Oh, hello fall! From crisp days, the fresh aromas of nutmeg, pumpkin spice and everything nice, and that moment when you can finally break out the sweater-and boots-wardrobe, fall is a season with all the cozy feels. Check out the must-attend fall festivals in Wisconsin to embrace, enjoy and soak up the best of the Midwest autumnal season.
Sept. 22 to Sept. 24: Warrens Cranberry Festival
Warrens
Warrens is host to the World’s Largest Cranberry Festival, and this year marks the 50th celebration. From live entertainment to contests, games and antique dealers, Warrens Cranberry Festival features a variety of attractions for all ages. The food courts feature over 100 booths with a variety of cranberry delights, including cranberry cream puffs, deep-fried cranberries on a stick and chocolate-covered cheesecake. On Sunday, visitors can enjoy a festive parade with a marching band, floats, tractors, horses and classic automobiles.
Cost: Free admission.
For more information: www.cranfest.com.
Sept. 22 to Sept. 24: Gays Mills Apple Festival
Gays Mills
The best of fall moments await at the Gays Mills Apple Festival. Kick off the weekend at this fall festival in Wisconsin with a St. Mary’s Pancake & Sausage Breakfast, followed by a book sale, flea market, kid’s inflatables, arts and crafts and even an open horseshoe tournament. On Sunday, enjoy the Apple Fest Parade, and throughout the weekend visit Halver’s Town Tap, Dante’s Bar & Grill and more for live music.
Cost: Free admission.
For more information: www.gaysmills.org.
Sept. 29 to Oct. 1: Leaf It To Rusk Fall Fest
Ladysmith
What better way to greet fall than with a pint of beer or wine accompanied by tasty cheese? The Leaf it to Ruck Fall Fest promises all that and more. Enjoy a commemorative tasting glass for unlimited beer, wine and cheese all under a big party tent in the majestic Memorial Park along the Flambeau River in Ladysmith. Participating breweries include Bloomer Brewing Company, Trap Rock Brewing Co. and Valkyrie Brewing Company.
Cost: $30.
For more information: ruskcountywi.com.
Sept. 29 to Oct. 1: Harvest Fair
Milwaukee
Celebrate 30 years of Harvest Fair. Activities the family will love at this fall festival in Wisconsin include amusement rides, a giant pig slide, kiddie bumper boats, pony rides, pumpkin bowling and making your own scarecrow. Enjoy free live entertainment across the venue with local artists, amphitheater headliners and lumberjack shows. Favorite tastes of fall include farmer pumpkin and apple pies, harvest stews and fall-flavored cream puffs, including pumpkin spice.
Cost: Free admission.
For more information: wistatefair.com/harvestfair/.
Oct. 1 and Oct. 2: St. Croix Falls Autumnfest
St. Croix Falls
Enjoy this fall festival in Wisconsin along the scenic St. Croix River from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check out local vintage stores, coffee shops, breweries, wineries, an annual pie-eating contest and more. Best of all, this fest is pup-friendly. Bring your furry four-legged friend to the dog area at Trap Rock Brewing Company which will have an Up-Dog Competition, a dog agility show, Frisbee disc dog trick shows, a K9 program, a dog parade and even an open house at the St. Croix dog park.
Cost: Free admission.
For more information: thestcroixvalley.com.
Oct. 5: Zoo Brew
Lions, tigers and bears…and fall lager-filled pint glasses with the penguins, oh my! Zoo Brew is the must-attend Zoological Society’s annual beer- and food-tasting event inside the Milwaukee County Zoo. Three zones around the zoo offer freshly poured brew. Sip a stout in the beer garden surrounded by a campfire, swish an IPA in the big cat building while waving to the lions, and savor a microbrew in the Peck Welcome Center while jamming to live music. Zoo Brew takes place 7 to 10 p.m.
Cost: Starts at $60 for members; $75 for general public.
For more information: www.zoosociety.org.
Oct. 13 to Oct. 15: Sister Bay Fall Fest
Sister Bay
Sister Bay Fall Fest is a three-day family fun fall festival in Wisconsin filled with joyous moments of autumnal cheer. Enjoy kids’ games, festive music, local food, and an arts and crafts fair with unique jewelry, cozy mittens, effervescent fine-milled soaps and handmade crafts. The Lion’s Club fish boil is a yearly favorite, along with Saturday’s pancake breakfast, followed by the Fall Fest Parade at 11 a.m. As for Sunday, enjoy the Derby race at 10 a.m. and a ping pong ball drop at 2 p.m.
Cost: Free admission.
For more information: www.sisterbay.com.
Oct. 21: Madeline Island Family Fall Fest
Madeline Island
Madeline Island Family Fall Fest is an annual small-town event celebrating local art and community from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Family-friendly activities include tie-dying a shirt at Adventure Vacations, watching candles being made, pumpkin decorating, bird-house making, a pumpkin pie-eating contest, polishing rocks at Ricky Rocks & JEM and face painting. Visitors can also enjoy a vintage car show and savory and sweet treats from vendor booths.
Cost: Free admission.
For more information: www.madelineisland.com.