2018 Fall Festivals in South Central PA
2018 Fall Festivals in Shippensburg, Carlisle, Chambersburg, Waynesboro, Mercersburg, & BEYOND!
Go HERE for Fall Festivals in 2019!
Our area in South Central PA is brimming with celebrations of autumn. Use the list below as a starting point to plan your next fall adventure.
Saturday, September 22
SHIPPENSBURG: The 28th annual Franklin Fall Farm Fun Fest will be held Saturday, September 22, 10AM – 3PM at the Musser Farm, 203 Pinola Road, Shippensburg. In addition to learning about the dairy farm, visitors will have the opportunity to travel by bus to Maplewood Farm Market. Farm Wagon Tours, Agriculture education, Milk a cow by hand, Free Parking, Free Admission, Free Milk, Free Ice Cream, Lunch available for purchase at the FFA Food Stand.
CHAMBERSBURG: Vintage Market at the Old Red Barn’s Fall Festival is September 22. From 9AM – 3PM, vendors, food, live music, pony rides, and children’s activities.
CARLISLE: The Annual M&T Bank Harvest of the Arts has art, music, theater, kids fun and great food. The event on September 22 is Cumberland County’s largest Fall Juried Arts and Crafts Festival with 100 fine artists and craftsmen, 2 large food courts, live music, children’s activities, and the Meeting of the Marques-European Sports & Luxury car show.
MERCERSBURG: Saunderosafest is September 22 from 10AM – 6PM. Enjoy a day full of entertainment, crafts, and food vendors at Saunderosa Park in Mercersburg. $3 a person.
Saturday and Sunday, September 29 & 30
FAIRFIELD: Pippinfest is a two day festival on Saturday, September 29 & Sunday, September 30 in Fairfield, PA. Enjoy fun for the entire family at this old-time country street festival featuring arts and crafts, apple products, live music, car show, community yard sales, children’s inflatable rides, great food and more.
Saturday, September 29: Community Yard Sales. Craft and food vendors on Main Street. Inflatable rides by Phantom Shadow, Games, Pony rides. Quilt Show & Demonstration. Self-Guided Walking Tour.
Sunday, September 30: Crafts, Entertainment, Music & Food throughout the Village. Inflatable rides by Phantom Shadow Entertainment, Games, Pony rides, Obstacle course. Cruise-In Car Show and Swap Meet. Quilt Show & Demonstration. Self-Guided Walking Tour. Display of Pippinfest Pottery. Stilt Walker & Clowns. Visit the Pippinfest FB Page and pippinfest.com for more information.
Saturday, September 29
MERCERSBURG: The 39th annual Mercersburg Townfest is September 29 from 9AM – 2PM. The event, hosted by the Tuscarora Area Chamber of Commerce, features more than 120 crafters, artisans, culinary and local vendors, entertainment from community and school bands, with a children’s fun section on the grounds of the Mercersburg Elementary School.
NEW CUMBERLAND: Sponsored by the New Cumberland Olde Towne Association, the annual Apple Festival is held Saturday, September 29, 9AM – 4PM in New Cumberland Borough Park. Visitors enjoy 350 Craft vendors, 70 Food vendors, Bingo, Face Painting, Games, Local Artists, Music, Pony Rides, Pumpkins, Raffle Drawings, Scarecrow Making, and more. A trolley will transport visitors to the Festival from several points along Bridge Street and Brandt Avenue.
Thursday, October 4 – Sunday, October 7
CARLISLE: Carlisle Ocktoberfest at the Army Heritage and Education Center includes carnival rides all four days, contests, and arts and crafts. There will be a wide selection of adult and kiddie rides, carnival foods, free standing games & game trailers. Single Person Wristband for unlimited games: Thursday and Friday: $18, Saturday: $22, Sunday: $20
Saturday, October 6
SHIPPENSBURG: Pumpkin Patch Playtime will be held October 6 (1PM – 4PM) at The Local Gathering, 611 Shippensburg Rd. Pumpkin Painting; Bobbing for Apples; Pumpkin Bowling; Pin the Stem on the Pumpkin and Fishing for Candy. Ticket prices $5/child or $20/immediate family.
CHAMBERSBURG: There will be a free fall carnival on October 6 at Pleasant View Mennonite Church, 346 Warm Spring Rd., Chambersburg, From 11AM-2PM, enjoy a Bounce house, face painting, free food, “snazzy balloons,” games and crafts.
WAYNESBORO: Market Day on October 6 features all-day entertainment, including live music, dancing demonstrations, sidewalk sales, children’s activities and dozens of craft, specialty and food vendors. Entries in the annual Scarecrow Contest are displayed along Main Street lamp posts. The event takes place 9AM – 4PM on Main Street in Waynesboro.
MERCERSBURG: Stoner’s Dairy Farm and Corn Maze offers plenty of weekend Fall activities. They are hosting a special event on October 6 with added fun for $7 per person. Attractions include Corn Maze, Mini Maze, Hayrides, Petting Zoo, Pedal Cart Track, Play Area, Giant Inflatable, Wagon-Driven Farm Tours, Pumpkin Contest, and Prizes & Giveaways. Stoner’s Dairy is a short drive off I-81 at 7678 Oellig Road in Mercersburg.
NEWPORT: The Little Buffalo Festival on October 6 at Little Buffalo State Park will host musicians on three stages, arts, crafts, the Buffalo Kids Artsfest, poetry readings, workshops, demonstrations and great food. Admission is free but donations are accepted. Hours: Noon to dusk, rain or shine.
Sunday, October 7
CARLISLE: On Sunday, October 7 from Noon to 5PM celebrate autumn at Garden Harvest Day at Kings Gap. Admission is free although nominal fees will be charged for all “make and take” items. All activities will be held in and around the mansion area.
Saturday and Sunday, October 6 & 7
ENOLA: East Pennsboro Township hosts a two day Pumpkin Fest featuring crafts, food, games, contests and entertainment. Car show Saturday. The event is held in Adams-Ricci Park on Saturday October 6 from 9:30AM to 5PM and Sunday October 7 from 11AM to 5PM.
CARLISLE: Meadowbrooke Gourds will host a Sunflower Festival on October 6 & 7, 10AM – 6PM. Pick FREE sunflowers. Fall Oops Sale. Horse drawn hayride around the field. Nomad Cuisine will be selling food.
SHADY GROVE: Shady Grove’s Annual Fall Fest will take place on October 6 & 7. Craft, direct sales, and yard sale/flea market vendors. Also, there will be a Kid’s Zone. Children’s activities will include a hay maze, pumpkin decorating, and carnival style games.
Saturday and Sunday, October 6 & 7 AND Saturday and Sunday, October 13 & 14
ARENDTSVILLE: The National Apple Harvest Festival held during the first two full weekends in October celebrates beautiful crafts, great music and wonderful food. This year the festival will be held on October 6 & 7 and October 13 & 14, 2018. The festival has something for everyone with hundreds of arts and crafts dealers, demonstrations, contests, food stands and entertainment.
Special attractions include the Apple Auditorium and antique cars, steam engine displays, orchard tours, petting zoo, craftsman demonstrations, and appearances by the Pennsylvania Apple Queen, all included in your one-price admission. Ticket Info: General Admission is $10; Sr. Citizens, Veterans, Military $9; Children under 12 Free. The National Apple Harvest Festival is located at the South Mountain Fairgrounds and is held outdoors rain or shine!
Saturday, October 13
SHIPPENSBURG: Southampton Township Cumberland County Park and Recreation will be hosting a Fall Fling on Saturday, Oct. 13, 11AM – 3PM at the Multi-Purpose Center located at 56 Cleversburg Road, Shippensburg. There will be bounce houses, live music, food along with a large variety of other vendors. There will be face painting, craft area, wagon & pony rides.
GREENCASTLE: Tayamentasachta Annual Apple Festival is Saturday, October 13, 9AM – 3PM. The festival is at Tayamentasachta Environmental Center, 500 Leitersburg St, Greencastle. Artisans, antique tractors, horse and wagon rides, pumpkin painting, scarecrow making. Michael’s BBQ, apples & apple products, including warm apple dumplings.
LEWISBERRY: Join Roundtop for the first-ever Roundtop Oktoberfest at Roundtop Tubing/Mountain Adventures on Saturday, October 13, 10AM – 7PM. Enjoy a selection of beers & German food, as well as live music from Polkadelphia from 3PM-6PM. Bring the kids & purchase wristbands for the Mountain Adventures climbing structures and zip lines.
Saturday, October 13 and Sunday, October 14
CATOCTIN, MD: The 55th Annual Catoctin Colorfest at Community Park, Frederick Road is Saturday, October 13 & 14, 9AM-5PM. Nationally recognized juried craft show, demonstrations, and more. Admission is free to Colorfest, but a nominal fee is charged at the parking locations throughout the town.
Saturday, October 20
CHAMBERSBURG: AppleFest is a family event in downtown Chambersburg on October 20 from 9AM – 4PM. AppleFest features craft and art vendors, live music, as well as food throughout the square. This free event, run by the Downtown Business Council of Chambersburg, is fun for the whole family and has kids’ activities too! Rotary Club of Chambersburg is bringing a carnival to town this Saturday during AppleFest at the corner of West King and Hood Street. Rides, including a Ferris wheel, games and food. 
WAYNESBORO: Pumpkin Fest at Renfrew Museum and Park, Waynesboro is October 20, 11AM – 4PM. There will be pumpkin painting/carving, barrel train ride, face painting, scarecrow stuffing, and more! Pumpkins available and will be priced by size. Live music. Admission (includes lunch of soup, bread, and cider) is $10 for adults, $4 for children ages 4 to 12, and free for children age 3 and under. Cash or credit cards accepted.
FORT LOUDON: On Saturday, October 20 from 10AM – 3PM is the Harvest Day event at Cowans Gap State Park, 6235 Aughwick Rd. The Harvest Day Festival at Cowans Gap State Park features fall foliage, pumpkin carving/painting, environmental programming, apple cider pressing, seed-roasting, hayrides, demonstrations, live music, craft vendors and more. Donations are appreciated, however the event is free.
Saturday, October 20 & Sunday, October 21
GARDNERS: Join the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace for a 2-day family oriented weekend event with live music, craft & food vendors, history demonstrations, hay wagon rides, pumpkin carving and the story of the “Hairy Hand” at Fuller Lake. Pine Grove Furnace State Park’s 10th annual Fall Furnace Fest will be held on Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 21. There is no charge to enter the Park or the Festival. Most activities are free.
The Legend of the Hairy Hand is a Fall Furnace Fest tradition. Saturday evening, October 20 at 7PM at Fuller Lake beach, the legend will be told and the raft of glowing pumpkins will be set afloat on the lake to keep the hairy hand away. Participants can come early to carve a pumpkin and dip a candle to add to the raft. Pine Grove Furnace State Park is located at 1100 Pine Grove Road, Gardners. The rain or shine event is held in the Furnace Stack and Fuller Lake Day Use Areas.
Friday, October 19, Saturday October 20, Sunday, October 21
FULTON COUNTY (multiple locations): The 45th Annual Fulton Fall Folk Festival is a 3 day countywide event, October 19-21 with a variety of vendors and activities. More details as they become available.
Saturday, October 27
SHIPPENSBURG: Shippensburg Community Parks & Recreation Authority including Southampton Township Franklin County & Shippensburg Borough will be having a Fall Fest on Saturday, October 27 from 5PM – 8PM at Veteran’s Stadium Memorial Park. This is a free community event & social gathering which includes candy for Trunk or Treat (6-8PM) and family fun activities. Hay ride, obstacle course, pumpkin patch, photo booth, carnival games, costume contest, first responders, free coffee/hot chocolate.
Saturday, October 27 & Sunday, October 28
MERCERSBURG: The 18th Annual Great Outdoors Festival takes place at the Whitetail Ski Resort, 13805 Blairs Valley Rd, Mercersburg. The festival will be held on October 27 & 28, from 10AM until 5PM each day and will feature crafts, music, food, demonstrations, and more! Adult tickets are $10 and Seniors/Children (ages 6 – 12) are $5. Admission is free for children age 5 and under.
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