Festivals, brewery tours and activities to enjoy this fall in central PA
Fall is right around the corner, and nothing says autumn quite like pumpkin carving and outdoor festivals, while sipping hot cider and admiring the colorful leaves.
From beer and wine festivals to the family-friendly events for kids, central Pennsylvania has plenty of fun activities and festivals to enjoy this season. Check out some of them:
York Halloween Parade - downtown York
The 2022 York Halloween Parade, presented by Traditions Bank and organized by the York Revolution, marks its 72nd march through downtown York. It starts at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at the York Fairgrounds and travels east on Market Street from Richland Avenue to Broad Street.
To learn more or to register for the parade, go to their website.
Gettysburg Wine and Music Festival - 95 Presidential Circle, Gettysburg
Enjoy sampling hundreds of wines from Pennsylvania wineries and spirits from local distilleries, while listening to live music. Attendees may bring chairs, portable tents (with the proper ticket and in the designated areas) and blankets.
This 2-day event will run from Saturday, Sept. 10, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., to Sunday, Sept. 11, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available on the event website. Advanced general admission tickets are $30 each, and tickets for designated drivers are $15 each.
Oyster Festival - 217 W. Princess St., York
In York, The Oyster Festival has been running for over four decades and not only includes amazing food, but features family- focused activities, live music, children’s activities and baked goods. The event offers free admission, and attendees are encouraged to bring their family and explore the Agriculture and Industrial Museum.
The 2022 Oyster Festival will take place on Sunday, Oct. 16, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the History Center’s Agricultural and Industrial Museum.
New Freedom Fest - 22 Railroad Ave, New Freedom
This old-time “festival of small town life," includes music, arts and crafts, animals, food, games, pumpkin painting, and much more – all centered around the historic town of New Freedom. The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Enjoy food from local restaurants, live music, and a pet parade, while supporting local artists and craftsmen including jewelers, potters, photographers, weavers and sculptors, who will be selling their work.
9th Annual Sweet Potato Festival - 170 Stoney Point Road, East Berlin
On Saturday, Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 18 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., check out craft vendors, face painting for the kids, funnel cakes, whoopie pies and more at the 9th Annual Sweet Potato Festival in East Berlin.
JCC Fall Fest - 2000 Hollywood Drive, York
On Wednesday, Oct. 12 , from 4 to 6 p.m., the York Jewish Community Center will be hosting an evening of food, entertainment, and activities for all ages.
This free, family-friendly event will include live music, balloon artists, art and fitness activities, a petting zoo, and food trucks for outdoor dining.
Dillsburg Oktoberfest - The Historic Dill’s Tavern: 227 N. Baltimore St., Dillsburg
Enjoy an afternoon celebrating German culture, at this traditional German Folk Festival featuring Bavarian music, foods, beverages, costumes, and entertainment. This rain or shine event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 10, from noon to 7 p.m.
Tickets are available on their website, and cost $15 for nonmembers, $10 for members, students, and active military (ID required); $5 for attendees under the age of 21, and free admission for attendees ages 12 and under.
New Oxford's Harvest Day Festival & Parade - 27 Center Square, New Oxford
Enjoy a day full of fall fun, at the 15th Annual Harvest Day Festival & Parade. The event will be on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Harvest Day will feature craft and food vendors, free kids' activities and a parade, which starts at 3 p.m.
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Rail Trail Pumpkin Walk - 1 Cherry St., Seven Valleys
On Saturday, Oct. 22, from 4 to 10 p.m., head to Seven Valleys for the York County Rail Trail Authority's Pumpkin Walk event.
Enjoy a 0.6-mile walk on the trail, decorated and lit with hand-carved pumpkins.
Though admission is free, there is a $5 suggested donation, which benefits the York County Rail Trail Authority’s work to develop new miles of rail trail in York County.
Yorktoberfest - York Memorial Park: Vander Avenue, York
Enjoy locally made wine, spirits and beer, as well as food and snacks at the Yorktoberfest Beer and Wine Festival on Saturday, Oct. 15, from noon to 5 p.m. at York Memorial Park.
Tickets are available on the event website.
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Sip & Stroll: Spooky Spirits - Downtown Hanover Center Square
Wear your Halloween costume as you sip, stroll, shop and experience downtown Hanover after dark on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 6 to 9 p.m.
This 21-and-over event is not recommended for children or pets.
Tickets are available on the event website.
5th Annual Snacktown Brewfest - Moul Field: 151-153 Moul Ave., Hanover
Join The Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Moul Field for the 5th annual Snacktown Brewfest.
Celebrate Hanover’s rich snack-food heritage at this 21-and-over event, by pairing tasty treats with local craft beer and wine from over 40 breweries and wineries. Bring your friends out for an afternoon of samples, games and live music.
Tickets are available for purchase on the event website.
Fall Fest - 3465 Deininger Road, York
Celebrate the season of harvest with Hueter's Greenhouses. Enjoy live music, food trucks, and marshmallow roasting while shopping works from local artists!
The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fall 2022 Sweetest Pint Tasting Tour - Continental Square: 2 W. Market St., York
Join Downtown Inc., on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. for a walking/tasting tour of Downtown York's restaurants and pubs, pairing craft beers with fall-inspired dishes.
Tickets are available on the event website.
Shrewsbury Fireman's Fall Festival - 21 W Forrest Ave, Shrewsbury
The Shrewsbury Volunteer Fire Company will be hosting its 5th annual Shrewsbury Fireman's Fall Festival. The free, family-friendly event will include Rides by Russ Amusements, games, savory and sweet treats from local food trucks, live entertainment, and over 40 craft vendors.
The two-day event will take place on Friday, Sept. 30 from 3 to 8 p.m. to Saturday, Oct. 1, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Pippinfest - 108 W. Main St., Fairfield
Enjoy a day of fall crafts, food, and fun at the 41st annual Pippinfest, rain or shine, on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
National Apple Harvest Festival at South Mountain Fairgrounds - 615 Narrows Road, Biglerville
Located in the heart of Pennsylvania Apple country, this two-weekend-long festival features handmade crafts, delicious food, entertainment, and apples - of course.
Festival attractions range from steam engine displays, live music, antique cars, orchard tours, pony rides, tastings, craftsman demonstrations and more.
The event will take place on two weekends:
Saturday, Oct. 1 at 10:30 a.m. and Sunday, Oct. 2, at 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 8 at 10:30 a.m. and Sunday, Oct. 9, at 9:30 a.m.
Tickets are available on the event website.
Wyndridge Farm Oktoberfest - South Pleasant Avenue, Dallastown
Join Wyndridge Farm on Sunday, Oct. 2 from noon to 9 p.m., for a free admission day of fun, food, and beer inspired by the German Oktoberfest.
Enjoy live music, axe throwing, cornhole, pumpkin painting and food and beverages from the restaurant, lawn, patio and barn. Bring your own chair and sit on the lawn, or hang out by the fire pits and picnic area.
The Hive: Fall Fest - 3665 Bull Road, York
Celebrate fall at The Hive and Dottie's Family Market in Dover with 40 handmade vendors set up with handcrafted items for sale. Satisfy your fall cravings with treats from local food trucks in addition to the offerings at The Hive Coffee House as well as Dottie's Family Market.
Free pumpkin painting will be available with the purchase of a pumpkin, as well as a fall-themed photo station. Enjoy free face-paintings for the kids, as well as alpacas onsite for guests to greet and feed treats.
The event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
If you have an event, festival or other fall-related activity that we should know about, email news@ydr.com.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Fall festivals and family-friendly activities in York county
