As summer fades into the rearview mirror, many enthusiastic Wyomingites begin setting their sights on autumn destinations. There are plenty to pick from, but the best fall hotspots around the state offer far more than just pretty foliage - they also host amazing autumn events that capture the magic of the season. The best fall festivals in Wyoming win hearts and delight families with all the traditional events: cider drinking, apple pie eating, costume donning, and pumpkin decorating - and maybe a few unique surprises too! Here are some of the biggest and most highly-anticipated fall festivals of the year:

1. Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, Jackson

September 4-15, 2024 | Every year, the best Western, wildlife, and landscape artists from around the region converge in Jackson, collaborating with local businesses to craft one of the finest art showcases in the state. In fact, local galleries and venues will host over 50 art events in just 12 days, which is incredible! Of course, this isn't your usual pumpkin-centric fall festival, but there's no better way to admire and celebrate autumn in Wyoming than seeing our unique slice of the West through the eyes and lenses of our state's most talented local artists and photographers. There's a full lineup of events, including a fashion show, gallery showings, a wine and jewelry pairing, auctions, incredible food options, and plenty more to entice the cultured Wyomingite. There's a reason this fall festival in Jackson has made such a name for itself across the country.

2. Homesteader Days, Powell

September 14, 2024 | Step back in time to the 1800s when Wyoming's pioneer life was at its peak! This one-of-a-kind festival is one of the coolest community events in the state and features activities, challenges, and fantastic learning experiences for all ages. Hosted by the Homesteading Museum in Powell, this all-ages festival celebrates the days of homesteading and farming with a vintage truck and tractor show, antique machinery demos, games, live music, and plenty of old-fashioned goodies. Visitors can also see (and try their hand at) blacksmithing and vintage water pumping, take a wagon ride downtown, or enjoy nostalgic challenges like potato sack racing. It all kicks off with a phenomenal, farm-to-table community dinner on the 13th. Of all the things to do in fall in Wyoming, this one is pretty special!

3. Fall into Fall Festival, Rock Springs

September 21, 2024 | Hosted by SweetwaterNOW, this epic fall festival boasts all of the charm and community of a small town carnival, with all of the food vendors and entertainment of a bigger festival! Hay rides, lawn games, family photos, live music, and a sweet pumpkin patch for the kids are just the start of everything this fall event in Rock Springs has to offer. The festivities will take place at Bunning Park.

4. Riverton Fall Harvest Festival, Riverton

September 28, 2024 | There are a lot of things to love about fall festivals and special events. But when do those festivals also include a beard competition?? Count us in! Riverton's annual autumn celebration boasts a pretty fantastic lineup of things to do. Cornhole tournaments, carnival games, a cupcake competition, pumpkin carnival … and, of course, plenty of local vendors showcasing incredible wares from homemade jams and jellies to produce, art, tasty brews, and a fantastic selection of eats. You'll even find some sweet adoptable animals available and all event proceeds go to a good cause!

5. Whitt's End Fall Festival, Cheyenne

Last Weekend of September through October | Whitt's End Cattle Depot is a relatively new 3,000-acre family homestead located on Happy Jack Road, specializing in farm-to-plate meats, alongside a fun little farmstand that boasts seasonal produce, jellies, fresh milk, and even handmade goods like soaps. But come fall, Whitt's End opens up for a family-friendly fall festival, featuring tons of quintessentially "Wyoming" games, raffles, and events for all ages, including bottle-feeding, a pumpkin patch, hay maze, bounce houses, and even a petting farm. Competitive rodeo-style activities also include roping, riding, pig-catching … and more!

6. Apple City Festival, Lander

September 14, 2024 | You'll definitely find opportunities to indulge in ALL of your apple cravings at this unique fall festival in Lander!

Taking place at the Pioneer Museum, this delicious festival celebrates Lander's history as "Apple City." Tasty events include an apple pie baking contest, applesauce eating competition, apple and cider tastings, horseback rides, presentations, kids crafts, and much, much more. Did we mention the cash prizes?

7. Pumpkin Fest, Casper

Date TBD (October) | Pumpkin spice lovers, rejoice! This family-friendly fall festival in Casper celebrates all things gourd-tastic. Pumpkin carving, pumpkin painting, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin pie eating… yes, please! There will also be a fall photo booth for capturing and preserving those fun family memories, plus plenty of goodies to take home from the on-site farmer's market.

8. Hay Days Fall Festival, Laramie

Date TBD (October) | VeeBar Guest Ranch's Hay Days Fall Festival is a one-day fest to remember! Visitors to this long-time ranch will find nostalgic, horse-drawn wagon rides, roping dummies, a pumpkin patch, live music, and plenty of tasty eats and shoppable treats from local vendors. Recently added to the schedule of events is a sheep dog demo. If you're just passing through, be sure to check out VeeBar's Bed & Breakfast too!

9. Fall Fest, Laramie

Date TBD (October) | Hosted by Laramie Foster Closet and held at the Albany County Fairgrounds, the Laramie Fall Fest is exactly what all community autumn events aspire to be. You'll find all of the traditional events here: hay rides, costume contests, face painting … but you'll also find some fantastic special touches that families will love. Warm up with the hot cocoa bar and soul-warming chilis whipped up by Laramie residents. After a few rounds at the cornhole contest, (literally) dive into a face full of pie during the pie-eating competition too! Kids will love the relays, story time presentations, and fun games - but all ages are sure to enjoy the wealth of food and merch vendors lining the street. Admission is free!

Fall in Wyoming is pretty short-lived, so make the most of it! Of course, these are just a few of the fantastic fall festivals happening around the state. You can also check out the Circle J Apple Fest in Ten Sleep, Cheyenne Oktoberfest, Snowy Mountain Oktoberfest in Saratoga, Grand Targhee Oktoberfest, and many others.

Missed an event? Stay tuned because spooky season is coming, which means we'll have plenty more fall festivities to share in the coming weeks! Additionally, if you know of any other fantastic local events we should add to this list, drop us a line.

Now that you've added these fantastic autumn happenings to your calendar, get ready to enjoy the great outdoors with a peek at some of the best spots to peep foliage! Make your trip complete by adding on a few once-in-a-lifetime Wyoming experiences as well.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wyoming/small-town-fall-day-trip-wy/