Unearth The Voyage
Crisp air, colorful leaves, and irresistible seasonal flavors—Pennsylvania’s fall festival circuit delivers it all. From sizzling bacon creations to orchard-fresh apple treats, these gatherings transform small towns and fairgrounds into foodie playgrounds. Whether you’re chasing cozy comfort foods or hunting down inventive bites, you’ll find a perfect weekend escape on this list. Ready to map out your most delicious autumn yet?
National Apple Harvest Festival (Biglerville)
Celebrate Pennsylvania’s orchard heritage at the National Apple Harvest Festival, held at the South Mountain Fairgrounds near Gettysburg. The air smells like cinnamon and fresh-pressed cider as vendors fry apple doughnuts and slice pies still warm from the oven. Wander rows of craft booths, try apple butter on warm bread, and sip hot cider while fiddlers play. With dates set for October 4–5 and October 11–12, 2025, it’s easy to plan a weekend. You’ll also find smoked meats, kettle corn, and seasonal soups to round out the sweet treats. Demonstrations showcase antique apple peelers, cider presses, and old-time cooking techniques. Families love the hayrides and orchard displays. You’ll find a bounty of apple-centric treats and local food sellers making it a true “fall food-festival” experience.
PA Bacon Fest (Easton)
PA Bacon Fest takes center stage in Easton with two days dedicated to all things bacon, from smoky maple-glazed strips to inventive bacon mac and cheese. The sizzle carries down the historic streets as music fills the air and vendors plate up towering BLTs, bacon-wrapped skewers, and indulgent desserts. Held November 1–2, 2025, it’s a perfect cool-weather feast. Expect chef demos, tasting flights, and plenty of family-friendly activities. Craft drinks—think cider and local brews—pair perfectly with savory bites. Bacon-themed merchandise and food challenges add playful flair. The festival’s layout makes it easy to graze from stall to stall without missing the live bands. Ideal if you’re into bold, savory autumn eats and want a lively festival vibe with nonstop flavor.
Autumn Leaf Festival (Clarion)
Clarion’s Autumn Leaf Festival blends community tradition with a robust lineup of food stands, creating a festive nine-day celebration amid brilliant foliage. Scheduled for October 18–26, 2025, it invites visitors for parade fanfare, craft markets, and plenty of flavor. Grab warm apple dumplings, stuffed pretzels, pierogies, and hearty soups while browsing local artisans. Food trucks line the streets with everything from barbecue to gourmet grilled cheese. Children’s activities and live entertainment keep energy high throughout the week. The pace is relaxed enough for casual grazing yet lively during marquee events. It’s a great excuse to plan a weekend or midweek getaway to savor small-town charm. Great for a food outing mixed with a local-festival atmosphere and colorful autumn scenery.
Applefest (Franklin)
Set in the picturesque streets of Franklin, Applefest is a beloved tradition that celebrates the bounty of the season with over 300 vendors. Mark your calendar for October 3–5, 2025 and come hungry. You’ll find apple funnel cakes, caramel-dipped apples, and artisan cheeses, plus savory options like sausage sandwiches and chili. The “food extravaganza” reputation is well earned, with long rows of stalls to discover. Local producers showcase jams, salsas, and maple goods ideal for pantry stocking. Live entertainment provides a cheerful soundtrack as you sample and browse. Historic architecture and friendly volunteers add to the charm. Perfect for sampling local fare in a small-town setting that’s easy to navigate and full of delicious surprises.
Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival (Lehighton)
At Country Junction in Lehighton, the Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival stretches from September 27 through October 26, 2025, offering a month of fall flavor. Wander pumpkin patches, climb hay bales, and then dig into pumpkin funnel cakes, cider slushies, and hearty fair favorites. Food vendors serve corn dogs, smoked turkey legs, and warm cinnamon nuts perfect for crisp afternoons. Between bites, hop on rides, hayrides, or check out themed attractions. It’s an easy-going, family-forward event with plenty of photo ops. DiscoverNEPA and Poconos listings keep details fresh, but the food is the ongoing highlight. Ideal for combining fall scenery with hearty festival-food indulgence and a leisurely, choose-your-own-adventure pace.
Butler Fall Festival (Butler)
Butler Fall Festival lights up Main Street for one full day—Saturday, September 27, 2025—with artisan booths, live music, and a strong food showing. Expect classic festival bites like sausage hoagies, pierogies, smoked barbecue, and loaded fries. Dessert lovers can chase it all with fresh churros, ice cream, and seasonal pastries. The car show adds a nostalgic backdrop, while kids’ activities make it easy for families to linger. Local nonprofits and small businesses set up alongside food trucks, giving the event a community feel. With everything clustered downtown, grazing from stand to stand is effortless. It’s a compact, energetic celebration that still finds room for variety, making it a flavorful kickoff to peak fall weekends.
Zelienople Fall Festival (Zelienople & Harmony)
The Zelienople Fall Festival brings two charming towns together October 11–12, 2025 for a weekend of food, family fun, and community spirit. The chili cook-off is a centerpiece, inviting visitors to sample bold, warming bowls and vote for favorites. Around it, food vendors dish out kettle corn, brats, stuffed pretzels, and sweet treats. A car cruise adds classic style to tree-lined streets draped in fall color. Expect crafters, kids’ activities, and live entertainment that make lingering a joy. Portions are generous, prices approachable, and the pace neighborly. It’s a perfect stop if you love cozy scenes and crave approachable, satisfying festival fare.
Pennsylvania Dutch Farm-to-Fall Fest (Lancaster County)
In Lancaster County, a farm-to-fall celebration highlights the region’s Pennsylvania Dutch flavors with fresh, hearty comfort foods. Look for soft pretzels, shoofly pie, chicken corn soup, and whoopie pies alongside seasonal favorites like apple butter and chow-chow. Many farms host weekend pop-ups and markets through October, pairing hayrides with stand-by-stand tasting. Local ciders and farmstead cheeses make perfect souvenirs. While specific hosts and dates vary, Lancaster’s tourism calendars detail weekly happenings. Expect warm hospitality, scenic backroads, and generous portions. It’s an easy add-on to other regional stops, making your weekend a rolling feast. Come hungry and curious—you’ll leave with pantry treasures and fall flavors you’ll crave all winter.
Pittsburgh Pierogi & Harvest Market (Pittsburgh)
This harvest-season market in Pittsburgh spotlights the city’s beloved pierogies alongside Eastern European comfort foods. Imagine steaming dumplings stuffed with potato and cheese, topped with caramelized onions, or served fried and crispy. Stalls round out the offerings with kielbasa, sauerkraut, seasonal soups, and sweet kolaczki. Craft vendors and local bakers add breads and pastries fit for chilly evenings. Look for weekend dates in October, often tied to neighborhood markets and pop-ups. Live music and casual seating make it easy to linger. For a true Steel City taste, pair pierogies with a local lager or cider. It’s a flavorful urban counterpart to rural festivals—small in footprint, big on satisfaction.
