Best Fall Activities in the Triangle: Farms, Festivals, and Fun 🍁

After the hot days of summer, the crisp air of fall in Raleigh is something we all look forward to. I know I do! Fall is not only a magical time here because of the cooler temps and colorful leaves, it also just might be the best time of year for finding family fun.

Fall activities around the Triangle are abundant, with fall festivals, Trunk-or-Treats, tons of fall events and themed-activities, and more. All of these are perfect kid-friendly adventures.

To help you make the most of this beautiful season, I’ve rounded up a list of the best in local fall family fun, from exciting events to classic fall activities like visiting the pumpkin patch. Be sure to bookmark this post for later, and send to your favorite fall-loving friend.

Let’s jump in!

Top Raleigh Fall Activities: Farms to Visit

Where are the must-do family fall activities in Raleigh? That’s what the focus of this section is; the bucket list fall spots around the Triangle that families love. These are classic places you’ll want to return to year after year, creating a fall family tradition!

Fall Events in the Triangle: Fall Festivals + Seasonal Fun

This list is continuously being updated as more events are announced, so check back for more as fall gets closer!

NOTE: FREE events are shown in GREEN!

🍁10th Anniversary Oktoberfest Celebration – The Glass Jug Beer Lab (Durham)

Saturday September 7th | 2:00pm-9:00pm

Family-friendly, all are welcome, and no cost to attend. DJ Gummy will be getting the party started from 2-5 PM, spinning a mix of party favorites and Oktoberfest classics. The Little German Band & Dancers will take the stage from 5-9 PM with a full band and dancers leading us in a classic Oktoberfest celebration!

🍁 Oktoberfest – Raleigh Brewing (Raleigh)

Sunday September 8th | 1:00pm-6:00pm

Dust off your Dirndl and Lederhosen and join us at our Oktoberfest Celebration on September 8th! Free to attend

🍁Pumpkin Party – Leslie-Alford-Mims House (Holly Springs)

Sunday September 8th | 11:00am

Join the Glass Slipper Princess & her Step Sisters on Sunday, September 8th at Leslie-Alford-Mims House for the ultimate Pumpkin Party! Guests will enjoy seasonal sweet treats, pumpkin decorating, live performances, mini makeup fun, games & more!

🍁Fall 2024 Open House – Smith’s Nursery (Benson)

Saturday September 14th | 9:00am-5:00pm

Come join us on Saturday, September 14th from 9 am to 5 pm for our Fall 2024 Open House. You can shop fall decor and mums, eat some yummy ice cream, and ride the hayride down to the pumpkin patch!

🍁Oktoberfest 2024 – Bull McCabe’s (Durham)

Saturday September 14th

This year on Saturday September 14th we’ll be hosting the Appalachian Freunde Polka Band from 2-5, and 6-10pm, and they’ll be leading us on in songs, dance, and games! We’ll have all our favorite Festbiers & Marzens, with a crazy good themed menu!!! The event is FREE and FAMILY FRIENDLY, and festive attire is encouraged!

🍁Burwell School Fall Festival – Burwell School Historic Site (Hillsborough)

Saturday September 21st | 10:00am-4:00pm

Discover a bustling marketplace with local vendors offering treasures aplenty, tantalize your taste buds at our delectable bake sale, and hunt for hidden gems at our vibrant tag sale. Experience the charm of yesteryear with historic children’s games that promise laughter and joy for all ages.

🍁Mead Fest 2024 – Starrlight Mead (Pittsboro)

Saturday September 21st | 12:00pm-5:00pm

Our annual celebration of all things mead! Drink mead, learn how to make mead, celebrate mead! Also, it’s a fun excuse for a mini-Renaissance faire! Music, Vendors, Knights, Food, and more!

Special Needs Farm Day – Phillips Farms (Cary)

Wednesday September 23rd | 3:00pm-6:30pm

Admission for special needs children and one caregiver is FREE. Additional guests 1/2 price admission on this day only. Only special needs children and their families will be admitted in order to create a safe space for them to play and enjoy the fun park.

🍁Oktoberfest – Lafayette Village (Raleigh)

Saturday September 28th | 12:00pm-4:00pm

Grab your Lederhosen and enjoy a German Inspired festival with Fall Brews, German inspired Foods, Live Music, Shopping & Fun throughout the Village! PLUS, the 8th Annual Wiener Dog Races!

🍁NC Eat & Play’s Fall Hootenanny – Hunt Horse Complex @ State Fairgrounds (Raleigh)

Saturday September 28th | 3:00pm-7:00pm

Foodie fest, live music, and family fun. Presented by Cheerwine.

🍁Pumpkin Patch Express – Museum of Life + Science (Durham)

Weekends, 9/28-10/26

All Aboard! Celebrate Fall with a trip to the Museum’s pumpkin patch! Pick the perfect pumpkin to decorate and enjoy a variety of games and activities inspired by autumn. Then, climb aboard the train for a ride back to the station on the Ellerbe Creek Railway!

$15 per person; kids two and under are free
Museum admission is not included and required to access the event.

🍁Triangle Oktoberfest – Koka Booth Amphitheater (Cary)

Friday and Saturday October 4th-5th

This is the Triangle’s biggest Oktoberfest there is an abundance of live music, German beer, German food, dancing, and fun for all. The younger members of the family will enjoy the Kinderplatz Zone with face painting, yard games, and other kid-friendly activities. Ages 15 and under are free.

🍁Fall Arts Fair – Fred Fletcher Park (Raleigh)

Saturday October 5th | 10:00am-5:00pm

Get an early start on your holiday shopping and enjoy a fun-filled day at Fred Fletcher Park on Saturday, October 5, from 10 am to 5 pm, featuring over 60 local artist vendors, food trucks, live music, hands-on activities, and demonstrations.

🍁Wendell Harvest Festival – Downtown Wendell (Wendell)

Saturday October 5th | 9:00am-9:00pm

This day of fun in Downtown Wendell has been happening for nearly 100 years, and includes a parade, a Kids Village, on-stage entertainment, food trucks, and an evening concert.

🍁Falling for Local – Dix Park (Raleigh)

Saturday October 5th | 11:00am-6:00pm

This huge event in the Triangle offers hayrides, a free pumpkin patch, inflatables, kids activities, delicious food, live music, NC craft beer, and much more!

🍁Hargraves Fall Carnival – Hargraves Community Center (Chapel Hill)

Friday, October 11th | 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Join us for a fun-filled Fall Carnival, perfect for kids aged 6-12! Enjoy a day of playing various carnival games where every game played earns you treats. This family-friendly event is a fantastic alternative for those who prefer to skip the Halloween frights of ghouls and goblins. Gather the family and celebrate the season with games, treats, and endless fun at the Hargraves Community Center. Don’t miss out on this delightful autumn adventure!

🍁Oktoberfest – Apex Town Campus (Apex)

Saturday October 12th | 12:00pm-7:00pm

Come out to Town Campus and enjoy an afternoon of celebration. This family friendly, outdoor festival features live German music, beer, wine, local food including traditional brats, a Kids Zone and more. This is a community event
organized by the American Legion Post 124.

🍁Raleigh Fall Harvest Vendor Market & Trick or Treat – Compass Rose Brewery (Raleigh)

Saturday October 12th | 12:00pm-5:00pm

Fall is here! Time for apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkins, hayrides, and fall decor. Have a beverage and shop fall fashions, decor, and more from small businesses at our Fall Harvest Vendor Market. Shop local vendors, trick or treat for the kiddos, vendor giveaways and more.

🍁Oktoberfest – Deep River Brewing (Clayton)

Saturday October 12th | 12:00pm-10:00pm

Games, food trucks, live music. The FIRST 100 people will be lucky enough to receive a pretzel necklace with their stein purchase.

🍁NC State Fair – State Fairgrounds (Raleigh)

October 17th-27th, 2024

The NC State Fair is the biggest annual event in the state. While it isn’t fall-themed, it is a true fall tradition for families! This year will be its 156th year!

🍁HollyFest – Sugg Farm at Bass Lake Park (Holly Springs)

Saturday October 26th | 10:00am-4:00pm

This annual, family-friendly event celebrates Holly Springs and all the people, places and services that our community has to offer. Featuring local artists, businesses, food vendors, children’s activities, and local entertainment; this free event is a Holly Springs tradition.

🍁Floating Pumpkin Patch – Homestead Aquatic Center (Chapel Hill)

Saturday October 26th | 3:00pm-5:00pm

Party with Pumpkins at the Pool! Join us for an afternoon full of floating pumpkins in the pool. Everyone gets their own pumpkin to decorate and take home!

Halloween Events in the Triangle

This list is continuously being updated as more events are announced, so check back for more as fall gets closer!

NOTE: FREE Events are shown in GREEN!

🎃Spirits of Wake Forest: Downtown Historic Ghost Walks (Wake Forest)

From September 26th-October 31st | Saturdays – 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 8:30 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays – 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Downtown Wake Forest’s buildings and sidewalks have seen well over 100 years of history, and they have some eerie stories to tell! Join WFD, Inc. and FTC’s incredible cast of storytellers to learn about the restless spirits that make up just a small piece of downtown’s haunted history. Tours are recommended for ages 8 and up. Younger children are welcome at their parents’ discretion. Any attendees under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult.

🎃Movie Under the Stars: Hocus Pocus – Carolina Square (Chapel Hill)

Friday October 4th | 6:00pm-9:00pm

Join us for a fun, free movie screening in Downtown Chapel Hill at the Carolina Square lawn! This spooky edition of Movies Under the Stars will feature the beloved Halloween film Hocus Pocus. Expect a round of movie-themed trivia, a costume contest, and a movie screening beginning at sundown.

🎃Howling at the Creek – Abbot’s Creek Community Center (Raleigh)

Tuesday October 8th | 10:00am

Come to Abbotts Creek for a spooky good time! We will have fun Halloween-themed games and activities. There will be a “howling” competition that begins at 10:45 a.m. to see who the best howler is! Feel free to come dressed in your costume. Pre-registration is required for each participant.

🎃Boo Bash – Piney Town Playhouse (Fuquay-Varina)

Friday October 11th | 5:00pm-7:00pm

Get ready for a spooktacular celebration at our “Boo Bash” event! Join us for a memorable day filled with autumn-themed fun, costumes, and plenty of surprises. It’s a Halloween party like no other!

🎃Trick or Eat Food Truck Rodeo – Downtown Garner (Garner)

Saturday October 12th | 6:00pm-10:00pm

Get ready for a spooktacular foodie fiesta at our Trick or Eat Food Truck Rodeo, paired with a delightful Artisan Market! 

 Freaky Feasts & Ghoulish Grub! Artisan Market Delights!  Costume Contest!

🎃Track or Treat Halloween Train Rides – Triangle Train (New Hill)

October 12th, 19th, and 26th – Track or Treat | See website for times

A kid-friendly train ride complete with scenes of flying witches, smoking cauldrons, large pumpkin faces, Count Dracula and other friendly creatures along the route. Passengers can also play Mummy Mayhem, a game where riders search for 13 mummies hidden along the train tracks. In the rail yard, families can listen to songs by the popular singing pumpkins, take advantage of the many photo opportunities and watch model trains zip around the Garden Railway. Our gift shop will also be open. Halloween costumes are encouraged for passengers of all ages.

October 25th – Boo & Brew | See website for times

We have all the Halloween decorations up and we also have all the same actors in the woods as the Track ‘n Treat Halloween train ride.  The difference is we have food and beer for you to purchase and its on Friday night.

🎃Family Spooktacular – Sugg Farm Park at Bass Lake (Fuquay-Varina)

Saturday October 12th | 1:00pm-4:00pm

Geared for ages 3-11, this free event includes candy stations, games, and slime-making. Children are invited to participate in costume contests. Gather around the fire to roast marshmallows to perfection for smore’s. There will also be Trunk-or-Treating!

🎃Step into the Halloween Village – Lafayette Village (Raleigh)

Sunday October 13th | 4:30pm-7:30pm

Come trick or treat and meet your favorite Halloween characters for a spooky time!

🎃All Things Pumpkin – Marsh Creek Community Center (Raleigh)

Wednesday October 16th | 10:00am

Go big or gourd home! All things pumpkins will have your little one learning, painting, and seeing all the things you can do with pumpkins. Be sure to carve out a little time for us this fall! Please come dressed to be active and get dirty. For ages 3-6.

🎃Mummy & Son Monster Mash – Piney Town Playhouse (Fuquay-Varina)

Friday October 18th | 5:00pm-7:00pm

Join us for the Mummy and Son Monster Ball at Piney Town Playhouse on October 18th, 5-7 pm! This Halloween-themed dance invites moms and their little monsters to dress up, dance, and create unforgettable memories. 

🎃Family Night Out: Creepy Crawley Carnival – Museum of Life + Science (Durham)

Friday October 18th | 5:30pm-9:00pm

Bring the whole family for a night of spooky fun and eerie excitement at the Creepy Crawley Carnival. Embrace the Halloween spirit with a variety of fun activities, including an unforgettable animal encounter and the chance to create your own Hex Bug maze. Take a break and indulge in delicious treats from our food truck, available for guests to purchase throughout the event. Don’t miss out on this spine-tingling, family-friendly event! Bring your friends and family for a night to remember.

🎃Halloween Boo Bash – Downtown Wake Forest (Wake Forest)

Saturday October 19th | 11:00am-2:00pm

A free, family-oriented festival for children ages 12 and younger. This year’s festivities will include inflatables, a photo booth, sponsor exhibits, DJ, food trucks and a variety of ghostly games and activities! Costumes are optional, but the best costumes may be featured on the Town website and social media pages.

🎃Bull City BOOs Fest 2024 – Durham Central Park (Durham)

Saturday October 19th | 4:00pm-11:00pm

Join The MAKRS Society for our 3rd annual Halloween Festival at Durham Central Park! Halloween vendors, local breweries, live DJ, Halloween activities, selfie station, food trucks, decor, and more.

🎃NC Transportation Museum’s Halloween Train – NC Transportation Museum (Spencer)

Saturday October 19th, Saturday October 26th, Sunday October 27th

Bring your little monsters and ghouls for our Halloween event! The Halloween Trains will be offered Saturday, Oct. 19, and again on, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and 12 – 5 p.m. on Sunday. The train ride will be decorated for Halloween, with music to match. The train will run on Saturdays at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m.

🎃Boo at the NC Zoo – NC Zoo (Asheboro)

Sat/Sun 10/19-20, Sat/Sun 10/26-27

Get your kids ready for the beloved Boo at the North Carolina Zoo! This annual, family-friendly Halloween event serves sweet treats and more, perfect for kids 4-12. Dress up your little ones to enter fun costume contests, enjoy trick or treating, and have a howling good time with festive games.

🎃Scarecrow Row – Apex Community Park  (Apex)

October 23rd-October 31st

Visit Apex Community Park’s Scarecrow Row the week of Halloween and check out all the community-decorated scarecrows! Bring a flashlight if you’d like to visit after dark – the park closes at 10 pm. 

Apex Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources staff will host a scarecrow decorating event on October 23, 2024 for registered families.

🎃Baby Boo Bash (2 and under) – Piney Town Playhouse (Fuquay-Varina)

Wednesday October 23rd | 10:00am

Get ready for a spooktacular celebration at our “Boo Bash” event! Join us for a memorable day filled with autumn-themed fun, costumes, and plenty of surprises. It’s a Halloween party like no other!

🎃Hocus Pocus – Holly Springs Cultural Center (Holly Springs)

Thursday October 24th | 7:00pm

Free showing of this 1990’s classic Halloween film.

🎃Trick or Treat in Downtown (Fuquay-Varina)

Friday October 25th | 2:00pm-5:00pm

Families are invited to dress up their ghosts and goblins and visit the businesses in both downtown districts. Look for the sign “Trick or Treat Here!”

🎃Kick or Treat the Trail – Knightdale Station Park (Knightdale)

Friday October 25th | 6:00pm-8:00pm

Trick or Treat Stations will be set up on the trails around Soccer Field #1 at Knightdale Station Park.  We will have games, activities, food trucks and a DJ. 

🎃Boo Bash – Piney Town Playhouse (Fuquay-Varina)

Friday October 25th | 5:00pm-7:00pm

Get ready for a spooktacular celebration at our “Boo Bash” event! Join us for a memorable day filled with autumn-themed fun, costumes, and plenty of surprises. It’s a Halloween party like no other!

🎃Halloween Carnival – Town of Carrboro (Carrboro)

Friday October 25th | 5:00pm

We boast a host of carnival style activities that reward the children’s participation with a wickedly good prize bag. Popcorn, sodas, hot chocolate, apple cider and coffee will be sold at the concession booth.

🎃Marbles Kooky Spooky Halloween Party – Marbles Kids Museum (Raleigh)

Friday October 25th | 6:00pm-8:30pm

Come in costume for a ghoulish good time! Experience the magic of Marbles after dark at this family-friendly Halloween spooktacular. 

🎃Boo Bash Halloween Special Needs Dance – Clayton Community Center (Clayton)

Friday October 25th | 6:00pm-8:00pm

Our annual free Halloween dance and trunk or treat for participants with special needs will take place outside under the covered porch at the Clayton Community Center! Wear your favorite costume and come dance the night away! Volunteers from Clayton Youth Council and other organizations help make this possible. Refreshments will be provided and support staff is welcome!

🎃Spellbound at Mordecai – 1 Mimosa St. (Raleigh)

Saturday October 26th | 10:00am-3:00pm

A Children’s Halloween Market by Paper & Stars Studio at Mordecai Park. Costume Contest – Crafts – Music – Pumpkins – Handmade Goods

Magic, mischief, and mayhem abound at Spellbound at Mordecai. Encounter mysterious creatures and amazing magicians, have your fortune told, create spooky crafts, and decorate a pumpkin to take home for All Hallow’s Eve. Wear your best Halloween finery to enter the costume contest and parade. Shop for enchanting handmade items and treats from our vendors, enjoy family-friendly stage performances, and experience Mordecai Park under the spell of Halloween.

🎃23rd Annual No Scare Fair – Dennis B. Wicker Center (Sanford)

Saturday October 26th | 11:00am-4:00pm

Enjoy an afternoon of kiddie crafts, games, vendors, food trucks, and pint sized pastures while supporting HAVEN in Lee County. 

🎃Morrisville Boo Bash – Morrisville Community Park (Morrisvile)

Saturday October 26th | 3:00pm-6:00pm

Join us for an enchanting afternoon of Halloween magic at Morrisville Boo Bash! Bring your little goblins, ghosts, and superheroes for an afternoon filled with laughter, treats, and spooky surprises.

🎃Haunted Hill – Chapel Hill Community Center (Chapel Hill)

Saturday October 26th | 5:00pm-8:30pm

Grab a costume and join us for Trunk-or-Treat, some spooktacular games and activities, ghost stories, a haunted walk, and a movie in the park!

🎃BooFest – Museum of Life + Science (Durham)

Saturday 10/26, Sunday 10/27, and Thursday 10/31

Included with admission

Join us for our weekend BooFest celebration at the Museum of Life and Science, if you dare! Guests can celebrate the season with hands-on activities in the Lab, a pumpkin-party station with take-home goodies (as supplies last), themed enrichment and encounters around campus, and more. Don your costumes and visit us for this spooky celebration of the season!

🎃Trunk or Treat – Jack Marley Park (Angier)

Saturday October 26th | 4:00pm-8:00pm

Family Fun, Food, Games, Bounce Houses, Free Candy, Games, Costume Contest

🎃Goblin’s Groove – Halle Cultural Arts Center (Apex)

Saturday October 26th | 5:00pm-7:00pm

Come out to the Spooktacular Annual Goblin’s Groove Family Dance. Parents and kids won’t be able to stop singing and dancing along to groovy music from all
decades. Have no fear, we will have all of your spooky favorites: festive games, fun crafts, and haunting Halloween tricks and treats. This is a parent/child dance, youth and teens must be accompanied by an adult. Halloween costumes are strongly encouraged, but not required. Ghoulish punch and snacks will be provided.

🎃Halloween at Piedmont Feed and Garden Center (Chapel Hill)

Saturday October 26th | 9:00am-5:00pm

Get the kids in their costumes (pets too) and bring them out for a family-friendly Halloween celebration at Piedmont Feed & Garden Center! Face painting, birds of prey, food truck, and costume contest.

🎃North Hills Night Market: The Haunted Village – Midtown Park at North Hills (Raleigh)

Saturday October 26th | 4:00pm-9:00pm

Pumpkin patch, local vendors, food trucks, live music, sip & shop, family fun, photo area, trick or treating

🎃Baby Boo Bash (2 and under) – Piney Town Playhouse (Fuquay-Varina)

Wednesday October 30th | 10:00am

Get ready for a spooktacular celebration at our “Boo Bash” event! Join us for a memorable day filled with autumn-themed fun, costumes, and plenty of surprises. It’s a Halloween party like no other!

🎃Trick or Treat Main Street – Downtown Clayton (Clayton)

Thursday October 31st | 1:00pm-3:00pm

Trick or Treat in Downtown Clayton! This holiday tradition is designed for those with little legs to put on their costume and take over Main Street… marching down the street and sidewalks where they are greeted by local business owners waiting to hand them goodies and treats. Once you’ve filled up your bags, stop by Town Square to snap a festive picture and play some games! Meet in Horne Square to get things started – 348 E Main St.

🎃Trick or Treat the Trail – White Deer Park (Garner)

Thursday October 31st | 3:00pm-6:00pm

Trick-or-treat your way around White Deer Park’s one mile loop trail, come dressed in your best costume, and don’t forget your candy bucket! Local businesses and organizations will be passing out treats, a creepy crawlies exhibit will be featured in the Nature Center, and food trucks will be on site for purchase.

Fall Day + Weekend Trips

Raleigh is in such a wonderful location in North Carolina, but there are also some exciting options a little further out. These can make for great fall day trips as a family.

Millstone Creek Orchards

The closest apple orchard to Raleigh is Millstone Creek Orchards in Ramseur, NC. It’s a little over an hour drive from Raleigh, so it’s definitely doable for a day trip. Apple season is late August-September, so it’s right around the corner!

This year they’re also opening a brand new Cider House, serving hard cider, craft beer, and local NC wines, plus an array of food items. Sounds amazing!

Pilot Mountain State Park

Pilot Mountain State Park, about a 2-hour drive from the Triangle, is a great destination for a fall day trip. The park’s distinctive peak offers spectacular views, especially when the leaves are changing colors.

Enjoy a variety of hiking trails, picnic areas, and rock climbing opportunities. The Jomeokee Trail, a short trail which circles the base of the pinnacle, is a family favorite. For views of the rock itself, consider tackling Little Pinnacle Overlook trail.

Hanging Rock State Park

Hanging Rock State Park is another perfect fall day trip from Raleigh. This scenic park is about a 2-hour drive from the Triangle. The park offers over 20 miles of hiking trails, beautiful waterfalls, and stunning rock formations.

For details on the best hikes here, check out this guide by my friends Carl and Christina from NC Tripping.

Carolina Renaissance Festival

We love the Ren Faire! My husband has been going here since his teens, and he brought me along after we met. It’s such a fall tradition for us and so many families. Games, shows, food, mead, costumes, rides. It’s everything you could want.

It’s definitely a day or even a weekend trip from the Triangle, however, as it is located in Huntersville, NC. This year’s dates for the Ren Fest are weekends October 5 – November 24.

Autumn at Oz – Land of Oz NC

Follow the yellow brick road…..er, I mean, the North Carolina highways, to the Land of Oz in Beech Mountain. It’s a trek at nearly a 4 hour drive, but if you are a Wizard of Oz fan, this is worth it. Autumn in Oz takes place over 3 weekends in fall, this year the dates are September 6th-8th, 13th-15th, and 20th-22nd.

Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train

This might be a good weekend trip for families with older kids. The Ghost Train looks pretty darn spooky! There are other attractions in addition to the train ride, such as carnival rides. It’s worth looking into!

Carolina BalloonFest

Head out to Statesville, NC, for the 49th annual Carolina BalloonFest. Hot air balloons fill the skies at this amazing festival, and there’s more to do, too, like evening balloon glows, live entertainment on two stages, a kids’ zone, marketplace and artisan village, NC wine and craft beer garden, aerialist circus performances, and even skydiving exhibitions. This year’s dates are October 18th, 19th, and 20th, 2024.