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Fall in the South means pumpkins, hayrides, live music, farm animals, carnival rides, food trucks, and plenty of reasons to plan a family day trip. We gathered ten 2026 festivals across the region, including large destination events and smaller community celebrations.
Dates and programming can change, so check the official event page before leaving home. For more family travel planning help, visit Packed for Fun.
1. Dollywood’s Harvest Festival and Great Pumpkin LumiNights : Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Dates: September 14–October 31, 2026
Best for: Families with toddlers through teens who enjoy rides, shows, and nighttime displays
Cost: Regular Dollywood admission is required; Great Pumpkin LumiNights is included
This is one of the easiest choices for families who want a full vacation destination rather than a short farm visit. Dollywood combines amusement-park rides, live entertainment, seasonal food, and autumn decorations throughout the park.
After dark, Great Pumpkin LumiNights brings more than 12,000 glowing pumpkins into the experience. Expect illuminated displays, family-friendly characters, and a festive nighttime atmosphere rather than a traditional corn maze or pumpkin patch.
Because Dollywood is large and popular, weekends: especially October weekends: can be crowded. Plan for plenty of walking, stroller use, and wait times. Restrooms and accessible facilities are available throughout the theme park, but families should review Dollywood’s accessibility information before visiting.
See the official Dollywood Harvest Festival details.
2. Sweet Eats Adventure Farm Fall Festival : Georgetown, Texas
Dates: September 19–November 8, 2026
Location: 14400 E. State Highway 29, Georgetown, Texas
Best for: Active children who want lots of hands-on attractions
Cost: General admission includes most activities; pumpkins are sold separately
Sweet Eats is one of the most activity-packed options on this list. The 80-acre adventure farm includes a 4.5-acre themed corn maze, a Texas-sized pumpkin patch with more than 40 varieties, wagon rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, apple cannons, jump pads, giant slides, and daily pig races.
In October, families can also find fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights, plus special shows such as falconry and fire performances on select weekends. The farm publishes detailed schedules, so check the calendar if your children have a must-see activity.
The property is large, which helps spread out the crowds, but popular attractions can still develop lines during October weekends. Wear comfortable shoes, bring sun protection, and plan for a full day outdoors.
Check Sweet Eats’ official fall festival information.
3. Cullman Oktoberfest : Cullman, Alabama
Dates: October 1–4, 2026
Location: Depot Park, 309 1st Avenue NE, Cullman
Best for: Families who enjoy cultural festivals, food, music, and carnival rides
Cost: Free admission; some activities, food, rides, and premium biergarten access cost extra
Cullman Oktoberfest brings German heritage to North Alabama with live music, German food, covered biergartens, vendors, demonstrations, and a large children’s area called KinderBereich.
The Kids Zone includes carnival rides, games, contests, a pumpkin walk, a double-decker carousel, and a 110-foot Ferris wheel. Children may also enjoy glassblowing and blacksmithing demonstrations, although hands-on workshops may require separate registration or payment.
This is a busy downtown festival with a mixture of family activities and adult-oriented food and beverage areas. Families will find the best kid-focused experience during daylight hours. The official site provides ADA information, but parents needing detailed restroom, seating, or mobility information should contact the festival before traveling.
View the official Cullman Oktoberfest schedule and attractions.
4. Pumpkintown : Athens, Tennessee
Date: October 10, 2026, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Historic downtown Athens
Best for: Families seeking a free community festival with cultural programming
Cost: Free
Pumpkintown is a large, walkable downtown celebration that attracts approximately 25,000 people, according to the organizers. Instead of being centered on rides or a single farm attraction, it fills historic Athens with food trucks, crafts, local vendors, live entertainment, pumpkin painting, pumpkin-themed games, and a petting zoo.
The festival also includes the Scott Crisp Memorial PowWow, Appalachian music, a quilt show, a dog costume contest, and activities connected to local history and Native American traditions. That variety makes it a strong choice for families with children of different ages.
Expect crowds, street closures, and a lot of walking. Downtown terrain may be easier for some families than a muddy farm, but parents should still bring a stroller suitable for longer outings. Check the official site for parking and restroom updates closer to the event.
See the official Pumpkintown schedule.
5. Kidsville Family Festival : Nashville, Tennessee
Date: September 26, 2026, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Location: Centennial Park, 2500 West End Avenue, Nashville
Best for: Younger children and preschool-to-elementary-age families
Cost: Free
Kidsville is designed specifically around children. Families can expect crafts, inflatables, lawn games, obstacle courses, active-play areas, storytime, face painting, character visits, music, dance, and family-friendly yoga.
Food trucks and vendors provide snacks and lunch, while Centennial Park offers a familiar city-park setting with open lawns. The first 100 children age 13 and under are scheduled to receive a free teddy bear, while supplies last.
This is a smaller and more manageable choice than a major fair, although the free admission and central Nashville location can make it busy. Arrive near opening if your child wants the teddy bear or a first turn at the inflatables. The park has restrooms and paved areas, but families should check the event organizer for specific accessibility details.
Visit the official Kidsville Family Festival page.
6. Jack O’ Lantern Jamboree : Canton, Georgia
Dates: October 24–25, 2026
Location: The Mill on Etowah, 225 Reformation Parkway, Canton
Best for: Families who prefer Halloween entertainment to farm activities
Cost: The organizer lists the event as free
Jack O’ Lantern Jamboree has a more urban, entertainment-focused feel than a pumpkin farm. At The Mill on Etowah, families can enjoy trick-or-treating, Halloween character meet-and-greets, local vendors, seasonal treats, live music, and outdoor movies.
The organizer describes the movies as PG-rated and encourages families to bring blankets or lawn chairs. Saturday is scheduled for noon–9 p.m., while Sunday runs noon–7 p.m. The event is pet-friendly, too.
Free parking is available in the Mill’s parking lot, including designated accessible spaces. Since the venue is expected to be high-traffic, arrive early if you want easier parking or a less crowded experience.
Check the official Jack O’ Lantern Jamboree listing.
7. Surfside Beach October Family Festival : Surfside Beach, South Carolina
Date: October 3, 2026, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; rain date October 4
Location: Along Surfside Drive
Best for: Families combining a beach trip with a free fall event
Cost: Free admission
This is a coastal community festival rather than a farm-style fall attraction. Families will find a Kids Zone, food vendors, more than 100 arts-and-crafts vendors, and two stages of live entertainment.
Parking is available in town lots and on permitted side streets, with a complimentary shuttle connecting parking areas to the festival. The town’s official information does not guarantee that all parking is free, and restroom locations are not clearly listed, so contact Surfside Beach before going if those details are important for your family.
The event is a good fit for families who want a relaxed, walkable outing with food, music, and shopping rather than corn mazes or hayrides.
Review the Town of Surfside Beach event information.
8. Alabama State Fair : Birmingham, Alabama
Dates: September 18–27, 2026
Location: Birmingham Race Course, 1000 John Rogers Drive
Best for: Families who love carnival rides and animal shows
Cost: Paid admission; children age 4 and under enter free; rides cost extra
The Alabama State Fair offers a classic midway experience with carnival rides, fair food, games, animal attractions, circus performances, and wildlife shows. The 2026 schedule includes a Kids Petting Zoo, Tails of the Tropics, a grizzly experience, and select circus performances.
Admission is cheaper when purchased online in advance, and ride wristbands are available. Tuesday and Thursday are scheduled to have the lowest wristband prices. Parking is free, which helps offset the cost for larger families.
Because the fair is spread across a racecourse property, expect walking, noise, and crowds: especially Friday and Saturday evenings. Children under 36 inches may have limited ride choices.
Check current Alabama State Fair tickets and hours.
9. National Peanut Festival : Dothan, Alabama
Dates: November 6–15, 2026
Location: National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds, 5622 U.S. Highway 231 South
Best for: Families who enjoy a large agricultural fair
Cost: Paid admission; rides and some special events may require additional purchases
The National Peanut Festival is a major fair with carnival rides, games, concerts, agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, arena events, food vendors, and peanut-themed traditions. It is much larger than a neighborhood harvest festival, with thousands of parking spaces and multiple event areas.
Daily admission, advance tickets, ride armbands, and Mega Pass options are available. Check the fine print carefully because admission and unlimited rides are not always bundled together. Accessible parking is available near the main and south gates.
Arrive early for easier parking and shorter lines. Since the festival covers a large fairgrounds, a stroller can be useful for younger children, but it may be difficult to maneuver through dense midway crowds at peak times.
Visit the official National Peanut Festival website.
10. Texas Renaissance Festival : Todd Mission, Texas
Dates: Weekends October 10–November 29, plus Friday after Thanksgiving
Location: 21778 Farm to Market Road 1774, Todd Mission
Best for: Families with older children, teens, and history or fantasy fans
Cost: Paid admission; children 4 and under are free, and Sunday discounts are available for children ages 5–12
The Texas Renaissance Festival is a full-scale themed event across more than 70 acres, with around 20 stages, costumed performers, a daily parade, jousting, artisan demonstrations, games, human-powered rides, and a large food marketplace.
Younger children may enjoy the colorful costumes, music, crafts, and interactive street entertainment, while older children and teens often appreciate the themed weekends and shows. The grounds are extensive, so plan on a full day and comfortable shoes. Crowds are generally heavier on Saturdays and during popular themed weekends.
Review the official ticket page for current pricing, themed weekends, parking, accessibility, and family policies before booking.
See the official Texas Renaissance Festival schedule and ticket information.
Family fall-trip essentials
For a festival road trip, consider packing a kids’ travel tray, LCD doodle tablets, or mess-free coloring supplies for the drive. A compact stroller can also help at large festivals; the gb Pockit+ All-Terrain stroller is one option to compare.
If you are flying or driving between states, you can also check car rental discounts before finalizing your itinerary. Always confirm event dates, ticket rules, weather policies, parking, and accessibility information directly with the organizers before you go.