdale Fall Festival/Facebook
socogirl5000/Flickr
This festival is a tradition that’s over 100 years old. Horse rides, street games, a dog parade, shopping, food, a car night, and a huge carnival make this a fun family event.
Heritage Park of North Iowa Website
This family-friendly event offers a giant consignment sale, tons of kids’ activities, and the tempting all-you-can-eat bologna and corn tent.
Waverly Oktoberfest/Facebook
Not every Oktoberfest celebration is family-friendly, but this one has plenty of things to do for everyone. There’s a beverage garden and a family fun zone.
Harlan HarvestFest/Facebook
Mark Evans/Flickr
Businesses on the square host trick-or-treating, so this is a great chance for kids to show off their costumes. There’s a hayrack ride, parade, and outdoor games, as well.
Kalona Historical Village/Facebook
Enjoy a walk through the historic 1800s village and see apple butter making demonstrations, loom weaving, spinning, and cornmeal grinding. Local crafts, decorations, delicious food, and live music make this event truly special.
Facebook/Nelson Pioneer Festival
This unique event features a fiddling contest, horse-drawn carriages, a parade, and a country dinner. Tour the Nelson Pioneer farm museum and community and see over 30 craftsmen show off their pioneer skills. This is a one-day event that goes from 9:30am until 4pm. There is a $5 admission charge.
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