Best Fall Festivals North of Pittsburgh, PA

The mornings are getting colder, the sun is setting earlier, and it's almost time for all of the fall activities we love. One of my favorite traditions is going to the pumpkin patch. I love finding farms with fall festivals because it's a great activity to take my two young daughters and because I love supporting the local farms! My family moved back to the Pittsburgh area about five years ago, and when that first fall arrived, we went on a journey to find the best fall festivals in the area - so we've been to all of them! See below to read about the best fall festivals North of Pittsburgh, PA.

The Best Fall Festivals North of Pittsburgh...

1. Freedom Farms

Freedom Farms is located in Butler, PA and is our absolute favorite fall festival. We've been going for three years, and every year they add more attractions. You can spend hours there and have a blast - There truly is something for everyone! It's so much fun for kids and adults. One thing to consider when you go is that they do not provide wagons for your pumpkins, so you will have to carry them yourselves unless you bring your own wagon. We do all of the other activities first and get our pumpkins last for this reason. The fall festival gets busier each year, but Freedom Farms is so big - and there are so many activities to do that it isn't a negative! Read below to see some of our favorite attractions at Freedom Farms, and why this is our all-time favorite fall festival North of Pittsburgh!

In addition to the below activities, Freedom Farms also has live music, great food, local vendors, and a farmer's market in their barn - my husband and I love to get a beer while we listen to music and the kids eat lunch. It's such a great time. To see a full list of attractions, see the Freedom Farms website.

Fall Festival Activities Include:

Corn Pit

If you're not familiar with a corn pit - it's literally a huge area filled with corn kernels. The kids have a blast running through the corn! Freedom Farms just expanded their corn pit, and it's now in a huge barn. It's really cool and the kids are occupied for a while, which is always a plus.

Tractor Ride

What fall festival would be complete without a tractor ride? It's always my girls' favorite part of the festival - no matter which farm we go to. Sometimes we even make sure we go multiple times!

Hay Bale Tower

It's just what it sounds like - a huge tower of hay the kids (and adults) can climb. My girls have yet to climb to the top - we'll see if they make it this year!

Animals & Pony Rides

They always have animals that you can view, such as cows, pigs, and chickens. The farm also has pony rides for an extra fee. Your kids will ride in a small circle on the pony - it only take about 5 minutes for the whole rides, but it was all my girls' talked about.

2. Harvest Valley Farms

Harvest Valley Farms is located in Valencia, PA and is one of our favorites to go to. The pumpkin patch is just a short walk from the parking lot, and they provide wagons so you don't have to carry your pumpkins everywhere. The farm also has hayrides, but instead of riding to the pumpkin patch, you will ride around a big field. The best part is that during the ride, one of the farmers talks to the riders about the farm - how cool!

Other fun attractions at Harvest Valley Farms fall festival are live music, farm animals, cornstalk maze, face painting, good food, and craft beer. I really love the atmosphere of this farm. It's a gem North of Pittsburgh.

3. Shenot Farm

If your looking for a more simple fall festival, where you can just pick pumpkins without all of the other activities that come with big fall festivals, Shenot Farm is for you! They have a tractor ride to the pumpkin patch, and food trucks on the weekends. Shenot's also has a small farmer's market so you can get some local goodies before you leave. We love going to this local farm.

Fall is my favorite time of year, and I'm so excited for all of the fall activities. I hope this blog has helped you decide which fall festival is best for you and your family! Or you can just go to all of them like I did - which one is your favorite?

It's so important to preserve life's fleeting moments through beautiful photographs! I am a Pittsburgh family photographer who tells your story through images that are joyful, raw, and connected. If you would like more information about a session or would like to inquire, contact me here!