Is there any better way to get yourself in the mood for the autumn shoulder season in the Land of 10,000 Lakes than a celebration of colorful foliage, pumpkins, fall, harvest, apples… or basically anything and everything that has to do with the change of seasons? If you were to ask me, I’d say absolutely not! So, here are seven of the best fall festivals in Minnesota to help you celebrate autumn in The Bold North.

1. SeptOberfest - Wabasha, Sept. 16 through Oct. 13, 2024

Wabasha's annual SeptOberfest Celebration is most likely the longest celebration of fall in Minnesota (I couldn’t find any longer). It takes place over six weeks and offers several community events and regular happenings in Wabasha over the course of the festival.

2. Applefest USA - La Crescent, Sept. 20-22, 2024

If apples are a linchpin of your autumn, then head down the Mississippi to La Crescent, because Applefest USA is the place to be. Celebrate everything that has to do with apples at this weekend-long event, and bring home some apple-y goodies when you leave.

3. Chester Bowl Fall Fest - Duluth, Sept. 21, 2024

Every year, the Chester Bowl Improvement Club hosts its Chester Bowl Fall Fest to raise funds for the maintenance of Duluth’s favorite community ski area. This is the best fall festival near Duluth, and it’s been going strong for more than three decades.

4. Wykoff Fall Fest - Wykoff, Sept. 27-29, 2024

The Wykoff Fall Fest is one of the best fall festivals near Rochester. This small town festival has been going strong for decades, and it's everything you would expect from a fall celebration in a rural Minnesota town.

5. Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze - Brooklyn Park, Sept. 23 through Oct. 29, 2024

If you're looking for a fall festival near Minneapolis, the Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze in Brooklyn Park is a great option. With inflatables, a corn maze, vendors, pumpkin carving, and all sorts of other activities, it's an ideal destination for a family outing on a fall weekend day.

6. Stillwater Harvest Fest - Stillwater, Oct. 12 and 13, 2024

My favorite fall festival near St. Paul is the Stillwater Harvest Fest, which is a massive celebration of giant pumpkins. Over the two days of

Harvest Fest, you'll witness a giant pumpkin weigh-in, a pumpkin regatta (race on the St. Croix River), and a giant pumpkin smash. There are also live music, kids activities, and other events over the course of the weekend.

7. Moose Madness Family Festival - Grand Marais, Oct. 18 and 19, 2024

Those looking for a fall celebration with a particularly Up North flavor will love the Moose Madness Family Festival in Grand Marais. A celebration of fall (the time of year when moose develop romantic inclinations toward one another) and everything North Shore, Moose Madness makes for a fun family getaway in the fall. It does tend to coincide with M.E.A., so be sure to book your accommodations well in advance.

With so many awesome Minnesota fall festivals, you could pack up the car and make a fall festival road trip out of a few of them! Have you attended any of these fall festivals in Minnesota? Let me know if I missed any and what festivals you plan to attend this year in the comments.