Nebraska’s 13 fall festivals offer a vibrant mix of seasonal celebrations, blending traditional harvest activities with modern entertainment for visitors of all ages.
As the crisp autumn air sweeps across the plains, Nebraska comes alive with a series of fall festivals that celebrate the state’s agricultural heritage, cultural traditions, and vibrant communities. Whether you’re looking to pick the perfect pumpkin, savor the freshest apples, or enjoy live music under the stars, Nebraska’s fall festivals offer something for everyone. These thirteen events provide the perfect opportunity to experience the heart of the Cornhusker State while enjoying the festivities that mark the season.
Nebraska State Fair
Location: Grand Island, NE
Date: August 23 – September 2, 2024
Attendees: Approximately 300,000
Theme: Agriculture, Entertainment & Family Fun
The Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island is one of the state’s largest and most anticipated events of the year. This ten-day celebration showcases Nebraska’s agricultural heritage with livestock shows, 4-H competitions, and farm equipment displays. The fair also features a wide variety of entertainment, including concerts from national acts like country star Scotty McCreery and rock band REO Speedwagon. In addition to music, visitors can enjoy carnival rides, food vendors serving everything from funnel cakes to deep-fried Oreos, and a bustling midway. The fair’s competitive events are a highlight, with the annual Butter Sculpture Contest drawing entries from across the state. The winner receives a $500 prize and the honor of having their sculpture displayed in the Agriculture Pavilion. The Nebraska State Fair is a true celebration of the state’s culture, offering something for everyone to enjoy.
AppleJack Festival
Location: Nebraska City, NE
Date: September 20-22, 2024
Attendees: Approximately 80,000
Theme: Apple Harvest & Community Celebration
The AppleJack Festival in Nebraska City is a beloved tradition that celebrates the apple harvest in the town where Arbor Day was born. This three-day event draws thousands of visitors to experience the charm of small-town Nebraska while enjoying all things apple. The festival kicks off with a lively parade featuring local marching bands, floats, and even a few classic cars. At Arbor Day Farm, visitors can take orchard tours, pick their own apples, and enjoy hayrack rides through the scenic grounds. The festival also hosts an apple pie eating contest, with last year’s winner, local firefighter Matt Johnson, taking home a $500 prize and a year’s supply of apple cider. Live music from regional bands like The Talbott Brothers adds to the festive atmosphere, making AppleJack a must-visit event for families and apple lovers alike.
Pumpkin Festival at Bloom Where You’re Planted Farm
Location: Avoca, NE
Date: September 28 – October 27, 2024 (Weekends)
Attendees: Approximately 8,000
Theme: Family Fun & Harvest Activities
The Pumpkin Festival at Bloom Where You’re Planted Farm is a family-friendly event held on weekends throughout October. Located in Avoca, this charming farm offers a quintessential fall experience with its pick-your-own pumpkin patch, corn maze, and hayrides. The festival also features a variety of activities for children, including a petting zoo, pony rides, and a giant hay bale slide. In 2023, the farm introduced a new attraction: the Pumpkin Chunkin’ contest, where participants compete to see who can launch a pumpkin the farthest using homemade catapults. The winner receives a $100 prize and a year’s worth of free pumpkins. Local musicians perform acoustic sets throughout the day, adding to the relaxed, country atmosphere. The farm’s Harvest Café serves homemade apple cider donuts and other seasonal treats, making it the perfect spot for a family outing.
Norfolk Oktoberfest Family Festival
Location: Norfolk, NE
Date: October 11-12, 2024
Attendees: Approximately 7,000
Theme: German Tradition & Family Fun
Norfolk’s Oktoberfest Family Festival is a two-day event that brings a taste of Bavaria to Northeast Nebraska. Held in downtown Norfolk, the festival features authentic German food, craft beer from local breweries like Divots Brewery, and live polka music from The Jim Kucera Band. The event kicks off with a traditional keg tapping ceremony, followed by a series of fun activities, including a bratwurst-eating contest and a stein-holding competition, where the winner receives a $200 prize and a year’s supply of bratwurst from a local butcher. The festival also offers a Family Fun Zone, with carnival rides, face painting, and a petting zoo for the kids. A highlight of the event is the Wiener Dog Races, where dachshunds race for the title of “Fastest Wiener in Norfolk,” with the winner receiving a trophy and gift basket. Norfolk Oktoberfest is a perfect blend of cultural celebration and family-friendly fun.
Red Cloud Heritage Day Festival
Location: Red Cloud, NE
Date: September 14, 2024
Attendees: Approximately 3,000
Theme: Local History & Community Celebration
The Red Cloud Heritage Day Festival is a celebration of the town’s rich history and literary heritage, honoring its most famous resident, author Willa Cather. The festival begins with a community breakfast at the Red Cloud Opera House, followed by a parade that features historical reenactors, vintage cars, and floats from local businesses. Visitors can tour the Willa Cather Historic Sites, including the author’s childhood home, and participate in a guided literary walk that explores the settings of Cather’s novels. The festival also includes a quilt show, craft fair, and live music from local bands like The Rumbles. In 2023, the festival introduced a new event, the Cather Literary Trivia Contest, where participants compete for a $100 prize and a signed copy of one of Cather’s books. The Red Cloud Heritage Day Festival is a charming event that offers a glimpse into Nebraska’s literary past while celebrating the vibrant community of today.
Havelock Fall Festival
Location: Lincoln, NE
Date: October 19, 2024
Attendees: Approximately 5,000
Theme: Community Celebration & Seasonal Fun
The Havelock Fall Festival in Lincoln is a neighborhood celebration that brings together residents and visitors for a day of seasonal fun. Held in the historic Havelock district, the festival features a pumpkin pie contest, with the winner receiving a $150 gift certificate to a local bakery. Visitors can also participate in a chili cook-off, where the top chef takes home a cash prize and bragging rights. The festival’s entertainment lineup includes live performances by local bands like The Garry Lee Band, as well as dance demonstrations by the Lincoln Irish Dancers. Children can enjoy a variety of activities, including face painting, balloon animals, and a bounce house. Local vendors set up booths along Havelock Avenue, offering everything from handmade crafts to seasonal produce. The Havelock Fall Festival is a wonderful way to experience Lincoln’s community spirit and enjoy the beauty of the fall season.
Gretna’s Great Pumpkin Festival
Location: Gretna, NE
Date: October 5, 2024
Attendees: Approximately 10,000
Theme: Family Fun & Pumpkin Celebrations
Gretna’s Great Pumpkin Festival transforms the town into a vibrant celebration of all things pumpkin. The festival begins with a pancake breakfast hosted by the local fire department, followed by a parade that winds through downtown. Visitors can explore a wide array of pumpkin-themed activities, including pumpkin carving contests, where the winner receives a $200 cash prize and a gift certificate to Vala’s Pumpkin Patch. Children can participate in a costume contest, with prizes for the best-dressed in various categories. The festival also features a petting zoo, pony rides, and a craft fair where local artisans showcase their handmade goods. The day concludes with a pumpkin pie baking contest, where local celebrity chef Jane Smith of Jane’s Kitchen serves as a judge, adding a touch of culinary expertise to the event.
Bustoberfest
Location: Indian Cave State Park, NE
Date: October 12-13, 2024
Attendees: Approximately 5,000
Theme: Vintage Vehicles & Outdoor Fun
Bustoberfest at Indian Cave State Park is a unique fall festival that combines the beauty of Nebraska’s fall foliage with a gathering of vintage Volkswagen buses. Enthusiasts from across the Midwest bring their restored VW buses to the park for a weekend of camping, hiking, and community fun. The event features a “Best in Show” contest, where the top vehicle owner wins a custom-made trophy and a gift certificate to a local auto shop. Attendees can also enjoy guided hikes through the park’s scenic trails, campfire music sessions with local folk artists like The String Beans, and a swap meet where VW parts and memorabilia are exchanged. Bustoberfest is a one-of-a-kind event that celebrates both the natural beauty of Nebraska and the enduring appeal of these classic vehicles.
Lincoln Calling Music Festival
Location: Lincoln, NE
Date: October 3-5, 2024
Attendees: Approximately 15,000
Theme: Music, Arts & Innovation
Lincoln Calling is a multi-day music and arts festival that brings together the best of Nebraska’s creative scene. Held across various venues in downtown Lincoln, the festival features performances by a diverse lineup of artists, including indie rockers The Fey, electronic duo Icky Blossoms, and country singer Josh Hoyer. In addition to music, Lincoln Calling offers a series of innovation panels, art exhibitions, and workshops. The festival’s annual Battle of the Bands competition is a highlight, with the winning band receiving a recording session at a local studio and a $1,000 cash prize. Food trucks and pop-up shops from local businesses add to the lively atmosphere, making Lincoln Calling a celebration of the city’s vibrant cultural scene.
Harvest Moon Festival
Location: Kearney, NE
Date: September 14, 2024
Attendees: Approximately 7,000
Theme: Autumn Equinox Celebration
The Harvest Moon Festival in Kearney celebrates the autumn equinox with a day of music, food, and community spirit. The festival takes place in the heart of Kearney, where local farmers set up stands to sell fresh produce, homemade jams, and artisanal goods. Children can participate in pumpkin decorating contests, while adults enjoy craft beer tastings from Nebraska breweries like Kinkaider Brewing Co. As night falls, lanterns are lit across the festival grounds, creating a magical atmosphere for the evening’s live music performances. Local favorite The Innocence take the stage as the headlining act, filling the air with their soulful Americana tunes. The Harvest Moon Festival is a perfect blend of rustic charm and modern entertainment, making it a cherished event for the Kearney community.
Oktoberfest at the German-American Society
Location: Omaha, NE
Date: September 27-29, 2024
Attendees: Approximately 10,000
Theme: German Culture & Celebration
Omaha’s Oktoberfest, held at the German-American Society, is a lively celebration of German culture that draws visitors from across the state. The festival features authentic German food, including bratwurst, schnitzel, and pretzels, all washed down with steins of German beer. Traditional games like the stein-holding contest and pretzel-eating competition keep the crowd entertained, with winners receiving gift certificates to local German restaurants like Gerda’s German Restaurant & Bakery. The festival’s main stage hosts live music from The Barry Boyce Band, a polka group that gets everyone dancing with their lively tunes. A highlight of the festival is the crowning of the Oktoberfest Queen, a title that comes with a $500 scholarship and a spot in the parade. Oktoberfest in Omaha is a true celebration of German heritage, offering a fun and festive experience for all.
Sweet Corn Festival
Location: Auburn, NE
Date: August 24, 2024
Attendees: Approximately 3,000
Theme: Corn Harvest & Community Gathering
The Sweet Corn Festival in Auburn is a tribute to one of Nebraska’s most iconic crops. This late-summer event celebrates the corn harvest with a day of food, fun, and family activities. Festival-goers can feast on buttery ears of sweet corn, participate in corn shucking contests, and even try their hand at corn-themed games. The event also features a cook-off where local chefs compete to create the best corn-inspired dish, with the winner taking home a $250 cash prize and bragging rights for the year. Live music from The Heartland Country Band keeps the atmosphere lively, while local vendors sell everything from homemade crafts to fresh produce. The Sweet Corn Festival is a quintessential Nebraska event that brings the community together to celebrate the bounty of the harvest.
Planning Your Visit to Nebraska’s Fall Festivals
Nebraska’s fall festivals offer a perfect opportunity to explore the state’s rich cultural heritage and enjoy the beauty of the season. To make the most of your visit, consider booking a vacation rental through Lake.com. Whether you’re drawn to the apple orchards of Nebraska City, the vibrant arts scene in Lincoln, or the rustic charm of Gretna, Lake.com offers a variety of accommodations to suit your needs. Imagine staying in a cozy cabin near Indian Cave State Park after a day of exploring Bustoberfest, or relaxing in a downtown Lincoln loft after enjoying the Lincoln Calling Music Festival. Booking a vacation rental ensures you have a comfortable and convenient home base as you immerse yourself in Nebraska’s autumn festivities.
