Explore Minnesota’s Fall Festivals Featuring Local Flavors, Crafts and Activities
Minnesota’s fall festival scene comes alive with the crisp autumn air and vibrant foliage, offering a mix of family-friendly activities, cultural celebrations, and culinary delights. From the Twin Cities to the North Shore, these festivals showcase the state’s rich harvest, artistic talents, and community spirit.
Annual Highlights and Traditions
Sever’s Fall Festival
Location: Shakopee, MN
Dates: September 14 to October 27, 2024
Theme: Family Fun & Harvest Celebration
Sever’s Fall Festival in Shakopee is a beloved autumn tradition, drawing families from across the state. Known for its expansive corn maze, which features a new theme each year, the 2024 maze is robot-themed, offering a fun and challenging experience for all ages. Beyond the maze, visitors can dive into the corn pit, enjoy pig races, and take a hayride through the scenic countryside. The festival also features a petting zoo, giant slide, and pumpkin patch, where you can pick your own jack-o’-lantern.
On weekends, live entertainment, including music and magic shows, adds to the festive atmosphere. Food stands serve fall favorites like caramel apples, kettle corn, and hot cider, making Sever’s a must-visit for anyone looking to embrace the season’s spirit.
Twin Cities Harvest Festival
Location: Brooklyn Park, MN
Dates: September 21 to October 27, 2024
Theme: Largest Corn Maze in Minnesota & Family Activities
The Twin Cities Harvest Festival in Brooklyn Park is a premier fall destination. It boasts Minnesota’s largest corn maze, which spans an impressive 20 acres. The 2024 maze design will feature intricate paths that challenge visitors to navigate. This family favorite festival offers a wide range of activities, from hayrides and pumpkin picking to a giant slide and corn pit.
Kids can enjoy interactive fun in the petting zoo, while adults might indulge in seasonal treats like apple cider donuts and pumpkin-flavored goodies. The festival also hosts a farmers market where local vendors sell fresh produce, handmade crafts, and delicious baked goods.
Moose Madness Family Festival
Location: Grand Marais, MN
Dates: October 18-20, 2024
Theme: Celebrating Minnesota’s Majestic Moose
The Moose Madness Family Festival in Grand Marais is a unique event celebrating one of Minnesota’s most iconic animals—the moose. This festival offers moose-themed games and activities that are fun for all ages. Visitors can participate in a moose-calling contest, join a scavenger hunt, or enjoy arts and crafts inspired by the majestic creature.
Local businesses in Grand Marais embrace the theme, offering special “moose menu” items and discounts. The festival also includes guided nature walks, where visitors can learn about moose habitats and behaviors, making it both an educational and entertaining experience.
As the festival coincides with the peak of fall colors along Minnesota’s North Shore, it’s also an excellent opportunity to enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the area.
Authentic Culinary Experiences
Minnesota’s fall festivals are as much about food as they are about fun. Visitors can savor local specialties, explore the craft beer scene, and enjoy exciting cooking competitions that highlight the state’s rich culinary heritage.
Savor Local Minnesota Flavors
Location: Various
Dates: September to October 2024
Theme: Seasonal Foods & Local Treats
Fall in Minnesota is synonymous with hearty, comforting foods, and the state’s festivals offer plenty of opportunities to indulge. The Twin Cities Harvest Festival in Brooklyn Park features a wide array of food trucks and vendors offering everything from wild rice soup and tater tot hotdish to apple cider donuts and pumpkin spice treats. Local farms set up stands selling fresh produce, homemade jams, and maple syrup, offering visitors a true taste of Minnesota.
In Wabasha, the SeptOberfest hosts a chili cook-off, where amateur and professional chefs compete for the title of best chili. Visitors can sample a variety of recipes, ranging from traditional to creative, and vote for their favorites.
Explore the Craft Brew Scene
New Ulm’s Oktoberfest
Location: New Ulm, MN
Dates: October 4-5 and 11-12, 2024
Theme: Oktoberfest & Local Brews
New Ulm’s Oktoberfest is a celebration of the town’s German heritage, offering an authentic Bavarian experience right in Minnesota. The event features a large beer garden where visitors can enjoy both local and German-style beers. Breweries like Schell’s Brewery, one of the oldest in the state, play a central role, offering seasonal brews that pair perfectly with traditional German fare such as bratwurst, sauerkraut, and pretzels.
Many other festivals across the state also showcase Minnesota’s burgeoning craft beer scene, with tastings and special releases of fall-themed brews like pumpkin ales and Oktoberfest lagers.
Artistic and Cultural Highlights
Minnesota’s fall festivals are rich with artistic and cultural experiences, offering visitors the chance to explore the state’s diverse heritage through music, crafts, and vibrant parades.
Red Wing Arts Fall Festival
Location: Red Wing, MN
Dates: Mid-October 2024
Theme: Art & Craft Exhibitions
The Red Wing Arts Fall Festival is a highlight for art lovers, transforming the charming downtown area into an open-air gallery. The festival showcases over 100 regional artists who display and sell their work, including paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and pottery. Live demonstrations offer a glimpse into the creative process, allowing visitors to watch artists at work.
Local musicians provide a soundtrack of folk and acoustic music, enhancing the festive atmosphere. The event also includes family-friendly activities like interactive art projects and face painting, making it a perfect outing for all ages.
Minnesota Renaissance Festival
Location: Shakopee, MN
Dates: August 17 to September 29, 2024
Theme: Historical Reenactment & Fantasy
Step back in time at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, where the 16th century comes to life with jousting tournaments, period costumes, and artisan markets. This long-running festival features seven themed areas, each offering unique entertainment from acrobats and magicians to live music and theatrical performances.
Visitors can feast on turkey legs and meat pies while browsing the marketplace for handcrafted goods such as leatherwork, jewelry, and pottery. The festival’s immersive environment encourages attendees to dress in period costumes, adding to the festive and historical ambiance.
Family-Friendly Activities
Minnesota’s fall festivals offer a wide array of family-friendly activities, from interactive games and animal encounters to scenic hayrides and corn mazes.
Pumpkin Palooza
Location: Various
Dates: October 2024
Theme: Fall Harvest & Family Fun
Pumpkin patches and corn mazes are staples of Minnesota’s fall festivals. At Sever’s Fall Festival in Shakopee, families can pick their own pumpkins, navigate a corn maze, and enjoy a variety of kid-friendly attractions, including a petting zoo and giant slide. The festival’s hayrides offer a scenic tour of the farm, providing a perfect opportunity to soak in the autumn colors.
In Stillwater, the Pumpkin Regatta at the Harvest Fest invites participants to carve out giant pumpkins and race them on the St. Croix River. This quirky and fun event is a hit with both kids and adults, adding a unique twist to the fall festivities.
Scenic Fall Experiences
Minnesota’s natural beauty is on full display during the fall season. Visitors can enjoy scenic drives, explore rustic orchards, and experience the magic of autumn through various outdoor activities.
North Shore Scenic Drive
Location: North Shore, MN
Dates: Mid-September to Early October 2024
Theme: Fall Colors & Scenic Tours
The North Shore Scenic Drive along Lake Superior is one of Minnesota’s most picturesque routes, especially when the trees are ablaze with color in the fall. Visitors can stop at Gooseberry Falls State Park to hike the trails and capture stunning photographs of the waterfalls framed by vibrant foliage.
Other popular spots along the drive include Split Rock Lighthouse and Tettegouche State Park, where visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding forests.
Pine Tree Apple Orchard
Location: White Bear Lake, MN
Dates: Late August to October 2024
Theme: Apple Picking & Autumn Fun
Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake is a favorite fall destination. It offers apple picking, hayrides, and delicious treats like fresh cider and apple pies. The orchard’s scenic location makes it a perfect spot for a family outing, and weekend visitors can enjoy live music while exploring its many attractions.
Tips for a Fall Getaway in Minnesota: Plan Your Perfect Escape
Accommodation Recommendations
Minnesota offers diverse lodging options for all tastes. For a luxurious yet rustic experience, consider Grand View Lodge on Gull Lake in Nisswa, which combines charming cabins with upscale dining and spa facilities. Prices for fall stays typically range from $200–$350 per night, depending on the cabin size and amenities. For nature enthusiasts, campgrounds such as Lake Maria State Park provide a serene retreat surrounded by fall foliage, with nightly campsite fees starting at $20. For a more adventurous option, Voyageurs National Park offers houseboat rentals, allowing you to explore the waterways at your leisure.
Transportation and Logistics
Fall is a busy season for festivals and outdoor activities, so plan ahead. If you’re attending events like the Minnesota Renaissance Festival (open weekends through September 28, 2024), consider the convenient on-site parking for $10 or opt for shuttle services available from various park-and-ride locations in the Twin Cities. Renting a car is essential for exploring the scenic byways and connecting multiple destinations. The Great River Road along the Mississippi River is particularly stunning in fall, offering vibrant leaf-peeping opportunities.
Must-See Fall Festivals and Events
- Minnesota Renaissance Festival (Shakopee): Running until September 28, 2024, this beloved festival features jousting, artisan crafts, and themed weekends. Tickets are $26.95 for adults and $17.95 for children if purchased online.
- Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze (Brooklyn Park): Open through October, this family-friendly event includes the largest corn maze in Minnesota, pumpkin patches, and hayrides. Admission is $15.
- Pumpkin Nights (Saint Paul): Held from October 10–29, 2024, this illuminated pumpkin trail showcases over 5,000 hand-carved pumpkins. Tickets start at $20 for adults and $16 for children.
Thanksgiving 2024 Special Attractions
Thanksgiving in Minnesota on November 28, 2024, provides opportunities for unique experiences:
- Mall of America Holiday Kickoff: Start your holiday shopping with the Black Friday Preview on Thanksgiving evening, featuring entertainment and early access to sales.
- Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort: While primarily known for winter activities, Lutsen’s gondola rides provide breathtaking views of Lake Superior and the surrounding fall foliage, with Thanksgiving packages starting at $250 per night.
- North Shore Thanksgiving Feasts: Many lodges along Lake Superior, such as Bluefin Bay in Tofte, offer special Thanksgiving dinners featuring local ingredients like wild rice and walleye. Prices average $50–$75 per person.
Outdoor Activities to Embrace Fall
Minnesota’s lakes and parks become magical in the fall. Here are some highlights to inspire your itinerary:
- Canoeing and Kayaking: The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a paddler’s dream. Guided tours in fall often include a focus on wildlife spotting and cost around $100–$150 per person.
- Hiking Trails: Gooseberry Falls State Park on the North Shore is a must-see, featuring trails with views of cascading waterfalls framed by golden foliage. No state park entrance fees on Free Park Day, November 24, 2024.
- ATV/UTV Tours: Explore off-road trails like those at the Cuyuna Lakes Recreation Area. Tours start at $75 per hour, offering scenic views and adrenaline-filled fun.
- Fishing Adventures: Fall is prime time for walleye fishing on Mille Lacs Lake. Guide services typically cost $300–$500 for a half-day trip.
With proper planning, Minnesota in the fall offers vibrant festivals, outdoor adventures, and cozy retreats. Thanksgiving events and activities make this an even more enchanting season to explore the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
