Taste Fall Flavors at Wisconsin’s Harvest Festivals

Autumn in Wisconsin means gathering with your favorite people to celebrate the changing seasons. Enjoy annual traditions and make new ones together at these harvest festivals throughout the state.

Harvest Folk Festival - Madison

Learn about and participate in harvest traditions from Madison and around the world at Allen Centennial Gardens this fall. A “living laboratory” for the Horticulture Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the space also functions as a free public botanical garden. Attend this October event to take part in a seed swap, try your hand at natural crafts and watch music and dance performances from around the world against a backdrop of the vivid vegetation. 

Annual Fall Harvest Festival - Phillips

Head to Phillips in Northern Wisconsin to celebrate the harvest season at this annual autumn event. Stroll downtown to explore specials at local shops, pick up fall produce like fresh, local cranberries and start your holiday shopping early at the arts and crafts fair. Kids can decorate pumpkins, have their faces painted and play fall-themed games.

Surrounded by the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest on one side and the Flambeau River State Forest on the other, add some extra time to your trip for an unforgettable hike through show-stopping foliage.

Bayfield Apple Festival - Bayfield

Named one of the 10 Best Fall Harvest Festivals in the nation by USA TODAY, the Bayfield Apple Festival is a three-day celebration of all things autumn. Special events include an apple peeling contest, the Apple Queen coronation, a street carnival and Sunday’s grand parade. Live music fills the air throughout the weekend, featuring Big Top Chautauqua's Blue Canvas Orchestra at the Grandstand Stage and local artists performing at Memorial Park in Bayfield’s downtown. Visit any of the seven orchards in the area to pick your own apples or grab pre-picked bags to take home.

Cranberry Fest - Eagle River

You and your crew are sure to get your fill of cranberries at this delicious fest in Eagle River. Learn about the harvest process on a cranberry marsh tour, where attendees over 21 can sample cranberry wine and beer. In town, peruse arts and crafts vendors, an antique/vintage and farmer’s market, enjoy live music and nosh on cranberry soup, cranberry brats and cranberry baked goods. The annual event typically sells over 8,000 pounds of the state berry–be sure to stop by and taste some for yourself.

Nekoosa Giant Pumpkin Fest - Nekoosa

Enjoy all things pumpkin at this family-friendly festival near Stevens Point. From a pumpkin pie-eating contest and pumpkin rolling to the giant pumpkin weigh-off and pumpkin drop, this event is sure to satisfy all your fall cravings. Browse the antique and craft flea market and bring the kids to the carnival for a full weekend of memorable fun.

41st Annual Applefest - Two Rivers

Soak up everything autumn just off the coast of Lake Michigan at Two Rivers’ Applefest. Sample tasty food truck fare with friends while listening to live music all day long. Take your pick from a variety of fresh apples, homemade baked goods, caramel apples and farmers’ market goodies. Kids can have a ball in the bouncy houses and get their faces painted while the adults explore the seasonal craft fair at this charming small-town fest.

Fondy FallToberfest & The Wisconsin Great Pumpkin Weigh-off - Fond du Lac

Costume contests! Horse-drawn carriage rides! Polka! This Fond du Lac festival has just about every fall activity you can imagine. Bringing together family-friendly fun with traditional Oktoberfest-style events like Hammerschlagen and more, you’ll be able to cross everything off your fall bucket list here. Don’t miss the Wisconsin Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off–a state-sanctioned competition featuring some of the most impressive pumpkins you’ve ever seen.

Pumpkin Patch Festival - Egg Harbor

Join the fun at this free Door County festival that has something for everyone. Enjoy two days of live music, carnival rides, lawn games, arts and crafts vendors and more in charming Egg Harbor. Take advantage of fall photo-ops with scarecrow and pumpkin displays, fill up on tasty treats from local food vendors and be amazed by a roaming magician. With a raffle and silent auction for charity, you can feel extra good about attending this lively festival.

Swiss Historical Village Harvest Fest - New Glarus

Discover a unique take on the classic harvest festival at the Swiss Historical Village Museum in New Glarus. Nestled in the picturesque Driftless Region of the state, you and your group can explore activities and historic demonstrations in each of the grounds’ 14 buildings. You’ll be able to learn about cheese making, blacksmithing, yarn spinning and more and talk to historic re-enactors. This harvest festival also includes live music to set the scene for a perfect autumn event.

Madeline Island Family Fall Fest - La Pointe

Take a scenic ferry ride from Bayfield to get to Madeline Island Family Fall Fest. This annual event features a farmers’ market brimming with fresh produce, eclectic art vendors, special treats like waffles filled with apple cheesecake and caramel sauce and a cider press. Build a birdhouse, decorate a pumpkin and experience the island decked out in gorgeous fall color.

Golden Days Harvest Festival - Green Lake

Green Lake in Central Wisconsin knows how to celebrate harvest season! This exciting two-day event includes scarecrow-building, a petting zoo, pancake breakfast, car show, parade and much more. One of the biggest highlights is the bed races, where teams of three to four people decorate a full bed (with one person sitting on top) and push it down the “track” as fast as they can. Sign up to race or cheer from the sidelines while enjoying craft brews and tasty food truck fare. 

Discover more fall fun in Wisconsin with these autumn adventures in Door County.