I’m sad to say that summer is leaving us, and the kids are back to school. However, autumn is a glorious season, and there are many family-friendly things to do in Ohio in the fall. Ohio is full of fall festivals and activities, and I’ve compiled a list of some of the best.
September
Ohio River Sternwheel Festival
September 11-13, 2026
Marietta has been home for the Sternwheel Festival for over 40 years! I’ve already been charmed by this river town so I can see why a free family-friendly event would make it even more desirable.
For more things to do while you’re visiting Marietta, check out 5 Reasons You Must Visit Marietta, Ohio.
Ohio Renaissance Festival
Weekends September 5 – November 1, 2026
Want to see a sword fight, joust, or a tale of Robin Hood without traveling back in time? The Ohio Renaissance Festival will delight kids of all ages through food, shows, and old-fashioned games. The festival runs for nearly two months, on weekends only. You can check out The Wandering Educator’s review HERE.
Columbus Oktoberfest
September 11-13, 2026
For over 50 years, the Columbus Oktoberfest has been a free, family-friendly event located at the Ohio Expo Center/Ohio State Fairgrounds. The fall tradition includes a men’s and women’s stone toss & cream puff eating competition (you had me at cream puff). Over 10,000 feet of covered space ensures the festival will go on – rain or shine. Admission is free, but parking is $15 per car.
Backwoods Fest
September 18-20, 2025
Thornville’s Backwoods Fest is located near Buckeye Lake. Situated in the woods of Perry County, the three-day festival is an arts and crafts extravaganza of over 300 vendors. The food options are mouth-watering! Kids aged 10 and under are free. If you bring a stroller, make sure that it’s one with big wheels — it’s not called “backwoods” for nothing. 😉 Admission for folks over 10 is $12.
Cedar Point HalloWeekends
Select days, September 17 – November 1, 2026
America’s Roller Coaster Capital hosts a 7-weekend event geared for the Halloween enthusiast. Daytimes are a kid-friendly Great Pumpkin Fest. Once dark descends, though, so do the creepy ghosts and zombies.
HalloWeekends are included in the price of your admission – consider booking a package with a stay at the newly renovated Hotel Breakers. Find out more on HalloWeekends from Adventure Mom’s post on how to survive if you don’t like the scarier stuff.
Check hotel rates at Hotel Breakers
Barberton Mum Fest
September 26-27, 2026
Lake Anna Park hosts the Barberton Mum Fest where nearly 17,000 chrysanthemums create nearly 1 MILLION mum blooms. It’s definitely a sight to behold!
If you don’t have time to visit the festival, the mums will stay in place for a few weeks – just strolling through this display is wonderful. Check their Facebook page for updates.
October
The Swiss Festival
October 1-3, 2026
Sugarcreek, Ohio, is home to the “Little Switzerland” of Ohio, and it’s also the setting for Ohio’s Swiss Festival. The Swiss Festival is great fun – with a massive Grand Parade on Saturday showcasing many local businesses. After the parade, consider walking to the Fire House for wine and cheese samples! Bring cash.
If you’re a runner, you may want to sign up for the “Cheese Chase 5k” that winds through downtown Sugarcreek.
Prairie Peddler Festival
September 26-27, and Oct 3-4, 2026
Arts and crafts, pony rides, AND live country music??! The best of all things fall is at the Prairie Peddler Festival in the hills near Mohican State Park. Local vendors and fun fair food (i.e., my favorite- kettle corn) make this a special two-weekend event. Check out my full guide to the Prairie Peddler Festival.
Consider making a weekend of it by hiking at Mohican State Park or visiting nearby Amish Country.
Admission to the Festival is $10 for adults, $3 for kids ages 6-12, and free for kids under 6. This is a festival in the hills, and I can’t say that it is good for a stroller, but an all-terrain wagon or a stroller with large wheels may work.
October
Bob Evans Farm Fest
October 9-11, 2026
The popular family chain, Bob Evans, began in the rolling hills of Southern Ohio! So, every October, Rio Grande, Ohio, is home to this 3-day festival of crafts, kids’ activities, and musical entertainment- and of course, a Bob Evans food tent. All-day ride passes are only $10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 6-12.
Take a hike or a road trip to see fall foliage – mid-late October
Ohio’s trees put on a show during October! Fall foliage varies greatly from Ohio’s north to south, but consider a road trip or a hike to enjoy the beauty of autumn. Get started here: The best hikes in Northeast Ohio OR the Top 5 Hocking Hills hikes for kids. One of my favorite fall scenes was last year at Whipp’s Ledges in Northeast Ohio.
Ashtabula Covered Bridge Festival
October 10-11, 2026
Ashtabula County boasts the most Covered Bridges in the state of Ohio- 19 in total! Come to celebrate all things covered bridges, and take a driving tour while you’re at it.
In 2026, the festival will mostly take place at the Harpersfield Covered Bridge, with food vendors strolling entertainers like Abe & Mary Todd Lincoln.
Apple Butter Stirrin’ Festival
October 16-18, 2026
Watch and help stir kettles of fresh apple butter while listening to local bluegrass music and enjoy historical reenactors. With family activities and over 100 vendors, this Roscoe Village event is sure to please. Don’t miss these other fun things to do in Coshocton.
Enjoy the fall decor at Kingwood Center Gardens
Typically late September – October
One of my favorite fall activities in Ohio is seeing the fall displays at Kingwood Center Gardens. Kingwood Center transforms the gardens with a beautiful array of pumpkins, gourds, mums, and corn stalks. It is a sight to behold!
While you’re in Mansfield, make sure to check out some of my favorite restaurants and things to do in Mansfield with kids. Malabar Farm is also beautiful in the fall!
Also consider getting tickets for The Great Pumpkin Glow at Kingwood Center, which runs from October 16-18, 2026. This event showcases over 1,000 carved jack-o’-lanterns plus a kids’ carnival and food trucks. Tip: Visit during the early hours of each evening to see the decor go from daytime fun to nighttime glow.
Circleville Pumpkin Show
October 21-24, 2026
For over 100 years, the Circleville Pumpkin Show has been a staple of fall festivals in Ohio! Test your taste buds on every pumpkin-flavored food imaginable. Seven parades, a ride midway, and a giant pumpkin contest round out the fun. Hoping to spend more time in Circleville? Here’s a list of the best things to do while in town.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Ohio in the fall?
Looking for more fall fun?? Check out my post on Amish Country Traveler with things to do in Amish Country during the fall!
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My favorite way to enjoy fall in Ohio has always been to get outdoors and camp and hike. Though I would love to experience some of the festivals in Ohio this year. The Renaissance Faire has been on my list for ages! Last time my family attended, my kids were little and we all dressed up. It was a blast.
That sounds like so much fun! We’ve been to Circleville a few times- this year I’d like to make it to the Bob Evans Festival and meet up with some old friends.
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I love Ramseyer Farms in Wooster!