When the air turns crisp in Wisconsin and the desert sunsets deepen into amber and gold in Arizona, it can only mean one thing — fall festival season is here. Whether you’re searching for a family-friendly pumpkin patch adventure or planning a cozy date night complete with cider and live music, both Arizona and Wisconsin shine in their own unique ways.
🌽 Kid-Friendly Classics
Arizona
- Tolmachoff Farms (Glendale): A perfect family stop, complete with a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, and their famous corn maze. Their haunted maze later in October makes it a great day-to-night adventure.
- MacDonald’s Ranch (Scottsdale): Pony rides, hayrides, and old-west themed fun. It’s as close as you’ll get to stepping into a fall festival frontier in the desert.
- Honorable Mentions: Schnepf Farms and Mortimer Farms
Wisconsin
- Treinen Farm (Lodi): Famous for their artistic corn mazes (think intricate designs that double as aerial works of art), plus hayrides and caramel apples for the kids.
- Schuster’s Farm (DeForest): Pumpkins, goats, and a nighttime bonfire — the perfect blend of family-friendly daytime fun and evening coziness.
🍷 Date-Night Destinations
Arizona
- Page Springs Cellars Pumpkin & Wine Nights (Cornville): Sip local wine under twinkling lights while enjoying the glow of carved pumpkins and live music.
- Downtown Mesa Día de los Muertos Festival: A cultural celebration with colorful altars, traditional foods, and art — ideal for couples wanting something more soulful than a standard pumpkin patch.
Wisconsin
- Elegant Farmer (Mukwonago): Famous for their “Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag,” this spot is perfect for a daytime date with orchard strolls, hayrides, and cider tasting.
- Door County Fall Festivals: Wine walks, live bands, and fish boils make the peninsula a romantic getaway that feels timeless and cozy.
🍎 Seasonal Treats to Try
No matter which state you’re in, food is the true heart of fall.
- Arizona Favorites: Roasted green chile tamales, fry bread, Sonoran hot dogs, and warm apple cider spiked with a cinnamon stick.
- Wisconsin Favorites: Apple cider donuts, hot mulled wine, creamy cheese soups, and hearty chili cook-offs.
Pro Tip: If you’re in Wisconsin, find a local Soup Walk — stroll through town while sampling soups from local restaurants. In Arizona, chase down a food truck festival — Roosevelt Row in Phoenix always delivers a mix of flavors, vibes, and craft cocktails.
✨ Insider Traditions
For us, fall means little rituals that carry through every season:
- In Arizona, we love stopping at a festival, then heading out to Roosevelt Row for craft cocktails or a quick stop at Proof Bread to grab something cozy to take home.
- In Wisconsin, it’s all about bonfires, flannel layers, and hunting down the best cider donuts. Cozy traditions like these remind us that fall isn’t just about festivals — it’s about creating moments you’ll carry into the holidays.
✔️ Quick Festival Checklist
- Layered outfits (Arizona evenings can surprise you, and Wisconsin winds bite).
- A reusable tote bag for pumpkins, baked goods, and local artisan finds.
- Cash for small vendors and food stalls.
- A thermos for hot cider (bonus points if you bring a spiked version).
- Your sense of adventure — half the fun is discovering new traditions.
Final Note
Whether you’re wandering through a corn maze in Wisconsin or sipping wine under string lights in Arizona, fall festivals have a way of bringing us back to the simple joys: crisp air, warm drinks, glowing pumpkins, and shared laughter. This season, try something new alongside your tried-and-true favorites — and maybe start a tradition that will carry into next year.
🍂✨ After all, fall is about more than festivals. It’s about creating stories worth retelling.
⭐ Top 5 Fall Festivals to Try in 2025
Arizona
- Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party (Queen Creek) – Hayrides, a massive pumpkin patch, live entertainment, and a chili cook-off that’s become legendary in the Valley.
- Arizona State Fair (Phoenix) – A fall staple: fried food, big-name concerts, carnival rides, and rodeo energy.
- Four Peaks Oktoberfest (Tempe) – Beer gardens, polka bands, bratwursts, and plenty of dancing under the stars.
- Roosevelt Row’s Halloween Bash (Phoenix) – Art, music, costumes, and food trucks in the heart of the arts district.
- Mortimer Farms Pumpkin Festival (Dewey) – A family favorite with a corn maze, farm activities, and live music in a small-town setting.
Wisconsin
- Cedarburg Wine & Harvest Festival (Cedarburg) – Wine tastings, grape stomping, and live folk music.
- Madison Farmers’ Market Harvest Fest (Capitol Square) – A seasonal twist on the nation’s largest producer-only market.
- Door County Fall Festival (Sister Bay) – A weekend of parades, music, and waterfront charm.
- Bayfield Apple Festival (Bayfield) – Celebrating all things apple: pies, cider, and orchard tours along Lake Superior.
- New Glarus Oktoberfest (New Glarus) – Swiss heritage meets Wisconsin charm with polka, beer, and hearty food.