Pumpkin picking, apple cider donuts, hayrides and corn mazes make fall a favorite season for family outings. From farms close to Fredericksburg to festivals worth a drive, this guide offers plenty of ways to celebrate together. Check each venue’s website for current hours, tickets and weather updates before heading out.
Pumpkin Patches
Belvedere Plantation
Sept. 12 – Nov. 7; Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Friday Evenings, 6 p.m – 10 p.m; Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Columbus Day, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; October 31, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
This working farm celebrates the fall harvest time with pumpkin picking, bonfires, evening hayrides, and a cornfield maze! Other attractions include pedal tractors, pig races, a pumpkin mountain slide, barnyard animals, and the fun barn with giant rope swings. Food and other specialty items sold on the premises.
Where: 1410 Belvedere Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408. www.belvedereplantation.com
Braehead Farm Festival Weekend
Sept. 26 – Oct. 24; Weekends, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Braehead Farm is having its annual Fall Festival Weekends in October! Hayrides through the decorated forest, interactive game within the corn maze, a sunflower walk for the little ones. Also, visit with the Great Pumpkin in the pumpkin patch sitting on his hay throne.
Where: 1130 Tyler Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. www.braeheadfarm.com
Cox Farms
Sept. 19 – Nov. 8; September & October, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; November, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Hayrides, 5 giant slides, farm animals, rope swing, kid zone, pumpkins and more.
Where: 15621 Braddock Road, Centreville, 20120. www.coxfarmsva.com
Great Country Farms
Sept. 19 – Oct. 31; Daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Come celebrate with us and create an unforgettable experience picking pumpkins, cheering on the fastest piggie, doing some pumpkin munchin’ with P-Rex, getting lost in our corn maze and roasting marshmallows at the bonfire! Cider donuts, wagon rides, 5-acre play area, live music and more! Special events on weekends!
Where: 34345 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont, VA 20135. www.greatcountryfarms.com
Hartland Orchard
September – Nov. 1; Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
PYO pumpkins. Cash or check only!
Where: 3064 Hartland Lane, Markham, VA 22643. www.hartlandorchard.com
Leesburg Animal Park Pumpkin Village Fall Fest
Sept. 12 – Nov. 8; Mondays – Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Closed Tuesdays; Open Nov. 3; Fridays – Sundays, 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Nov. 8, Closes at 5 p.m
Giant hill slide, wagon rides, spider web crawl, moon bounce, pirate play ship, pony rides, free apples & cider, camel rides, pedal carts and more!
Where: 19246 James Monroe Highway, Leesburg, VA 20175. www.pumpkinfestleesburg.com
Miller Farms Market
Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31; 9 a.m – 5 p.m.
Hayrides, Corn maze, swing set and a giant sand pile for kids to play on! Corn maze opens Saturday, September 5 and the Pumpkin Patch opens Saturday, September 26. Jack O’ Lanterns, Heirloom Pumpkins, Mini Pumpkins, Gourds, and Winter Squash to choose from. Free Admission.
Where: 12101 Orange Plank Road, Locust Grove, VA 22508. www.millerfarmsmarket.com
Mt. Olympus Berry Farm
End of September to October. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays; Wednesdays – Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.– 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11a.m. – 5 p.m.
Pumpkin patch and hayrides. Free Admission.
Where: 23298 Jeff Davis Highway, Ruther Glen, VA 22546. www.mtolympusfarm.com
Round Hill Farm
Sept. 18 – Nov. 8; Weekends, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
A tractor-drawn hayride carries your family or group to the Pumpkin Patch. Pick-your-own or select from pre-picked pumpkins at the farm’s open-air market. Other activities include the barnyard petting-zoo with more than 30 farm animals, two hay bale mazes, a corn maze, zip line, train rides, face painting, pony rides, and picnic area.
Where: 6247 Everona Road, Culpeper, VA 22701. www.round-hill-farm.com
Apple Picking
Carter Mountain Orchard
9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Daily.
Pick your own in the orchard or buy pre-picked in the store. Also available in the store: apple cider slushies, apple cider donuts, pumpkins, and specialty crafts. Ticketed admission on weekends begins on September 12.
Where: 1435 Carters Mountain Trail, Charlottesville, VA 22902. www.cartermountainorchard.com
Grave’s Mountain Lodge
Oct 3 – 4, Oct 10 – 11, Oct 17 – 18; 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Pick your own apples in the orchards during our Apple Harvest Festival. Other activities include pony rides, hayrides, petting zoo, hay mountain, hay maze, and pumpkin patch.
Where: 205 Graves Mountain Lane, Syria, VA 22743. www.gravesmountain.com
Great Country Farms
Sept. 1 – 25, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wagon rides to pick your own apple orchard.
Where: 34345 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont, VA 20135. www.greatcountryfarms.com
Hartland Orchard
Currently open through late October; Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
PYO apples. Cash or check only!
Where: 3064 Hartland Lane, Markham, VA 22543. www.hartlandorchard.com
Fall Festivals
Apple Harvest Festival @ Great Country Farms
Sept. 1-18.
Pick your own apples! Watch apple butter being made, cider pressing demos/tastings, 2 jumping pillows, and corn maze!
Where: 34355 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont, VA 20135. www.greatcountryfarms.com
Wilderness Fall Festival
Sept. 6, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Enjoy moon bounces, hay rides, games, vendors, food trucks, and more at the Wilderness Presidential Resort. Day and activity passes are available for all the fun! Free Admission!
Where: 9220 Plank Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22553. eventbrite.com/e/wilderness-fall-festival-tickets-1307707992809?aff=erelexpmlt
Belvedere Plantation Harvest Festival
Sept. 12 – Nov. 7, Thursdays – Sundays, Times Vary.
Hayrides, face painting, pumpkin patch, scavenger hunt, sunflower walk, visit with “The Great Pumpkin,” hay barn, corn pit, swings, farm animals and much more!
Where: 1410 Belvedere Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408. belvedereplantation.com
Fredericksburg VegFest
Sept. 19, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Featuring vegan and vegetarian food trucks, local vendors, and inspiring speakers. Don’t miss this fun-filled event celebrating all things plant-based!
Where: 350 Lansdowne Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. facebook.com/events/riverfront-park/third-annual-fxbg-vegfest/829728056841919/
Culpeper Harvest Days Farm Tour
Sept. 19 – 20, 10 a.m – 4 p.m.
Enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and taste of Culpeper County on farms in the beautiful Blue Ridge foothills. This free event provides a wonderful educational experience and includes a variety of hands-on activities and demonstrations.
Where: 10220 James Monroe Highway, Culpeper, VA 22701. culpeperfarmtour.com
State Fair of VA
Sept. 25- Oct. 4.
Come celebrate the best of Virginia at the State Fair of Virginia, a 10-day event at the beautiful, pastoral setting of The Meadow Event Park. Whether it’s for a prize-winning fresh apple pie or giant pumpkin, a first date or first time milking a cow, find your blue-ribbon moment this year.
Where: 13191 Dawn Boulevard, Doswell, VA 23407. www.statefairva.org
Hanover Vegetable Farm’s Virginia Apple Cider, Hard Cider and Bluegrass Festival
Sept. 26, 12 – 5 p.m.
With live music, cider and hard cider, there is something for everyone.
Where: 13580 Ashland Road, Ashland, VA 23005. www.hanovervegetablefarm.com
Braehead Farm Fall Festival Weekends
Sept. 26 – Oct. 24; Weekends, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Hayrides, pumpkin patch, scavenger hunt, sunflower walk, corn pit, swings, hay barn, farm animals, a visit with “The Great Pumpkin,” and more!
Where: 1130 Tyler Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. www.braeheadfarm.com
Snead’s Asparagus Farm
Sept. 26 – Nov. 1.
This working farm has a huge pumpkin patch for pick-your-own. Other activities include four mountain slides, Whispering Pines play forest, sand pile, hayrides, farm animals, and more!
Where: 18294 Tidewater Trail, Fredericksburg, VA 22408. www.sneadsfarm.com
Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival @ Great Country Farms
Oct. 1-31.
Pick pumpkins, watch the pig races, get lost in the corn maze, roast marshmallows at the bonfire, hay rides, cider donuts, tractors and more!
Where: 34345 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont, VA 20135. www.greatcountryfarms.com
Stafford Family Fall Festival
Oct. 3, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Artisans, hayrides, inflatables, hay tower, toddler town, food trucks, games/crafts and our annual pumpkin derby & special musical entertainment. Free!
Where: 120 River Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405. www.tourstaffordva.com
Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour
Oct. 9 – 11, 6 – 9 p.m.
Enjoy live blues and spectacular views of the Potomac River while sampling wine from Virginia wineries! Ticket prices vary. Buy early, event typically sells out.
Where: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121. www.mountvernon.org
King George Fall Festival
Oct. 10, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Featuring live music, free rides and games for the kids, parade, crafters, food trucks, the SkillsUSA car show, cornhole tournament, and so much more!
Where: 10100 Foxes Way, King George, VA 22486. www.kgfallfestival.com
Fredericksburg Fall Arts & Craft Festival
Oct. 10 – 11, Times vary.
The Fall Arts & Craft Festival will feature an exclusive blend of over 200 handmade crafters, designers, home décor, and custom jewelry. Browse the aisle for new jewelry, home decorations, or simply that art piece that draws your eye.
Where: 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. www.fredericksburgconventioncenter.com/events/fall-arts-craft-festival
Hanover Vegetable Farm’s Gourds, Goblets and Ghouls Festival
Oct. 10 – 11, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Boney is back for another fun time down on the farm this fall! With live music, wine, cider, beer garden, 20+ vendors, hayrides, pumpkin picking, corn maze and lots of fun activities for the whole family!
Where: 13580 Ashland Road, Ashland, VA 23005. www.hanovervegetablefarm.com
Stafford County Agricultural and Homemaking Fair
Oct. 15 – 18, Times vary.
Featuring carnival rides, games, a petting zoo, sheriff demonstrations, vendors, food trucks, and more. Vendor registration and sign-ups for the Miss Stafford County Pageant are open online, Free admission and parking!
Where: 121 University Boulevard, Fredericksburg, VA 22406. www.staffordfair.com
Annual Harvest Festival in Bowling Green
Oct. 17, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Join us on Main Street for over 150 vendors, artisan crafts, food trucks, live entertainment all day, pumpkin painting, a petting zoo, car show, antique tractors, beer garden and more!
Where: Main Street, Bowling Green, VA 22427. www.townofbowlinggreen.com
Fall Festival and Craft Fair @ Mountain Run Winery
Oct.17, 12 – 7 p.m.
Come out and enjoy some great Mountain Run Winery and celebrate the harvest with us! Live music, vendors, food, lawn games. We have plenty to do for everyone (including the kiddos) so bring your lawn chairs and plan to stay awhile! Admission is free to the event and parking is $5!
Where: 10753 Mountain Run Lake Rd, Culpeper, VA 22701. www.mountainrunwinery.com
Wilderness Halloween Festival
Oct. 18, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Join us for a spooktacular Halloween celebration! Enjoy trick-or-treating at vendor booths and cars, a moon bounce, games, hayrides, a car show, food trucks, and more. Free Admission!
Where: 9220 Plank Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22553. www.eventbrite.com/e/wilderness-halloween-festival-car-show-tickets-1307723489159?aff=erelexpmlt
Fall Harvest Festival @ Mt. Vernon
Oct. 24 – 25, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Enjoy fall activities with the whole family at Mount Vernon! Head to the Pioneer Farm to see 18th-century demonstrations like how they did laundry and even join in on the process. Plus, find your way through a straw bale maze while exploring the Farm!
Where: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121. www.mountvernon.org
Patawomeck Halloween Festival & Craft Fair
Oct. 26, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Featuring crafts, treats and fun!
Where: 638 Kings Highway, Fredericksburg, VA 22405. www.patawomeckindiantribeofvirginia.org
Costume Stroll and Treats on the Streets
Oct. 31, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Get in your Halloween costumes and head to downtown Fredericksburg for the annual Costume Stroll sponsored by Robert B. Payne Heating & Air and Treats on the Streets. Head down early and participate in the annual Costume Stroll. Line-up starts at 8:30 am.
Where: Downtown Fredericksburg.
Annual Harvest Festival Fly-In
Oct. 31, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Enjoy all your favorite activities like the famous candy drop, vintage aircraft, and trick-or-treat aviation style, food, exhibits, and activities for the whole family, including the first-ever Haunted Hangar Tour.
Where: 3380 Shannon Airport Circle, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22408. www.shannonezf.com
