ALL ABOUT Apple FESTIVALS

SEPT 16–17: Johnny Appleseed Festival

IN

TN

Head to Fort Wayne to learn about John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, and enjoy a two-day celebration of his life at this festival featuring handmade crafts, children’s games, delicious food, a farmers market and more. Fort Wayne, johnnyappleseedfest.com

IL

For over 40 years, the Festival of the Vine has celebrated the harvest in historic downtown Geneva with wine, food and live

If you’re 21 or older and love bourbon, the Kentucky Bourbon Festival is the perfect place to learn more about the signature spirit of the Bluegrass State. With five different tasting packages to choose from, try a wide variety of bourbons from over 50 distilleries. Bardstown, kybourbonfestival.com

SEPT 7–10: Niagara County Peach Festival NY

In addition to all kinds of peach dishes to try, this annual celebration also features rides, games, live entertainment, a 5K run and more. A peach taste-off and a Peach Queen pageant are also among the festivities at this event. Lewiston, niagaracountypeachfestival.org

Founded in 2013 with the mission to spread cultural awareness, the Jackson International Food and Art Festival brings together the community for a celebration of unity that fosters engagement across cultures and recognizes the diverse backgrounds of western Tennessee residents. Jackson, jifaf.com

SEPT 30-OCT 1: Port Elgin Pumpkinfest

ONGrab some poutine and kettle corn from the food vendors and wonder at the giant vegetable weigh-offs at this year’s Pumpkinfest in downtown Port Elgin. Between the classic car show, the carnival games and the petting zoo, the festival offers entertainment for all ages. Port Elgin, pumpkinfest.org

SEPT 30-OCT 8: Autumn Leaf Festival

SEPT 29–OCT 1: Apple Harvest Festival

NY Nothing says fall in central New York quite like the annual Apple Harvest Festival in Ithaca. The festival kicks off Cider Week New York with offerings that include apple-themed dishes from food trucks, a craft fair, live entertainment and more. Ithaca, downtownithaca.com

PA

This award-winning and long-standing event features “9 days of fun for the whole family,” complete with live entertainment, carnival rides, a parade and an antique tractor show. This year’s theme is “Groovin’ into Autumn.” Clarion, clarionpa.com

OCT 5–29: Headless Horseman Festival IN

On Thursdays through Sundays during the month of October, the Headless Horseman

OCT 7–8: Heartland Apple Festival

IN Beasley’s Orchard in Danville offers all sorts of applerelated and fall-fun activities. Pick your own apples, hop on a hayride and get lost in a corn maze. Feeling especially adventurous? Try your hand at hitting a bullseye with the apple cannons. Danville, visithendrickscounty.com

Festival is in full swing at Conner Prairie. With a cozy bed-andbreakfast right around the corner and a fun scarecrow contest, this festival promises a hearty serving of seasonal fun. Fishers, connerprairie.org

OCT 6-8: Paul Bunyan Show OH

The Paul Bunyan Show shares information on forest industries, natural resources and lifestyles through various educational exhibits, presentations, research and products. With roots dating back to 1957 in McArthur, Ohio, the event seeks to enhance the quality of life and market competitiveness of families, industries and communities. Cambridge, ohioforest.org

OCT 6–8: St. James Court

Art Show

OCT 7–8: Great Cortland

Pumpkinfest NY

Held in the heart of downtown Cortland, New York, this pumpkin festival is worthy of a shoutout from Charlie Brown himself. Grab a bite to eat, check out locally made crafts and pick out the best pumpkins of the season at this beloved, volunteer-run local festival. Cortland, cortlandpumpkinfest.org

OCT 13–15: Fort Ligonier

Days PA

Fort Ligonier Days brings visitors to the quaint town of Ligonier to commemorate a key battle of the French and Indian War on Oct. 12, 1758. This threeday event covers historic battle re-enactments, juried crafts, music entertainment, a parade and a 5K. Ligonier, fortligonierdays.com

OCT 7: Harpers Ferry

Highland Games WV

KY

Located in Historic Old Louisville, the St. James Court Art Show features over 600 artists among the largest collection of Victorian houses in the United States. With vendors on-site to purchase food from while out walking around, this event is a great way to spend a fall day. Historic Old Louisville, stjamescourtartshow.com

OCT 13–15: Oxford

Renaissance Festival

ONDiscover a time of knights and royalty with a weekend of jousts, theater and live entertainment. Buy a costume or souvenir from artisan vendors, try your hand at archery and have a drink at the pub as you enjoy live music. After grabbing food from a themed vendor, catch

Participate in an age-old Scottish tradition and competition that is welcoming to all who wish to experience Celtic heritage and culture. This outdoor experience is held at Sam Michaels Park and features vendors, live music and traditional games. Harpers Ferry, harpersferryceltic culturesociety.com

NOV 5–DEC 23: Shaw Festival

Presents “A Christmas Carol”

ONAmong the many theater options the cozy town of Niagara-onthe-Lake offers, don’t miss the classic tale “A Christmas Carol.” Grab a ticket and be transported to Victorian England and back in an evening of ghosts and Christmas joy. Niagara-on-the-Lake, shawfest.com

OCT 25–29: Sycamore Pumpkin Festival the best holiday markets in the U.S. and features handmade artisan works and festive fun. This year will highlight Käthe Wohlfahrt, offering handmade ornaments, nutcrackers and collectibles from Germany. Bethlehem, christmascity.org

NOV 18–JAN 1: Candy Land

Gone to the Birds

IL

From the opening cake-cutting ceremony to the grand Sunday parade, experience this year’s theme, “Pumpkins of History.”

Over 1,000 decorated pumpkins adorn the courthouse lawn, surrounded by two indoor craft shows, two carnivals and an array of nonprofit vendors. Sycamore, sycamorepumpkinfestival.com acrobatic and comic performances. Dorchester, oxfordrenfest.com

OCT 28: Detroit Fall Beer Festival malt silos with decades of brewing history. Detroit, mibeer.com

NOV 9–FEB 18: Pigeon Forge Winterfest and Sevierville, the Smoky Mountains shine with months of winter family fun. Pigeon Forge, pigeonforgewinterfest.com

OHThis indoor holiday attraction features fun for the whole family, bringing the “Candy Land” game to life with a wild birding adventure. Enjoy displays, scavenger hunts, hands-on exhibits and much more. Kirtland, lakemetroparks.com

DEC 1–JAN 7: Bright Lights

Windsor

MI

Sip craft beers from Michigan breweries in the historic Eastern Market. Grab food from Detroit restaurants and enjoy performances from stellar local musicians while surrounded by

Experience the beauty of a winter wonderland in eastern Tennessee. With various events, shows, theater performances, parades and light tours throughout Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg

TN

NOV 17–DEC 17: Christkindlmarkt

PA

Celebrate the spirit of the season in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, at Christkindlmarkt. This event is recognized as one of

At

ONWinter seems to have less of a chill under the canopy of rainbow lights at Windsor’s annual Christmas-season exhibition. Trees covered in lights illuminate the winding path dotted with glowing reindeer, geese and moose. Listen to Christmas carols from the comfort of a mini train car while chugging past snowmen and a towering Christmas tree. Windsor, facebook.com/brightlightswindsor

A

Plan

FEB 3: Vermilion

Ice A Fair OH

Enjoy a day of familyfriendly fun at this lakeshore town during its annual ice-sculpture festival. See ice carvers at work, and take in the gallery of glistening ice sculptures throughout downtown while visiting local shops and restaurants. Vermilion, mainstreetvermilion.org

NOV 25–DEC 10: Holly Dickens Festival

NOV 24–DEC 30: ChristmasTown at the Creation Museum

KY

For those in need of some Christmas spirit, look no further than ChristmasTown. Every Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 8:30 p.m. starting Nov. 24, check out the twinkling lights, indoor nativity and more at this free event. Petersburg, creationmuseum.org/ christmas

DEC 1–JAN 1: Holiday Lights at Buffalo Trace Distillery

KY

Want to check out beautiful holiday lights without leaving the car? Enjoy Buffalo Trace Distillery’s holiday light display from the comfort of your automobile every night of the month in December (and New Year’s Day) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Frankfort, buffalotracedistillerycom

DEC 8–9: Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival

WV

Based on the 2005 graphic novel of the same name by Marion County, West Virginia,

Mi

Travel back to Victorian England and celebrate the time of author Charles Dickens at this historic holiday festival. Follow the scents of hot chocolate and roasting chestnuts through unique shops and cozy diners. Watch choirs and street-theater performances while riding through the historic downtown in a horse-drawn carriage. Be sure to keep an eye out for Scrooge and Tiny Tim. Holly, hollydickensfestival.org

FEB. 9–11: Culver

Winterfest IN

Visit this lakefront town for a threeday celebration of free family fun. With a walking tour of local merchant-sponsored ice sculptures, sledding, a polar plunge and more, there is plenty in store to spruce up a winter weekend. Culver, findculver.com native Robert “Bob” Tinnel, the Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival is chock full of annual traditions celebrated by those of Italian heritage during the holiday season. Fairmont, marioncvb.com

JAN 6: Alton Eagle Ice Festival IL

As American Bald Eagles flock to Illinois for the winter, celebrate our national bird with an eagle-watching shuttle tour and an eagle meet and greet photo session. After eating s’mores, sampling food truck fare and watching live ice-carving, visit the National Great Rivers Museum to learn about eagles from experts, make crafts and spot eagle nests. Alton, riversandroutes.com

JAN 25-28: Winterfest

Morgantown, chocolatewine shine.com

FEB. 15–25: Syracuse

Winterfest

MI

Experience everything snowy and cozy during this fourday festival. Build and race your own cardboard sled, pull on your pajamas for the Sleepwalker Run and warm up with cider, beer and hot chocolate at the Bonfire Bash. Kids can participate in a snow angel contest, and the whole family can cheer each other on during the family dog pull. Grand Haven, grandhavenwinterfest.org

FEB 10: WV Chocolate, Wine & Shine Festival

WV Enjoy “a sweet taste of the mountains” at the WV Chocolate, Wine and Shine Festival, featuring chocolates, wineries, distilleries and games. During chocolatier showcases, sample the best of the decadent chocolates produced by these West Virginia makers.

NY

Head to Upstate New York for winter fun, including unique contests like a Chowder Cook-Off and a Bloody Mary Mix-Off as well as ice-carving demonstrations, trivia, dog-sled races and more. Syracuse, syracusewinterfest.com